The Best Patio Flooring Ideas for Your Dream Patio

June 9, 2021

Maybe your family is ready for plenty of fresh air living and outdoor entertaining. A patio is a perfect outdoor living space.

Why Have a Patio?

With the massive shift of our culture toward more outdoor living and relaxing spaces at home, patios are some of the most popular options. It’s easy to see why.

Advantages of having a patio

Durability
Low maintenance
Less expensive, generally, than a deck
Perfect to surround an in-ground pool
Weather-resistant/weatherproof — no worries about rotting
Adds value to your home
Wonderful place to relax
Ideal place for entertaining large groups
Great spot for an outdoor kitchen
Usually pet-proof
Ground-level

Of course, there are some potential cons to having a patio. But if you design and maintain your patio, you should have an amazing place to enjoy the great outdoors for years to come.

Disadvantages of having a patio

If you prefer to be higher off of the ground, a deck may be a better option
Decks often have a higher resale value
If not installed properly, patio pavers may warp or become uneven over time
Concrete patios could crack or stain
If your house is not on a slab, you may have to walk upstairs from the patio

Can’t decide on a patio, deck, or porch? No problem. Why not do all three and get the advantages of all of them!

Whether you just want to create a small patio space or a luxury patio, we’d love to share some of our favorite patio ideas to inspire you to create your own backyard patio oasis.

Stamped concrete patio with sunken fire pit and Trex decking

3 Patio Flooring Material Ideas

The very first thing to decide when planning your patio is the patio material. There are a lot of great options in patio materials. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

1. Concrete/stamped concrete

A concrete patio is extremely durable and often less expensive than other patio flooring options. One thing we love about concrete is you can stamp it and stain it to make it look like brick or stone pavers.

Stamped concrete patios pros and cons

Pros

Many choices, colors, and finishes available
Great aesthetics
Good price
Easy to install
Durable

Cons

Takes several days to cure.
Can be slippery when wet, may need a sealer to improve traction near a pool
Over time, it could crack, especially if you live in an area with wide temperature variations or ice.
May need recoloring and sealing every 2-4 years
Patching to match the original stamped concrete can be challenging.

2. Flagstone

A flagstone patio is gorgeous and a very popular choice today. It’s very low maintenance, especially if you set your flagstone in concrete. Then there is almost no maintenance or adjustments required to keep the flagstone level.

Flagstone patios pros and cons

Pros

Very durable, lasting for centuries
Very low maintenance required
Easy to replace broken/cracked stones individually
Comes in colors like red, blue, and beige.
Better not to seal flagstone because sealing it can cause more deterioration in the sun

Cons

Can be a bit challenging to install
Can get too hot in the sun for bare feet
May get slippery when wet
Costs more than concrete, or pavers

3. Patio pavers (4 types)

Pavers are generally stones made from concrete, clay brick, porcelain, or natural stone. These interlocking pieces make a strong, flexible pavement.

For pavers vs. a concrete patio, the pavers are much more durable. They do cost more initially, but have a lot less maintenance and last longer, generally.

Best pavers for a patio

Concrete pavers come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Some concrete patio pavers mimic natural stone, brick, or even wood.

Brick pavers come in a multitude of sizes, colors, and finishes. You can even opt for brick pavers that interlock.

Porcelain pavers (or outdoor patio tiles) look like various types of natural stone or wood. They are especially moss/mold/mildew resistant. And they do not generally crack because they absorb almost no water. Because they are thin, they make an excellent covering for concrete or wood decks.

Natural stone pavers may be made of materials like travertine, slate, quartzite, limestone, bluestone, or granite. Many colors, patterns, sizes, and designs are available.

Paver patios pros and cons

Pros

Walk on the finished surface immediately
Design versatility and creativity
Very durable
Wide variety of colors and options
Much less likely to crack than concrete
Often have a lifetime warranty
Low maintenance
Easy to replace one paver if needed
Can tolerate weather and temperature extremes
Can be recycled and reused
Pigments and aggregates generally go all the way through, so the color lasts forever

Cons

Takes longer to install than concrete
May require sealing occasionally for extra protection
Can be more expensive upfront
Weeds can grow up between pavers (avoid this by using polymer sand)
A natural stone patio can get hot

Before deciding on your patio flooring material, be sure to speak with your custom builder about which options will be best for you and any recommendations they may have.