6 Ways to Rethink Your Patio Floor
Figure out the right material for your spring patio makeover with this mini guide to concrete, wood, brick and stone
Dreaming of making over your patio? Start with a solid foundation. Begin your planning process with this quick guide to patio flooring options — estimate costs, get to know the process and learn which materials are primed for your DIY projects (and which are best left to the pros).
Here you'll discover the nuts and bolts of working with some of the most popular choices, from foolproof classics, like brick and bluestone, to innovative new materials, like wood decking tiles.
Here you'll discover the nuts and bolts of working with some of the most popular choices, from foolproof classics, like brick and bluestone, to innovative new materials, like wood decking tiles.
Get creative with concrete slabs. For this modern patio, large square slabs of concrete define the seating area surrounding an outdoor fireplace. When you are designing with concrete, you can also leave sections open for plantings, trees or other garden features, creating a custom look that suits your space perfectly.
Find a concrete pro that suits your style
Find a concrete pro that suits your style
Wood Decking
Wood decks are classic and comfortable, and they fit in just about anywhere. Keep in mind that wood does require more upkeep than other materials, though composite decking is an option if you want the look of wood with less maintenance.
Estimated cost: $15 to $30 and up per square foot installed; $6 to $11 per square foot DIY
Pro or DIY? Most people will want to hire a pro for this — decks attached to the house may require permits. That said, a small, simple wood deck isn’t out of reach for an experienced do-it-yourselfer.
Process snapshot: A ledger is installed to connect the deck to the house. Beams and joists are set on concrete piers, and decking is laid on top.
Build a beautiful platform deck in a weekend
Wood decks are classic and comfortable, and they fit in just about anywhere. Keep in mind that wood does require more upkeep than other materials, though composite decking is an option if you want the look of wood with less maintenance.
Estimated cost: $15 to $30 and up per square foot installed; $6 to $11 per square foot DIY
Pro or DIY? Most people will want to hire a pro for this — decks attached to the house may require permits. That said, a small, simple wood deck isn’t out of reach for an experienced do-it-yourselfer.
Process snapshot: A ledger is installed to connect the deck to the house. Beams and joists are set on concrete piers, and decking is laid on top.
Build a beautiful platform deck in a weekend
Deck tiles. This innovative material is designed to be snapped together, creating a modular deck practically anywhere. It's perfect for covering up an unattractive surface or creating a new patio quickly and easily.
Estimated cost: $4 to $10 per square foot, depending on the material and source
Pro or DIY? Easy DIY
Process snapshot: Snap together the tiles in whatever configuration you choose. Depending on the tiles, you may also need to stain and seal them to protect them from the elements.
Estimated cost: $4 to $10 per square foot, depending on the material and source
Pro or DIY? Easy DIY
Process snapshot: Snap together the tiles in whatever configuration you choose. Depending on the tiles, you may also need to stain and seal them to protect them from the elements.
Brick and Stone
A brick patio has a charming, old-world look that would be right at home in any number of settings.
Estimated cost: $8 to $16 per square foot, installed
Pro or DIY? A small, simple brick patio using the dry-laid method can be installed in a few weekends of dedicated work by someone who’s DIY savvy. A large patio or one with a complex design is probably best left to the pros.
Process: A mason laying a brick patio will start by digging and leveling to prepare the ground. He or she will then lay concrete on top of crushed stone or gravel to form a base before laying the bricks with mortar.
Find a masonry expert to lay brick or stone
A brick patio has a charming, old-world look that would be right at home in any number of settings.
Estimated cost: $8 to $16 per square foot, installed
Pro or DIY? A small, simple brick patio using the dry-laid method can be installed in a few weekends of dedicated work by someone who’s DIY savvy. A large patio or one with a complex design is probably best left to the pros.
Process: A mason laying a brick patio will start by digging and leveling to prepare the ground. He or she will then lay concrete on top of crushed stone or gravel to form a base before laying the bricks with mortar.
Find a masonry expert to lay brick or stone
Dry-laid versus mortar. If you choose to go the DIY route with your brick patio, you will probably want to try the dry-laid method rather than deal with mortar. This involves building a wooden frame exactly the right size to contain your bricks (so you'll want to triple check your measurements!) and then fitting the bricks tightly together within the frame. This method is much easier than mortar, and allows you to pull up and replace broken bricks as needed.
On the other hand, a professionally laid, mortared brick patio will likely last longer, have fewer problems with weeds and be more perfectly level.
On the other hand, a professionally laid, mortared brick patio will likely last longer, have fewer problems with weeds and be more perfectly level.
Bluestone. A beautiful and hard-wearing material, bluestone comes in varied shades, ranging from pale lilac to deep slate blue.
Estimated cost: $17 to $32 and up per square foot installed. Note that because bluestone is quarried in the eastern U.S., shipping costs to the West can add a lot to the final price tag.
Pro or DIY? Hire a professional stone mason. Large stones can be extremely heavy and difficult to position, and creating a lovely pattern like the one shown here is an art.
Process snapshot: A mason levels and prepares the area, and provides for proper drainage. The dug-out space is filled with about a foot of gravel and a thin layer of stone dust on top. Finally the bluestone is laid tightly, generally without mortar.
Estimated cost: $17 to $32 and up per square foot installed. Note that because bluestone is quarried in the eastern U.S., shipping costs to the West can add a lot to the final price tag.
Pro or DIY? Hire a professional stone mason. Large stones can be extremely heavy and difficult to position, and creating a lovely pattern like the one shown here is an art.
Process snapshot: A mason levels and prepares the area, and provides for proper drainage. The dug-out space is filled with about a foot of gravel and a thin layer of stone dust on top. Finally the bluestone is laid tightly, generally without mortar.
Flagstone. Common, relatively inexpensive and hard wearing, flagstone is a popular choice for patios and paths.
Estimated cost: $10 to $19 per square foot installed; $3 to $5 per square foot DIY
Pro or DIY? A small flagstone patio is a doable multiweekend DIY if you feel up for it. Otherwise, hiring a pro is the way to go.
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 piece of flagstone into place like puzzle pieces, leaving roughly the same amount of space between stones. Gaps can be filled with sand, gravel or ground cover plants.
Estimated cost: $10 to $19 per square foot installed; $3 to $5 per square foot DIY
Pro or DIY? A small flagstone patio is a doable multiweekend DIY if you feel up for it. Otherwise, hiring a pro is the way to go.
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 piece of flagstone into place like puzzle pieces, leaving roughly the same amount of space between stones. Gaps can be filled with sand, gravel or ground cover plants.
Tell us: Are you planning to lay a new patio floor? Which is your favorite material?
Concrete is so commonly used that it’s easy to overlook its positive qualities. A concrete patio exudes modern appeal, and it is perfect for spaces where you want crisply defined edges.
Estimated cost: $5 to $10 per square foot, installed
Pro or DIY? Hire a pro. Concrete sets very quickly, so it is extremely unforgiving. Unless you already have experience working with concrete, it’s probably best to leave this job to the experts.
Process snapshot: First, the area for your concrete patio must be dug out and leveled. Next, barriers are put in place that will determine the shape of the patio. Filler material such as gravel is spread out, and then the concrete is poured, leveled, finished and cured.