Paver Patio Design for Enhancing & Maximizing Your Space

With outdoor entertaining becoming more commonplace, homeowners are looking for ways to enhance and maximize their space, especially if they don’t have a lot of it. One easy way to do this is by installing a paver patio–this type of patio in particular is great for small spaces. If you’re considering installing one, read below to find out the benefits of using pavers, maintenance practices, and current design trends. Paver Patios: Why Use Pavers? There are four main advantages to using pavers to build your patio over other materials: durability, affordability, maintenance, and creativity. Interlocking pavers are extremely durable, and they make for a much stronger alternative to a poured concrete patio because they’re not prone to cracking. If you were to settle on brick pavers, you would end up with a stable and sturdy worry-free patio–plus, brick allows for expansion and contraction, further reducing the need for costly repairs. Along with being less likely to crack or break, pavers are also easier to maintain because weeds won’t be growing through the cracks. Paver patios may cost a little bit more up front than another material, but because they require less maintenance, the cost evens out quickly, and you end up saving money and a headache. Plus, paver patios allow for more customization, which is why they’re so great for small yards or strangely-shaped places. You can get pavers in a variety of colors, shapes, textures, and sizes so you never have to worry about finding something to match your yard. Paver Patio Maintenance When it comes to paver patio maintenance, there are certain things you have to do to keep it clean and tidy. That being said, not all of these things need to be done every year. Here’s an overview: Yard Maintenance Keeping up with your yard maintenance actually supports the longevity of your paver patio. Raking and sweeping your patio helps prevent stain accumulation, and weeding the area around your pavers will ensure that they don’t shift over time. Seasonal Cleaning Spring is typically the best time for a thorough cleaning. You want to start with sweeping away as much of the dirt as possible and then hose it down. It’s best to follow up with a weed killer at this time as well. Stain Removal Sometimes grime builds up under the snow and when spring comes around, you have to go in and remove the stains. To do this, you can use a push broom or plastic brush to scrub–but never use a wire brush, as it can damage the pavers. You can use dish soap for most spots, but if they’re really not budging, there are paver cleaning detergents available. Occasional Maintenance About every three or four years, it can be helpful to go in with a pressure washer to remove surface grime. Just remember to use the washer carefully so as not to damage the pavers. If you have an area that is subject to frequent standing water, moss or mold growth, heavy debris, or tree residue, you may have to pressure wash more frequently. It’s patio paver best practice to follow pressure washing up with applying joint or polymeric sand. This fills in cracks or fissures in the joints between the pavers to prevent shifting, weeds, water infiltration, and pests. Paver Patio Current Design Trends Now that you know the benefits of paver patios and how to maintain them, you may be wondering how you can put one in your yard. If so, let’s talk about some of the current design trends. Paver Mosaics Paver mosaics are a funky addition to any landscape. While many homeowners as of late have been sticking to neutral colors, it’s also commonplace to see paver mosaics with bright colors. They’re often used to create circular patterns, but they can also just be used to cut out the shape of the entire patio and surround it with grass. They really align with the organic and natural design trends floating about. Concrete Pavers Concrete pavers are becoming the norm for paver patios because of the durability, affordability, easy maintenance, and customization mentioned above. Because they can be manufactured to look like any color, shape, or type of paver, concrete is the natural material choice. It’s also becoming common to paint concrete pavers bright colors. Crazy Pave Patterns Somewhat similar to the idea of the mosaics, homeowners are also taking advantage of the other ways you can align your pavers, such as in stripe or wave patterns. Herringbone, basket weave, running bond, and diamond are some other great choices. The great thing about working with pavers is how easy they are to move around in distinct shapes. Pea Gravel Incorporating pea gravel into your patio design has been a popular design choice for a while. These smooth little river stones come in brown, tan, and white, matching with most aesthetics, and can be combined with paver elements to create a natural yet modern patio. Porcelain Pavers Porcelain pavers have also been in style for a long time. They come in a wide array of styles and colors, and they’re great for landscapes that require weather-resistant materials. They’re extremely low maintenance and are resistant to frost, mold, mildew, stains, and thermal shock. Geometric Shapes Geometric shapes are everywhere right now in every aspect of landscape design. With pavers, hexagonal shapes and patterns are particularly popular. Homeowners are using interesting shapes to add some visual appeal to homes with lots of neutral colors. Geometric shapes provide a modern look that’s easy to achieve with pavers. Conclusion Overall, paver patios are a fun, easy, and affordable way to spice up your yard space. Don’t let a small or strangely-shaped yard keep you from attaining a beautiful and functional landscape. Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge of paver patios’ benefits, maintenance, and design elements, you can do the fun part: designing your own!