which patio slabs are best

What is the best low maintenance slabs?

Pick porcelain pavers The latest porcelain slabs and boards have the look of natural stone or wood but require less maintenance. They're strong, durable and hard-wearing, dirt-repelling and frost and algae resistant. They won't fade, are long lasting and stay clean too.

What is the best material for a patio?

Concrete is one of the most popular patio materials and the cheapest material you can use to build a hard-surface patio. Concrete is made of aggregates and paste—concrete aggregates can be crushed stone, sand, gravel, or even shells; the paste is made up of water and cement.

What are the strongest paving slabs?

Granite Paving Slabs Granite is a much different stone from the others. It is the only igneous stone that we have available and it is by far and away the most durable. The surface of granite paving slabs can come in a huge range of colours and finishes from white to black.

What is the best thickness for paving slabs?

18-24 mmWhen you are creating a patio, it is ideal to have between an 18-24 mm thickness so you can have furniture without worrying about the condition of your paving slabs. This will be the perfect thickness for withstanding foot traffic too.

What type of patio lasts the longest?

Concrete. Concrete patios are typically one of the least expensive to build. Assuming proper installation and maintenance, they are one of the most durable, too, though like brick, concrete is subject to cracking with freeze-thaw cycles.

How do I choose paving slabs?

As a rule of thumb, the larger your paved area, the larger the slabs should be in order to keep things to scale. Huge patio slabs in a tiny area tend to make a space look smaller than it is, and similarly, tiny cobbles over a wide expansive space will look a little off-kilter.

Are porcelain paving slabs slippery?

But which should you choose to avoid slips and falls? Many of these materials have pros and cons, but porcelain paving slabs are always a safe option. Of the non-synthetic floor tiles available, porcelain pavers are the most slip-resistant.

What's better Indian sandstone or porcelain?

Long-lasting: Even if sandstone doesn't match the durability of porcelain, it's still very strong when properly maintained and cared for. This means it can last decades once it's installed. It's eco-friendly: If you're worried about using environmentally-friendly products, sandstone ticks all the boxes.

Are sandstone slabs good?

When it comes to versatility of use, sandstone and limestone are both great choices – their strength, durability and range of finishes and colours mean they can adapt to almost any style of garden. Sandstone makes fantastic patio and garden path paving for any property type, contemporary or traditional.

What stone is best for patios?

What is the Best Stone for a Patio?Granite is durable and heat resistant, and can be used both indoors and outdoors to create a seamless, unified look. ... Quartzite is also extremely durable and great for indoor and outdoor applications. ... Porcelain is also colorfast, weather-resistant, and low maintenance.

Are porcelain slabs good for patio?

Porcelain flags are very durable, highly water-resistant and scratch proof. They are also extremely hard-wearing and non-porous. All of these benefits made porcelain outdoor slabs perfect or high footfall areas such as patios and pathways.

Do sandstone pavers crack?

It occurs as the stone is heated and cooled or is wetted and dried. Lichens and other growths can also damage your sandstone, as they produce chemicals that break down the stone. It can also cause more cracks and holes to appear.

What type of patio is easiest to maintain?

Neolith (opens in new tab) is specifically made to be durable, stain/scratch/weather resistant and easy to maintain. It doesn't need to be replaced because it doesn't wear out. So it's a great choice for patios.

What is the least expensive stone for patio?

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.

What can you use instead of concrete for a patio?

Repairing pavers and natural stone can be done without impacting aesthetic appeal as they can simply be lifted up and replaced. Of course, pavers and natural stone are also more durable than concrete and may not crack in the first place so that's a benefit to using these higher quality materials.

How much does a 20x20 paver patio cost?

A 20x20 brick paver patio costs $3,800 to $6,800. The average cost of pavers and base materials is $4 to $6 per square foot, while labor runs $6 to $11 per square foot. Get free estimates from masonry contractors near you or view our cost guide below.

What is the best stone for a patio?

Flagstone . Flagstone is a popular choice for patios and front entries and is available in various colors and stones, depending on the quarry and area in which you live. The large, flat slabs of stone are usually 1 to 3 inches thick and are identifiable by their irregular shapes.

What is the best material for a patio floor?

Concrete. It would be hard to find anything more versatile and adaptable than concrete for a patio floor. This time-tested recipe combines a mixture of sand, water, cement, and gravel and offers even more options than brick. By using well-constructed forms, concrete can mold and conform to nearly any surface shape.

What type of tile is best for a patio?

The three kinds of unglazed tile for patio surfaces are: Porcelain: Fired at a high temperature, these tiles are stain resistant and tough. Terracotta: Rustic looking, but porous and best for mild climates. Quarry: Textured tiles that offer traction without too much unevenness.

How thick should flagstone be for patio?

For patio flooring, flagstones need to be at least 1 1/2 inches thick and should be laid directly on soil or a bed or sand. Thinner slabs can also be used but will need to be laid in concrete or wet mortar to prevent cracking. Stuart McCall / Getty Images.

