Paver Patio

We need to put down new flooring on our patio. What suggestions can Exterior Worlds make for us?
Because of their various shapes, sizes, colors, patterns and designs, patio pavers bring versatility to any patio. These pavers—or concrete pavers—have become increasingly popular among U.S. homeowners because of their durability and strength. Our clients use them in small garden designs, outdoor rooms, formal and informal spaces, entryways, and in deck designs.

A professional landscaper, landscape designer or landscape architect can help you create the perfect patio design project. They can help you coordinate and integrate the look with your home’s architecture and other hardscapes of your landscape design, such as driveways, motor courts, pathways, retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, and decking around a luxury swimming pool.

If you’re interested in a green garden—“green”, as in ecologically-sensitive—you can find patio pavers that are designed to let plants grow through them, an innovative design that allows water to filter naturally into the soil instead of running off.

What are the different looks of patio pavers?
It’s a long list that includes the look of natural stone, flagstone, cobblestone, Roman stone, octagonal, square, hexagonal and rectangular brick. This variety and versatility accounts for much of their popularity.
Can patio pavers be laid in different patterns?
That’s the fun part of working with pavers—the creativity they afford. Some projects we’ve done use two or more different colors of concrete pavers. Sometimes we even bring in different textures. One idea: for the main part of the patio, use a cobblestone square look in a creamy earth tone. Then for the edge, lay the classic look of hand-hewn stone in an octagonal shape in a light brown shade. The geometrics of the two shapes played well against each other while the two color tones naturally complement and enhance each other.

Other patterns we have used and can recommend for their timeless and classic looks:
• Flagstone. This design, also called “random”, uses different sizes of pavers within a single application and is a good choice for paths, walkways and driveways. When putting it down, it tends to feel like a giant jigsaw puzzle.
• Herringbone. For this design, pavers are laid down at either a 45 or 90 degree angle with the angle rotating in direction with each sequence. It also is a commonly chosen pattern for patios because it is a tasteful and ageless style.
• Circle design. Due to the degree of difficulty in creating curves, this challenging pattern makes a memorable impression. It is most often done with the stone or rectangular brick shapes, although other shapes can be used.
• Running bond or stack bond pattern. These patterns alternate each course of pavers back and forth in the pattern commonly seen on most brick houses. Running bond is one of the most practical patterns for outdoor patios. Stack bond works well in areas with lots of foot traffic, such as walkways.
• Basket weave. A popular choice for patios, the basket weave pattern has pavers laid in a checkerboard pattern. It is also known as parquet.