Deck or Paver Patio for a River Ridge Backyard?

Written by Big Easy Paver Patios

Deck or Paver Patio: Which Suits a River Ridge Backyard?

Quick Answer: If your back door sits close to the ground and you want low upkeep, a paver patio is usually the simpler choice. If the door sits well above the yard and you don’t want steps, a deck meets it at floor level. For most homeowners weighing a deck or paver patio in River Ridge, the tiebreakers are termites and storm season. We build paver patios, so read our side of this comparison with that in mind. We’ve tried to be fair to both.

How High Is Your Back Door?

This comes first because it changes the whole design. A back door a step or two above the yard makes a patio easy. A door several feet up means a patio needs steps and probably a landing, while a deck can carry the floor straight out.

Steps aren’t a dealbreaker, but they have to be built right. Settlement shows up at steps first, and uneven risers are a trip hazard. Our post on paver steps and stoops for raised homes covers the details, and paver steps and stoops in River Ridge is where we’d start locally.

What Do Termites Mean for a Wood Deck in Jefferson Parish?

LSU AgCenter describes the Formosan subterranean termite as the most destructive insect in Louisiana. It says the species, native to East Asia, was established in New Orleans by 1966, and that the state’s commissioner of agriculture imposed a quarantine for it on October 3, 2005 in a list of parishes that included Jefferson and Orleans.

A wood deck puts posts and framing close to the ground in a humid yard. That doesn’t make a deck a bad idea, but it does make termite protection part of owning one. Ask your pest control company how a new deck fits your home’s termite plan before you build. A paver patio has no wood in it, so this question mostly goes away, though wood planters and stored lumber on a patio still count.

How Do Heat and Rain Treat Each Surface?

Heat. Surface temperature depends a lot on color. Light pavers and light decking both stay more comfortable than dark surfaces in August sun. Our paver pool deck guide explains why lighter pavers are a popular pick around pools here.

Rain and humidity. Wood decks need regular cleaning and a sealer or stain to hold off mildew and moisture damage in a climate this wet. Pavers need their joints kept full, and some owners seal them. Water matters underneath too. A deck can hide standing water below it, while a patio has to be pitched so rain runs off and away. See how to fix a backyard that floods.

Which One Handles Storm Season Better?

A paver patio sits at ground level with no boards to lift and no fasteners to loosen. Heavy rain can wash out joint sand, which is a routine fix. A deck has more parts exposed to wind and water, so after a big storm it’s worth checking the railings and connections. Either way, loose furniture and planters need a plan when a storm is coming.

Do You Need a Permit for a Deck or Patio in Jefferson Parish?

River Ridge is unincorporated Jefferson Parish, so parish rules apply. The parish’s permit page says you need a permit to construct or alter a building or structure, and it lists “Paving of walkways, driveways, or other non-structural paving on private property” among work that generally doesn’t need a building permit. The same page says all structures must comply with zoning requirements for distance from property lines.

A deck is a structure, so ask the parish about the permit and setbacks before you design one. A flat patio usually has fewer hurdles, though work that reaches the public right-of-way is a different matter. Our post on driveway permits in Jefferson Parish covers the right-of-way side. This is general information, and the parish has the final word.

What Moves the Cost of a Deck or a Patio?

• Height. A raised deck needs taller posts and railings. A patio under a raised door needs steps.
• Size and shape. Curves and cuts add labor on both.
• Base or framing. A patio’s cost sits mostly in the excavation and compacted base. A deck’s sits in the framing and footings.
• Upkeep over time. A deck asks for staining and board replacement. A patio asks for joint sand and occasional releveling.

We don’t put dollar figures on this comparison, because both depend on your yard. For paver numbers, see what a paver patio costs in New Orleans.

Can You Combine a Deck and a Patio?

One option is both: a small landing at the door and a larger paver patio below it. A shade structure over the patio can add some of what a covered deck offers, and our pergola vs gazebo vs pavilion comparison covers the choices.

If a big oak shades the yard, a patio has to work around its roots. Our post on oak roots lifting a driveway in River Ridge explains how to repair paving near roots without harming the tree. More layout ideas are in backyard patio ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a paver patio cheaper than a deck?

It depends on the size and the height involved, so we won’t give a blanket answer. A patio under a raised door also needs steps, which changes the math.

Do termites affect paver patios?

Pavers aren’t food for termites. Wood planters and stored lumber are, so keep them in mind, and ask your pest control company about your home’s protection.

Which one lasts longer?

Neither has a fixed lifespan we’d quote. A patio’s life depends mostly on its base and drainage. A deck’s depends on its framing and on how well the wood is kept dry and protected from termites. Either one lasts longer when water is handled well from the start.

Which is cooler underfoot in summer?

Color matters a lot. Light pavers and light decking both stay more comfortable than dark surfaces.

Do I need a permit for a patio in River Ridge?

Jefferson Parish lists non-structural paving on private property among work that generally doesn’t need a building permit. Structures and work in the right-of-way are different, so check with the parish.

Plan a Patio for Your River Ridge Yard

We’ll look at your door height and the drainage, then plan a patio that fits the yard.

See our paver patios in River Ridge and the River Ridge service area page, or call (504) 688-4244 for a free estimate.