Cedar Deck or Stamped Concrete?

If I were you, I'd go with what you and your wife want and like; forget about whatever your neighbors are doing...

 

i just had my patio (under the deck and along the back of the house) done in stamped concrete. looks amazing and worth the $$$$.

 

FWIW, I like the stamped concrete. I like the idea of the driveway extensions tying into the whole plan. Does the cedar have to be treated or sealed often?

 

i just spoke with the stamped concrete guys as they were finishing up the job about an hour ago. he said the finish should last 3-5 years and will only need to be resealed after that if you like the shiny look on it.

 

your in MI?? screw the wood. the stamped concrete will hold up much better for all that crappy winter weather.

 

Mine are all brick except for around the pool, which is marble. Have you thought about a brick decvk and walkway? They look really nice and should be up there in $$$ with concrete.

 

i just had it done at my house in ATL. my brother is a contractor up there, i'll ask him if he has a good reference.

 

OFF THE RECORD, I PUT A TREX DECK IN

WORTH THE $$$$$$$$$ NO MAINTENANCE AT ALL

 

Trex is a good opition, low maintenance.

Cedar has it's own charm, yes there's maintenance if you want to keep it looking fresh, but on the other hand some people like that "weathered grey" color it gets if you don't treat it. Cedar is natrually resistant to decay, so the only real reason you would "treat it" is to keep it looking that honey/tan color.

Concrete is good too but hard to change if you want to add on or anything. Keep in mind with concrete, it can move around a little with winter thaw/freeze. With no info on how your current house is constructed.... if it's a slab, be sure they tie it into the existing house.

I'm assming that this is more like a "patio" than a deck since it sounds like it's going right on the ground (hence the concrete option)??

 

DUDE.......think about it....

Cedar may look good, but it's wood: organic, it's little more then cellulose fiber. It's destiny is to become "one" with the ground again (much like ourselves). It can rot, mildew, bugs can eat it, funguses can grow on it, the maintenance is huge, longevity limited, etc, etc, etc. It expands/contracts with heat, moisture and shrinks with cold & dryness....this repeated cycle makes it difficult to keep sealed, especially the inaccessible underside. mThe seal can not remain flexible to hang with the repeated cycles of expansion & contraction...it become brittle, lets moisture in, looks lousy, etc.

There's nothing to think about....AND YOU KNOW THIS ALREADY. I can firmly CONCRETELY give you my STAMP of approval in choosing NOT to go with cedar.

Save the "wood" for the bedroom

 

We have concrete which is great for us because as mentioned it surrounds our house and is great for parking cars, mowers etc. on and is easier to maintain but I have to say at least for a deck to sit on, BBQ and such especially if attached/close to the house I would prefer wood. By the way ever consider doing this stuff yourself? Its possible and can be cheaper, thats what my family did all of us together it was done in a weekend. We have a ramp (wheelchair access) a patio and a driveway all done in concrete/cement.

 

Decision made then, now go get another Ferrari

 

What he says, x10.

 

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where are the trees?

 

STAMPED ALL THE WAY

Basically the best stamp manufacturers and installers in the country:

www.sundek.com

Thank me later.

 

you could always plant money trees...

 

Go with the concrete for the lower maintenance. It will look better after a few years compared to the cedar.
BT