With more time spent outside during spring and summer, enhancing the aesthetic appeal and functionality of your outdoor area should be a priority. Patio pavers are durable hardscaping materials that won’t buckle under the weight of outdoor furniture and barbecue grills. These surfaces can also complement the natural elements in the landscape design. The following guide to popular paver styles will help you start planning your new patio. 

3 Common Patio Paver Styles

1. Concrete

Concrete pavers are made of cement, sand, gravel, and a coloring agent. Due to the affordable cost of the materials, concrete pavers are often less expensive than brick and stone, while mimicking the look of these materials. The blocks are placed in molds, offering a range of shapes and sizes to choose from.

The clean lines and minimalist ornamentation complement the simplistic, angular design of modern homes, which often feature concrete exterior walls. Routine pressure washing can remove stuck-on grime while sealing every couple of years will prevent water and UV rays for seeping into the material.

2. Brick

Homeowners use brick patio pavers to incorporate color and texture into the landscape. Bricks can be situated in numerous design patterns to draw focus to the installation. In addition to bold red, brick pavers are available in neutral tones, including shades of beige and gray.

As a brick facade is a common feature of Colonial- and Tudor-style houses, consider brick pavers to unify the house and patio. Sweeping will remove dirt, while a mixture of one part chlorine bleach to nine parts water will get rid of mold, moss, and mildew. After letting the solution soak for 10 minutes, use a scrub brush to remove the residue then rinse with water. 

3. Flagstone

Flagstone pavers are made of limestone, slate, or sandstone. Due to the ease of fashioning these natural stones into slabs, they are often used to create patio pavers with unique patterns. Although the slabs can be uniform, the tiles often vary in size and shape, with each piece situated close together like mosaic tiles or fractured glass. The texture of the thin slabs provides traction, which can prevent tumbles in wet weather. Using a scrub brush, pavers can be cleaned with a solution of water and mild dish soap. 

 

To enhance your landscape and patio design for open-air fun this spring and summer, contact Tom's Yardscape, Inc. in Waynesboro, VA. Serving homeowners in the Augusta County area since 1994, these technicians can install patio pavers as well as walkways and retaining walls. They also provide shrub trimming and mulching to keep the plants in your yard healthy. See photos of completed projects online, or call (540) 949-8667 for a consultation.