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Patios are a great place to enjoy your backyard. They're also a great way to increase the value of your home. But choosing the right patio surface can be difficult, as there are many options available on the market today. This article explains some of the most popular types, and includes pros and cons for each type so you can make an informed decision about which one best suits your needs.
Types of Patio Surface Options
Flagstone
Flagstone is a natural stone surface that's been around for thousands of years. It's available in a wide variety of colors, and it can be purchased in several different sizes and varying thicknesses depending on how big the job is and what sort of look you want to achieve.
Flagstone comes in two basic varieties: natural and cultured. Natural flagstone is a sedimentary stone that forms from deposits left behind by water over thousands of years. Cultured flagstone, on the other hand, is made using a man-made process rather than occurring naturally.
Patio stones can be set in sand or cement between specially designed joints, or they can be set in concrete. Setting the stones in cement will allow you to make very smooth surfaces. It also makes the surface more durable and less vulnerable to cracking and chipping.
Flagstone is heavier than other options and it's a great option for those who want a luxurious look with lots of color variation, but if you have a big patio that needs to be replaced, it can be expensive because of its weight.
Flagstone is ideal for patios that will receive plenty of foot traffic or outdoor dining areas where the stone might get wet from spills and moisture. Because it's porous, water will drain through the joints into the sand below, preventing puddles from forming.
It looks best when it's left in its natural color, and it tends to look great with other natural elements such as plants, flowers and trees. It also looks good with creative mixtures of colors or designs.
Flagstone is a special type of paving stone ideal for creating effective patio flooring which will stand the test of time and even look better with age. It is a natural product which is commonly used to create paving stones for patios, verandahs, walkways, pathways and other external areas of buildings.
Concrete
Concrete is a popular choice for residential patios because of its affordability and durability. It's also quite easy to install, as it's poured into molds that can be picked up at any home improvement store.
Because concrete has no pores, water will not drain through it, so you need to make sure you have enough space between the concrete and any vegetation or water features, so that water has a chance to drain away.
Concrete can be colored with stain or paint once it's dry; allowing you to create just about any surface color you want. You can also use textured paints or put down decorative concrete overlays to give the concrete an entirely new look.
It's not ideal for areas that are going to get a lot of foot traffic. If left untreated, it can also stain easily (particularly from acidic liquids like wine or food). It can also be quite slippery when wet, so it may not be the best surface for your patio if you live in a rainy climate.
Because concrete is sealed, it can allow mold to grow especially around the edges of the patio where water build-up might occur. If you use a treated sealant or stain, this will help prevent mold from forming as well as staining your patio.
Concrete is commonly found in big box stores and local hardware shops, making it easy to find. It will take several days to completely dry before you can walk on it safely – so make sure you allow enough time for the concrete to set before using your patio.
Plastic
While plastic is a new choice for patios, it has some big advantages over other materials. It's made from recycled plastic, which means less impact on the environment when you use this material.
Plastic is easier to clean than concrete or stone as well; should an accident occur (like a broken bottle), you can simply hose down the patio and wipe it dry. Because of these features, it's a great choice for areas that receive lots of foot traffic like pool decks, or patios used by kids.
Plastic is also easy to maintain and repair because you can just cut off any damaged pieces to replace them with new ones. It doesn't chip or crack easily, so it will last a long time before you need to replace any parts.
One of the biggest problems with plastic is that it must be protected from sunlight in order to look good, because without proper maintenance, it will warp and fade quickly. It also needs to be sealed properly to ensure that moisture doesn't build up under your patio; which can cause mold or mildew growth as well as warping.
Plastic is sold in sheets or rolls, and it can be installed quickly. It's easy to cut with a utility knife or having it custom-cut at most local hardware stores. If you plan to install your own plastic patio surface, make sure you choose the highest quality material you can find as this will ensure that your patio looks great for many years to come.
Paving Stones
If you're looking for an alternative material, paving stones may be the ideal choice for you. These are small rounded stones that fit together like a puzzle to create a smooth surface with no cracks or weak points. They're available in any design that will match your specific patio needs; including circular patterns for round patios.
Paving stones are easy to install as they just fit together, and you can feel each stone clicking into place. They come in various shapes and sizes, so you'll have no trouble finding the right ones for your patio; and many people choose to line them with sand or gravel to make sure that they stay in place.
Because paving stones are made from natural materials, they often have a rippled or wavy surface. Many homeowners choose to seal them with a water-resistant sealant to keep the stones looking new for years to come. A small amount of sand spread over each patio will help keep the stones in place and prevent them from shifting when you walk on them.
Paving stones are easy to clean and maintain by rinsing with water or a pressure washer and then sweeping up any debris that may have gotten stuck in the spaces between the stones. Stones can also be easily replaced if they get damaged over time, so you won't always need an entirely new patio surface – just a few replacement stones to get your patio looking great again.
Paving stones can be installed by homeowners themselves, although sometimes they may need a little help from a friend or family member when it comes time for lifting the very heavy pieces into place. When you're planning your patio, laying out the pattern of paving stones on newspaper will help you ensure that your patio is the exact size you need.
