Whether you’re contemplating a new patio installation or upgrading the appearance of an existing one, it’s important to consider what type of patio materials and finishes will work best for you.

The cost of the patio material is only one consideration. Maintenance will be an on-going concern, which includes both the time you’re willing to dedicate and the expense of the maintenance. You may find that choosing a more durable patio material with less long-term care a much better up-front value than choosing a more cost-effective material that will not last as long and requires more of your maintenance time. Here is a summary of your choices:

Poured Concrete

A poured concrete patio is both affordable and easy to maintain. It also allows you to work in stages if you’d like an upgrade in the future because you can sometimes lay new materials over it.

Concrete offers many design options, as well. At the time it’s poured, it can be stamped or molded to replicate just about any look (brick, cut stone, cobblestone, etc.), or dyed to any color you like, or have a textured finish. All 3 of these options can happen at one time – let your imagination run wild! These cosmetic upgrades do not weaken concrete’s structural integrity but does change the project price.

Long-term maintenance for poured concrete can entail patching cracks due to the ground under the slab shifting or the expansion and contraction caused by the cycle of freezing and thawing common in the Midwest.

Pavers

Interlocking pieces of pre-cast concrete or clay (also known as brick) are called pavers or paving stones. They are installed over a compacted stone or sand base, or can be laid over many existing concrete slabs. The types of pavers to choose from include brick, concrete, natural stone and tile pavers.

Brick or Concrete Pavers

Clay or brick pavers are a popular choice because they are easy to install, making them a Do-It-Yourself project. The pavers can be installed over sand or concrete bases without mortar, laid in an endless variety of patterns, and are durable in very cold climates.

If a paver goes bad, it is very easy to remove and replace the trouble spot. There is minimal maintenance to the pavers themselves, but weeds or grass growing up between them can be a maintenance issue.

Natural Stone Pavers

Flagstone, fieldstone and limestone are some of the most commonly used natural stone pavers. They are the most durable of all materials available, and do require skilled stone masons to piece together irregular stones and mortar them in place. This usually makes it an expensive choice upfront, but it lasts a long-time.

Natural stone veneer is a thinner and lighter version of full stones, so comes down in price a bit. It is recommended they be installed by skilled stonemasons.

On-going maintenance to natural stone pavers would be regularly sweeping and hosing down the stone surface to keep it free of garden debris. When properly laid, weeds do not grow up through stone pavers; instead, seeds atop the stone can take root in the porous stone.

Tile Pavers

For a slightly more formal look, exterior-grade quarry or terra-cotta tiles are a great choice. You can have the look of stone without the additional expense of the labor involved in shaping and cutting natural stone.

To get the results you expect, go with a company knowledgeable about installing and mortaring them properly. And choose unglazed styles to avoid slipping on a slick surface when they get wet.  Tiles can crack if heavy objects are dropped on them, but a skilled professional should be able to replace only a broken piece.

Maintenance issues include sweeping and hosing down the tiles on a regular basis, and the possibility of re-grouting in the future due to weather-related deterioration.

Your patio can be a combination of any of the above options. For example, a poured concrete patio can be edged with natural stone, or mix brick pavers with natural stone. This gives you endless design variety along with project budget flexibility.

To protect your patio investment, be sure to seal all concrete, brick and natural stone, as well as the expansion joints and grouting. Sealer prevents water from constantly penetrating the material, and helps it withstand the Midwest freeze/thaw cycles. Sealing also reduces staining on the surface, as well as making snow and ice easier to remove.

For help in choosing which type of patio works best for you, team with a Mosby Home Consultant who is well-versed in the installation, maintenance and cost of patio materials. Mosby Building Arts has two generations of skilled stonemasons on staff plus an expert sealing team, so you can be assured that from patio design to installation, you’re making the right choices that will last a lifetime. Call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

Related posts:

1. KMOX – Choosing Exterior Siding
2. Concrete Finishes & Sealing
3. Seal Your Exterior Brick & Stone
4. Choosing the Right Tile for the Job
5. How To Care For Granite Countertops

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Tags: brick pavers, concrete pavers, patio design, patio sealing, poured concrete patio

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 2nd, 2011 at 11:27 am and is filed under outdoor living. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.