Planning a new patio is exciting, but choosing the right material can be one of the hardest parts of the process.
There are countless colors, styles, textures, patterns, and material options available. You may already know roughly what you want your finished patio to look like, or you may be starting with a completely blank slate.
If you’re planning a patio this fall, take some time to compare your options before choosing a material. The right choice will depend on the style of your home, how you plan to use the patio, the look you’re trying to achieve, and your overall project.
PRO Landscape Supply carries a wide selection of pavers, natural stone, aggregates, and other hardscape materials to help homeowners and contractors build outdoor spaces.
Start With How You Want to Use the Patio
Before choosing a material, think about how you’ll actually use the finished space.
Will it primarily be used for:
- Outdoor dining?
- Grilling?
- Entertaining?
- A seating area?
- A fire pit?
- A place to relax?
- Connecting your home to another outdoor space?
A patio used for entertaining may have different design considerations than a small seating area tucked into a garden.
Knowing how you plan to use the space can help determine its size, shape, layout, and material.
Pavers: A Versatile Patio Option
Manufactured pavers are one of the most versatile options for a patio.
They are available in different colors, shapes, sizes, textures, and patterns, which gives you plenty of flexibility when designing your outdoor space.
PRO Landscape Supply carries brick, pavers, and wall block from manufacturers including Belgard, Cambridge, and Techo-Bloc.
This makes pavers a good option if you’re looking for a more structured or designed appearance.
When comparing pavers, consider:
- Color
- Shape
- Pattern
- Texture
- Size
- Overall style of your home
- How the patio will connect to other hardscape elements
Browse PRO Landscape Supply’s hardscape products
Bluestone: A Natural Stone Look
Bluestone is another popular option for outdoor spaces.
Natural stone provides variation that can give a patio a more organic appearance.
PRO Landscape Supply carries several bluestone options, including:
Pattern Thermal Bluestone
Pattern thermal bluestone provides a more consistent, structured appearance while maintaining the look of natural stone.
Standing Irregular Full Range Bluestone
Irregular bluestone provides a less uniform appearance and can be used when you’re looking for a more natural-looking patio or outdoor area.
Tumbled Bluestone
Tumbled bluestone provides another option for homeowners looking for a weathered appearance.
PRO Landscape Supply also carries PA Bluestone Treads for steps and other applications.
Flagstone: A More Natural Appearance
Flagstone can be a great option if you don’t want a perfectly uniform patio.
Unlike manufactured pavers, natural flagstone can have variations in color, shape, and texture.
PRO Landscape Supply carries several flagstone options, including:
- Black Regency Flagstone
- Chocolate Grey Flagstone
- Dove Grey Flagstone
- Sunset Gold Flagstone
- Sunset Silver Flagstone
These different options allow you to create very different looks depending on the stone you choose.
Browse available natural stone products
Think About Color
Color is one of the first things most homeowners notice when choosing patio materials, but it’s worth looking at the bigger picture.
Your patio should work with the existing colors around your property.
Consider:
- The exterior color of your home
- Existing walkways
- Retaining walls
- Driveways
- Landscaping
- Fencing
- Outdoor furniture
You don’t necessarily need everything to match. In many cases, coordinating materials can create a more interesting finished design.
Consider the Shape and Size of Your Patio
The material you choose is only one part of the design.
Think about the size and shape of the patio before ordering materials.
A larger entertaining space may benefit from larger-format materials or a repeating paver pattern. A smaller garden patio might work well with irregular natural stone.
If you’re planning a patio around existing landscaping, trees, walls, or other features, the shape of the space may also influence which materials make the most sense.
Don’t Forget the Base Material
The visible patio surface gets most of the attention, but the materials underneath it are an important part of the project.
Depending on the installation method and site conditions, your patio may require aggregate base materials.
PRO Landscape Supply carries materials including:
- Hard Pack ¾″ Minus Crushed Stone
- Crushed Stone ¾″
- Road Base 1½″ Minus Gravel
- Sand and other aggregate materials
The appropriate base material and installation process will depend on your specific project, so work with your contractor or installation professional to determine what’s required.
Planning a Patio for New Hampshire?
New Hampshire’s climate should be part of your planning process.
Outdoor hardscapes need to handle seasonal weather changes, including freezing and thawing conditions.
That makes proper site preparation, drainage, base construction, and installation important considerations when planning a patio.
Rather than choosing a material based entirely on appearance, consider the complete project—from excavation and base preparation to drainage and the finished surface.
How Much Material Will You Need?
Once you’ve chosen your material and determined the size of your patio, you’ll need to figure out how much product to order.
This is where accurate measurements become important.
Measure:
- Length
- Width
- Total square footage
- Any irregular sections
- Steps or additional areas
- Areas requiring different materials
Your material requirements will also depend on the specific product and installation method.
If you’re working with a contractor, they can typically provide the material quantities needed for the project. If you’re handling the project yourself, make sure you understand the manufacturer’s and supplier’s requirements before ordering.
Should You Plan Your Patio Now or Wait Until Spring?
Even if you’re not installing your patio until next year, fall is an excellent time to start planning.
You can use the fall and winter to:
- Gather design ideas
- Compare materials
- Visit a landscape supply yard
- Talk with contractors
- Determine your budget
- Measure your space
- Choose colors and materials
- Plan your layout
- Determine your material quantities
By the time spring arrives, you’ll have already made many of the major decisions.
Build Your Patio With PRO Landscape Supply
Whether you prefer manufactured pavers, natural bluestone, flagstone, or another hardscape material, choosing the right products is an important part of planning your patio.
PRO Landscape Supply carries a wide selection of:
- Pavers
- Brick
- Wall block
- Bluestone
- Flagstone
- Granite
- Crushed stone
- Sand
- Gravel
- Other landscape materials
Browse the full PRO Landscape Supply product
Not sure which material is right for your project? Contact PRO Landscape Supply to discuss what you’re building and find the materials that fit your project.