Deck Building vs Paver Installation

Comparing wood or composite decks with paver patios — cost, durability, maintenance, and which outdoor living surface is right for your project.

Deck building and paver installation are the two most popular ways to create an outdoor living space, but they differ significantly in construction method, cost structure, and long-term ownership experience. A wood deck ($15–$35/sq ft for pressure-treated lumber, $25–$60/sq ft for composite) is an elevated structure built on posts and beams with joists and decking boards. It requires footings dug below the frost line, a ledger board bolted to the house (or freestanding posts), and typically needs a building permit. A deck excels when the grade slopes away from the house — it bridges the gap between the door threshold and the yard, creating a level surface without massive grading. It also works well for elevated second-story access. Composite materials (Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon) cost more upfront but eliminate the annual staining and sealing cycle that wood decks demand. A well-built composite deck can last 25–50 years with minimal maintenance beyond occasional cleaning. Pressure-treated wood decks cost less initially but need staining or sealing every 1–3 years ($0.50–$1.50/sq ft) and may show rot, warping, or splinters after 10–15 years. A paver patio ($10–$25/sq ft for standard concrete pavers, $15–$40/sq ft for natural stone) is a ground-level surface built by excavating 6–8 inches, compacting a gravel base, adding a sand setting bed, laying interlocking pavers, and sweeping polymeric sand into the joints. It doesn't require footings or structural engineering — the load spreads across the base — and often doesn't need a permit (though grading, drainage, and setback rules may apply). Pavers are inherently slip-resistant, hold up well under heavy furniture and grill weight, and handle freeze-thaw cycles without cracking when installed on a proper base. If a single paver cracks or stains, you pop it out and replace it — a repair impossible with a deck board connected to hidden fasteners along an entire joist bay. Paver patios are virtually maintenance-free beyond occasional power washing and re-sanding joints every 2–3 years. They last 25–50+ years. Cost comparison for a typical 300 sq ft project: a pressure-treated wood deck runs $4,500–$10,500 installed; composite decks $7,500–$18,000; concrete paver patio $3,000–$7,500; natural stone patio $4,500–$12,000. Pavers generally cost less per square foot than decks at comparable quality tiers, plus they avoid the ongoing maintenance expense of wood.