Patios and decks have always been popular outdoor spaces. Whether it’s a Parisian patio or a rooftop alcove, only porches and sunrooms beat these paved (or semi-paved) retreats in a recent poll of my readers as the most ideal outdoor space for living. Let’s examine some of the wide variety of patio surfaces.
Courtyard Stones
Sometimes called flagstones or flagstones, patio stones are flat, square or rectangular blocks of pressed concrete. Standard sizes typically include 2′ x 2′, 2′ x 2½’, and 2′ x 3′ (60 x 60 cm; 60 x 75 cm; 60 x 90 cm), with a thickness of 2″ (5 cm). They are a well-known and popular choice for homeowners and homebuilders alike and are favored for both their ease of installation and low price.
Patio stones, once gray or grayer, are now available in a variety of colors. Choose a color that matches your garden or home, or make a patterned floor with two different colors. Patio stones are especially attractive when paired with a border of a contrasting material. On my website, I have some suggested patterns combining them with bricks, but you can use a rot-resistant wood like cedar, garden rocks, or even aluminum.
You can also purchase patio stones with different surface textures, including those with exposed aggregate. Although these often retain the characteristically constant thickness that makes them easy to install, they are usually somewhat more expensive than plain stones.
stone and slate
Stone and slate, also called slabs, are natural materials whose availability often depends on local resources. They are also usually cut in standard widths and lengths, but the thickness of the pieces will vary with the stone and cut. The variable thickness makes the material more difficult to install. Natural stone and slate pieces are more expensive than manufactured patio stones.
Often people think of flagstones in terms of “crazy paving,” that is, broken pieces of stone laid out in attractive, random patterns. This type of patio surface is the most difficult to lay correctly. Because a patio’s mortar joints are the weakest point, the stone pieces should be as tight to each other as possible. This requires breaking and trimming the irregularly shaped pieces. Experienced installers can break the stone by striking a piece of rebar or pipe they have laid along the desired break line. I recommend you guys and gals not to try this at home!
Bricks
Bricks are a popular construction material for patios and decks. A standard brick that used to measure 2¼” x 3¾” x 8″ (5.7 x 9.53 x 20.3 cm) and be either red or yellow. There are many variations these days. Your choice is truly personal, except for the weather rated If you live in a cold climate make sure you get SW (severe weather) rated bricks that won’t crack in the cold and snow They cost more than MW (moderate weather) and NW (nice weather – but I think not being cold five months a year would be very NICE).
gravel
Gravel is often dismissed as the poor cousin of outdoor surfaces, but gravel patios can be not only inexpensive but also comfortable and oh-so-lovely. As with other paving materials, gravel is also now available in a variety of colors and textures. You can edge your patio area with rock slabs, bricks, or pavers to give your yard a more finished look.
poured concrete
Poured concrete surfaces are the most popular professionally installed patios. They are generally less expensive to build than natural stone, brick, or tile, are extremely durable when properly installed and treated, can be shaped into any pattern, and can be finished in a wide variety of colors, textures, and styles. .
Proper installation of a concrete surface includes placing ¾” rebar or steel rods in a crosshatch pattern into the body of the concrete. Once the concrete has hardened, it must be sealed to resist weathering and stains.
With such a dizzying variety of patio surfaces available, how can you choose the one that’s right for you? Of course, the budget will play an important role. But also consider the style of your house and garden, and the use you will make of the space. It is more difficult to place furniture on some of the rough textured surfaces. If you have children who ride trikes, or older friends or family members who might trip, be sure to avoid anything that could create an uneven surface, even after a few years of settling in.
Whatever you select, be sure to spend time on your patio and make happy memories in your outdoor space!