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Patio material guideAn entire book could be dedicated to the different materials that are used for patio construction. This page will take a look at some of the more popular materials. I usually give you the pros and cons of each material choice. In this case, the only real pros and cons are the price. Material that looks better and lasts longer are typically more expensive and vise versa. The secret in making a nice patio that will last, is the preparation. If you intend to install a patio yourself, I highly recommend purchasing a “how to” book. If you do not prepare the earth correctly, your patio will crack and/or heave.
Concrete
Concrete has been around for a long time. It is an inexpensive patio material. It can be poured in just about any size and shape the mind can dream up. It is durable and easy to maintain. The down side is that it is rather plain. It does not add much character to your home. In addition, if it is not installed properly, it will crack. Here are a couple of good “do it yourself” links.
Stamped Concrete
Stamped concrete has become very popular. Concrete stamping has all the advantages of concrete and it adds a lot of character to your home. A stamp is used to form just about any pattern you can think of. It is pressed into the moist concrete leaving a pattern. The more popular stamps are stone, tile and brick. Die can be added to the concrete to give it the color. The end result is beautiful. To learn more about stamped concrete, check out this link. There is a lot of good information as well as pictures.
Pavers
Pavers are pre-made, pre shaped pieces of material that you can construct a patio with. They can be made of concrete, stone, brick asphalt and other materials. Some of the shapes offered are, rectangle, square, hexagon, octagon, L shaped, coble stone…….etc. Some pavers lock together for a stronger patio. As with any patio, the preparation is very important. This link is devoted to pavers. It has a lot of good information.
Stone
Slate, flagstone and granite are some of the more popular stones used for patios. There are, however, many other naturals stone choices. Stone patios add a touch of class to any home. The down side is stone among some of the more expensive patio materials. I would recommend talking to an expert in stone material before installing a patio. There may be weather, wait, and ground conditions to take into consideration. Check out this link. It has a lot of information about stone under the “natural stone” tab. Regardless of the material you use, patios are an excellent home improvement project for anyone. It motivates you to get outside and adds value to your home. If you have any specific patio questions, contact me, and I will get you some information. Leave patio page and return to materials page
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