What is brick used for?

Many homes are constructed of brick or mix it with other materials. Versatile, it can be used for patio floors along with pathways, for walls, and as edging. It works for both formal and rustic landscape or hardscape features and house styles. Brick bonds or patterns offer different looks.

What do pavers look like?

Now available in more natural-looking colors and textures, pavers can be made to look like brick, cobblestones, or cut stone.

What is a cobblestone block?

Cobblestones, or stone blocks, are also known as Belgian blocks . Cobbles are usually used in small areas or as edging for other materials, like brick, granite, or flagstone. Granite.

Considerations to Keep in Mind

Because it takes many individual pavers to build a patio, the walking surface can become uneven over time as the blocks settle. This can create a problem for people with limited mobility who may trip over gaps or ledges. Professional paver installation can help avoid this issue.

When to Use Patio Pavers

You can achieve a beautiful backyard look with patio pavers. This may be the material for you if you:

Considerations to Keep in Mind

Concrete slab patios require regular maintenance. You should sweep them daily and wash them often. It's also smart to get stains out quickly so they don't become permanently set, and you should scoop away ice and snow so they don't cause damage. Finally, one of the most important steps is to have your concrete patio resealed every few years.

When to Use Concrete Slab

A concrete slab patio is a great choice for many homes. Consider this material for your hardscaping project if you:

About the Author Palermo Paving

Palermo Paving is a family-owned-and-operated Long Island paving company. As such, we have a vested interest in our work. This translates into your paving project being done correctly and professionally. We pride ourselves in our expertise in paving, as well as our dedication to honesty and treating all customers with the care they deserve.

What is the best material for paving?

They not only look beautiful but are now a cost effective alternative to man-made concrete paving slabs. Nearly all paving retailers will sell natural stone paving slabs. Some of the best types of natural stone paving slabs are made from sandstone, granite, limestone, slate & marble. Natural stone is a great material for paths, patios and driveways.

What color is a concrete slab?

Colours – Because concrete slabs are manufactured you get a great choice of colours. Often the budget priced paving slabs will be a single colour. These will be buff, red, charcoal or natural concrete colour or grey as they can be called. The more expensive paving slabs will have mixed colours and tones.

What is concrete paving made of?

They are made from a concrete mix of various sized aggregates and different coloured pigments. Although some are made from rubber, plastic and porcelain. The aggregate mixture can include recycled materials.

What is bespoke paving?

Bespoke made-to-order paving. If you look, there are some small bespoke manufacturers that will tailor make your paving to your design requirements. But costs can be expensive for bespoke paving. But they can make architectural, landscape and one off designs of slabs that can be truly stunning.

What is a tactile paving slab?

A great way that imprinted surface slabs are used is with the manufacture of ribbed or dotted surface. These are called tactile paving. These are often laid to show people with limited vision where a pedestrian crossing is located. Or with paving slabs with a polished surface that can give the impression of marble.

What is aggregate made of?

Although some are made from rubber, plastic and porcelain. The aggregate mixture can include recycled materials. Such as recycled stone, concrete or even glass mixed up with cement to form a man-made concrete paving slab.

Can concrete paving wear away?

These mimic the natural colour variations you get in natural stone. After a length of time the surface colours of concrete paving slabs can wear away. This allows the concrete mixture to show through. This can be true where vehicles or foot traffic persistently use the same area of slab.

What is diamond cut concrete?

Diamond cut for a precision finish, it’s a tough sandstone with high density and low moisture absorption. It’s ethically sourced too. If your patio is a play area for kids and pets, think about slabs with slip resistance. Manufactured concrete slabs are designed with family life and budgets in mind.

Does paving a garden add to the cost?

So, going for quality garden paving will not significantly add to the overall cost, but it will add hugely to its longevity and looks. Potential house buyers appreciate high-quality landscaping - it can really help make your home more marketable.

Is a large format slab porous?

The large format lightweight slabs are non-porous, having an exceptionally low 0.1% water absorption. Think easy to install and easy to maintain. In a choice of contemporary cool grey colours (Ash, Steel and Stone), these slabs are some of the best patio paving we can offer you.

What is the best stone for a patio?

Slate. These stones offer the most natural look to your patio because, well, they’re pulled right from nature. They can be purchased in a variety of shapes and sizes, which lend themselves to many patterns. Two common patterns with flagstone are: The Random Rectangle Pattern – suitable for more formal patios.

Why do pavers look good on patios?

Patio pavers or stamped concrete look beautiful because they mimic the beauty of the patterns you get with a flagstone patio. The color of the stone is probably what makes these patios stand out.

How long does a paver patio last?

We’re talking about concrete here. Naturally, flagstone will be a little more durable, but a proper paver patio will last about 50 to 100 years. They are low-maintenance surfaces, too.

How much does it cost to tile an outdoor patio?

