A beautiful patio is the crown jewel of your back yard, making every moment you spend outside much more enjoyable. However, getting a beautiful patio doesn’t happen accidentally — it requires intentional thought and well-informed style choices. One of the first questions you’ll want to ask before upgrading your backyard space is, “What is the best flooring for an outdoor patio?”
Choosing the right type of flooring plays a major role in your patio’s overall level of comfort, functionality, and aesthetic appeal. By the same token, choosing the wrong type of flooring can make your outdoor space feel dull and unattractive. Below, you’ll learn the pros and cons of different patio flooring options from Monroe’s outdoor living space contractor.
Concrete
When it comes to patio flooring options, concrete is always high on the list. Concrete flooring lasts a long time and requires very little maintenance, making it an excellent choice for families with pets and young children. It’s easy to sweep off dirt and debris or power wash when you encounter stains and caked-on gunk.
Plain concrete looks great by itself, but you can hire a professional with the right building permits to color, stamp, score, brush, paint, and pattern it. You can also infuse it with small materials like pebbles to add texture and match your design tastes.
The downsides to concrete patio flooring involve installation costs and time. Concrete usually costs more to install than other flooring materials. In addition, you may need to wait up to 10 days for the concrete to cure before you can enjoy it.
Natural Stone
What is the best flooring for an outdoor patio? The answer could be natural stone. Natural stone (or flagstone patio flooring) offers an organically elegant look that brings a touch of class to your outdoor space.
There are many advantages of having natural stone flooring for your patio. It goes well with almost any exterior design and elevates your property’s appearance. Unlike other flooring options, natural stone will never fade despite prolonged exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.
That said, natural stone does have a couple of disadvantages. Buying natural stone and installing it typically costs more than other types of patio flooring. It’s also less durable, making it unsuitable for certain households and climates.
Brick
Brick houses are fairly common, but what about brick patios? Patios with brick flooring add character to your back yard while offering a unique allure.
Many homeowners choose brick flooring for their outdoor living space. The following are a few reasons why:
- Durability: Bricks are slip resistant and can last a lifetime with proper installation and upkeep. One caveat, though: Constant, heavy snowfall may cause the bricks to shift or settle, leading to uneven surfaces.
- Cost-effectiveness: Bricks are one of the most inexpensive patio flooring options. In addition, you can recycle and reuse them if you ever need repairs.
- Aesthetic appeal: Brick patios have a certain charm and sophistication. Installing a brick patio can turn your ordinary back yard into a charming hangout spot.
Wood
Wood is another popular flooring option for patios in the Monroe, WA, area. You simply can’t go wrong with wood flooring — it is a classic choice that will never go out of style. It holds up in almost any weather and comes in various designs to meet your preferences and needs.
Hardwood flooring patterns are as varied as they are stunning. Some of the most popular patterns include:
- Herringbone
- Mosaic
- Chevron
- Strips
- Brick bond
- Checkerboard
An experienced contractor like Pacific Outdoor Living can install wood flooring for your patio with the utmost attention to detail and easily repair it (if necessary). One key benefit of this flooring type is that you can sand and refinish it repeatedly. If it starts to look dingy, that’s all you have to do!
Artificial Grass
Are you considering upgrading your backyard living area and wondering, “What is the best flooring for an outdoor patio?” Consider installing artificial grass. Artificial grass provides outdoor carpeting that looks like the real deal but is nowhere near as expensive and time-consuming to maintain.
Artificial turf is the most cost-effective flooring option for your patio, saving you money while offering the desired results. You don’t have to mow, fertilize, aerate, seed, or water it like real grass. What’s more, it offers a little padding to protect children and pets without making them itchy.
Vinyl
Vinyl is one of the trendiest flooring options on the market. You’ll typically see it in modern homes as indoor flooring, but building contractors also use it for outdoor living spaces like decks and patios. If you want patio flooring that’s durable, budget-friendly, and highly customizable, vinyl could be your go-to option.
Vinyl plank flooring comes in a broad array of colors, textures, and patterns. You can install vinyl flooring and get the timeless look of natural wood at less than half the cost, which may give you more leeway to invest in other outdoor projects. This type of patio flooring is also easy to clean and water resistant.
The downside to vinyl is that it has a shorter lifespan than other flooring materials. Rain, snow, fallen debris, UV rays, and other factors can wear it out more quickly. Although it may be cheaper to install at first, you could end up paying more for replacements down the road.
Contact Pacific Outdoor Living for Patio Flooring Installation
Answering the question, “What is the best flooring for an outdoor patio?” can be challenging. The best type of patio flooring may vary from person to person due to numerous factors. Your available budget, household needs, geographic location, and personal taste all play a part in determining the right flooring option for you.
At Pacific Outdoor Living, we can help maximize your outdoor living space and design the cozy patio you’ve always wanted. Our licensed contractors have the tools and know-how to transform your back yard and make your dreams a reality. Contact us online or call (360) 863-2058 to get started today.