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[Sweetbay magnolia]

My ideal would be to build a composite deck on the old supports, but I don't know if that is feasible and good gosh I think it would be tremendously expensive.

@Lilysmom1 your photos are illustrative of the struggle to maintain.  That flagstone patio I was coveting would probably be a major pain, since we live semi-rural and have tons of trees.  I have enough weeding to do!

I think you're right, though, too, LM, that some contractors don't like working with composite.  I'm sure it takes experience to get it right.

Thanks again to everybody who has responded!  I know a landscape architect that I might call in to evaluate the situation.  The struggle always is, though, getting a decent crew to do the work.  I'm particular but they have the upper hand, since I can't build it myself.

[JeanLouiseFinch]

Our house was built with a modest size elevated treated lumber deck and had a small stairway to the yard. After about 12 yrs., we replaced it with a much larger treated lumber deck - nothing elaborate, just more space and a wider stairway. With the wood decks we were restaining regularly.  About 5-6 yrs. ago we were ready to update again.  We decided to make a patio with Unilock pavers.  We have a wide half circle landing immediately out the French doors from our kitchen and three steps down to a 24'x24' patio.  I'm glad we did it this way.  The brick pattern is attractive and the space is large enough for our big polywood picnic table, 8 chairs around the table, and a separate sitting area with more polywood pieces, and still plenty of space in between. 

[Lilysmom1]

@Sweetbay magnolia , for what it is worth, stay away from the flag stone..  it's a pain.

I think you should explore using the old supports for sure.  They are not as exposed to weather and could reduce the cost.  I like your idea to go composite. Another saving to be had is reducing the cuts that must be made to get your deck size so you should listen to your contractor when looking for ways to keep costs down.

Let us know what you choose.  At some point in the next couple of years, I will possibly be replacing one of the decks lakeside.

Good luck!  LM

[Mominohio]

@Sweetbay magnolia 

I'm in the same boat with you! Our deck was old and sad looking when we bought the house 26 years ago. I do power wash it most every year, and that makes it semi-respectable for the summer season. It was too far gone for sealing, and I'd never paint or stain it, as that is even just more maintenance over time. So we are long past needing to do something. 

Our deck is up off the ground a bit. Our property sits a bit low, and can hold water in very wet times. If I chose a patio, we would need steps down out of the sliding glass door, and the concrete would need maintaining and washing just like the wood has. I'm afraid that after years of just being able to step out the door, onto the deck, the four or five stairs would be cumbersome and problematic.

I've decided there won't be another wood deck, unless this one falls off and I have absolutely no other options. I want a composite or something like that. Again, it will have to be power washed I'm sure, but it should hold it's color and not weather and rot like the wood has. 

I too am interested in what others have done. Let us know what you decide and how the process works for you. 

[Sweetbay magnolia]

Thanks, MIO. I am definitely in a quandary that you can understand!  No use in scrubbing/sealing when the wood is gone.

For now, outdoor rugs will minimize the appearance of damage.  I'm in the throes of deciding what to do next.

@Mominohio 

[Katcat1]

@Sweetbay magnolia     I live in an apt. but I have a deck.  It was repainted, etc. 8 years ago and it is perfectly fine so I don't know what they used.  Patios are very nice too.  How would you enter your patio?  It might be a good idea to talk to someone at a deck, patio co. about upkeep, etc.

[insomniac2]

I have a second-floor double balcony which I love! (There are only a few in the whole complex.) I can sit and read and look now and again at the cars and people pulling in. I adore it.

[MarthaStewardess]

Had a deck at my last house and a patio where I live now.  Love the patio and would never have another deck. 

[wagirl]

I have always lived in houses with decks----one was on the back that wrapped around to the side of the house that was covered and the last one was the entire legnth of the house with a roofed over a lower deck that was the size of the 5 car garage. Ex is a carpenter so he built them. last one was made with composite, first was cedar. both were really nice and we used them alot-------because he was in the biz we never paid the true cost of materials----

[happycat]

I have a deck now and I think I'd prefer a patio.