Solid Ground: What Should You Use for Your Patio Floor?
Figure out the right material for your patio makeover with this mini guide to concrete, wood, brick and stone
Dreaming of making over your patio or terrace? Start with a solid foundation. Begin your planning process with this quick guide to patio flooring options – 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 such as 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 such as 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.
Browse perfectly planned patios for inspiration
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.
Browse perfectly planned patios for inspiration
Timber Decking
Timber 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 timber with less maintenance.
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 timber 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.
Timber 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 timber with less maintenance.
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 timber 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 levelling 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.
A brick patio has a charming, old-world look.
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 levelling 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.
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.
Tidying Up Paving and Pathways
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.
Tidying Up Paving and Pathways
Bluestone
A beautiful and hard-wearing material, bluestone comes in varied shades, ranging from pale lilac to deep slate blue.
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 30 centimetres of gravel and a thin layer of stone dust on top. Finally the bluestone is laid tightly, generally without mortar.
A beautiful and hard-wearing material, bluestone comes in varied shades, ranging from pale lilac to deep slate blue.
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 30 centimetres 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.
Pro or DIY? A small flagstone patio is a doable multi-weekend DIY if you feel up for it. Otherwise, hiring a pro is the way to go.
Process snapshot: Dig out the patio area about 15 centimetres 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.
How to Pick the Perfect Paving and Decking
Common, relatively inexpensive and hard wearing, flagstone is a popular choice for patios and paths.
Pro or DIY? A small flagstone patio is a doable multi-weekend DIY if you feel up for it. Otherwise, hiring a pro is the way to go.
Process snapshot: Dig out the patio area about 15 centimetres 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.
How to Pick the Perfect Paving and Decking
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Find a patio pro in your area
If you found this story helpful, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Find a patio pro in your area
Concrete is so commonly used that it’s easy to overlook its positive qualities. A concrete patio exudes modern appeal, and is perfect for spaces where you want crisply defined edges.
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 levelled. 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, levelled, finished and cured.