Patio Pavers/Stone Tile
Like paving stones, these are made from small rounded or square tiles that fit together to create a smooth surface with no cracks or weak points. These tiles come in various colors and sizes – including the choice of several different border options like brick or stone. There are even patterns that are created from two different colors to give your patio a unique look.
Pavers can be installed using sand or gravel as an adhesive, but most people choose the brick option where these small tiles don't need any extra help staying in place. If you install it yourself, you'll want to make sure that you buy high quality pavers as lower quality tile will not last long.
Pavers are easy to install, and small patio pavers can be installed by homeowners themselves; although larger pieces may need a little assistance from a friend or family member. When you're planning your patio, laying out the pattern of paving stones on newspaper will help you ensure that your patio is the exact size you need.
Pavers are relatively low maintenance, as these tiles come with a protective seal applied to the surface that keeps them looking new for many years. They can be swept or washed off with a garden hose or pressure washer when they get dirty. When it comes time to replace pavers with wear and tear that has caused one or two to become loose, removal can be done quickly and easily.
Paving stones are easy to clean and maintain by rinsing with water or a pressure washer and then sweeping up any debris that may have gotten stuck in the spaces between the stones. Stones can also be easily replaced if they get damaged over time, so you won't always need an entirely new patio surface – just a few replacement stones to get your patio looking great again.
Grass Patio
A grass patio is a great way to add extra seating, or it can be the perfect spot for you and your family to enjoy an afternoon game of croquet. It's also a great way to have a lush green lawn that will look beautiful in your yard all throughout the year without needing time consuming work from a gardener.
A grass patio doesn't take a lot of work to maintain, but you will need to do some maintenance to keep it looking its best. You should fertilize your lawn at least once a year to make sure that it's healthy and green throughout the entire year. If the area where you're installing your grass is large enough for the sprinklers, you can just turn on your sprinkler system to water the grass and keep it hydrated.
Because installing a lawn is often a permanent fixture, be sure that you decide where you want to install your grass and how big of an area you need before purchasing turf or sod for installation. Renting a sod cutter will make it easy to create a beautiful lawn area, and it'll make sure that you cut all of the grass to the perfect size.
This surface is very low maintenance, but you'll want to make sure that you have a shallow nozzle on your hose when cleaning the patio and keep it from getting too deep under the grass where it may damage the roots.
You'll also need to clean up any leaves or other debris that may land on the patio, so grass mats are a good choice if you have a lot of messy neighbors.
Because this is not a hard surface, there's no need to worry about installing pavers in the area where you plan to install your lawn. Sod and turf will fit well in a space that you're already using.
They will be under the patio surface so they won't need to be as durable or long lasting; although you should mow your lawn every few days to make sure that it's looking its best. Mowing and fertilizing are about all you'll need to do, but getting on top of these tasks will ensure that your lawn looks its best.
Wood Patio
Wooden decks are a beautiful choice for patios, and they're also one of the more popular choices available. The wood can be stained in different colors to match any decorating style and it's easy to find patio furniture that fits well with wood decks. But wooden decks aren't just beautiful – they're also very durable, and they require little maintenance to keep them looking great.
Wooden patios are easy to install yourself with the proper tools; although you may want to have a professional come in and do the job if it's your first time doing any sort of construction project. If you've done some home renovations in the past, installing a wood deck will be fairly simple with the right instructions and materials.
You should have your patio professionally inspected for structural integrity if you're building a new wood deck or if you're changing the layout of an existing deck. Be sure that it's built to hold up to all of your furniture, including the patio table and chairs that you intend to use. If it's made from cedar wood, the deck can start to look a little worn out if it gets wet a lot and isn't dried out properly.
You'll also want to make sure that you're cleaning your new wooden deck regularly with mild soap and water so you don't have to worry about cedar water staining your wood. If you don't use too much soap and rinse all of the dirt and grime away, you may be able to avoid this problem altogether.
Wooden decks are easy to clean because they can often be hosed down with just a little bit of mild soap when they get dirty; although you should still use a stiff brush to scrub the surface down every few weeks. You can also seal your wood deck once or twice a year to protect it against water stains and damage.
FAQs
- Is wood a good patio material?
Wood is a popular choice for patios because it's easy to maintain and can be stained any color that you want. It's also a good shade of darker color which helps the patio blend in with its surroundings, which makes it less noticeable from the inside of your home.
- What are synthetic pavers?
Synthetic pavers are made from a mixture of concrete and plastics. The plastic makes the pavers extremely solid, which means that they won't get chipped or cracked easily. They also don't require much maintenance because they're resistant to stains.
Conclusion
Picking the right type of patio surface for your home or business is a big decision. It won’t just affect how it looks, but also how you maintain it and what other maintenance measures are required to keep your space looking good.
If you’re unsure which one will work best for you, don’t worry! This post has covered all types of options from natural stone to paving stones with different patterns on them. Hopefully that helps narrow down your choice in materials so you can start making progress towards building the perfect outdoor living area.
