ᐅ Which materials are suitable for a garden terrace?

Hello,

We want to modify the terrace in our new build (currently 3 x 5 m (10 x 16.5 ft) concrete slabs).

We plan to expand it to approximately 6–7 m (20–23 ft) deep and 5–6 m (16–20 ft) wide, and install a terrace roof about 4 m (13 ft) deep by 5–6 m (16–20 ft) wide over it.

What material would you recommend for the terrace?

Currently, we are considering the following materials:
Stone slabs
Advantage: very durable
Disadvantage: difficult or nearly impossible to extend by yourself

WPC (wood-plastic composite)
Advantage: much easier to install and can be extended as desired without advanced handiwork skills
Disadvantage: less durable

Wood is ruled out because it requires annual sealing. The maintenance effort is too high.

What material would you recommend we choose? Or are there other options?

Pacc666 schrieb:

Wood is not an option because it needs to be painted every year. The maintenance effort is too high.

That depends. On one hand, it depends on the type of wood. There are wood species that last for decades (tropical hardwoods).

Aesthetic preferences also play a role. I actually like the natural weathering of wood. It’s basically a patina. As long as there is no standing water or parts constantly in contact with soil, it won’t rot. So, painting it is not necessarily required.

Finally, there is the option of oiling. This also needs to be done regularly but might be less troublesome since it is more “natural.”

I am currently planning a wooden deck.

Pacc666 schrieb:

Hello,

We want to modify the terrace in our new build (currently 3x5m (10x16 feet) concrete slabs).

We want to expand it to about 6–7m (20–23 feet) deep and 5–6m (16–20 feet) wide and add a terrace roof about 4m (13 feet) deep by 5–6m (16–20 feet) wide above it.

Which material would you recommend for the terrace?

Currently, we are considering the following materials:
Stone slabs
Advantage: very durable
Disadvantage: difficult or nearly impossible to extend by yourself

WPC (wood-plastic composite)
Advantage: much easier to install and can be extended as desired (without major woodworking skills)
Disadvantage: less durable

Wood is ruled out because it requires annual painting. The maintenance effort is too high.

Which material would you suggest we choose? Or are there any other options?

Porcelain stoneware!?

In my opinion, WPC is not suitable at all for areas without a roof, because even wood is more durable there.

What is your budget? What are your requirements for the appearance? By concrete slabs, do you mean paving slabs?

It should be as affordable as possible and as expensive as necessary 😀

We are currently considering what exactly we want to do (if it’s too expensive, it might be postponed)

Of course, it should be very durable and long-lasting (maintenance should be relatively low)

Yes, the concrete slabs, also called paving slabs or walkway slabs, are just the ugly gray concrete slabs (these were included as standard)

I also prefer wood or WPC because I often walk barefoot. It feels more comfortable on wood. Plus, you can easily install it yourself.