What kind of patio is right for you?
Today’s homeowners can’t get enough of outdoor living. Whether it’s a patio or a deck, families are using their outdoor spaces for eating, entertaining, watching television and much more. According to a recent home builder survey, a patio or deck is one of the top three most requested features by new home buyers. One reason for this is that a patio, deck, or an outdoor “room” is a great way to expand living space at a low cost per square foot when compared with the cost of a new home addition. Remodeling Magazine reports in their 2015 Cost vs. Value Report, the national average for new construction is somewhere around $85 per square foot and according to this article from HouseLogic, a free source from the National Association of Realtors™ a patio might cost as low as $15 per square foot, depending on materials (although with professional installation you should expect to pay more). The average ROI on a professionally installed patio or deck is estimated to be around 70% to 80%.
We’ve talked quite a bit in previous posts about the increased demand for amenities such as fire pits and outdoor fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, and a perennial favorite in Dallas, swimming pools, but today we’re going to get more basic and talk about material options for patios and some of the landscape design trends we’re seeing in this area.
Patio Materials
Today’s most popular poured concrete patios are stamped concrete, which is a far cry from the plain-Jane patios that became popular in the 1960s. Available in a variety of colors and patterns, stamped concrete can replicate stones such as slate and flagstone, tile, brick, and even wood at a fraction of the cost. Stamped concrete patio installation requires the use of a landscape designer with an experienced team who is adept at mixing custom colors for realistic-looking results. Properly installed and maintained, a stamped concrete patio will be durable and inexpensive, but can be subject to cracking.
Another popular option for patios today are pavers made from concrete, natural stone, clay or even recycled materials. Pavers made of stamped concrete can be made into any shape, come in a variety of colors, and as mentioned above, can replicate other materials such as natural stones, brick, and wood. Natural stone pavers can be made of granite, marble, or more commonly, flagstone. Flagstone pavers typically come in red, blue, and buff tones and, because quarried flagstones are irregular in shape and size, like stamped concrete, they require professional installation by a landscape design team. Variations of flagstone, such as travertine, limestone, sandstone, and bluestone come in both irregular and uniform shapes. Clay brick pavers, rated for outdoor use and climate, are durable, come in a range of colors, and because of their small size, can be arranged in a countless variety of patterns. A great advantage of all pavers is that if individual pavers get damaged, you can easily replace them.
Patio Landscape Design Trends
There are two trends we are seeing become more and more popular in patio design. One is the mixture of patio materials that adds variations in texture and color, heightening visual interest. Another is creating what the landscape design industry likes to refer to as “a more permeable surface.” Permeable surface designs are considered more environmentally friendly because they allow water to drain and soak into the dirt. Permeable surface designs can be as simple as a path of pavers with strips of grass or pebble design accents.
Quality outdoor living space will up your enjoyment of your home tremendously. It doesn’t have to “break the bank” and has an excellent return-on-investment. If you don’t have a patio, or your patio is in desperate need of an overhaul, what are you waiting for? You could be sitting out on your Dallas patio today, enjoying this gorgeous spring weather!
For over 30 years, Bonick Landscaping has served Dallas area clients with the highest standards looking for out-of-the-ordinary luxury landscape design and pools by offering the best in service, workmanship, and plantings. Services include hardscape and landscape design, pool designs, pool construction and installation, estate management, lawn care services and garden maintenance, pool maintenance, and more. For discerning clients in Dallas who want to express their own distinctive style through their landscaping, Bonick Landscaping can help you realize your dream. Call us at 972-243-9673 or visit our website at www.bonicklandscaping.com.