Paving Stone Patios: how they measure up to the competition

You’ve decided it’s time to carve out space for a patio in your backyard. Thoughts of outdoor entertaining, al fresco family dinners and a quiet space to read the paper in the early morning have motivated you. Yet, how to choose from among the many options: cedar, redwood, tile, composite, flagstone, paving stones and concrete?

Economical concerns are often high on the list when making home remodel decisions. If you’re interested in the long view and are willing to make a long-term investment in your home and adjoining property, paving stones fit the bill. Professionally installed interlocking paving stones last through decades of wear and tear, and although the initial price is higher than concrete or asphalt (yet comparable to stamped or patterned concrete), you will handily avoid spending money and time repairing cracks that occur frequently on these patio surfaces.

Pavers keep the slip-sliding where it belongs, in the pool

With guests and children milling about your patio eating, playing, running back and forth to the pool and garden, safety becomes an additional consideration when choosing your patio floor. The non-skid, non-slip surface of unsealed pavers translates to a lifetime of durability and also keeps your friends and family safe from falls. Flagstone and concrete, when wet, can create a hazardous slippery surface.

In addition to making you feel safe and grounded, your patio floor should be simple to clean and easy to maintain, season after season. Paving stones are your low-maintenance choice. Use a gentle detergent and hose to spray off debris and stains. In keeping with their easy care reputation, there’s no need to reapply sealants annually to your paving stones, unlike cedar or redwood patio surfaces that need to be preserved in order to ward off splinters and prevent fading. Be careful choosing your sealer, though, as sealers can cause paving stones to become a bit slippery when wet. Talk to your Hardscape Specialists about minimizing slippery areas.

Designing your patio to fit your aesthetic preference is another plus in the paver column. The nature of cedar and composite decking (made from recycled plastic and reclaimed wood) or mortar-set bricks don’t leave much room for creative patterns or custom design. When fashioning your paving stones patio, you can choose from more than 50 different colors, shapes, sizes and have Systems Paving Hardscape Specialists creatively tailor them to suit your style. From circular configurations to geometric patterns; casual to formal; you pick the shade, the look and the feel of your patio.

Find out how to make your patio vision a reality. Contact a Systems Paving Hardscape Specialist today! Call toll free 1-877-728-3778.