It may seem early to start dreaming of the perfect patio, but trust us, spring is right around the corner. If you complete your research now, you’ll be ready to get the project underway when the weather cooperates – and before you know it, you’ll be lounging in that perfect Adirondack chair, sipping the perfect cocktail of your choice and surveying your new patio, built, you guessed it, to perfection.
But first things first! To begin the project, consider what type of patio material would work best for you. Here are some ideas from an article by National Association of Realtors (NAR):
Brick
“Brick’s got character. No denying it,” notes the NAR article. You can create varied patterns with bricks and also choose from a slew of shapes, sizes, colors and finishes. Cost is around $3-5 per square foot for DIY projects. You will also need to rent a brick saw to help cut bricks to size, which will run $60-95 per day.
Professionally installed, the job will cost around $12-18 per square foot.
Concrete
Concrete comes in brushed, acid washed, scored and even stamped styles. You can also find a large variety of colors. With this material, you’ll get a long lifespan and relatively inexpensive installation: $6-12 per square foot ($3 per square foot extra for stamped concrete).
Concrete Pavers
From plain pavers to intricate embossed patterns, homeowners have a wealth of choices in this category. Even better, interlocking concrete pavers fit easily together, are relatively inexpensive, require minimal maintenance and are simple to install. Plan on spending $2-8 per square foot or $7-$15 per square foot if professionally installed.
Rubber Tiles
While they look like concrete, with finishes resembling brick and terra cotta, these tiles are made from recycled tires. Rubber tiles can be placed over any surface and are lightweight enough to use on decks. NAR notes that this material is strictly for DIYers and costs $3-5 per square foot.
Stone Pavers
Stone provides are lovely look to any patio, with styles are varied as your imagination. Most come in sandstone, limestone, slate or granite; sizes 6×12, 12×12 and 18×18 are most common. Such pavers are generally less expensive when obtained from locally operated quarries, notes NAR. It’s best to hire professionals for this work, which will run $12-$28 per square foot, depending on the stone.
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