How to Design and Build Patios

Patios offer a natural transition from indoor to outdoor living. They’re great for relaxing, entertaining and can add value to your home.

Patios are part of the hardscape elements that define the design, layout and overall look of your landscape. Patios are a durable and functional addition to any home.

Concrete

Concrete is a traditional patio material that offers versatility, durability and affordability. It can be molded into any shape and can accommodate backyard space restrictions. It also accepts a variety of colors and tints, which makes it easy to match the color scheme of your house or landscape.

Concrete patios are long-lasting and require little maintenance beyond sweeping and hosing down. However, they can crack from extreme changes in humidity and temperature or from shifts in the earth beneath them. Concrete contractors can reinforce slabs with steel rebar to minimize the likelihood of these problems.

Concrete can also be stained or textured to provide reliable skid resistance. This feature is especially important in areas where it rains or snows frequently, as smooth surfaces can become dangerously slippery. Concrete patios can also be de-iced easily, allowing for safe use regardless of the weather.

Tiles

Tile patios provide a stylish, low-maintenance alternative to traditional paving materials. However, the right tiles for a patio require careful consideration to ensure safety and long-term durability. Tiles can range from the smooth surfaces of natural stones to textured, slip-resistant varieties.

A popular choice is granite tile, an igneous rock formed as liquid volcanic magma cools. It is durable and scratch-resistant, though it should be regularly sealed to prevent stains. Granite is expensive, but it creates a premium look in a backyard garden.

Porcelain tiles are an excellent alternative to natural stone. Those rated for flooring use work well in most outdoor applications, though you should check the PEI rating to make sure they are strong enough for a patio.

Sand

When installing paver patios it is important to use the right sand for the base. Playground sand is too fine and washes away which leaves the pavers unsteady and uneven. Masonry sand doesn’t compact uniformly and doesn’t allow proper lateral drainage. Use a coarse sand that incorporates some crushed stone like paver leveling sand or utility sand found at the hardware store.

For extra strength and to help the sand bond to the pavers, consider using polymeric sand. This sand is comprised of regular jointing sand with the addition of various polymers that when activated by water form a material akin to concrete between the pavers. This sand is easy to install, relatively inexpensive, and comes in a variety of shades allowing you to match it to your paver color.

This sand also deters weeds and insects by creating an airtight barrier. It is a good idea to spray a non-selective herbicide over the sand before and after it is installed.

Lighting

Whether you’re using your patio for dining or entertainment, the lighting you choose is a big part of creating an inviting atmosphere. A good start is a simple overhead light like outdoor pendants or string lights. A strand of the latter zigzagged above your patio’s dining or entertaining space delivers an all-over ambient glow that looks like an IRL Instagram filter.

If you want to add a little extra flair, try using a variety of fixtures instead of just one. A streamlined strand of multiple fixtures will create a more cohesive look and also allow the tablescape to take center stage.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy solution, try a landscape lighting kit that plugs into any outdoor outlet. You can use these to highlight a specimen plant or a retaining wall that you’d like to see at night. They also work great to illuminate stairs and define a walkway. For a more permanent fixture, consider installing LED ground spot lights that are 25-80% more energy efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs.

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