To get the most out of your living space, you may try utilizing storage efficiently, strategically choosing furniture and taking advantage of the outdoors. Today’s homeowners are increasingly interested in ways to expand their living space past the interior of the home. According to The American Institute of Architects’ Home Design Trend Survey in the first quarter of 2008, more than two-thirds of those surveyed saw increasing popularity in outdoor living spaces [source: Baker].
One way to create a great outdoor living space is by adding a patio. Patios are usually level with the ground instead of raised like a deck. From a grill-out location in the summer to a gathering place around a fire pit in late fall, a patio can be a multi-season recreation center. It can also serve to define different areas of your yard, along with enhancing the style of your home and garden.
5. Stone
Stone offers a natural and durable option for the creation of a patio. Liz Birkholz, 2010-2011 vice-president elect of communications for the American Society of Landscape Architects, recommends going with a local stone because it will be more environmentally friendly and also more likely to blend into your backyard setting. Some common varieties of natural stone used for patios include slate, quartzite, bluestone and limestone [sources: Outdoor Living].
Natural stone can also fit into a garden setting because of its natural hues. “It (natural stone) will definitely last longer and hold its color longer than any of the other materials,” says Thomas Tavella, president of Tavella Design Group.
4. Concrete Pavers
Concrete pavers are made of dense concrete compacted to form individual units that can mimic brick or natural stone, but at a less expensive price. And they can come in a variety of colors and shapes.
Different installation methods for concrete pavers can offer the homeowner different benefits. Since most pavers are laid as individual units, they can be replaced fairly easily without disturbing the rest of the patio. Yet, some concrete pavers have interlocking joints, which aid in creating stability for the patio because they’re less likely to shift out of place. When set in sand, the pavers have an element of give, so they can withstand changes in temperature and loads by shifting instead of cracking
3. Poured Concrete
Concrete is basically a combination of cement, sand and gravel that’s mixed with water to make a gooey substance that hardens when dry. The semi-liquid nature of concrete allows it to be formed into almost any shape or size. This versatility gives homeowners the freedom to do very geometric or more curved patios. Poured cement is also a very economical option for creating a patio that offers a hard, flat surface that requires little maintenance.
Poured concrete does have a few drawbacks. First, the actual mixing of the concrete can be tricky, since the process must be done to exact specifications for the best results. If the concrete is not dried correctly, or has drainage problems, it can crack over time. And very smooth concrete can get slippery when wet. According to Birkholz, concrete may also not be the best choice if your patio will be over sewer or electrical lines because of the possible cost associated with repairing the patio if those lines need attention. Finally, concrete can have a very industrial or stark feel that might not fit with a more natural setting.
2. Tile
Ceramic or porcelain tiles can make a very distinctive patio. Tiles come in a wide variety of styles and can create a very seamless transition from indoors to outdoors. While these tiles may resemble the tile that you might use in your bathroom or on the floor of your kitchen, be sure to use both tile and grout that are meant for exterior use. It’s also important to use tiles that are not very porous, or will not absorb a lot of water, to resist damage from freezing and thawing with the change of seasons. Usually unglazed tiles work best for large walking spaces because they tend to be less slippery than glazed tiles.
1. Brick
Brick has been a popular home construction material for hundreds of years. Yet bricks used for patios are a little different than the ones you would use on your home. They must be specially fired, so they’re less porous. If you live in a location where it freezes, make sure to check that your bricks are of the correct grade for your type of environment.
While you may think that all brick patios must be red and very linear, brick patios can be different. Along with red, bricks also come in tan, black and other shades. A different color is not the only way to make brick patios more interesting. Think about creating a pattern with the bricks. Some popular patterns include herringbone, or alternating bricks on a 90-degree angle, as well as a pinwheel, which forms a square with four regular-sized bricks and a half brick in the middle.
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