Here’s what to know about adding a patio to your yard — including ideas for size and where it can go, the pros and cons of different paving materials, whom to hire and how long your project should take.
For most homeowners, especially if the patio project is large, is complex or requires considerable preparation work, hiring an experienced landscape contractor is your best choice. If you want something more elaborate, you might also want to consult with a landscape architect or designer. You will also want a professional to install any gas or water lines, and the wiring for any electrical features.
A landscape professional will be able to handle the groundwork involved in getting any necessary permits, preparing the site and checking for utility lines, as well as doing the actual installation. Before choosing a professional for your patio project, be sure to see if he or she has experience with building the type of patio you want. As with any project, check reviews on Houzz and elsewhere, and ask for references and to see examples of work.
Installing a dry-laid patio on sand with loose materials, pavers, brick or stone can be a do-it-yourself project for experts, especially if the proposed patio is small and has a simple design. A small concrete paver patio is also an option for a DIYer. Before you start, evaluate your skill level and any prep work required.
Where it will go. Deciding where to place your patio should be your starting point. Most patios are situated to create a transition zone between a home and the backyard. Often this spot is directly off the kitchen, which makes it ideal for outdoor entertaining. A patio adjacent to a living room or family room, paired with generously sized doors between the spaces, can create an easy transition between indoor and outdoor living areas.
Your patio needn’t be confined to the back or side yard either. Adding a patio to the front yard creates a spot where you can enjoy your neighborhood and interact with neighbors.
Before you build, also decide if you want to incorporate an outdoor kitchen area, a fire pit, a spa, a water feature or lighting. These features will require some extra prep work.
If you’d like a little more flair, consider adding curved edges, creating a completely circular space or pouring large concrete slabs with small breaks in between for a modern take. Wrapping a patio around the side of your home can increase your usable space.
You can also add integral design features, such as decorative accents, a mix of materials, or cutouts for plants or other garden features, to customize your patio design.
While the final look you want for your patio will be a deciding factor, different materials have specific pros and cons. You’ll want to factor in the material’s durability, longevity and ease of maintenance.
Poured-in-place concrete. Concrete is at the top of the list for many people when it comes to patio materials. It’s versatile, budget-friendly, durable and low-maintenance. It can be made to mimic brick or stone, with easier installation and a lower price point.
Poured-in-place concrete creates a solid, nonpermeable surface. You’ll need to consider and design drainage to handle any water runoff. If your region experiences freeze-thaw cycles, you’ll need to consider and design for that as well.
A concrete patio should last for decades but will require basic maintenance, including regular sweeping and rinsing with water, cleaning up spills that can stain the surface and fixing the inevitable cracks. If you apply a sealer, it will have to be renewed every few years.
Concrete pavers can be more expensive upfront than a concrete slab, but they’re often longer-lasting, less prone to cracks due to weather extremes and easier to repair. You can also find permeable pavers. These are designed to allow moisture to drain through them to the ground below. Some pavers even have cutouts designed for adding in low-growing ground covers.
Interlocking pavers do not have quite as natural a look or as many design options as loose pavers, but because they connect, they don’t need edging or mortar or sand to hold them together. Their multiple joints also mean that small cracks that form won’t be very visible, and that weeds between the pavers will be minimal compared with what you might find with paving materials that are more widely spaced.
Bricks are durable, weather-resistant and fade-resistant, although the color options and shapes are more limited than for concrete pavers or landscape stone. They can be cut to fit into tight spots, and if a single brick is damaged, you can remove and replace it. A brick patio offers more traction than a stone patio. When choosing a type of brick, check that it will stand up to the weather and wear it will be subjected to.
Bricks can be set on a sand base mixed with gravel, set on bedding sand over compacted gravel or mortared in place over a concrete base. The first option will create a more permeable installation. Once the bricks are in place, their joints can be filled with sand, creating a more permeable patio, or mortar.
Periodic power-washing will keep bricks looking fresh. Avoid sandblasting or using muriatic acid, as they will damage the surface of the bricks. Sealing the bricks will also help keep them looking bright — you will need to renew any sealer every few years.
Although it is one of the most expensive options, a stone patio is both extremely durable and very long-lasting. And, as with brick, you can replace an individual stone that is chipped or broken.
Stone can be set on a permeable base of compacted stone and builder sand. The space between the joints can then be filled with sand, gravel or even plants that will allow water to drain through the joints. Stone also can be mortared in place on a concrete base.
Periodically remove any unwanted plants from between the stones. If you apply a sealer, renew it every year. While your stone surface may last for the ages, the joints can fail. Check them every now and then and rejoint or regrout every few years.
Terra-cotta tiles, especially the popular Saltillo tiles, are known for their warm earth-tone colors and natural variations. They’re a perfect match for a rustic setting or a Southwestern- or Spanish-style home.
Terra-cotta tiles are sturdy but are prone to stains and can be damaged easily, thanks to their porous surface. Keep them free of dirt and debris, and clean stains and spots when you notice them. Clay tiles, even those designed for outdoor use, can be slippery when wet. Sealing tiles (and then resealing every couple of years) to protect them from fading or staining is usually recommended. You also may need to renew the grout.
Keep outdoor ceramic tiles clean by regularly sweeping and cleaning with a mixture of water and dish detergent that you spread with a broom and then rinse off. You also can use a power washer. Check yearly to determine if it is time to reseal the tiles and renew and reseal the grout lines.
A gravel surface also is not as steady as other patio surfaces, so it may not be a stable surface for furniture, wheels or anyone with mobility issues. Laying gravel over a solid base can help.
Permitting and codes. Before starting any patio project, check with your local building department about the necessary permits and code requirements. Regulations and requirements vary widely, even for a small on-grade patio project, and there may well be added requirements for a more extensive project.
If you belong to a homeowners association, check to see if there are any guidelines or restrictions you need to be aware of.
How long it will take. For most patio projects, installing the finished surface material may be the easiest and fastest part of the job. You’ll need to allow time for preparing the site, including allowing any concrete to set thoroughly. If you need to get permits or are having plans drawn, expect it to take longer.
A small patio consisting of loose materials, bricks or stone can be finished in a day or two. Plan on allowing up to a week for a concrete slab, according to Rob Douglass of Texas Custom Patios in Houston.
If you’re using other materials, it depends on the size of the project and the crew, according to Daren Langhorne of Core Outdoor Living in Clifton, Virginia. He suggests allowing at least one or two weeks, and possibly up to several weeks.
Content provided by Marianne Lipanovich