Patio Materials: Which One is Right for You
Choosing the right patio material to suit your style and budget can be tricky! In this blog, we break down the pros and cons of popular patio materials to help you decide
Patio materials come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes for your patio design needs. You can find brick pavers that come in the look you want - whether that is a timeless look, natural look or something else. The right patio material can really enhance the visual interest of your home.
When it comes to choosing the right patio materials, knowing the pros and cons of each type of patio material is key. In addition to thinking about the patio design you want as far as aesthetics, you should also think about functionality. Some work well in one climate but not another, and some patio materials may not hold up as well as others in extreme temperatures.
Patio materials are the surface of your patio or deck - like wood or concrete. Homeowners usually try to make sure that their patio material will blend in with the landscaping and other aesthetics of their home. Each patio material varies in terms of durability, maintenance and cost, so it is good to get an overall view of the types of patio materials before you make your final selection.
These types of patio materials are the most popular patio materials: concrete, brick, natural stone, pavers, wood, gravel, or composite materials. Let’s go over each patio material’s benefits, drawbacks, and other characteristics.
This is probably the most versatile type of patio material and has been around for thousands of years. Romans were the first to really utilize the material in a widespread way, and modern concrete was born in the early 1800’s. Now, it has become a favorite patio material for many homeowners.
A poured concrete patio can be poured and finished with a smooth, flat surface. It can also be personalized in a number of ways. The surface of a newly poured concrete patios can be stamped, brushed or finished with colored highlights. You could even pour pebbles on top of a fresh concrete patio and stamp those in securely.
Concrete is durable and maintenance is just the usual sweeping and spraying down every once in a while! Cost-wise, because there are so many ways to do a concrete patio, and the cost of concrete patios can range. You can expect to pay between $4-$30 per square feet.
Brick is another extremely versatile type of patio material. Bricks can come in the typical rectangle shapes, and be laid in a variety of patterns - like herringbone or basket weave. Bricks are available in a variety of colors beyond the traditional red. You can also find a multitude of shapes. In some cases, the bricks interlock and are secured as they are laid down.
This type of patio material is known for its durability, and like concrete is easy to maintain. Just sweep and spray your patio down every once in a while and you will be good to go! A brick patio will cost you between $10 and $30 per square foot.
To install a brick patio, you will need to excavate the spot where you want your patio to be and install the edging on the outside border. Next, lay the gravel layer. Then, add your landscape fabric to suppress weeds and on top of that add a couple of inches of sand. Smooth out the sand carefully. Finally, lay your bricks in whatever pattern you have chosen.
For a brick and mortar patio, simply put a layer of concrete on top of the gravel instead of sand and lay the bricks in the concrete. This is more expensive and requires additional tools and materials to work with the concrete, but adds extra stability and prevents weeds from growing through the cracks.
The most common type of natural stone is flagstone, but there are other options of natural stone available for patios. Normally you will see the selection vary by geographic location and the local stone found nearby naturally. Other types of natural stones include sandstone, slate, limestone, and bluestone.
Granite pavers are known for being virtually one-hundred percent stain resistant. Granite is also known for being exceptionally slip resistant so it is recommended for areas with high traffic or walkways.
Natural stone, especially if you choose a local stone, will likely do well in your climate. Natural stones are available in different, irregular shapes and are usually at least a couple inches thick. If any thinner, natural stones need to be laid in concrete as opposed to a material like sand to keep them from cracking.
The cost to install a flagstone patio is between $15 and $30 per square foot. Your patio may be cheaper if you choose a local natural stone, versus a natural stone that has to be shipped to you from far away. That, and even the time of the year you buy the natural stone, can influence the price.
Natural stone patios are fairly easy to maintain. In order to keep them from discoloring or other staining, simply sweep and potentially mop if necessary just once a week if you have a stain prone type of stone.
Concrete pavers used to be fairly limited in terms of aesthetics, and would come in institutional looking shapes. But nowadays, there are plenty of options if you want to install a concrete paver patio! There are pavers made to look like natural stone, with the colors and texturing. And since we brought up the Romans earlier, there are even pavers called “Roman Cobblestone Pavers” available.
Concrete pavers are more affordable than the stone they can be made to look like, so they are a good option if you are on a budget. That said, concrete pavers are a bit more expensive on average than a poured concrete patio. A concrete paver patio including all of the different varieties costs between $25-$35 per square foot on average.
Installation will cost a little more if the pavers need to be laid in mortar as opposed to sand. Also keep in mind some concrete pavers come in interlocking shapes and do not need to be laid in cement, making installation even easier!
