What are all my options for my backyard patio? There are several good choices and this blog will explain the advantages of each substrate.
Let’s start with your basic concrete patio. Even though the cost of concrete has escalated greatly the past couple of years, it still remains the most cost effective choice in patios. The advantages are the cost and relative durability. The disadvantages are the fact that concrete will most likely crack regardless of installation over time and the lack of warmth in terms of aesthetics.
You can add stain to concrete and warm up the aesthetics for a relatively low cost. Once you add stamping the concrete to the equation, the cost jumps up to just below a paver patio.
Paver patio’s have the largest market share when it comes to people remodeling their patio. Leading manufactures such as Belgard and Pavestone have a variety of patterns and colors that are both durable and beautiful. The advantages of pavers is they are very low-maintenance, mid-range priced, and will not crack unless a blunt object strikes them. The disadvantage is the have seams in between where weeds can grow either from below or above in the sand. Installation is a very important part of the performance of pavers.
Travertine tile pavers have come on strong in recent years. They look like tile but thicker and installed like pavers. The advantges are again low-maintenance, very high aesthetic appeal, and much smaller seams as compared to pavers. The disadvantage is they are bit high cost than average pavers.
Finally, flagstone is a growing choice amongst people in the Charlotte, NC area. It is generally laid in concrete and has some great advantages. It is perhaps the highest aesthetic appeal, no weeds can grow through it, it is low-maintenance, and has great utility. The disadvantages are high price and the concrete is likely to crack over time.
To find a complete design gallery on patio and entire outdoor living spaces, go to www. porchlifestyle.com
