A patio is a great alternative to a deck that can help homeowners get the most out of the outdoor space that surrounds their home. With the good weather finally beginning to return if you have been considering adding a patio to your landscape, or rejuvenating an existing one now is the perfect time.

Once you and your landscaper or builder have determined the perfect location for new patio you will have to determine what materials are going to be used in its construction. Here is a little basic information about the most popular options available today:

Brick

A brick patio can be used to bring a touch of warm elegance and practicality to almost any outdoor space. Brick is often the best choice for patios that are built around homes that experience very cold weather in the winter, as they are more durable than many other options.

How much it will cost you to have a brick patio installed will not only depend upon the type of brick you choose but the manner of installation as well. If you opt for the brick to be mortared in rather than dry laid over gravel the cost will be higher. Mortaring in does however create a patio that is likely to stay in great shape for far longer and the mortar itself can be used as an aesthetic enhancement. The only real maintenance a brick patio should ever need after it is installed is the occasional power-wash and touch up of any chipped mortar.

Dry Laid Flagstones

A patio created with dry laid flagstone creates a rustic look that can be truly enchanting, especially if it is enhanced with the right amount of greenery and natural color. It also affords the homeowner a great deal of creative license as many different kinds of stones can be incorporated into the overall design.

How much a dry laid flagstone patio will cost depends very much upon the type of stone that you choose. After the patio is complete it should be fairly easy to maintain, with weeds occasionally needing to be pulled and any missing sand between the flagstones replenished.

Pea Gravel

Pea gravel is probably the easiest patio surface to install and because it shifts underfoot can be far more comfortable to walk on than harder patio surfaces. Pea gravel is also one of the least expensive patio surfaces one can opt for. On the downside if you live in a colder clime efficient snow removal can be hard to achieve without disturbing a great many of the stones.

Concrete

Concrete patios are not the cheapest option available to homeowners but it can be one of the most versatile. Concrete can be poured to conform to any shape, can be dyed in many different colors and can be stamped right after it is laid to add extra textural interest. Exactly how much a concrete patio will cost will depend upon the size of the patio you have poured and upon the extras, like color, that you might choose to opt for. In terms of maintenance concrete patios require very little. Like brick they will benefit from the occasional power wash but other than that they should be fairly trouble free.

Want to compare free quotes from landscapers or contractors with no obligation… Click here

The last snows are melting all over the country, temperatures are starting to rise and people are beginning to turn their attention back to the space outside their homes.

The spring is a great time to implement a landscaping makeover and, whether your current budget will only run to a mini makeover or you are ready to tackle a larger project, now is the time to start planning, before all the best landscapers and contractors in your area are booked up and too busy to help you. Here are a few ideas.

Have a Floating Deck Built

Is there a corner of your yard that gets great sun, is rather spacious but, because it is set quite a way from your house, you really don’t do that much with it? If so, then this may be the perfect spot to have a floating deck constructed this year.

A floating deck is built much in the same way a “regular”” deck, it just serves as a free standing structure rather than one tethered to the side of house. This opens up far greater design possibilities as you are not limited to having to choose a deck style that matches the lines of your home. Find a good deck builder and if you want an octagonal floating deck you can have it.

Add a Pond

Water features are still a hot landscaping trend and a pond is one of the most spectacular yet relatively easy and inexpensive to commission. Find a good landscaper and not only will they be able to help you plan and design the perfect watery addition to your garden but will even help advise you about what should live in it, both in terms of plant life and fish.

Give Your Landscape a Theme

Love the traditional look of a bloom filled English garden? Or perhaps you prefer the tranquil calm of an Oriental style outdoor space? If you can give your exterior space a theme in the same way you may have to the interior of your home your general enjoyment – and the curb appeal – of your home’s exterior will increase significantly.

All good landscapers will be happy to spend some time consulting with you about your options before you make any decisions. What you can and cannot do may be limited by local soil conditions, average temperatures and other regional factors so requesting such a consult can save you a lot of money on dead and withered plants and flowers down the line.

Consider Lawn Alternatives

Many homeowners fight what often seems to be a losing battle trying to keep their large lawns in decent shape. If you are one of them, one of the things you could consider is cutting down on the actual amount of lawn you have to deal with.

There are a number of attractive and easier to maintain alternatives to grass – including decorative stone, cedar chips and you could even consider adding a stylish patio to make better use of some of that green space.