What Is The Best Paving For A Patio

Is There A Cheaper Alternative To Pavers

Some cheaper alternatives are viable substitutes for pavers. Pavers are generally more expensive than other surfaces in part because of their elaborate manufacturing process.

Typically, the average cost of a paver varies from around $5 to $15 per square foot. Variable costs make the price much higher when considering factors such as labor and miscellaneous costs On the contrary, a concrete block of similar dimensions averages about $3 to $5 per square foot. .

Moreover, installation and maintenance incur further expenses that contribute substantially to the overall cost of your project.

It is also vital to measure long term benefits of a paver compared to the alternatives. Pavers can withstand ground movement better than some options .

Pavers are an excellent choice for patio construction. The only downside to using pavers resides in the high start-up costs and the availability of viable alternatives that can accomplish a similar purpose.

Compact Your Subbase In Layers

When you begin to build your subbase, youll want to scatter thin layers of crushed stone and then compact and slope them. Compacting increases your bases load-bearing abilities, while sloping maintains the proper water drainage plane.

To compact subbase layers, youll need to rent a vibrating plate compactor. These machines look like small, simplified push mowers and are typically manually operated. Their engines vibrate a base plate, which can be used to compress your subbase particles closer together. Vibrating plate compactors come in a variety of sizes, so be sure to rent a machine that makes sense for the size of your paver project.

For maximum effectiveness, complete your compaction one thin layer at a time. Slightly wetting your crushed stone subbase may aid the compaction process. The more tightly-packed your subbase begins, the less likely youll experience long-term settling underneath your pavers.

Is Pavers More Expensive Than Concrete

Concrete has a significantly lower cost when compared to paving stones. On average, concrete costs about $7-$10 per square foot, while paving stones have a cost of approximately $9-$14 per square foot. Its important to consider long-term costs in addition to upfront costs for these materials.

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What Type Of Edging Should You Choose

Edging your patio isnt always essential, but it can add interest and detail and enhance the aesthetic appeal.

More often than not, most of our customers like to use a contrasting coloured edging, but choosing to edge your patio using the same material and colours often works too.

You can use either bricks, blocks or setts in various sizes and colours to compliment your patio.

Its always best to choose the main paving first and then obtain samples of the potential edges and match them up to a sample of your chosen paving.

Which Patio Color Should You Go For

Shades of earthy brown, honey, dark grey and deep brick red work well with most materials used in British architecture, especially older buildings. And they are sure to look good in suburban US homes also. Around modern glass-clad or wooden exteriors, decking looks good. Subtle is always best pre-cast concrete imitation garden paving in pink or yellow slabs is a common offender. Rainbow-colored sandstone can look odd, too.

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What Can I Use Instead Of Patio Slabs

Use gravel, pebbles and small stones Used as a border, in place of grout lines or in spaces deliberately left between paving slabs they can soften edges or make a bold statement. Smooth pebbles work brilliantly as a narrow border that contrasts with the sleek, sharp lines of contemporary porcelain paving.

Building With Stones Pavers Or Bricks

Perhaps youre dreaming of a patio made with stone, pavers or bricks, rather than gravel. These types of patios look complicated, but theyre actually simpler to build than a wooden deck. You can complete such a project in a weekend or two.

Just like a granite patio, a durable, attractive stone or brick patio starts with a strong, level foundation. Youll excavate 4 to 8 inches of soil, depending on the thickness of your building materials and compact the soil with a plate compacter. The next step is to add a 4 inch base of crushed granite or stone. This material is fairly inexpensive and goes a long way. Spread 2 inches of crushed stone over the area and compact it. Follow with a second 2-inch layer of stone and compact it again.

This method, known as dry-lay, is super fast and allows water to drain quickly. It isnt as durable as laying a concrete foundation, but its much simpler. You can also remove stones and bricks if you ever need to make repairs.

For more information on gravel, brick and stone patios, check out these sites:

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Define The Layout With Design Accents

Choosing natural materials and soft furnishings to decorate your backyard patio with, doesn’t mean that it can’t look super modern and refined. Bamboo is beautiful in texture and painting it will give it a more defined look to help set your patio layout apart. Complement bold features with bright cushioning, rugs, coffee tables and more to make your space pop.

What Size Are Paving Slabs

Our patio pavers are available in a wide range of sizes from the smallest 300x300mm in the manufactured Old Town and Old Riven right up to the Silver Grey Granite in the oversized 900x900mm.

Another large size paver is the Bradstone Romeli Porcelain Paving, available as an 800x400mm slab, in two blended shades with fettled edges and a riven surface to recreate the look of natural stone.

