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Choosing The Ideal Materials For Your Patio

The right patio materials create a durable and attractive backyard space that suits your garden ideas. Some of the best choices include flagstone, pavers and concrete.

Brick, fired in a kiln, offers a classic look that blends with most landscape and house styles. Try experimenting with different brick laying patterns, called bond, for added interest.

Natural Stone

A natural stone patio can give your outdoor area a timeless, organic appearance. The color palette of various stone types goes well with most house styles, blending into the landscaping. Its resiliency makes it good for areas that are used for hot tubs and pools, but be sure to seal it to prevent stains from salty water, plant fertilizer and other chemicals.

For an organic backyard stone patio idea try using closely spaced slate flagstones in earth tones of brown and red. Here they complement the southwestern stucco home’s warm wood clapboard siding. Granite is another strong choice for a modern style patio. It is one of the hardest materials and can resist freeze-thaw cycles. Slate, sandstone and limestone also offer attractive earth tones. Experiment with different laying patterns like herringbone, basket weave and random course.

Brick

The right surface material says a lot about your style. Choosing a hard wearing surface with good slip resistance is a must, whether you want your patio to be the gathering point for family and friends or a tranquil retreat.

Brick is an ideal paving material for those who prefer a historical, traditional look. It is less porous than concrete, resists cracking in wintertime freeze-thaw cycles and inhibits moss growth and slippery weeds.

Baked clay bricks and interlocking pavers (also known as permeable concrete) can be used to create an attractive patio that’s easy to maintain. A zigzagging herringbone pattern locks pavers together and adds visual interest. The space around the pavers is planted with creeping thyme, which reduces maintenance and requires little watering. This paver patio is also designed to harvest rainwater for reuse, reducing the load on storm drains.

Concrete

Concrete is a great material for building a specifically shaped patio and, thanks to modern stamping techniques, it can be made to mimic the look of stone or brick. Its disadvantages include its cold feel underfoot and its vulnerability to cracking during freeze-thaw cycles.

Loose materials are becoming more popular for patio surfaces because they are water-wise and easy to work with. They also provide a more organic, natural look.

For a more formal patio surface, use cut stone. It’s available in a variety of colors and can be laid using a wide range of patterns known as bonds, from simple herringbone to intricate basketweave. It can also be mixed with sand for an exposed aggregate finish. This makes it a good choice for those who want to avoid the cost of a full concrete slab.

Fiberglass

The material you choose for your patio says a lot about your backyard design style. Smooth, large-format porcelain pavers offer a sleek and contemporary extension of your indoor living space while natural stone adds warm earthy tones.

Concrete is a durable and long-lasting option. Its flat surface makes it ideal for outdoor furniture, and if properly maintained and sealed, it can withstand years of wear and tear.

A popular choice for eco landscaping ideas, brick lends a classic, timeless look to any patio. Bricks are made from clay and sand, and they can be arranged in a variety of patterns, including herringbone and basketweave. They can be installed with mortar or cement, and are available in a range of colors to match any landscape.

Steel

Patios are a beautiful addition to any backyard, increasing your home’s value and saving you time and money on landscaping. However, patios are not an easy project to handle and require a lot of careful planning and knowledge of the different materials.

Choosing the ideal materials for your patio will make it easier to maintain and enjoy for years to come. This is why it’s important to do your research and contact your trusted Dallas patio builders to learn about the different options available.

Concrete is one of the most popular choices, and it comes in a variety of textures, colors, and sizes. It can be patterned or tinted to look like pavers, bricks, or stone, giving it a more natural appearance. It’s also less expensive than natural stone. It’s also a good choice for those who want a modern patio idea.