Is a Brick Patio Cheaper Than a Deck or Concrete in Covington?

A brick patio usually costs less than a deck but more than a plain poured concrete patio. Cost guides we checked agree that patios in general come in under decks, that plain concrete is the least expensive patio surface, and that brick sits above concrete, though a large or high-end brick design can climb into deck territory. For a Covington yard, the base under the brick and the way water moves across your lot matter as much as the material.

We build brick patios and concrete patios, so we price these two against each other all the time. Decks are a different kind of build, framed lumber or composite raised off the ground, so we compare them here on cost and upkeep without going deep into deck construction. This post answers the three questions Covington homeowners ask us most and shows where each choice makes sense.

Is a brick patio cheaper than a deck?

Most of the time, yes. A ground-level patio needs excavation, a compacted base and the surface itself. A deck needs footings, posts, beams, joists, decking boards, fasteners and usually railings and steps, and every one of those parts adds material and labor. That’s why the cost guides we checked put the average patio below the average deck.

The exceptions are worth knowing:

• Sloped yards. A deck can bridge a slope that a patio would need retaining walls and fill to level. On a steep lot, the patio can end up costing more.
• Raised doorways. If your back door sits several steps above the yard, a deck meets it at floor level. A patio needs steps down, which adds cost.
• Elaborate brick work. Intricate patterns and built-in seating raise brick labor fast.

Does a brick patio or a deck cost more to maintain?

Brick generally asks for less. A wood deck needs regular cleaning and resealing or staining to hold up, and boards and fasteners wear out over time. A brick patio needs occasional cleaning, an eye on the joints, and resetting of any bricks that settle. In Covington’s humidity, wood stays damp longer in the shade, which is one reason upkeep on a wood deck here can’t be skipped. If you want a deck-style surface with less upkeep, composite boards are an option, and our eco decking page shows the colors we offer.

Is it cheaper to lay a brick or concrete patio?

Concrete is cheaper. Both cost guides we checked put plain poured concrete at the low end of patio surfaces and brick above it. Concrete goes down fast: forms, base, reinforcement, pour and finish. Brick is laid unit by unit, and that labor is most of the difference.

What you get for the extra money with brick:

• Easier repairs. A settled or cracked brick can be lifted and reset. A cracked slab usually means patching that shows, or replacing a section.
• Flexibility. Brick on a sand base can move a little with the ground without cracking across the whole surface.
• The look. Brick suits older homes and traditional gardens in a way plain concrete doesn’t.

If you like a patterned look but want a lower price than brick, stamped concrete sits between the two; our post on stamped concrete that holds up covers its trade-offs. For how concrete pricing works locally, see what drives concrete patio cost around New Orleans.

How expensive is a brick patio?

National cost guides publish per-square-foot ranges for brick, but they don’t agree closely enough for us to repeat a figure as fact, and a Covington price depends on your yard. These are the lines that move the number on a brick patio quote:

• Size. Measure the area you’ll actually furnish and use.
• Brick type. Clay paving brick, reclaimed brick and other options vary in price and in how well they stand up to foot traffic.
• Base. A sand-set patio on compacted gravel costs less than brick mortared onto a concrete slab.
• Pattern and edges. Herringbone, basketweave, borders and curves take more cutting and time than a simple running bond.
• Drainage and access. Grading, drain lines and a narrow side gate all add labor.

We price brick and concrete on the same footprint so you can see the real gap for your yard. If you’re also considering pavers, our brick and paver patio guide compares the two, and our paver patio page shows the finishes.

What should Covington homeowners weigh before choosing?

Covington is the parish seat of St. Tammany, set between the Bogue Falaya and Tchefuncte rivers, and many yards here sit under tall pines and live oaks. That shade is a gift in July, but it keeps surfaces damp. Brick in deep shade can grow moss in the joints and turn slippery, and a wood deck in the same spot needs more frequent cleaning. Concrete handles shade with the least fuss, though it shows stains from leaves and pine needles.

Low spots near the rivers and in older neighborhoods can drain slowly after the frequent afternoon storms we get from late spring through summer. A brick patio on a thin base will settle first where water stands. When we look at a Covington yard, we check where water goes after a hard rain before choosing the surface, because a well-drained base matters more to the life of the patio than the material on top. Tree roots are the other check: a patio near a big oak may need a different footprint to avoid cutting major roots. You can see the areas we cover on our Covington service area page, and our guide to choosing a patio company in Covington lists the questions worth asking any installer.

Which lasts longer: brick, concrete or a deck?

Masonry generally outlasts wood. A well-built brick or concrete patio on a sound base can serve for decades with simple care, while a wood deck’s boards and fasteners wear out sooner, especially where they stay damp. The base decides most of this. Brick on a thin base settles and rocks within a few seasons, and a slab poured on poorly compacted fill can crack early. When you compare quotes, ask what goes under the surface as carefully as you ask about the surface itself.

Which one should you choose?

Choose concrete if the lowest installed price matters most. Choose brick if you want a classic look and easy spot repairs and can spend more. Look at a deck if your yard slopes or your back door sits well above the ground.

Want brick and concrete priced side by side for your Covington yard? Call Big Easy Patio at (504) 384-8978 or reach us through our contact page for a free on-site estimate.