An outdoor tile patio could cost you anywhere between $15 to $80 per square feet. Again, this is mostly dependent on: Removal of any existing tile. Concrete slab preparation. When incorporated into the right design, any of the options above will make for a beautiful, lasting patio space.

How long does a stamped concrete patio last?

A well-maintained stamped concrete patio will typically last 20-30 years before repair or replacement is necessary. They tend to do better in areas with warmer climates, as winter freeze-thaw cycles can accelerate cracking.

How much does it cost to install a stamped concrete patio?

For a professionally installed stamped concrete patio, look to spend about $6-$13 per square foot.

How are pavers made?

The amount of combinations you can come up with when you mix paver shape, color, and pattern is astounding. Concrete pavers are made by pouring concrete into a mold, so nearly any shape is possible. However, you’re usually limited by what shapes the manufacturer has to offer. Don’t worry, though, there are many.

What is the best material to put on a patio?

Concrete . Concrete might be the most affordable way to install a patio on your property. Sometimes gravel may work out to be more inexpensive but it is a pretty close call. Generally speaking, concrete is going to give you a bit more bang for your buck in terms of longevity.

Where did the patio surface come from?

The patio originated as part of the Spanish or Spanish-American architecture. It comes from the Latin word patere which means “to lie open.”.

Is flagstone patio expensive?

Flagstone patios can be a little on the pricey side too. It is likely going to be one of the most costly options that you could consider for your new patio . If you are working on a budget, then you would likely be better served by looking into one of the many other options that are available.

Can you make a patio out of gravel?

Many people assume that patios need to have a uniform and solid surface. This doesn’t have to be the case as you can actually make a really nice patio area out of the gravel. This can wind up being a very cost-effective method for taking care of your patio needs.

Can you use concrete slabs as a base for tiles?

Usually, tiles will be placed upon another surface that will act as the base. As mentioned earlier, concrete slabs can provide an excellent base for these tiles. Installing a concrete slab to use as a base should be fairly inexpensive and you will be able to install your tiles with ease.

Is concrete pavement?

Concrete can be considered to be pavement but there are pavement options out there that are not technically concrete. For instance, it is possible for someone to build an asphalt patio and this is different from concrete. There will be many different pavement options for you to consider.

Can you use sand on a patio after a storm?

When sand gets wet, it can definitely be less practical to use your patio area. This might make things a bit annoying when you want to be able to use your patio after you have had a storm. This causes some people to shy away from the idea of using sand as a primary patio surface.

How long does natural stone pavers last?

Natural Stone Paving. There are many stone types available, but we are of the belief that there is nothing finer than natural stone when deciding what to work with. It’s been around for 1000s of years with many of the modern wonders of the world being built with it. It lasts for YEARS and will certainly last for years more if it is of good quality.

What is the color of slate?

The colour palette of slate paving slabs tend to be subtle and beautiful. The blue-blacks are a colour that have been formed underground over 1000s of years and it is incredibly difficult to reproduce naturally. The subtle blues within the stone really draw the eye. Even the imperfections that occur in some slates are attractive – rustic slate ranges have layers of copper and iron colours that age the stone and simply can’t be replicated by hand.

What are the different types of natural stone?

The 4 types of natural stone we stock year-round are: Sandstone Paving. Limestone Paving. Granite Paving. Slate Paving. Each of the above natural stone paving slab materials have different properties, and it’s important to know the difference.

Why is granite so tough?

Because granite is tough, it cuts incredibly cleanly. Granite paving slabs come with 6 sawn sides and a surface finish such as flaming or leathered to give an abundance of looks. Granite forms from the crystallization of magma below the earth’s surface and mainly composes of quartz and feldspar.

What is masso grey porcelain tile?

Masso Grey Porcelain tiles are for those looking for a low-maintenance option.

What is the difference between sandstone and limestone?

Sandstone is made up of a variety of different colours blended together, whereas limestones are made of much more consistent grains. The grains are more consistent in colour and as a result, it is easier to create an area that is more subtle on the eye with a softer colour palette.

Why is Raj Green Sandstone so tough?

For example, Raj Green sandstone is very tough because the molecules are tightly packed together. Whereas something like rainbow sandstone, whilst more colourful because you can see the layers, they are not as tightly packed together. This makes rainbow natural sandstone a softer material to work with.

How to make a patio feel more organic?

When defining your patio's layout you can go for a softer finish by zoning your seating area with flowers and by careful placement of garden furniture too. Choosing natural materials will help a patio area feel a little more organic, perfect if your garden is lush with trees and more greenery to complement this area.

Do you need a pressure washer to clean a patio?

A good patio cleaner, sti ff brush, and a pressure washer is all you really need to clean your patio.

Does low seating make a patio feel bigger?

Low seating works even for smaller patios, especially when it's brightly colored. If your patio is overlooked and tiny, low seating will not only make it feel larger (plus you'll be able to see over it from inside to the garden beyond), it will also help improve privacy in your garden. Win win.