Choosing the right patio flooring is one of the most important steps in building or renovating your outdoor living space. From finding a material that works with your garden and harmonize with your interior style, the process can be daunting. Often referred to as the home’s second living room, the patio is where everyone gathers to enjoy each other’s company in the open. Opting for the right flooring is crucial as you will need to select the one that suits your aesthetic preferences, budget, and the climate. Whether you have a large or more compact space, the flooring you choose will impact the overall patio experience. Considering all the pros and cons as to durability, maintenance, appearance, and safety; here is an article in which we will discuss the flooring options available.
Natural Stones Patio Flooring
There is a wide variety of natural stone flooring that is available, being durable, visually appealing; it can last a lifetime if maintained perfectly. You create a mosaic by assembling the stone pieces in certain shapes, creating various images. Here is a list of natural stones that will be perfect for a flooring option:
- Limestone – This stone has both a smooth and rough finish. From off-white and pinkish-white to bluish grey and tan, there is a wide range of colours at hand. Limestone is ideal for making contemporary patios and agrees with warm climates. Limestone has a high solar reflectance index, which means that the stone reflects the heat of the sun rather than absorbing it, making the floor cool. Be careful not to use acidic cleaners on such stones.
- Travertine – This type of flooring stays cool similar to limestone. It is slip-resistant and less porous, making it the best flooring option to have near a swimming pool. To be noted, acidic cleaners can damage the stone’s beauty, so be careful.
- Slate – The strongest stone to survive the coldest winters, this stone has stunning colours from deep charcoal to jade green. Though it freezes or thaws, it will not break. You can buy them in a rough or smooth finish. Do know that architects prefer the rough ones for outdoor use as it remains non-slippery.
Brick Patio Flooring – Well, bricks might be old school building materials, but these are timeless! Most homeowners prefer bricks that in their natural red colour that is great for small and intimate looking patios. Brick gives you a lot of different options for colours and patterns for your porch flooring, and it creates a unique look that sets you apart from the rest. Perfect for by an outdoor fireplace, or a cozy patio, brick is an often forgotten. Remember to use good quality bricks well in your outdoor living space; it should last a lifetime. Bricks are the best materials to pair with other landscaping materials such as wooden decks or natural stones. However, most bricks are porous and retain moisture causing it to grow slippery, especially during the winter and the rainy season. These are also difficult to shovel during winter as bricks are known not to create an even surface.
Concrete Patio Flooring – As one of the most affordable flooring materials, concrete is easy to maintain at low-cost. There are two types of concrete pavements, pre-cast and the cast-in concrete. Pre-cast concrete or the modular pavers come in different sizes, shapes, colours, textures, and patterns. There are pieces that are designed to fit together and form a design that makes your patio floor look interesting. Cast-in concreting is used in a lot of construction projects as it is standard and flexible. It can be built in different size, shape, and can be altered using various stains and stamps. Have professional paver lay it as any mistake in the procedures may lead to cracks making concrete vulnerable to weather and other future damage.
Wooden Deck Flooring – Even if it is a classic, wooden deck flooring makes outdoor spaces look stunningly beautiful. Made from wood, this flooring is usually less expensive and easier to construct compared to patios that are made from other materials. Wooden deck flooring is recommended for smaller patios.
Gravel Stone Patios – Popular for adding texture to your outdoor space, gravel stones gives a rough feature to your patio. Gravel stones can be paired up with materials such as brick, stone, or wooden decking. Using gravel in your patio helps in preventing runoff caused by snow-melt and spring rain. However, do keep an eye out for growing weeds in gravels. You can have the contractor lay a landscape fabric before installing the gravel layer. It will suppress the growth of these weeds. It is better to buy gravels in bulks as you can use the remaining ones for maintaining the gravel in your outdoor space.
Are you looking for flooring solutions, then look no further than DAROTopp®! They offer reliable and professional services throughout Canada and the US. Their experienced team works according to industry standards and are dedicated to meet the needs of each client on time.