A Guide to the Most Popular Patio Materials

Do you want to create an awesome outdoor space for summer relaxation? Installing a patio’s a good choice for you.
According to the American Psychological Association, spending time outdoors is good for your mental health. So, don’t put your plans off any longer.

The first step in designing your patio is deciding on the type of pavers or other materials you’d like to use for the surface. Here’s a snapshot of the best ones.

Brick Patio Designs

Brick is a versatile and attractive choice for outdoor patio material as it suits most home designs. You can also use it for pathways and as edging.

You can create patios from this type of paving in several popular designs :including

Jack-on-jack
Herringbone
Running bond

Whichever style you choose, brick creates a neat, classic finish. Brick lasts for a long time and is easy to keep clean and well maintained. Brick’s one of the more expensive patio materials.

Concrete Formed Pavers

Concrete’s one of the most versatile and affordable patio materials around. You can shape it to any form you choose or buy pre-formed concrete pavers in a huge range of designs and colors.

You can also choose a finish that suits the style of your home perfectly. Some of the available options include:

Stamped or smooth
Brushed
Scored
Inlaid with custom designs

Concrete’s a durable choice for a patio and will last a long time with minimal maintenance. After all, some of the world’s oldest buildings are concrete structures.

Most concrete pavers fit together like building blocks for quick, easy installation.
One thing to look out for with concrete is that repeated cycles of freezing and thawing can cause cracks to form.

Tile for Your Patio

Tile’s the best patio material for those who want to feature colors in their patio design. There are very few limits to the type of tile you can use for decorative edging. It’s best to choose unglazed tile for your main patio surface though, as tile is slippery when wet.

The three main types of patio tile are:

Porcelain
Terracotta
Quarry

It’s a good idea to treat your patio tile with a sealant to protect it from the elements.

Natural Stone Pavers

A stone patio is a good choice for those who enjoy a natural appearance and looks fantastic if your home has natural stone elements too. The two main types of natural stone pavers are flagstones, which come in irregular shapes, and cut stone, which is rectangular or square.

You can choose from the following types of stone for your patio:

Slate
Marble
Limestone
Travertine
Sandstone

Stone’s an expensive choice but it’s exceptionally hard-wearing and will last many years.

Get Started on Your Patio

If you want to reap the full benefits of an outdoor summer, now’s the time to get started on your patio. We can help you choose the best materials to suit your needs and your home.

We stock the full range of all the most popular patio materials. Get in touch to discuss your ideas today!

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