When designing a dream patio, the impact of stonework flooring is often overlooked. But, just like with countertops, because of its prominence in your outdoor space, it can easily elevate your patio from good to great. 

There’s plenty of stonework to choose from, which all vary in price, color, and durability. While we mainly install porcelain tiles, travertine, or pavers, here are some common options you’ll see in patios everywhere.

Travertine

It’s hard to go wrong with travertine. Known for its durability and low maintenance, this natural stone will take just about anything you throw at it and not crack under pressure. It also comes in tons of colors and shapes, meaning it fits almost any design you can come up with. Most outdoor granite is textured, which minimizes slipping and makes it great for pools and hot tubs.

It is one of the pricier stonework options, but the benefits easily outweigh the cost.

Bluestone

Primarily found in the northeast, bluestone is the perfect stone to give your patio a natural yet sophisticated feel. Like granite, bluestone is a flat, durable, and slip-resistant stone that can last decades when maintained properly. 

Because bluestone is porous and holds in water, it’s generally recommended to seal bluestone pavers every few years to prevent weathering. This keeps your patio looking brand-new for years to come.

Brick

For a rustic, timeless look to your patio, it’s hard to go wrong with brick. Brick can come in multiple shapes, colors, and textures, allowing it to work in almost any patio design. 

Compared to natural stone, brick is less costly and requires little to no maintenance outside of the occasional sweep or wash. However, similar to bluestone, pavers should be resealed every few years to keep them in top shape. Inexpensive, durable, and versatile, brick does it all.

Porcelain Tile

Porcelain tile brings the beauty of marble flooring with even more durability. This strong tile has a rougher finish which prevents slipping when wet, making it perfect around pools. Because it’s tile, this is one of the more cost-effective options while being customizable for any size, style, or shape.

Limestone

Limestone is a versatile and durable stone that fits almost any type of patio design. Although it’s on the pricier side, the stone is generally very durable and can withstand wear and tear while still maintaining its timeless hues. 

Like other natural stones, limestone is porous, meaning it should be sealed every few years to keep it from weathering. However, this maintenance shouldn’t deter from limestone’s classic look.

Flagstone

Flagstone brings a great natural look to your patio while providing unparalleled durability. Because of this durability, little maintenance is needed to keep the stone looking great. 

However, although flagstone can withstand almost any climate, it can become very slippery when wet and very hot during the summer, making it not ideal around pools. But if you’re looking for a natural design you won’t have to worry about, this stone is the way to go.

Stonework can be an essential part of any patio’s design. Because of the many options and factors when deciding which stone to use, there’s truly something for everyone. 

We mainly install porcelain tiles, travertine or pavers.  Or do stamped concrete. 

When designing an outdoor kitchen for your patio, there are many factors that go into picking the perfect countertop. Here are some of the most popular surfaces.

Granite

Granite makes for a versatile and durable countertop for all weather conditions. It comes in a multitude of colors and shapes, meaning it can match almost any patio design. It’s also scratch and crack resistant, meaning it can withstand just about anything you throw at it. 

Although it isn’t the most affordable option, granite’s durability and design make it ideal for almost any outdoor kitchen, which is why it’s one of the most popular options.

Wood

It’s hard to beat the rustic yet modern look of a wooden countertop. However, this beauty comes at a price. Wooden countertops often require a large amount of maintenance to keep the surface from splintering, scratching, or staining. This may not be an issue for those willing to sand and polish it every few years, but for those looking for a no-stress countertop, you may want to look elsewhere.

Concrete

While it might not seem like an obvious choice, concrete countertops are a very versatile and reliable option. However, concrete isn’t immune from stains and scratches like any other stone or tile. A downfall is like any concrete, it can break, and small hairline cracks will appear as moisture seeps in and the material expands and contracts.  The concrete look might not fit everyone’s design, but for extreme durability and the opportunity to pour into any shape, concrete is an excellent choice of countertop.

Quartz

Durable, stain-resistant, and inexpensive, quartz is one of the best options for an outdoor countertop. However, quartz doesn’t do the best with direct heat and sunlight, and too much heat or light will cause the countertop to discolor. This makes it ideal to use in a covered patio where it is installed away from the sun.

Despite these flaws, quartz is still a durable and beautiful countertop material that, when treated with care, can last decades.

There are many materials to choose from when designing your dream outdoor kitchen. Make sure to do your research and take factors like durability, level of maintenance, and price into account before you get ready for your future outdoor gatherings.