It can feel luxurious to have a patio, but you don’t need to have an expensive yard to have a delightful outdoor patio space. There are many ways to build a patio, and you have many different materials to choose from to make them attractive and budget-friendly.
Patios, by definition, are on the ground floor adjacent to your home, and they are not raised like a porch or deck. Patios also do not have walls. Sometimes, a pergola is built over a patio, but patios are generally open-air outdoor areas used for various outdoor living spaces.
Choosing the Right Material
It’s important to make sure that you have a good foundation for your patio, but for the patio surface, you have a variety of materials to choose from. So consider these factors when making your choice.
- Durability- some materials last longer than others, and some look good longer.
- Cost- generally, the cost of a patio will be between $8 and $20 per square foot.
- Style- you will want to choose a style that matches your house.
- Installation- this affects labor costs and whether or not you can DIY your patio.
Concrete
Concrete is a relatively inexpensive material that has an incredible amount of versatility. Concrete can be shaped, molded, colored, and sealed in various ways to achieve a multitude of different styles.
Concrete also lends itself well to stenciled designs and can be decorated with various inlays, like pebbles, stones, and bricks. The only limitation here is your imagination. Try using different types of inlays, like sea glass or shells, depending on the style of your home, to achieve a unique look and add to your overall design theme.
When using concrete, you also have an opportunity to create other hardscape features that will go well with the style of your patio. For example, try using concrete to create water features, fire pits, box planters, or seating areas that are adjacent to your patio.
Concrete is easily the best choice if you are trying to combine the best of durability, cost, style, and installation. Contact a concrete contractor in Grant County, IN to get a complete price quote for your patio project. Professional concrete builders in your area have decades of experience and will help you with everything, including planning and site preparation.
Flagstone
Flagstone has been a popular material for patios for centuries. Naturally occurring thin slabs of rocks laid flat on the ground make a perfect patio. Flagstone can be laid in soil or sand if it is at least 3” thick, but it is best to use concrete if it is thinner than that.
Flagstone comes in a few different types: limestone, sandstone, bluestone, and quartzite. Depending on where it comes from, it ranges in color from reds to blues and greens.
Pavers
Pavers are one of the most common patio materials used today. They are inexpensive to purchase, and many people have successfully installed them as a DIY project.
Originally, pavers were available in limited colors and shapes, but today, you can find almost any color and a wide variety of shapes to create the style you want.
Tile
Unglazed tile is best for patios because glazed tile can be slippery when wet. Tile comes in a wide range of sizes and colors. The three main types of tile used for patios are porcelain, terra cotta, and quarry. Of course, each of these has characteristics that lend themselves to a specific style.
Tile can be sealed to maintain its beauty, make it easier to keep clean, and protect it from the elements.
Brick
Bricks date back thousands of years, and they are still very popular. They can be laid in various patterns to create a distinct style that matches your home.
Bricks can also be used to line pathways leading from your patio to bring continuity to your overall design.
Loose Materials
Loose materials, such as pea gravel, sand, bark mulch, and aggregate stone, can make an appealing patio surface at a fraction of the cost of some of the other materials. As drought continues to be a problem in much of the U.S., loose materials are replacing lawns in many yards.
Use a Combination of Materials for a Unique Patio
You can combine patio building materials to achieve an interesting visual effect. Here are some combinations you could try:
- Large pavers in pea gravel
- Flagstone and river rock
- Brick and pavers in gravel
- Gravel with concrete edging
- Bark mulch and pavers
- Bark mulch and pea gravel, separated by edging to keep them apart
Again, you are limited only by your imagination when it comes to mixing and matching patio materials. Combining materials can reduce the cost of the overall project, too.