What is a Patio's Best Material?

Adding a patio to your outdoor setup is a perfect way to make your home more comfortable while also enhancing its value for resale. But what kind of material would you use in your patio? Here are a few choices to consider.

1. Concrete

Concrete is a basic patio material that may not look as appealing as other choices but is among the least expensive in general. If you expect a constant beating from your patio, or if the patio is put under a raised deck where it won't be all that visible, then poured concrete might be a fine, cost-effective option. Concrete is also quite durable, though it may not be the best choice if your home is located somewhere that is prone to very extreme winters, because it has the potential to crack. And if this occurs too heavily, you risk removing your entire patio, or significant parts thereof.

2. Gravel

Another relatively low-cost option, the advantage of gravel as a patio material is that it is easy to instal and can lend itself to various forms of patios. That said, gravel is not a solid surface, so it's prone to shift over time and you may find that you need to adjust patio furniture frequently to accommodate those shifts. Yet aesthetically speaking, it is pretty good to look at.

3. Paved concrete

Concrete pavers, unlike poured concrete, are made of concrete stones which come in different colours and shapes. The advantage of concrete pavers is that they look attractive and can be individually replaced in case of damage or cracking. The downside is you could spend twice as much on concrete pavers as you would on concrete poured in. But concrete pavers tend to provide better drainage than poured concrete, because between stones water can flow.

4. Brick

Brick is a classic material known for its robustness. But in extremely cold temperatures brick can crack like concrete. Still, it is possible to replace bricks individually, while poured concrete patios that often crack are not salvageable. However, the cost of bricks is more comparable with that of concrete pavers, so you'll pay more up front for installing them.

5. Stone

Stone patios are screaming elegance and adding considerable aesthetic value. But the cost of building them is still prohibitive. That being said, stone is exceptionally robust and difficult to break. However, it can get very slippery at rainy season.

What kind of budget does it look like?

While money isn't the only factor that will decide what material you select from the patio, it is probably a major factor.

Bear in mind that some products are more labour intensive than others to instal. For example, the construction of a patio makes it fairly easy to pour concrete. In contrast, brick and stone need to be laid piece by piece.

Ultimately, your choice of patio material should hinge on your budget and aesthetic preferences. Do your homework Additional resources so that in the end you are satisfied with your decision.