When designing a patio for your home, you’ve got to take Dallas’ extreme weather into account, if you want it to last. All patios are made of solid, durable materials, of course, but there are unique characteristics and upkeep requirements for concrete, brick, stone, and the rest.
Plus, different surfaces offer different levels of comfort and safety, which tailor them to use around areas that are frequently wet or potentially icy, like around pools, spas, and garden beds.
Let’s look at each of the different materials you can use when building a patio and compare the various strengths and weaknesses of each, under these conditions.
The Impact of Hot and Humid Summers
DFW’s scorching summers can be tough on patio materials. The goal, when building a patio, should be to select materials that can take heat while keeping your outdoor space comfortable and inviting.
For an example of how not to do this, think about traditional concrete surfaces under direct sun and how dangerously hot they can become. You can burn, and legitimately hurt, your feet if you walk barefoot across one of these surfaces.
But the masonry itself can also be damaged unless it’s installed and maintained correctly -and masonry repairs can be quite expensive, so this is something to avoid.
UV Resistance and Fading
Sun exposure can cause fading and deterioration, so we recommend UV-resistant options like concrete pavers or stamped concrete which has been prepared and treated to be resistant to damage from the sun.
Treated concrete maintains color and integrity even under intense sunlight (which we have a lot of in Texas). For added protection, consider installing a pergola or a patio cover to provide shade. This will extend the life of your patio and everything you keep on it as well.
Heat Absorption and Surface Temperature
Some patio materials can become uncomfortably hot underfoot in the summer. Light-colored concrete or stone pavers reflect sunlight, keeping your patio cooler (than blacktop at least). Alternatively, tile patios offer a remarkably cool surface that’s better for bare feet.
And, practically speaking, if you’re planning an outdoor kitchen as well, choose heat-resistant materials that won’t warp or crack in high temperatures.
(Read the original post on ClarkOutdoorDesigns.com)
Heavy Rain and Hailstorms
Dallas’ somewhat unpredictable weather can bring sudden downpours and sometimes hail. Your patio needs to be ready for these challenges.
When it comes to rain resistance, proper drainage is your ally. Gravel patios, for example, naturally allow water to seep through. This prevents pooling of water into puddles on the patio surface.
For solid surfaces like brick or stone patios, you want to grade the surface on a slight slope, away from your home, so rain and other water moves away from the foundation of the house.
When it comes to hail, concrete or stone pavers are the most resilient. Both can withstand impact better than softer options like brick or manufactured veneer. If you go with these more easily damaged options, frequently resealing, and monitoring for cracks and chips is a must.
For everything you keep on your patio, providing shelter under a weather-resistant patio cover or louvered pergola is the safest way to weather during storm season.
Popular Patio Materials
Patios are almost as commonplace as houses in the DFW area and the most popular materials are concrete, brick, stone, and tile, by far.
Let’s look at each type of patio material, their pros and cons, and potential design ideas.
Concrete: Affordable and Customizable
Concrete is a very popular (and affordable) patio material that offers great value for Dallas homeowners. It works in basically any situation, and is relatively easy to maintain and repair.
The cost and efficiency of concrete alone make it one of the most common patio materials for both residential and commercial
Pros and Cons of Concrete
Concrete patios are cost-effective and customizable; you can stamp, stain, or texture it, mimicking other (more expensive) materials. It’s also very low-maintenance and withstands the hot hot heat of Texas summer.
Unfortunately, concrete tends to crack and flake over time, especially with freeze-thaw cycles. in the Winter. It might also look a bit plain if not finished with a stamp, polish, or texture.
Concrete Design Ideas
Stamped concrete can employ all kinds of patterns, mimicking everything complex styles like cobblestone to rough, textured slate. Coloring concrete offers other various directions to take your design, lightening or darkening to blend with other aspects of your design.
Personalize your concrete patio further by embedding glass beads or river rocks into its surface. You can even create custom designs, adding shapes, or branding your patio with your family name. Imagine the possibilities!
Natural Stone: Elegant but Higher Maintenance
Natural stone patios elevate and add a luxurious touch to any backyard in North Texas. With stone you have incredible variety, classic beauty, strength, and durability, making them a favorite among homeowners looking for a high-end finished product that lasts.
Pros and Cons of Natural Stone
Stone patios deliver higher return on investment than brick and concrete, and can serve as that special something that sets your home apart from your neighbors’. They’re incredibly durable, and can last for generations.
Stone isn’t cheap though, and it requires more upkeep. It may crack in extreme temperature changes and can’t handle vehicle traffic or de-icing chemicals.
