Raised vs. Ground-Level Patios: Which Design Approach Best Suits Your Long Island Home?

When planning your Long Island outdoor living space, one of the most crucial decisions you’ll face is choosing between a raised or ground-level patio design. Each approach offers distinct advantages and considerations, particularly in Long Island’s unique coastal climate. Understanding these differences will help you make an informed decision that enhances both your home’s functionality and value.

Understanding Ground-Level Patios

Ground level patios are exactly what their name implies, a patio that is built on the ground. These patios typically sit under 30 inches in height and offer several compelling benefits for Long Island homeowners.

Advantages of Ground-Level Patios:

• Cost-Effective: Ground-level decks require fewer materials and labor, making installation faster and more affordable than raised decks. Ground level paver patios are more cost effective and can range between $5,000-$12,000 depending on size.
• Seamless Integration: The low-profile design helps create a smooth transition between your yard and the deck. Ground-level decks seamlessly extend from home to nature, blending almost effortlessly with your garden or lawn. Their low profile maintains landscape continuity and invites casual gatherings, encouraging guests to step freely onto surrounding grassy areas.
• Accessibility: A ground-level deck has no stairs, which is ideal for homes with small children or members with mobility issues.
• No Railing Requirements: Since they are constructed close to the ground, they do not require railings for safety. Fewer permits are required: In most cases, ground-level decks do not require any permits.

Considerations for Ground-Level Patios:

While ground-level patios offer many benefits, they do have limitations. Patios are better suited for even ground. If you build on uneven ground, it can damage your home, ruin the look of your patio and even develop cracks. Additionally, being close to the ground can attract pests like termites or lead to moisture-related issues such as rotting wood.

Understanding Raised Patios

Raised patios are elevated, and have a wall around the entire structure, made with retaining wall block, typically rising more than 30 inches above ground level. These elevated designs offer their own set of advantages for Long Island homes.

Advantages of Raised Patios:

• Enhanced Views: Better views: Enjoy sweeping vistas. Ideal for scenic locations or homes with limited ground-level views. The elevation of this type of patio can provide better views and enhance privacy if you have neighbors nearby.
• Superior Drainage: It also allows for better drainage as water can easily flow away from your home’s foundation.
• Design Flexibility: Furthermore, raised paver patios offer more design flexibility with various patterns and materials available, allowing you to create a unique outdoor space that complements your home’s aesthetics.
• Convenient Access: One of the main reasons homeowners choose to go with a raised patio over a ground level patio for their outdoor space besides their looks, is that they want to be able to step straight out onto their patio without having to use steps. This option is great for people who have young children, or older adults who find using steps difficult.
• Space Optimization: Make use of sloped or uneven terrain that might otherwise be underutilized.

Considerations for Raised Patios:

Raised patios do come with higher costs and complexity. Elevated decks come with higher costs due to their complexity. They often demand extensive framing, additional posts, stairs, and railings that all add up quickly. Additionally, Elevated decks typically require more maintenance due to their structure and exposure to the elements. You’ll need to regularly check supports, railings, and stairs for safety and apply sealants or stains to protect against weather damage.

Long Island Climate Considerations

Long Island’s coastal climate presents unique challenges that significantly impact patio design decisions. Long Island’s weather keeps everyone on their toes: salty air, coastal humidity, intense summer heat, freeze–thaw cycles, nor’easters, and occasional coastal storms. Masonry, when expertly designed and installed, is one of the few building methods capable of thriving under these conditions.

Long Island’s coastal climate demands pavers that can handle freeze-thaw cycles, salt air, and heavy rainfall without cracking or shifting. This combination of environmental stressors requires careful material selection and professional installation to ensure your investment lasts for decades.

For both raised and ground-level designs, Because of Long Island’s freeze/thaw cycles and coastal exposure, we recommend high-quality materials like interlocking pavers (e.g., Cambridge Pavingstones), natural stone (bluestone, granite) and durable edging (Belgium block). Long Island’s climate, specifically the freeze-thaw cycles common in winter, demands materials resistant to moisture absorption and subsequent damage like spalling or cracking. Therefore, selecting stones or bricks with low porosity or applying appropriate sealants is advisable.

Making the Right Choice for Your Property

When deciding between raised and ground-level patios, consider several key factors specific to your Long Island property:

Terrain and Drainage: Look at the slope of your yard. A steep incline might be more suited for an elevated deck, whereas a flat yard could easily accommodate a ground-level deck. Proper drainage is critical for Long Island patios. We grade the patio so water moves away from your house, build a compacted gravel base and install edge restraints. These steps prevent pooling, shifting and frost heave.

Budget Considerations: Ground-level patios generally offer better value for budget-conscious homeowners, while raised patios require higher upfront investment but can provide better long-term functionality on challenging terrain.

Intended Use: Homeowners whose dining rooms connect to their outdoor space, or who have lots of BBQ’s and friends over for outdoor dining, may want to consider a raised patio so that it easier to take food from inside to your patio without having to step down onto a ground level patio.

Professional Installation Matters

Regardless of which design approach you choose, professional installation is crucial for Long Island patios. Professionals understand that Long Island’s climate, with its freeze-thaw cycles, demands a robust foundation. Proper excavation to the correct depth, followed by the installation and compaction of layers of crushed stone (aggregate base) and bedding sand, creates a stable platform. This prevents pavers or stones from shifting, sinking, or becoming uneven over time.

When searching for a qualified patio builder near me, look for contractors with extensive Long Island experience who understand local climate challenges and building requirements.

Stone Escapes Masonry & Outdoor Design Inc. focuses on a collaborative process, starting with understanding your vision and assessing your site. The installation process involves careful base preparation, precise laying of stones or bricks according to the chosen pattern, and meticulous attention to jointing and finishing details. This methodical approach results in a stable, level surface that drains properly and withstands the rigors of weather and use.

Conclusion

Both raised and ground-level patios can create stunning outdoor living spaces for Long Island homes when designed and installed properly. Ground-level patios excel in cost-effectiveness, accessibility, and seamless landscape integration, while raised patios offer superior views, drainage, and design flexibility for challenging terrain.

Strategic landscape design delivers 10-30% home value increases for Long Island properties through professional hardscaping, patios, and outdoor living transformations. The key to success lies in choosing the approach that best suits your property’s specific conditions, your family’s needs, and Long Island’s unique coastal climate requirements.

By working with experienced professionals who understand Long Island’s environmental challenges, you can create an outdoor living space that provides decades of enjoyment while adding significant value to your home investment.