What’s the Cheapest Patio Material? How to Save on a Patio
The benefits of green spaces are getting more and more attention these days. Cities all across the globe are looking for more ways to incorporate public green spaces in their design.
While they’re working on that, there’s nothing that says you can’t create your own personal green space oasis in your backyard. To make your space comfortable and usable, designing your patio is a great place to start.
However, when you’re on a budget, you don’t want to spend a fortune on it. You want to have enough money for the soothing plants and flowers you want to buy to decorate the area.
Check out the cheapest patio material here to find some great ideas for your green space!
1. Concrete
Concrete is a simple, inexpensive material for building your patio. The price ranges from $6-$13 per square foot. Poured concrete is easy to shape, thus making it possible to create different shapes and designs to make it more unique.
The material is strong and durable and, when installed correctly, will hold up well for years. Concrete is porous so you do have to be careful about water getting into it. If it freezes, it will expand and may cause cracks in the concrete.
A simple remedy is to paint a sealant over the concrete to prevent it from sucking up water in the first place. This will have to be redone every few years.
If you think that concrete has to be dull and unexciting, think again. Instead of plain concrete, you can opt for the stamped version. This opens up a variety of style options.
Stamped concrete comes in many colors and textures, including products made to look like natural stone or other materials. You can also create patterns, shapes, and designs to give your patio its own unique look.
It’s not super easy to install, so hiring a contractor is highly recommended. However, the price of concrete, even with labor, makes it one of the most inexpensive options.
2. Gravel
Gravel is one of the most inexpensive patio material options. You’ll pay approximately $6-$10 per square foot. It is also easy to install so you can save on the cost of labor if you want to do it yourself. All you have to do is wheelbarrow it in and spread it around. The hardest part is creating a border to give it some shape.
As a loose material, gravel can be plagued by weeds and sprigs of grass growing up through it. You can avoid this by putting down landscaping fabric before spreading the gravel.
Gravel types range from small round pebbles, often called pea gravel, to larger rough-edged stones. Pea gravel is softer for walking on but shifts considerably and it can be hard to keep patio furniture level and stable. Larger gravel holds it’s shape better but is not kind to bare feet.
3. Pavers
Nothing quite beats the elegance of a natural stone patio. It can be rustic or chic depending on how you style it. Plus, it’s durable and is easy to match to your house style.
The big downside is the cost. Natural stone is quarried and you have to pay to transport the heavy slabs to your home.
The pieces are not uniform in size which adds to it’s aesthetic but also means they are not the same thickness. To have an even floor the ground under each piece must be individually carved out to the exact thickness of the piece.
As you can imagine, this adds significantly to the time it takes to install, driving up the labor cost.
A simple solution is to buy pavers instead.
These manufactured paving stones come in a huge variety of colors, shapes, and textures. They can be made to look like natural stone, brick, or even cobblestones. They look so great that even some high-end homes are using them for their designer patios.
Their even size makes installation a breeze, thus lowering the cost. You can expect to pay between $13 and $20 a square foot for pavers.
Pavers are made with a variety of materials including concrete, clay, and even recycled plastic for those looking for a green patio material. Another plus is that if a section of your patio cracks or is damaged, you can simply replace the affected pavers and don’t have to redo the whole thing.
Choose the right material and style and pavers can be an extremely economical and stylish patio material.
4. Brick
A brick patio is a classic timeless look. When you want to add sophistication to your patio, this is a great way to do it. Installation is timeconsuming but, depending on the pattern, can be a great DIY project.
It’s not as cheap as some of the other options, you’ll pay about $14-$20 per square foot. However, brick lasts for years and you can easily purchase salvaged bricks to save on the cost of materials.
Though brick is durable it is porous. This means it can have the same water and freezing problem as concrete so you have to be aware of that. However, in an area that doesn’t get too cold, this is a fantastic option.
The Cheapest Patio Material for Your Space
Ultimately, the patio material you choose should be the one that works for you. The cheapest patio material out there won’t do you much good if it doesn’t fulfill your objectives.
Decide on your goals for your patio space. Look at your budget and figure out what you can afford to spend. Then schedule a consultation with us. We’re happy to help you decide on the right material for you and make your outdoor living dreams come true!