Natural Stone Design Ideas
Mixing natural stone pavers to achieve layered, complex designs elevates a stone patio from upscale to incredible.
Imagine combining marble pavers and pea gravel for contrast. Or for a cozy vibe, surround a stone fire pit with a stone retaining wall with built-in seating.
Line the edges of stone pathways and along retaining walls with ornamental gardens to soften the stone and create visual separation. Adding lights along the same paths at strategic points can make your stone patio shine at night -a grand effect for a low-cost upgrade.
Brick Pavers: Traditional and Timeless
Brick pavers offer a classic look that never goes out of style. They’re a great choice for Dallas’ many brick homes.
Pros and Cons of Brick
Brick patios are strong, stable, and easy to maintain. Brick pavers come in many colors and can be laid in interesting patterns. Brick also ages beautifully, developing character over time.
The downsides? Brick is typically more expensive than concrete and moss will eventually grow between the bricks. And matching colors, when replacements are needed, requires special expertise.
Brick Design Ideas
Brick patios can be easily personalized with eye-catching patterns like a herringbone layout at a 45-degree angle or a basketweave design with contrasting colors.
Or, for a modern look, you can mix brick patios with gravel borders or use monochromatic shades of gray brick. Mark different zones and highlight edges of your patio by changing brick patterns.
Tile: Endless Design Options
Tile patios are perfect for homeowners who want a sleek, stylish look with plenty of flexibility to customize their design.
Pros And Cons Of Tile
Tile’s smooth surface is easy to clean and comes in countless designs and colors. You can even find tile that mimics other materials like wood or stone.
It’s great for our hot climate because tile stays cool underfoot. The only drawbacks are that tile can be slippery when wet and cracks when not installed properly and on impact. Tile’s also on the pricier side and typically requires professional installation.
Tile Design Ideas
Large-format tiles lend themselves to contemporary designs. Plus fewer grout lines are necessary, making your patio appear bigger while it’s also easier to maintain.
Combining different materials, stone tiles with ceramic ones for a rustic look or colorful patterned tiles as accent in a Mediterranean vibe, provides even more options.
Divide different areas into outdoor rooms by changing tile patterns, like your dining and lounging areas, for example.
With all the many styles and patterns available for tile, the challenge isn’t not having enough design options, but having too many to choose from.
Gravel: Practical and Eco-Friendly
Gravel patios might have been considered basic at one point but they’re gaining popularity in Dallas for xeriscape, and sustainable designs. And, in reality, gravel can fit the look of every design style from rustic to modern.
Pros And Cons Of Gravel
Gravel patios are cost-effective because the material is generally less expensive and it’s also easy to repair (or refill). And with gravel, drainage is rarely a problem, which is important in North Texas’ occasional heavy rains.
Gravel patios are low-maintenance and eco-friendly, but on the downside, leveling furniture can be a challenge, and gravel scatters easily. It’s also not the most comfortable surface for bare feet and cleaning leaves and other debris can be a pain.
Gravel Design Ideas
For a more upscale approach to gravel, you can arrange different colored gravels in patterns. You can also edge your gravel patio with brick or concrete pavers to keep it contained and looking clean and orderly.
Stepping stones can be placed in the gravel to define walkways, to make your patio more comfortable with bare feet.
To add visual appeal, larger river rocks work well as accents, or for extra credit, add an outdoor fire feature and surround it with gravel -attractive and fire safe!
Mixing Materials for a Custom Look
Blending a few patio materials together allows you to personalize your outdoor space in ways that reflect your personal style.
Blend concrete pavers with grass, or try an all-Texan mix with a flagstone with a limestone border. Or just a minimalist vibe, pairing rustic brick with black gravel for a striking contrast.
Tweak just a few elements and you’ll have a one-of-a-kind outdoor space that’s sure to impress.
Hiring The Right Patio Installers
Working with a builder who is also a landscape designer means your end result is going to be more customized, and more unique to your home and your tastes.
Not every Dallas patio builder is going to take the time to explore unique design options with you because their businesses tend to operate on volume. And that’s a part of what makes us different; we love a custom project with lots of creative details.
Clark Outdoor Designs will help you understand all your choices for patio materials and how they’ll complement or contrast your home’s existing aesthetic before providing a free, no-obligation quote for the work.
Whenever you’re ready to get started, request a free quote and we’ll send an expert over to your location to assess your property, and understand your needs and your vision of your future patio. Once you’ve checked that quote and let us know about any refinements, we’ll move
