Types of Patios

If you are looking to add a patio to the exterior of your home, you may want to consider all of the options that are available to you before making a decision. There four popular types of patios for you to choose from and each has their own benefits. Choosing a patio is a major decision because they can be difficult to remove if you are not happy with the finished project.

It is possible for a homeowner to make a patio themselves if they get all of the materials, plan out the design and lay the stone, brick or pavers properly. All of the patios except concrete patios can be laid out without anything between them. It is a good idea to mortar the bricks, pavers or stones together if you live in an area that has soil moving often as this could cause them to drift apart overtime.

There are many great contractors that can be hired to design and build the patio for you. It is up to you to decide if it is worth the money to pay someone to do the job for you or if feel that you can do it yourself. Some people think that it is not worth their time to do it themselves and they would rather just hire a professional to do it because they can then be certain that the job is done the right way and that the patio will not shift.

Concrete Slab 

• Gray or white in color


• Large slab of concrete is laid in the area where the patio is intended


• Often must be laid by a professional


• Can be very inexpensive


• Can be made to fit any shape or size


• Can be made to be as thick or thin as desired. 

Brick 

• Can be built by homeowner


• Somewhat expensive


• Time consuming


• Available in many different colors


• Lasts for a long time without needing any repair

Paver 

• Flat stones that are specifically cut to be used for patios


• Can be laid by homeowner or professional


• Stones can be heavy and homeowner may need assistance


• Often made of concrete, brick or stone


• Available in many different colors and shapes

Stone 

• Homeowners can install on their own


• Available in many colors


• Available in river rock, cobblestones, flagstones and other rock


• Can be somewhat expensive