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Staying in has become the new going out, and outdoor design has become heavenly. This year's pandemic has created trends that create outdoor spaces that make you happy to dine and entertain in. 

Explore the different types of patio surface options you can choose from for designing your outdoor space and enjoying sun-drenched afternoons or outdoor dining.

Your patio’s surface material will give your yard a distinct look as well as enhance the time you spend outdoors. Factors such as location, size of the outdoor space, budget, personal preference, and local building codes will guide you on choosing the right surface for your patio.

Below are five types of patios that can create amazing outdoor elegance in all size yards and style décor.

Paver Patios

Paver patios are a relatively low maintenance option when it comes to materials. However, it does come at a higher cost. Typically, you’ll be paying around $12 to $22 per square foot. You can bring the cost down to around $2 to $8 per square foot.

It should be noted that the installation of paver patios is much longer than other options. Many estimates put the installation time of 3 to 5 days for a professional team to install a paver patio.

A big part of this is the fact that paver patios take a lot of prep work before the material itself is laid down. The first step is to remove any dirt or grass down to the subsoil level. In some places, this is as deep as a foot and a half.

Then, gravel must be added and then leveled. After that, about an inch bedding sand needs to be installed and after that you can install the pavers themselves. Once the pavers are set out, PVC or metal edging needs to be used with edge spikes to be used at a measurement of at least every foot.

Once the pavers are set, you’ll want to use a broom to brush sand into the gaps between them. You’ll then want to vibrate these into place. Finally, the patio will need to be cleaned and sealed. You can make your patio last even longer if you use a seal for patios that is weatherproof.

Brick Patios

Brick patios are a classic option for patios and have a rather widespread appeal. The traditional choice is red brick but there are many other color options as well such as brown, black, tan, cream, gray, buff, and even pink.

The bricks used for patios aren’t the same “builder” bricks you might see in walls, though. These bricks are thinner but still durable enough to handle people frequently working across your patio.

Flagstone Patios
Flagstones are installed in the form of thick slabs of stone, usually around 1 to 3 inches. Unlike the paver or brick patios we’ve looked at so far, these don’t use regular, repeated designs. Instead, flagstones come in irregular shapes that will give your patio a one-of-a-kind appearance.

On average, a professional installation of a flagstone patio costs around $12 to $28 per square foot. Most homeowners choose to have a professional install their patio when they use flagstone because unlike an option like brick, it’s harder to place pieces together. A professional can have the job done quickly and you won’t need to worry about uneven spacing. If you’re pretty handy and want to do the installation yourself, the material alone will probably cost around $3 to $10 per square foot.

Slate Patios
Natural stone slate patios are beautiful and come in a variety of shades to get the look you want. There are slate varieties in shades of red, blue, black, gray and brown giving you plenty of options when it comes to color. They also come from the manufacturer as rectangular cut tiles, or as irregular shaped rough stone to help you get a perfect design.

Not only do slate tiles look great as a backyard patio they are durable and made from 100% natural stone. In addition, slate tiles can be installed as a DIY project, however it can be a heavy endeavor to install.

Now on the downside slate does require a bit of routine maintenance to keep it looking attractive. It can also be considered more expensive when compared to other flooring alternatives.

Concrete Patios
Concrete is a versatile option for your patio because it comes in a variety of finishes and colors. As a general estimate, you can expect to pay about $6 to $12 per square foot of concrete.

The first pro of concrete patios is that it is incredibly durable. It doesn’t shift according to climate and over time like other options and rebar can be used make concrete stronger. Unfortunately, coloring in concrete does fade in the sun if dyed. When it comes to structural breakdown, you might see that you need to repair cracks and chipping.

Stamped Concrete use inlaid designs to mimic other materials such as brick, slate or flagstone. It is highly desired due to its beauty, cost and low maintenance.

Concrete might also be colored in a variety of ways. Pigments can be added during the mixing process and stain is applied before concrete is sealed. Sealing usually uses acid.

Whichever material strikes your fancy, you will be sure to create an outdoor haven to love.

At Paul Anthony Homes, we can take care of your outside space as well as your home build.  We offer all of the latest backyard and patio trends to make your home move in complete.  Give us a call at 586-786-7508  or visit us on our contact form to discuss plans to put your dream home in motion.