6 Ways to Rethink Your Patio Floor
Dreaming of making over your patio? Start with a solid foundation. Start your preparation process with this quick guide to patio flooring options — estimate expenses, get to understand the procedure and learn which substances are primed to your DIY jobs (and that can be best left to the pros).
Here you’ll discover the nuts and bolts of working with a few of the most well-known choices, from foolproof classics, like brick and bluestone, to innovative new materials, like wood decking tiles.
Portal Design Inc
Concrete Patios
Concrete is so commonly used that it’s easy to overlook its positive attributes. A concrete patio exudes contemporary appeal, and it is perfect for spaces where you want crisply defined edges.
Estimated price: $5 to $10 per square foot, set up
Guru or DIY? Hire a pro. Concrete sets very fast, therefore it is very unforgiving. Unless you already have experience working with concrete, it is probably best to leave this task to the specialists.
Process photo: First, the area to your concrete patio must be dug out and leveled. Next, barriers are set up that will decide the shape of the patio. Filler material like gravel is spread out, and then the concrete is poured, leveled, completed and cured.
Coates Design Architects Seattle
Get creative using concrete slabs. With this contemporary patio, big square slabs of concrete define the seating area surrounding an outside fireplace. When you are designing with concrete, you can even leave segments open for plantings, trees or other garden features, developing a custom look that fits your space perfectly.
Chioco Design
Wood Decking
Wood decks are classic and comfortable, plus they fit in just about anywhere. Remember that wood does require more upkeep than other substances, though composite decking is an option if you want the appearance of wood with less maintenance.
Estimated price: $15 to $30 and up per square foot set up; $6 to $11 per square foot DIY
Pro or DIY? Most people may want to hire a professional for this — decks connected to the house may require permits. Nevertheless, a little, simple wood deck isn’t out of reach for a seasoned do-it-yourselfer.
Process photo: A ledger is set up to connect the deck to the house. Beams and joists are set on concrete piers, and decking is put on top.
Build a Gorgeous platform deck at a weekend
Koch Architects, Inc.. Joanne Koch
Deck tiles. This innovative material is designed to be snapped together, developing a modular deck virtually everywhere. It is perfect for covering up an unattractive surface or developing a new patio quickly and easily.
Estimated price: $4 to $10 per square foot, depending on the substance and origin
Guru or DIY? Easy DIY
Process snapshot: Snap together the tiles in whatever configuration you select. Depending upon the tiles, you may also have to stain and seal them to protect them from the components.
John Kraemer & Sons
Brick and Stone
A brick patio has a magical, old-world appearance that would be right at home in any number of settings.
Estimated price: $8 to $16 per square foot, set up
Guru or DIY? A little, simple brick patio working with the dry-laid method can be set up in a couple of weekends of dedicated work by someone who’s DIY savvy. A large patio or one with a intricate layout is probably best left to the experts.
Process: A mason laying a brick patio will start by digging and leveling to prepare the ground. He or she’ll then lay concrete on top of crushed gravel or stone to form a base before placing the bricks with mortar.
Legendary Luxury Homes
Dry-laid versus brick. If you decide to go the DIY route with your brick patio, you will probably want to try out the dry-laid method instead of deal with mortar. This involves building a wooden frame exactly the ideal size to include your bricks (which means you’ll want to triple check your dimensions!) And then matching the bricks closely together within the frame. This method is much easier than mortar, and permits you to pull up and substitute broken bricks as required.
On the flip side, a professionally laid, mortared brick patio will likely last longer, have fewer problems with weeds and also be more perfectly level.
Westover Landscape Design, Inc..
Bluestone. A lovely and weatherproof substance, bluestone comes in varied shades, ranging from pale lilac to deep slate blue.
Estimated price: $17 to $32 and up per square foot installed. Note that because bluestone is quarried in the southern U.S., transport costs to the West can add much to the last price .
Guru or DIY? Hire a professional stone mason. Large stones can be extremely heavy and hard to position, and developing a lovely pattern like the one displayed here is an art.
Process snapshot: A mason degrees and prepares the area, and supplies for proper drainage. The dug-out space is full of about a foot of gravel along with a thin layer of stone dust at the top. Finally the bluestone is put closely, generally with no mortar.
450 Architects, Inc..
Flagstone. Common, comparatively affordable and hard wearing, flagstone is a favorite choice for paths and patios.
Estimated price: $10 to $19 per square foot set up; $3 to $5 per square foot DIY
Guru or DIY? A little flagstone patio is a doable multiweekend DIY if you are feeling up for it. Otherwise, hiring a specialist is the thing to do.
Process snapshot: Dig out the patio area about 6 inches deep, fill it with gravel, then top it with a thin layer of coarse sand. Set each bit of flagstone into place just like puzzle pieces, leaving roughly the exact same amount of distance between stone. Gaps can be full of gravel, sand or ground cover crops.
Bagnato Architects
Inform usAre you currently planning to lay a new patio flooring? Which is your favorite material?