For something a little different, why not consider the long aspect plank paving of Bradstone StoneMaster in the 800x200mm size or the wood effect paving Madera Antigua in 900x150mm.

Madera Antigua with its rugged profile exhibits all the attractive advantages of real wood without the risk of warping or degradation.

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Add Height With Lighting

Adding height to a covered space is easily done with good garden lighting ideas. Hang lanterns and over your outdoor couch, and layer up with tea lights and more elsewhere by night for a multilevelled patio look.

To really max out the space, choose a sofa that fits with your space. You can build up how many seats you want, add armrests, corner sections, pick colors and cushions to go on top just a really versatile piece of garden furniture and a great patio idea if you’re squeezed for space.

What Paving Slabs Are Non

Anti Slip / Non Slip Paving Slabs

• Classic Cream Porcelain Anti Slip Paving Slabs Pack 21m2 900×600 20mm.
• Mid Grey Porcelain Anti Slip Paving Slabs Pack 21.6m2 900×600 20mm.
• Ash Grey Porcelain Anti Slip Paving Slabs Pack 21m2 900×600 20mm.
• Charcoal Slate Porcelain Anti Slip Paving Slabs Pack 22m2 900×600 20mm.

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What Is The Best Material For An Outdoor Patio

‘It is vital that you do your research before deciding on the materials for your project. Concrete, natural stone and porcelain are all good options, but suit different needs and span a range of budgets. The material you choose is also dependent on the look-and-feel you are going for for period properties, opt for a traditional material, whereas concrete will pair well with modern properties for an industrial look.’

Go Extra With Off The Ground Seating

Hanging seats are the ultimate patio lounging luxury and so extra, they make the perfect talking point for your garden party. There is just something infinitely relaxing about gently swinging in a seat that is one step away from becoming a hammock. Put yours in a shady spot and string up some festoon lights to recreate the patio idea.

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What Is The Best Material For Patio Slabs

Natural stone paving is a very popular option for use on patios and there are a number of stones, colours and finishes available theres something for everybodys style preference. Our range of natural Indian sandstone is always in demand, with stunning natural colour variation, veining and a subtle riven profile.

Fill Your Patio Space With Plush Vibes

There are a few different factors that come into play when selecting your favorite patio ideas and the final layout. You want to start with your foundations to ensure that the surface itself is clean and fresh looking, free from weeds and dirt, of course. Then it’s all about filling the space and borders with planting and garden furniture to create the finish you’d like and that will work best for your size of patio.

We could lounge in this patio area all day long. It’s not the biggest space, but visually it’s larger than life because the patio layout is so on point. The bright colors both contrast and complement each other the blue from those cushions nodding to the bluebells up above, the lemon trees and the cushioning on the fabric footstool and it all comes together marvelously. Add in the green border and you’ve one super cozy and gorgeous enclosure.

• Keep yours spotless with the best patio cleaners about too.

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Top 10 Materials To Consider For A New Backyard Patio

Whether youre having a backyard barbecue, enjoying the sunrise or playing scorekeeper for your childrens soccer game the patio is a rejuvenating aspect of your property. Unless of course your kids ruin it. Like this picture of a kid that got ahold of some baby oil and let loose on a new concrete paved patio. If you are contemplating putting in a paver patio , you will want to understand which materials are good for you and why. Check out our Top 10 materials for Paver Patios!

How To Choose The Right Paving Material For Your Patio

Choosing the right paving material for your patio is a key decision to make and given the wide choice available, this can be a daunting task. In fact, at times when you are faced with a variety of opinions from suppliers and contractors, it can be overwhelming. It is my hope this article will help you make the right, informed choice for your patio.

I have previously written articles on, Choosing the right patio paving stone and Assessing your Garden, this article aims to go deeper into the advantages and disadvantages of the various paving materials. One point to remember though, is that all the products on our website have been selected by us and are all suitable for creating a beautiful patio in your garden.

There are two broad categories of paving material

Manufactured and Natural Stone

Manufactured Paving

Handmade stone-Concrete Paving

Porcelain Paving

Natural Stone Paving

We supply three main types of natural stone paving, Sandstone, Limestone and Slate and each will be considered separately.

Sandstone Paving

Limestone Paving

• The limestone paving selected is harder and less porous than the sandstone paving. It has a lower absorption rate than the premium grade of sandstone, and requires less maintenance

Slate Paving

• Our slate paving is sourced from Brazil and is a premium grade, and is suitable for the UK climate
• Some Slate paving from China and India can be prone to layering as described above and have not been suitable for the UK climate

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Make Your Patio Walkway Cool And Rustic

If you like pared back patio ideas then choosing paving that’s a little weathered like York flagstones will do the trick. Light, blended shades will make for a timeless look, letting you add more color with your planting so that your patio becomes the perfect viewing spot for your garden. Plus, the large surface area of the flagstones help open up the walkway for a balanced patio design.

