What Should I Do With an Old Concrete Patio?
An outdated concrete patio might be the most uninteresting aspect of a fun backyard. But you don’t have to put up with that boring concrete patio. With a little imagination and elbow work, you can give that aging patio a new lease of life. To give your garden a warm, organic vibe, cover an old concrete patio with a wood or composite deck. Build a new deck out of wood or composite decking and install it on the concrete patio immediately. There are various factors to consider while building a deck over your concrete patio, as well as a few additional patios covering alternatives. Continue reading for more helpful hints and suggestions.
How do I cover concrete with decking?
Building a deck from the ground up can be a complex and expensive undertaking, but covering an existing concrete patio is much simpler. You may examine the many types of outdoor trallmaterial and choose which is the greatest match for you. You’ll need a few tools and supplies, and being handy won’t hurt – but you can do it.
What should I use: composite or wood decking?
A deck’s warm and natural feel may be achieved with either wood or composite decking. The first decision you’ll make when building a deck over an existing concrete patio is which material to utilize.
Wood Decking
Wood decking is the more conventional method of deck construction, however, it is losing favor. It has a lovely appearance, but it is prone to fading, decaying, and drying with time. However, it has the distinct benefit of being far less expensive than composite decking.
Composite Decking
The fact that komposittrall is made up of wood fibers and PVC plastic is one of its numerous advantages. They endure far longer than wood and require far less upkeep. Composite decking is the better option if your project budget permits it.
Can composite decking be installed directly on concrete?
Your deck construction will be a lot quicker and faster if you have an existing concrete patio, and you can build your deck right on top of it. Small spaces between the sleepers and the concrete patio are also a good idea.
Keep your sleepers no more than a foot apart when installing them. You want to give the top planks as much support as possible, but too much space might make your deck seem unstable and bouncy. It can even be dangerous because no one wants to step on the deck.
In this instance, you’ll want to make sure that your patio is perfectly level and settled. Your deck will sink an inch in various areas if your concrete patio sinks an inch in various places over time. Before you settle on a deck constructed flush to the concrete, do yourself a favor and read the manufacturer’s installation guide. Drill holes and use plastic anchors in the concrete to do this. Concrete will not accept regular nails or screws.
How do you put wood against concrete?
Water seepage must be considered while using wood decking. If water collects beneath the boards, it can soak into the wood and cause significant damage. Insects love damp wood, which can lead to dry rot and other issues. Building a sleeper framework and attaching it to the concrete with plastic anchors and concrete bolts is essential for a wood deck.
What is the ideal height for my deck?
A deck built on top of a concrete patio will add height. This additional height may be troublesome depending on the drop-down from your back door to your concrete patio. If space is an issue, you do have choices. You’ll probably add fascia, or retaining pieces, to the patio’s edges to disguise the sides of the tiles and keep them in place.
A raised deck, on the other hand, maybe a significant improvement if you have a significant step down from the back door! Your new deck may be level with the back door, eliminating the short drop needed to get out to the grill while holding a huge dish of ribs. If you have steps leading down to the patio from the back entrance, you can raise them to compensate for the deck’s increased height.