A Guide to the 7 Most Popular Patio Paving Options (Which Should You Choose?)

Whether it’s a first-time project or a routine update, paving your patio is an exciting opportunity to update the overall look and feel of your home and to fit its exteriors to your lifestyle. Whether your patio is a place where friends and family congregate to spend time together or simply a quiet space where you like to lounge, there’s a type of paver out there that’s well-suited to the way you use your outdoor spaces. That being said, it can be overwhelming to wade through a sea of paver options – which is precisely why we’ve put together a list of the 7 most popular patio paving options, outlining the unique features and best uses of each in order to help you choose the ones that work best for your home. To learn about your patio paving options, keep on reading.
1. Brick
A classic material used to pave everything from patios to pool decks and driveways, brick is a widely popular option due to its long-lasting, durable nature. Though it’s on the higher end of the spectrum when it comes to up-front costs, brick pavers will pay for themselves in the long term: they require very little maintenance and are able to withstand heavy traffic, leading to minimal wear and tear over time. If you have little ones running around, brick is a particularly good option: its abrasive surface makes it highly slip-resistant.
2. Concrete
If you’re looking to upgrade the look of your home with your pavers, then concrete might be a great option for you. Offering a wide range of versatile looks, concrete pavers are also renowned for their durability and ability to wear well over time. A lower-cost option than brick, concrete isn’t as slip-resistant. That being said, its versatility and durability make it a popular paver option among home- and business owners.
3. Travertine
If you have or are thinking about installing a pool in your backyard, travertine pavers are an excellent option to consider. Travertine pavers are designed to maximize friction even when wet, making them very slip-resistant (making them an excellent option on rainy days, as well). They’re also designed to stay cool, allowing to enjoy your pool and patio comfortably even on the hottest days (a perk that most other paver options don’t offer).
4. Granite
By far, one of the biggest perks of granite pavers is how low-maintenance they are. Requiring very little upkeep in order to maintain their appearance, granite is a fantastic option if you’re constantly busy or on-the-go. Granite’s durability is also a major selling point for those who go with it: the average granite paver is about 5 times stronger than the average brick paver. Considering the strength and durability of brick pavers, this is no small feat!
5. Limestone
Non-slip and frost-resistant, limestone rivals travertine as an option well-suited to homes with swimming pools. That being said, limestone is most commonly used in commercial pavers because of its high density and resistance to wear and tear. Limestone pavers can also come in an array of colors, allowing you to tailor your pavers to the look and feel of your home (instead of the other way around).
6. Flagstone
Similarly to limestone and travertine, flagstone pavers are slip-resistant – but this material take it up a notch. Flagstone pavers are naturally moisture- and humidity-resistant. This means that they don’t just prevent you from slipping on a wet surface; they prevent those wet surfaces in the first place. Flagstone is also highly resistant to heat, keeping your patio comfortable even in the most intense Florida summers.
7. Slate
Last but certainly not least is slate, a naturally slip-resistant material that’s widely chosen by homeowners with small children. Though pricier than the average paver, slate offers an array of qualities that make it adaptable to your home’s changing needs for years to come: durability, varied design, and moisture resistance.
Updating your patio is an exciting opportunity to revamp your home’s outward appearance – and to re-evaluate what pastimes you want your patio to be best equipped to accommodate. By knowing the qualities offered by each of the most popular patio paving options out there, you’ll be set up for success in choosing the perfect pavers for your home. To learn more about paver installation and repairs, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.We’ll give you a free quote on your patio paver installation.