Patios

Back yards are being transformed into luxurious extensions of the house and are quickly becoming the new favorite room to relax, entertain, and cook. Adding a new patio to your home will add value to it, not only as real estate but enjoyment for you and your family. Patios provide the perfect sanctuary for outdoor living spaces because they are often connected to the house and blend the interior with the exterior living areas. Many factors need consideration when planning a patio installment besides just style preferences, including the shape of the patio, amount of useable space available and needed, shade and weather protection, slope of the yard (for drainage), trees that can be used as a feature, and privacy.

Patios can be customized in any number of shapes and a good way to get ideas is to look at designs in home improvement magazines or the internet. While getting ideas for the patio shape, consider the possibility a curved outer edge to soften the sharpness that a square or rectangular shape would create, or the prospect of blending the patio shape into another outdoor structure, such as a deck or hardscape. On sloping ground, homeowners often section the patio at different levels to follow the ground's natural contours. Also keep in mind how you would the patio to be used by creating a visual scene that includes where you would like furniture or fixtures to be placed and where you would like the walkways to be. Sometimes this process if best done in reverse, by first deciding the layout of furniture and living areas you want to include and where and allowing these ideas to form the shape and size of the patio.

One thing not to leave unplanned is the hot weather. You may be have a large shade tree that can be incorporated into your patio plans, but if not, you may want to consider the idea of an awning or some type of roofing. If a fixed roof is undesirable or you would like a plan that takes the best advantage of mild weather, a retractable awning may be considered.

While trees close to your patio may help to provide some shade, there is a downside: tree roots may expand over time through natural growth and this may cause an uplifting of the soil surface. If this occurs under a hard-surfaced patio, it may cause cracking or unsafe roughness. To help prevent the possibility of root damage, a qualified professional should be consulted to obtain advice about your plan.

Because the patio will have a hard surface, it will also affect the drainage of rain runoff in wet weather. It is important to plan for where that water will go so it does not end up in your basement or create an unwelcome wet spot in your yard. Underground services such as drains and service lines should be located as well, so not to be covered by the patio.

Compare Patio Materials

When figuring out your budget for the patio, you must take into account the maintenance costs of each different type of patio material. You may find that you are better off choosing a more expensive but more durable patio material, paying up front rather than choosing a cheaper one that has a higher average maintenance cost. Also, make considerations in your budget for any additional walkways or paths that need to be built.

Stone & Stone Veneer

Stone is the most durable and has the most natural appearance, but is also the most expensive type of patio materials. A stone patio requires professional skill to install because each stone greatly varies in shape and size and must be carefully laid before a mortar compound is used to adjoin the stones as they settle and dry. Stone patios wear well in high-traffic, need little maintenance and could last for decades.

Durable and easy to maintain, dry-laid flagstone is available in a broad range of types and colors that complement a variety of architectural styles. It is especially well-suited to a rustic, hand-hewn look. To ensure a good color match, handpick stones from a supplier. The cost can be moderate to expensive, depending on the type of stone. Some maintenance of replacing sand between joints, removing weeds from cracks, and resetting shifting stones may be needed over time.

Providing all the benefits of dry-laid flagstone but with a more formal appearance, mortared cut stone is an excellent choice for high-use areas. To install mortared cut stone, a professional must first lay a 4-inch-deep gravel base, 4-inch-deep concrete pad, and 1-inch-deep mortar bed before setting the cut stone. The price can be moderate to very expensive, and must be maintained with the occasional power-wash to remove moss or grime, sealed to prevent stains, and repaired for chipped mortar.

Stone veneer, real or cement-based, is easier to work with compared to real, full-sized stone and has most of the benefits and advantages. It is comparatively lighter and less expensive than real stone. Adding to its price effectiveness, stone veneer matches the durability of most other patio materials and requires very minimal maintenance, and veneer materials are usually easy to find in the market. It can easily be cut with most common types of saws. Generally, veneer pieces are laid out ahead of time so they can be cut into pieces to fit in odd spots before permanently installing them.

