Building a Back Patio

A back patio is a great place to gather family and friends for relaxing conversation, meals and entertaining. A back patio is similar to a deck, but it is typically built on the ground level and doesn’t have a railing around it.

Designers treated this back patio like an indoor room without walls and furnished it with a collected mix of pieces. The light colors of the furniture and rug make this patio feel airy.

1. Brick Pavers

Brick pavers are a classic patio material that complements a wide range of design styles. They add value to your home and are easy to maintain. If a brick becomes damaged, simply replace it with another. This is a much easier process than repairing an entire paved surface like concrete.

Consider the type of traffic your patio will have when choosing materials. Rough cobblestones or bumpy aggregate concrete may create tripping hazards. In contrast, smooth surfaces can be slick in wet weather. Brick pavers have a naturally textured surface that helps prevent slippage.

Install the paver edging according to the manufacturer’s instructions, advises Spruce. Fill the joints with polymeric sand (a combination of fine sand and additives that bond when wet), or mason’s sand.

2. Concrete

Concrete’s durability makes it a great choice for a back patio. It’s also affordable and can accommodate a variety of decorative techniques, such as staining.

A standard concrete patio costs $5 to $15 per square foot. Labor is the biggest expense, accounting for 1/3 of total costs. Adding stenciling or specialty shapes increases the price.

Mixing your own concrete saves money, but it’s difficult to do on a large project without the right equipment and experience. Ordering ready-mixed concrete is a convenient option, but it’s more expensive.

To minimize patio cracking, consider using concrete reinforcing fibers with the concrete mixture. These are available in bags and can be added to site-mixed concrete or to precast slabs. The patio should slope away from the house at a rate of 1/8 to 1/4 inch per foot-check local code for requirements.

3. Stone

If you love a clean and sleek look, a back patio constructed of square stone pavers separated by grass (real or faux) promotes a manicured aesthetic. Bluestone is a popular choice for backyard patios because of its rich earth color shades of rust and green and its durability in freezing temperatures.

For a more rustic and organic design, consider a back patio with sandstone or flagstone in an irregular pattern. The natural beauty of these stones is enhanced by lush wall creepers, which provide a childlike and fairytale feel to the backyard.

If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to pavers or slabs, pea gravel is a great option for backyard patios. This loose landscape material is available in a wide range of earth colors and provides a pleasant crunch underfoot.

4. Wood

Wood is a popular patio material, particularly for back decks and porches. It’s durable and looks good with a variety of paint or stain colors. Several types of wood can be used to build patios, including Western Red Cedar and Alaskan Yellow Cedar, which both look great with a clear sealant. They also accept stain well and have natural insect-resistance. If you’re looking for something different, exotic hardwoods like Ipe are an option.

Understanding the difference between a back patio and a deck is important for homeowners looking to add an outdoor structure to their home. Both patios and decks can be built from a number of materials, but some are better for certain weather conditions than others. Knowing which type of patio to choose can save you time and money in the long run.

5. Plants

The right flowers and plants can enhance your patio while attracting pollinators to your outdoor space. Annuals like sweet peas (Peas) provide vibrant color, and hardy perennials such as purple fountain grass (Cordyline fruticosa ‘Flaviarina’) grow quickly in sunny containers.

Ornamental grasses are another choice that work well in patio gardens, with many cultivars offering different leaf colors and textures to add interest to the display. Planting several grasses together can also create more privacy for your patio.

Tender tropical hibiscus plants (Hibiscus rosa sinensis) bloom in summer and look great in large patio containers. Move your plants into a frost-free location for the winter. An elegant boxwood shrub, such as ‘Petite Pillar’, provides an air of formality to the patio, and it can be clipped into a neat shape in containers.

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