Concrete Patio vs. Wood Deck in Jacksonville, FL, Compared on Cost, Lifespan and Upkeep
Jacksonville Professional Concrete gets asked about the concrete patio vs. wood deck question almost every week, usually from homeowners standing on a soft, graying deck. In Jacksonville, FL the answer leans on three local facts: we have year-round humidity, termites are always looking for wood, and every summer brings hurricane season.
A deck still wins on some lots, and we will say so when it does. Below we lay out cost, lifespan, upkeep and fit so you can decide with real numbers in hand instead of a sales pitch.
Why Choose Jacksonville Professional Concrete
- Licensed & Insured
- Years of experience pouring residential and commercial concrete
- Proper reinforcement on every pour
- Written warranty on workmanship
- Local crew, local reputation
- On-time, on-budget completion
- Free, no-obligation estimates
- Wide range of finishes
- Proper site prep and drainage grading
- Clean job sites
Concrete patio vs. wood deck in Jacksonville, FL
Cost comparison
- Concrete patio, broom finish: $7 to $12 per square foot installed (our pricing)
- Pressure-treated pine deck: typically about $25 to $50 per square foot (general industry range)
- Composite deck: typically about $40 to $80 per square foot (general industry range)
- 10 by 20 foot concrete patio (200 sq ft): about $1,400 to $2,400
- 10 by 20 foot wood deck (200 sq ft): typically about $5,000 to $10,000
The deck numbers are typical ranges for the region, not a quote from us. We do not build decks, so ask a deck builder for an exact figure on your lot.
Even with that caveat, the gap is wide. A patio usually costs a fraction of a raised deck of the same size, because there are no posts, beams, joists, railings or stairs to build. A raised deck attached to the house also needs its own building permit and structural inspection, which adds time and fees.
Lifespan and maintenance
A well-built wood deck commonly lasts 10 to 20 years. In Northeast Florida the low end is more common, because boards rarely get a chance to dry out between summer storms and humid nights.
Wood also needs a routine: wash it, let it dry, stain or seal it, and repeat every year or two. Skip a cycle and you get cupping, splitting and soft spots near the house where water collects. Mildew on shaded boards also turns slick after a summer shower.
Termites are the other cost. Subterranean termites are active across Jacksonville, and a deck gives them a direct path from the soil into wood that touches your home. Composite boards resist termites better, but the framing underneath is usually still treated lumber.
A concrete patio has none of those problems. With good base prep and a sealer every few years, a patio commonly lasts 25 to 30 years or more and needs little beyond a rinse. We slope it away from the house and compact the sand base so heavy rain drains off instead of undermining the edges.
Resale value
Both add usable outdoor space, and buyers on the First Coast expect somewhere to sit outside. A worn deck can work against you at inspection, while a sound patio rarely draws a second look.
Because a patio costs less to install, the money you put in is easier to recover. Appraisers look at the whole property, so treat either one as a quality-of-life upgrade first.
Where a deck makes more sense
A deck is the better fit in a few situations.
- The yard drops off steeply from the back of the house
- The back door sits several feet above grade
- You want to sit above a river, marsh or creek view
Riverfront lots along the St. Johns and the Intracoastal sometimes fall into that last group. A raised deck there gets you above the bank and the bugs.
On a sloped yard we can also build a terraced patio with a short concrete retaining wall, which often costs less than a tall deck and never needs restaining.
Where a patio makes more sense
- Flat or gently sloped yards, which describes most Jacksonville lots
- Back doors at or near ground level
- Heavy features such as a hot tub, outdoor kitchen or fire pit
- Owners who want low maintenance and less storm prep
Hurricane season is a real factor. Before a storm, a deck's furniture, rails and loose boards all need attention, while a patio just needs the chairs brought in. After the storm, there is no framing to inspect for water damage and nothing to re-fasten.
Finish options
A patio does not have to be plain gray. Exposed aggregate runs $10 to $15 per square foot and gives a gritty, slip-resistant surface that works well around pools.
Stamped and decorative concrete runs $14 to $22 per square foot and can mimic stone, brick or wood plank. Even at the top of that range, it usually costs less than a composite deck.
Get both numbers
Price the patio and the deck before you commit. On most level Jacksonville yards, from Arlington to the Westside, the cost and upkeep gap settles the question quickly. Where the yard is steep or the view matters, a deck can still be worth the extra money.
We measure, sketch the layout and give you a written patio price. Learn more on our concrete patios in Jacksonville, FL page, or call (904) 946-5411 for a free estimate.