Since you are reading this, you are probably looking for a change in your backyard situation. Why not a patio? If you’re in the Nashville, TN area, you know that our climate is typically suitable for whatever material you want to use on a Patio. No extreme cold should compromise the pavement.
So now what? Two popular ways to cover a patio are Brick or natural paving stones. To make the decision, you have to consider a few things, like appearance, price, and DIY labor intensiveness.
Ambience
The pavement of your patio sets the tone for your backyard gatherings. Are you looking for the ergonomic feel of warm stone beneath your feet, or do you prefer the ordered and symmetric feel that bricks offer?
In this detailed comparison article, we find out that if you are seeking to make the patio an artistic centerpiece to your backyard landscape, brick has far more design options because there are so many colors in production today. If a design focal point is not the priority, stone will do. You can still make patterns,but expect some design limitations due to stone slab size and limited color runs. It is natural stone, after all. Next – consider what you want bare feet to feel as they cross. Brick is rough, while stone is smooth. However, stone tends to become slippery when wet whereas brick retains its rough texture no matter how wet. If you know you will have kids running around, it would be good to take that into consideration.
Price Points
In the price category, brick wins again. According to this article, concrete is actually the cheapest patio option at $5 per square foot for basic concrete. A brick patio looks appealing at only $7.50 per square foot. Natural stone in Nashville can go up to as high as $50 per square foot, but most commonly you’ll see it between $15 and $30. The reason for this is quite simple: production. Bricks are easy and quick to make, as they are simply a matter of baking clay. Natural stone must be mined and cut.
DIY: How much labor?
Sometimes it works best to pay a contractor, and sometimes you’ll have the time and energy to install a patio yourself. A contractor can look at your current yard and tell exactly where to remove dirt and where to add, they wll be more accurate on measuring and ensuring everything is level. You, on the other hand, might need to read up on it. This Old House produced a video showing you how to install your own brick patio, streamlining the leveling and measuring process for you. For you stone lovers out there, this Family Handyman article shows you step by step how to install your own natural stone patio. It’s a big job no matter what material you’re using, so your best bet as a DIY handyman is to plan to dedicate a chunk of time to this project. If you’re not interested in the DIY approach, find a patio contractor in Nashville.
What’s your patio dream?
Although brick is more common and cheaper than natural stone, the stone is sometimes more desirable for its natural texture and tones. Patios are the gathering place for any home, so be sure you make the best decision for your family. Rough or smooth surface? Fancy design or simple earthy tones?
Even if price is an issue, you have a dream about your patio’s appearance. What it is? We want to know! Leave a comment below.
The post Oh, What to Pave My Patio With? appeared first on The Rock Place.
