Patios: The Foundation of Outdoor Renovations

Are you ready to invest in expanding your outdoor living space?

The best place to start is with your existing patio area—or creating one.

Size: How Big Should Your Patio Be?

When deciding on the size of a patio, be mindful of the overall design and use for your space.

For instance, a patio area can be for dining, gathering around a fireplace, sunbathing, or watching the stars at night.

What will you use your patio for the most? Entertaining guests? Relaxing after a long day? A quiet space to read?

It’s a good idea to create an imaginary patio layout before the foundation is in place.

Using a table and chairs around an imaginary area will ensure you have the proper amount of space (before committing to a design).

Location: Where Should You Place Your Patio?

Prior to designing your patio, consider the location of this outdoor area.

Proximity to your house is the most critical aspect.

The wrong location will greatly reduce the amount of time spent enjoying your outdoor living space.

On the other hand, the right location will draw you outdoors more often and simplify outdoor entertaining.

Too much space between your house and patio could overcomplicate dining or relaxing outside.

Instead, think of a patio as an extension of your indoor living space.

Your Patio and Climate Changes

To enjoy your patio, you may need an awning or pergola to provide shade during warmer months.

Or you might want added protection from wind, rain, and other climate changes.

Keeping Your Patio Shaded

Full sun, which is great in spring and fall, can be unbearable during summer.

On the contrary, complete shade—which is great in the summer—can be too chilly in spring and fall.

Plus, structures that offer shade for your patio will be more likely to accumulate debris from trees.

Do you want your patio to be shaded or completely open? Do you want to enjoy a sunrise or sunset?

Moving your patio from the East to the West side of your house can drastically change your outdoor experience.

Protecting Your Patio from Wind

Wind is another factor to think about when designing your patio.

Prevailing winds can play a role where you place fire pits, furniture, and other outdoor accessories on your patio.

Is there a side of your house that offers protection from the wind?

Does one side of your property have trees that would make for more patio upkeep during the fall?

Depending on how you want to experience the outdoors, think through how much sun, shade, and breeze you’d like your patio to have.

Entertaining and Relaxing: Your Patios’ Privacy

Privacy also plays a role in the location of your patio—as you want it to be a personal oasis for your family and guests.

Maybe your backyard has more trees than your front yard. Or maybe you have a fence around one side of your property.

Do you want your patio to be visible from the front or the back of your home? Would you want neighbors to stop by and chat?

Whether you’re sociable or a homebody, it’s important to consider how a patio would affect your interactions with family, neighbors, and guests.

Types of Materials for Building Your Patio

The types of material for designing your patio vary greatly.

This gives you the option of personalizing your patio in almost any style.

Options include:
• Concrete Pavers
• Natural Flagstone
• A Simple Decorative Gravel Area
• Or Stamped Concrete

Concrete Pavers

Concrete pavers are the best overall choice, giving almost unlimited options in style and color.

And, when installed properly, concrete pavers form a low-maintenance patio that will last for generations to come.

Be it a formal, rustic, or contemporary design, pavers can provide all these styles.

Natural Flagstone

Natural flagstone is another great choice as natural stone is unsurpassed in its beauty and strength.

This material lends itself best to natural and organic patio styles.

Whether you own a ranch-style home or not, natural flagstone gives you the opportunity to incorporate a more rustic feel into your landscaping.

Stamped Concrete

Decorative stamped concrete is also versatile and has a fair number of options—but is prone to cracking and fading over time.

One advantage to stamped concrete is the variety of patterns you can imprint on your patio, as opposed to concrete pavers or natural flagstone.

Stamped concrete is a good option for those who really like showing off their individual style (and are okay with more maintenance and upkeep).

Decorative Gravel

A compacted decorative gravel patio is extremely economical and aesthetically-pleasing.

However, decorative gravel has more ongoing maintenance and is harder to keep clean than any of our other options.

The bonus is that this type of patio gives your landscaping a natural and effortless touch.

On the downside, smaller branches and dirt can get stuck amongst the smaller pieces of gravel that make up your patio.

If you want your patio to blend into your landscaping, then decorative gravel is the way to go.

Building a Patio Within Your Budget

Budgeting for a patio changes based on material choices, site conditions, and accessibility.

When using gravel and concrete, patios can start for as little as $20 per square foot.

For flagstone and paver patios, the price varies from $40 to $75 per square foot.

Before you lay the foundation for your patio, keeping your maximum budget in mind is the key to finishing your patio without any regrets.

If you can’t afford flagstone or pavers, consider choosing gravel or concrete instead.

Or if you’d prefer to save up for your ideal patio, write out a financial timeline for yourself.

How many weeks or months will it take to acquire enough savings?

Would you prefer to compromise by spending less money now and enjoying an alternative-style patio sooner?

Analyzing materials and finances will help solidify what your expectations are for your outdoor area.

Get Started on Your Patio!

If you’re ready to expand your outdoor living area, then it’s time to reach out to our landscape designers at Premiere Aquascapes.

From location to materials to budgeting, we can help bring your dream patio to life.

Call us at 574-202-1636 or talk to one of our landscape experts in person by stopping at our store today!