• See our edit on cottage gardens if you love a trad backyard.

Best Types Of Gravel For Patios

Forget the tiny plot of cement jutting off a 1950s style home. Todays homeowners are embracing outdoor living and building large patios and garden areas as an extension of their homes space. Gravel makes an ideal choice for a patio. It has a soft, organic appearance and feel and costs less than half the price of stone or slate patios. You can find gravel for patios in bulk from landscaping supply firms, as well as home building centers. Select a gravel patio type based on your budget, the amount of foot traffic your yard receives and your gardening scheme.

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Or Choose A Simple But Summery Vibe

Choosing the right furniture is essential and how you lay it out will make or break this spot. Aim to recreate convivial patio ideas no matter how small your space is, by incorporating a tiny dining table or coffee table to enhance the space you do have. If you are after simple ideas for small patios, then a light colored bistro set is the way forward. Nothing quite suggests summer in the same way as a good-looking furniture set and the light pastel color of this one helps you feel all the summer vibes.

• Find the best garden furniture for your space in our roundup.

Best Alternatives To Paving A Patio

Patios are excellent spots for relaxation and entertainment. Having one in your backyard can noticeably improve the aesthetics of your home and the value of your property.

Patios are dynamic in design. Different individuals try and look for personalized concepts that highlight aspects of their personality

Paving a patio is sometimes deemed as an expensive, time-consuming venture. Some homeowners are looking for new ideas/ alternatives that are cheaper, durable, and provide similar aesthetics to pavers while compromising on price.

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How To Build A Backyard Patio On A Budget

To build a cheap backyard patio, youll need to equip yourself with the patio material you prefer along with a few other materials and tools and youll be ready to go.

Start by marking out the patio area using pegs and string. Then dig out the area to a depth of 5 inches plus the depth of the pavers. Compact the soil with a tamper and then spread gravel across the area to create a 4 inch layer. Add 1 inch of builders sand and compact and level again.

After that you can lay the pavers, tapping them down with a mallet. Put them as close together as possible. Spread sand over the area and sweep it into the areas between the pavers so theyre filled.

• Find more budget garden ideas in our edit.

Patio = beautiful.

Plan A Cozy Lounge Space Into Your Patio Layout

It’s all about creating outdoor living spaces right now, so go for a lounge setup, complete with deep seats that you and the kids can lean right back into. For the best patio layout, situate yours underneath a covered patio spot but not too far from your dining table too so that it’s a nice and fluid transition from dining, to watching a film on an outdoor projector.

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Think Lazy Hazy Luxury

Lunchtime summer sun can get overwhelming even if you’re in the UK… So, create a shady corner and a splash of color and pattern with a stylish parasol. Got a spacious patio? A garden parasol will give you plenty of coverage which you’ll need when you’re napping on the biggest patio bed going…

What Is The Best Paving For A Patio

4.3/5Paving materials

• Porcelain. A contemporary material that requires little maintenance.
• Natural granite. Celebrated for its strength, granite is incredibly resilient making it a great option for heavy traffic areas.
• Natural limestone. Make a real statement with your paving thanks to limestone.
• Natural slate.

Similarly, it is asked, what stone is best for a patio?

The more traditional types of patio slabs are made from natural stone materials, such as granite, limestone and sandstone, and these are generally a great mid-range price option. The huge variety of natural stone available makes it easy to find one that will suit the colours and style of your house.

Also, which paving material is best? Materials such as Indian sandstone and limestone are great for traditional paving looks, while granite, slate and quartzite slabs make for a more contemporary alternative. Natural stone is the most widely sold paving style and comes in a range of styles.

Considering this, what are the best paving slabs for a patio?

Just one design in the superb Marshalls SYMPHONY range, Urban are some of the best patio slabs we can offer you.

What is the cheapest material for a patio?

Poured or stamped concrete Concrete is one of the most popular patio materials and the cheapest material you can use to build a hard-surface patio. Concrete is made of aggregates and pasteconcrete aggregates can be crushed stone, sand, gravel, or even shells the paste is made up of water and cement.

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Embrace Organic Lines For Your Patio Layout

When defining your patio’s layout you can go for a softer finish by zoning your seating area with flowers and by careful placement of garden furniture too. Choosing natural materials will help a patio area feel a little more organic, perfect if your garden is lush with trees and more greenery to complement this area. Teak, whether new or reclaimed, or timber is the most durable of all garden furniture and you’ll be able to find a finish that suits your style too.

• Find all types of garden ideas to complement your home in our edit.