Brick

Brick is one of the most popular choice for patios because it is easy to install, offers a very traditional look in terms of warm, earthy colors and last a long time.Whether Prices can very for brick patios, as those that are mortared in place can be more expensive than those that are dry-laid over a bed of gravel. Because of its uniform size and shape, brick is relatively easy to install in a variety of patterns. Bricks manufactured specifically for paving, whether old or new, are the most durable in cold climates. Brick patios must be power-washed occasionally to remove moss or grime and repaired for loose or chipped mortar.

Concrete

Plain concrete, also known as cement, is probably the easiest material in terms of upkeep and maintenance. Plain concrete is also the most affordable material available, is very practical, and is gaining in popularity. A plain concrete patio can be treated as a foundation for a new patio when you are ready for a change. You can lay new patio materials over the existing the concrete flooring. Furthermore, plain concrete can be a strong foundation and prevent surface cracking.

Stamped or colored concrete is a very practical solution when working on a budget. Although you will most likely pay more for colored or stamped concrete compared to plain concrete, the amazing transformation can be well worth the investment. A good, creative contractor can render an endless array of decorative effects, from rustic earth-toned sidewalks and patios that harmonize with the surrounding landscape or garden to vibrant multicolored concrete floors that double as works of art.

Stained concrete is a durable surface that adapts to almost any design. You can add color to new concrete either with dye spread on the slab surface or with pigment mixed into the concrete before pouring. Choose a hue slightly darker than you want because it will fade in the sun. For existing concrete patios, apply a chemical stain to achieve the desired color. The cost is usually moderate to inexpensive, however, small batches and uncommon colors are more expensive. Some maintenance is required for this patio material, which usually entail the occasional wash with soap and water, a seal to prevent unwanted stains, and repairs for chips or cracks.

Freshly poured concrete, plain or colored, can be stamped with a pattern after troweling. Stamps are available to create patterns that resemble cobblestone, cut stone, irregular stone, brick, or precast pavers. Open-mold stamps simply outline shapes; closed-mold stamps add texture to the concrete surface. Like that of stained concrete, the price of stamped concrete can vary.

Resembling brick in versatility and installation, concrete pavers are as durable as brick but are lighter-weight, less costly, and available in a broader range of shapes. Pavers that have color impregnated throughout their thickness are the best choice since their appearance is less diminished by scratches and chips.

Round, rectangular, or square precast steppers are, in essence, large concrete pavers spaced at regular intervals. Forms are available to cast your own customized designs. Wider spacing is a budget-saving technique, but instability and shifting from soil heaving can be problems that require maintenance.

Tile

The regular geometric shapes and distinct edges of ceramic and stone tile make them excellent patio paving material. Choose from fired terra-cotta, machine-made quarry, molded paver, or synthetic-stone tiles. Before purchasing any tiles for your patio, make certain that the tile is designed for outdoor use. Also note that glazed tile is less slippery than glazed tile when wet. Tile can be expensive depending on your preference, and must be sealed to protect them from scratches and to keep them from absorbing water. Able to be used on virtually any type of surface, tiles are very comfortable to walk on and relatively smooth, which makes it safe to use in the sense that there will be little fear of people tripping on any part of it. In addition, patio furniture will sit squarely on the tiles surface, which may not happen if you use another type of patio materials.

Mulch

Wood mulch is available as bark, chips, nuggets, or shreds and is among the least expensive patio surfacing options. Shredded mulch makes the most stable and comfortable walking surface and forms an interlocking mat that remains in place better during heavy rain or strong winds. Add an edging such as railroad ties, bricks, pavers, or stones to confine mulch to the patio area and maintain it by replacing the mulch blown away by wind, replenishing it as it decays, and removing weeds that sprout up.

Pea Gravel

Pea gravel is among the easiest and least expensive patio surfaces to install. Because it is loose, it shifts underfoot, enhancing walking comfort and providing better drainage than any other surface. It helps prevent erosion by allowing water to soak into the ground rather than run off. Snow removal can be difficult without gouging the pebble surface, and the occasional raking of the surface is required to smooth displaced stones and remove debris.