Lake Forest Patio

When it comes to building patios, there are six basic materials to choose from. These include concrete, brick, flagstone, pavers, tile, and cut stone. This may seem like a long list to choose from, but factors like location, size of your outdoor space, budget, local building codes, and personal preference will guide you and your contractor to select the right surface for your patio in Lake Forest.

At Lake Forest Concrete Pros, we have extensive experience working with all these materials, although, as our name suggests, we do love working with concrete. If you are looking to add something special to your outdoor space, give us a call at 949-899-6146.

Here are a few notes on each type of material to guide you.

Concrete

When it comes to longevity, there is no better material for your patio. A well-built concrete patio should last for years without the need for much maintenance measures.

Concrete also offers a lot in terms of color and form. The addition of decorative materials and various methods in finishing gives this simple mixture of sand, cement, water, and gravel more aesthetic options than materials like brick.

Finishes can be smooth, stamped, brushed, scored, painted, surfaced with other materials like pebbles, etc. This variety in finishes makes concrete more versatile and adaptable than most materials.

Brick

Bricks have been used for thousands of years as they are easy to make, firing a mixture of clay and other kiln materials. Bricks are also very sturdy and long-lasting. 

In terms of aesthetics, they can create a classic look that goes well with many architectural and landscape styles. 

With different brick bonds or patterns, one can also achieve quite some looks for their patio floor, pathway, and even edges. Popular patterns include running bond, jack-on-jack, and herringbone.

Flagstone

This is another very popular choice for patios and front entries available in various colors and stones. These stones are large, flat, irregularly shaped, and are usually 1 to 3 inches thick. With a slightly roughened surface, they also provide good traction when wet.

Flagstone comes in different types, including sandstone, bluestone, limestone, and quartzite. 

Pavers

Many people mistake pavements for concrete, and rightfully so since most pavements are made of concrete. However, there are also pavements made from asphalt and other materials. Even when building from concrete, one can add other materials and apply specific finishes to achieve more natural-looking colors like cut stone or cobblestone.

Cut Stone

Cut stone is similar to flagstone in many ways, but rather than being irregular in shape, they are cut into square or rectangular shapes. These precise shapes and smooth faces are used to create a more formal look.

Tile

Tiles are also a very popular option for patios. This is mostly because they come in various hues with each tile colored to complement the other to form beautiful patterns. It is, however, best to use unglazed tiles rather than glazed tiles for your patio. Glazed tiles are very slippery when wet, creating a very unsafe environment.

Three kinds of unglazed tiles used for patio surfaces:

• Porcelain
• Quarry
• terracotta