Patios 101 Pt. 2 – Retouch Design-Build

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Patios 101 Pt. 2

Patios 101

It’s time for part two of our series on patios! This time around we are talking about:

What to watch for when creating a patio

There are some important factors to keep in mind regardless of what type of product you use for your patio. Here are some tips to make sure the space ends up meeting your expections.

Below the surface

Because patios are sitting right on the ground, preparation will mean success or failure on the project. It is important that snow and rain have somewhere to go, and that the weight and wear that a patio doesn’t end up causing it to crack or settle over time. Concrete doesn’t require quite as much, but most pavers and stone will need a combination of gravel, sand and concrete as a base under them. The concrete is not absolutely necessary, but the other two are essential. This usually means that the area for a patio ends up being excavated 8-16” below the finished level. Signs that the prep wasn’t done? You will see pavers start to settle, or the concrete will crack and heave.

You can do it

Although showing a homeowner installing a patio on their own makes for a great 30 second Home Depot commercial, having an experienced mason or concrete installer is well worth the investment. The type of soil, the elevation, the product, and the method of installation all have a huge impact on the quality of the finished product. Since a patio is designed to last a matter of decades rather than a matter of years, paying for the skills and knowledge of a professional far outweighs any increase in initial cost. We have had to replace too many poorly installed patios after 1 or 2 years of use.

Aesthetics

A patio isn’t just a place to put your grill and outdoor furniture. It should be a place that improves the life and the relationships you have. That means that the decisions about size, shape, color, texture and background are really important. A lot of people are tempted to gloss over those decisions and concentrate on size, but a little extra planning up front can be the difference between a space that feels perfect, and a space that just does the job. Using a landscape architect or designer, if even for an hour or two will bring a great return on investment.

Ready to Take the Next Step?