Decking or Paving for a Garden? What Each Needs, 4 x 3 m
Decking and paving both give you an outdoor seating area, but they are built differently and suit different gardens. For the same 4 × 3 m (12 m²) area, the decking calculator and the paving calculator give:
| Decking | Paving (600 × 600 mm slabs) | |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | 31 boards (3 m, 144 mm wide) | 36 slabs |
| Structure or base | 11 joists and 462 screws | 2.8 tonnes of MOT Type 1 sub-base |
| Bedding | None: boards fix to the frame | 0.6 tonnes of sharp sand |
How they compare
- Ground: decking suits sloping and uneven ground, where a frame can be levelled. Paving needs a flat, compacted sub-base, which takes more digging and carrying of heavy materials.
- Time and effort: decking is mostly cutting and screwing. Paving is heavy: sub-base, sand and slabs weigh several tonnes in all, and each slab must be bedded level.
- Upkeep: timber decking needs cleaning and a coat of oil or stain every year or two and can become slippery in shade. Paving needs sweeping and the odd joint repair.
- Drainage: decking lets water fall through the gaps, but leaves need clearing from underneath. Paving needs a fall of about 1 in 80 so that water drains off.
- Next to the house: keep any surface below the damp-proof course, and never bridge it.
Choosing
Pick decking for sloping or poor ground, a raised area or a quick build. Pick paving for a flat garden, a heavy-use area and a surface that needs little upkeep. The full lists are in the decking materials list and the patio materials list, and the decking, fencing and sheds planner and the patio planner give the order of work. Check planning and Building Regulations rules for your nation first.
Frequently asked questions
Is decking or paving better for a sloping garden?
Decking is usually easier on a slope, because the frame can be levelled on posts or piers. A patio on a slope needs more digging, retaining and a consistent fall away from the house.
Do I need planning permission for decking?
Not always, but raised decking above a set height from the ground, or in some protected areas, can need it. Check the rules for England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland and your local council before you build.
Which needs more maintenance?
Timber decking needs cleaning and oiling or staining, and can get slippery when green. Paving needs occasional sweeping and re-pointing the joints. Composite decking falls in between.
Can I put a patio next to the house?
Yes, but keep the surface at least 150 mm below the damp-proof course and give it a fall away from the wall so that water runs away. See the Building Regulations guidance.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and check the Building Regulations and any planning rules for anything structural or close to a boundary.