Patios can make your outdoor space more enjoyable, increase your home’s value, and not so insignificantly, save you money on landscape maintenance costs. What type of patio is right for you? Any number of colors and patterns may be installed in a variety of materials.

Here are a few of the most popular.

Flagstone

Flagstone patios are unmistakable and hard to resist, if you favor the material’s earthy, timeless appearance. Irregularly shaped and sized, quarried flagstones are heavy and rather difficult to work with. Since flagstone is subject to erosion and splitting, a successful flagstone patio design prioritizes adequate drainage.

Clay Brick

A time-tested, enduringly popular patio building material is clay brick, which offers a distinguished aesthetic that complements both traditional and contemporary architecture.

Over time, bricks usually retain their rich, warm color, and due to their handy weight and size, installing them in a patio is DIY-friendly work. Mortar is not strictly necessary; bricks can be laid easily on a dry bed of sand.

Patio Pavers

Pavers come in forms as varied as natural stone, concrete, clay and even recycled plastics. For patio installations, experts recommend either stone or concrete pavers, which, due to their higher density, may be expected to last longer and undergo less color fading than other paver types. Concrete pavers in particular are a mainstay of patio building, beloved for their easy installation and the range of sizes, shapes, and colors in which they can be found.

Concrete

Concrete patios are typically one of the least expensive to build. Assuming proper installation and maintenance, they are one of the most durable too. Since poured concrete follows any form, unlimited patio design options are possible. If your dream patio is one covered with glazed decorative tiles, a concrete slab is the way to go, as it will provide a solid, even base on which to add tiles in future.

Gravel.

If you are looking for a patio material that may be installed quickly and easily, look no further than gravel. Usually two types are available, river rock or crushed stone. When installed over a fabric landscape liner, gravel effectively deters weed growth, and compared to other materials, it offers excellent drainage. A gravel patio is high-maintenance, plagued by stones that are difficult to keep level and in place