Decking vs Paving: Which is Better?

If you don’t want the upkeep of a lawn, or you want an area of your garden to contrast with your lawn, you’ve probably considered both decking and paving. While both types of landscaping material are excellent in their own right, one might suit your project better than the other.

In this article, the Gardenscapes team are going to help you figure out which material is right for you and your garden. Ready? Let’s go.

Decking

Pros:

Ease of installation – Given that decking typically sits on a frame supported by a number of posts that have been sunk into the ground, there isn’t a great deal of excavation work that’s required prior to installation. This makes the whole process of creating your decking area smooth and simple.

Price – As long as you take the time to choose the right wood and speak to knowledgeable professionals, decking can end up being relatively cheap.

Can sit on uneven ground – Because decking sits on a framework of posts, you don’t have to worry about levelling the ground under the decking before you install it. This can save you both time and money.

Cons:

It can be a slip hazard – If you’ve ever walked on decking after a rain shower, you will know just how slippery it can be. While there are certainly ways you can mitigate this problem, it’s something to keep in mind.

A lot of upkeep – To ensure your decking looks its best, it will need treating and cleaning on a yearly basis which will involve recoating the timber. Not everyone will see this as a negative, but some certainly will!

Timber can rot – Again, this problem can be mitigated by choosing the right product, but generally, timber will disintegrate and require replacing every 5 years or so.

A recommendation from us

Composite decking – While composite decking might not be able to match the natural aesthetic of timber, it makes up for it by being both extremely resilient and slip-resistant. You certainly can’t go wrong by choosing composite decking.

Paving

Pros:

Very hard-wearing – While some forms of decking are quite susceptible to damage, by contrast, paving can stand up to a great deal of punishment. This is great if you’re going to be using the area a lot.

A range of colours – The sheer variety of paving slabs out there means that you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to colour and texture.

Low maintenance – Paving is very easy to clean – just a simple power wash should suffice.

Cons:

Requires a level surface – Unlike decking, paving must be laid on level ground, meaning you will first have to do some difficult preparatory work before you can install it.

Cost – On the whole, paving tends to cost a little more than decking, so this is worth keeping in mind.

Drainage – Paving can’t drain naturally like decking, so some sort of system will have to be installed to ensure that it can drain properly.

A recommendation from us

Porcelain paving – If you’re looking for a long-lasting, low-maintenance paving option, we recommend porcelain paving. It has a wonderfully modern and clean look too, so if that’s what you’re going for, be sure to check it out.

Conclusion

Both decking and paving are excellent hard landscaping options, and the right one for you will really depend on your circumstances. If you want a quick and simple installation, maybe decking is for you. If you want something low maintenance that will stand the test of time, perhaps paving is more up your street!