While wood is always a classic and appealing choice for these types of projects, choosing wood as your patio material will make the cost of the project higher than using the other patio materials we have discussed. That is one reason why some people choose a smaller decorative patio versus a wooden deck.
When it comes to natural wood options there are softwoods and hardwoods. Common softwoods used in patios include pine, cedar and redwood. For hardwoods, teak, oak, and ipe are popular choices. Another common wood option includes interlocking wood tiles. These are sometimes made of imitation wood.
The versatility in types of wood you can use for a patio is a definite benefit for homeowners looking for the perfect patio design to compliment their space. The costs range widely as well, so keep that in mind. While on average wood patios cost a bit more than some other patio materials, with the options available you may be able to find something you like within budget.
Like a wooden fence or a wood deck, a wood patio must be properly maintained in order to last its longest. That means keeping it clear of debris, especially in wetter climates, and sealing and staining regularly. When you properly maintain a wood patio, it can last 10 to 30 years.
In many areas, homeowners are opting for gravel instead of other materials to cover their landscape. This is sometimes due to climate, specifically in areas with extreme weather conditions like areas affected by drought. It may make more sense to lay down gravel instead of grass. In the case of patios, gravel is cheaper and easier to install than any of the other options we have covered.
Even though it is relatively easy to install, the landscape fabric does not prevent weeds forever. So eventually you will start to see weeds popping up through the gravel that you would not see with a concrete patio!
The cost of a gravel patio is $7 to $20 per square foot. The gravel comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors so do not think you would be limited to simple gray pea gravel!
Composite material patios are basically a mini version of a composite deck. Composite decking material is made of a number of materials all blended together. Those include natural wood fibers as well as recycled plastic.
This is an extremely durable and low maintenance material, unlike a wood patio. A wood patio is expected to last 10-20 years depending on the wood, while a composite patio will help to transform your outdoor living space for 25 years or more.
As you can probably tell, there are many different options to choose from when it comes to patio materials. There is no “best patio material”, but there is a best patio material for you. Consider the climate where you live. If it is a wet climate, make sure the patio is not smooth or slippery and slopes away from the house. If you live in a drought affected area, consider gravel as a low cost option to cover some ground with hardscaping instead of a water hogging lawn. Textures, shapes, and colors are all customizable! Your budget will also have an impact on what the best patio material is for you.
You will also want to keep maintenance requirements in mind. How much maintenance are you really willing to commit to? Some patio materials can become stained or discolored if debris is left to collect on them. Wood patios require regular sealing and staining to last.
Another way to filter your options is by longevity. Maybe you are not interested in any patio project that may have to be repeated in fewer than 25 years. In that case, avoid the wood and anything that doesn’t have a concrete or mortar setting. Go for the concrete patios, natural stone or pavers set in mortar and your patio could last 25 to 50 years. A composite deck will also last at least 25 years.
Any patio material you choose will save water compared to having a grass yard in its place. So pat yourself on the back for choosing an environmentally responsible patio over a yard! Just do not order the natural stone from halfway around the world or that environmental impact might go in the other direction.
Many types of patio materials are possible to install as a weekend DIY project. And if you do decide to install a patio yourself as a DIY project, you will save on your overall costs! For things like laying cement or mortar, or installing a wood patio, those involve some more advanced skills. It might make more sense to hire a professional in those cases.
If you are installing any type of brick, paver, or natural stone, the installation process is fairly similar, and does not need to involve cement or mortar. The steps include:
Measure out the area of the patio
Excavate the area to a depth of 8 to 9 inches
Install landscape fabric
Lay down gravel
Secure edging
Cover patio area with sand and smooth out
Place bricks, pavers, or natural stones in your chosen pattern
A couple of best practices for installing a new patio include ensuring the patio slopes away from the house slightly, and also that there are no obvious dips even if you have a natural look going. That way, rain will not puddle on the patio.
Choose a patio material or texture that makes sense for the climate where you live. If it’s dry you can get away with smoother stones including porcelain tiles. If you live in a place where there is a lot of rain, you might need more texture on your patio pavers to make sure it is safe to walk on your new patio in all weather conditions!
There are a wide variety of styles of popular patio materials to choose from - and even more options to customize those materials as you consider new patio ideas! If you are looking for the most durable type of patio material then take a look at composite patio material and porcelain tile pavers.
On the other hand, if you are designing your outdoor patio to match your landscape design, choose a patio material that compliments that with a natural look like terra cotta pavers or stamped cement pavers that look like different types of natural stone.
The options are almost endless, so think about your individual needs and start focusing in on the best patio material for you!
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