Installing a patio isn’t as simple as it seems – many considerations and decisions must be made to ensure that your patio fits your style and life. Contrary to the belief that a patio is laid and then never worked on again, patios require ongoing maintenance throughout the year, and the type of maintenance depends on the type of patio you choose.
Fortunately, our patio experts at Timberline have put together the best tips and tricks to ensure that the patio you choose for your residential landscape fits your landscape style and your maintenance schedule.
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Breaking Down Types of Patio Materials
When it comes to laying a patio, there are many material options you can choose from to give your landscape your own personal style. However, many of these materials do have caveats in terms of maintenance and how they are laid.
Flagstone
Flagstone brings a natural look to any patio space. Because flagstone takes longer to lay than most patio materials, it comes at a higher cost.
Each stone varies in thickness, so pieces need to be lifted to achieve a level surface. Because of the potential for pieces to settle at varying levels, you may not want to place furniture like chairs on flagstone.
Concrete
Concrete is a very durable form of patio material and can be assembled relatively quickly. If you are laying your patio yourself, this is one of the simpler options. However, concrete will crack right away. Control joints can be used to try to avoid this issue, but it is not guaranteed. However, it is still one of the most durable patio materials over time. Concrete can also be stained to enhance the color and match your existing exterior tones.
One issue to keep in mind with concrete, especially stained concrete, is that it’s very slippery when wet. Use extra caution when considering this surface, especially if you plan on using concrete around a pool. A textured, non-slip coating can be used with concrete to decrease the chances of slipping.
A landscape designed by Timberline with a patio included.
Pavers
Pavers can be arranged in a multitude of patterns when used as patio material. Because pavers can also come in a variety of different colors, it looks great and functions well in most patio settings.
One downfall to pavers is that shifting or settling soils can cause the pavers to move over time. However, this can be fixed at a reasonable cost.
Gravel
While gravel is one of the more cost-effective material options for patios, it is subject to washout, and there are many maintenance issues to consider before choosing it as your material.
For example, gravel must be extremely well compacted to avoid sinking and shifting. If the patio isn’t compacted well enough and it sinks or shifts, this will bring an additional cost to repair. Gravel also requires regular smoothing and multiple layers of gravel to be effective as patio material.
Every patio is different – and can reflect everyone’s different landscaping style. Our team at Timberline can assist you in choosing the perfect patio for you and your lifestyle.
For more information about how to care for the landscape around your patio, download our free residential landscaping e-book.
