When it comes to selecting the right patio surface for your outdoor space, there are a variety of options to choose from.
Be sure to consider your budget, desired upkeep, patio usage, and the style of your home when selecting your materials. Use this simple guide to help you find your ideal fit.
- Gravel is low maintenance, affordable, easy to install, and drains well. It's a casual material that can form to any patio structure. However, it's poorly suited for outdoor furnishings, and can also be high maintenance as the stones are difficult to keep in place.
- Concrete is one of the most affordable, durable, customizable, and easiest to install materials. However, you can expect additional upkeep and a shorter lifespan as the surface will crack in colder climates and the color will fade in high traffic areas.
- Pavers can be made of concrete, stone, or even plastic, and come in modular pieces making installation easier and more affordable. Interlocking pavers keep the pieces in place, but all other pavers will eventually spread apart. Adding a border around your patio will help to maintain it's shape over time.
- Brick is one of the most versatile materials and can be used for a traditional or modern style. It's a convenient weight and size, and retains color well. It also holds moisture though, causing moss to grow. It may crack in colder climates, but is otherwise durable, and it's easy to replace the pieces individually.
- Stone offers a natural, timeless appeal for either a classy or casual patio. Some will eventually crack in colder climates though, and many will grow slippery moss. Natural stone is also more expensive due to its excavation, weight, and time needed to install each stone individually.