Choosing the right flooring for you

Whether you’re building a new patio or are just looking to spruce up your existing outdoor flooring, there can be a lot of options to consider, and choosing the right one can easily become overwhelming. I’m sure you’re asking yourself:

• What aesthetic am I looking for? 
• What is the maintenance involved?
• What’s my budget?
• Which can give me the best bang for my buck?

Let’s dive into some of the most popular types of outdoor flooring we get questioned on and some of their pros and cons.

Poured Concrete

First up, poured concrete. This is probably the most affordable and durable option for outdoor flooring. A common misconception that we tend to see is that concrete constitutes a hefty part of the overall price of your project, this is not the case. Concrete will only make up a small portion of the overall price of your outdoor living project. 

Over time, poured concrete slabs may begin to buckle and crack with settlement. Maintaining these cracks can be become a chore, but when considering overall maintenance, poured concrete will come in with lowest. 

Poured Concrete Cons 

• Difficult to repair if cracked 
• The hard, rough surface can be uncomfortable
• Can be cold or hot to walk on 
• Prone to discoloration without proper cleaning

Concrete Pavers

Concrete pavers are a modern and ultra-durable outdoor flooring option for your patio. They are actually pretty common in today’s outdoor patios.  They come in many different sizes and styles and can be very customizable. Unlike poured concrete, pavers are premade, so they are not poured on site, nor do they require a cure time. This can make repairs much easier; you can simply replace individual tiles that are damaged or cracked. This makes overall maintenance quick and easy

Concrete Pavers Cons

• Need to purchase additional pavers for repairs
• Can become crowded with weeds when not properly tended to
• Requires a base
• Can become uneven over time with settlement

Stamped Concrete

 Stamped concrete, often called textured or imprinted concrete, is a process that can replicate the appearance of a wide variety of patterns and colors to a concrete surface. Sounds like a great option but what exactly is it? Stamped concrete is a paving method that can imitate the look of more expensive pavement at a lower cost. The “stamped” look of this product is achieved by stamping the concrete after it has been poured and before it begins to cure. Almost any shape and texture are possible to create with this method, here are some examples:

• Slate
• Natural stone
• Brick
• Tile
• Wood plank

Stamped Concrete Cons

• Concrete can crack with time and settlement
• Requires periodic cleaning and resealing
• Repairs can be difficult
• Can be slippery when not treated with a non-slip, surface additive