Are you tired of burning your toes when you step onto your sunny patio? Frustrated with fading pavers? Finding the best patio material for a pleasant experience year-round is essential. But with so many to choose from, making that decision can be difficult.
At The Site Group, we have overseen many a backyard transformation. Our expert team has extensive knowledge of the materials available and how they interact with the elements in your Southwest Ohio location.
In this blog, we share our picks for the six best patio materials, and cover the benefits and attributes of each.
What Should I Look for in Patio Materials?
Building a patio is an investment in your home’s aesthetics and comfort. Selecting the right patio material is critical. In our unique Ohio climate, with its humid summers and occasionally harsh winters, your choice impacts comfort and durability all year long.
Heat retention, cracking, waterproofing; every environmental element affects your patio. Having the wrong material is not just frustrating in the short term, but can be difficult to remedy in the long term. Choosing the best patio materials for your unique design and vision from the start can eliminate unwanted headaches and hassles.
When determining the best patio materials to recommend, we examined the following factors:
- Composition and durability
- Aesthetic appeal
- Summer performance
- Year-round performance
- Cost and value
Using these criteria, here are our top six patio materials that guarantee your investment delivers comfort and elegance all year long.
1. Porcelain Pavers
Porcelain pavers have rapidly ascended as a preferred material for high-end outdoor living spaces. They come in many styles and finishes and can suit just about any backyard vision you have.
Composition and Durability
Porcelain pavers are made of refined clay, including kaolin, and are kiln-fired at temperatures ranging from 2,200 to 2,600 °F. This high heat causes a reaction known as vitrification, which makes porcelain dense and non-porous (like glass).
Aesthetic Appeal
Porcelain pavers can mimic a wide range of natural and modern materials, including stone, concrete and even wood. They offer consistent color and texture across large areas.
Summer Performance
Porcelain is non-slip and exceptional at reflecting sunlight and resisting heat absorption. They stay significantly cooler than more absorbent alternatives, minimizing ambient heat radiation in your outdoor living area.
Year-Round Performance
These low-maintenance pavers don’t need to be sealed and are virtually impervious to stains, scratches and fading. Their resistance to moisture absorption also ensures they perform flawlessly through freezing winters.
Cost and Value
Expect an investment of $40-$45 per square foot installed in Ohio. The initial cost is offset by porcelain’s extended lifespan and near-zero maintenance.
2. Natural Stone
For those who appreciate the unique character and organic beauty of the earth, natural stone, such as travertine, sandstone or certain granites, offers an unmatched aesthetic for a truly timeless hardscape.
Composition and Durability
Popular light-colored natural stone pavers include limestone, sandstone and quartzite , and granite. Granite and quartzite are exceptionally hard and resistant to scratches and wear, making them extra durable for high-traffic areas.
Aesthetic Appeal
Light-colored stone shades include soft whites, creams, beiges and light grays. Each slab is distinct, giving a patio inherent charm and elegance.
Summer Performance
Just like wearing light clothing in summer, lighter natural stones absorb significantly less solar radiation, keeping surface temperatures more comfortable for bare feet in Midwest heat. The natural variations also help to break up heat absorption.
Year-Round Performance
Natural stone is inherently robust and built to last for generations. When correctly installed over a stable base and properly sealed, it withstands Ohio’s diverse weather patterns, from humidity to icy conditions. Regular sealing is recommended to protect against staining and enhance longevity.
Cost and Value
The cost for natural stone can vary widely based on the type and rarity. The general range is $40-$45 per square foot installed in Ohio. Its enduring beauty and exceptional durability provide significant long-term value.
3. High-Quality Capped Composite Decking
Maybe you want to retain the appeal of a traditional deck, but in an updated patio. Composite deck materials can serve the same function as organic patio materials and provide unique design opportunities. Modern, high-quality capped composite decking offers significantly fewer maintenance challenges.
Composition and Durability
High-quality capped composite decking is engineered from a blend of recycled wood fibers and plastics, encased in a durable polymer “cap” layer. This provides superior resistance to fading, staining, mold and mildew, and makes it impervious to rot and insect damage.
Aesthetic Appeal
Modern capped composite decking achieves the sought-after aesthetic of natural wood, including realistic grain patterns and diverse color options.
Summer Performance
Premium, capped composite decking, particularly in lighter shades, is engineered with advanced technology to reflect more sunlight and stay significantly cooler than traditional wood and uncapped composites.
Year-Round Performance
The “capped” layer provides superior resistance to fading, staining, mold and mildew. It’s impervious to rot and insects, a significant advantage in Ohio’s varied humidity. This material looks pristine year after year, standing strong against snow and ice without splintering or warping.
Cost and Value
Expect costs for high-quality composite decking to range from $60-$70 per square foot installed, including framing. It has virtually zero maintenance, an exceptional lifespan and a consistent aesthetic.
4. Concrete Pavers (Light Colors, Premium Finishes): Durable Versatility
Concrete pavers offer remarkable versatility in design, durability and cost-effectiveness. Available in an array of shapes, sizes, colors and textures, they mimic natural stone or brick, and can create unique contemporary patterns.
Composition and Durability
Concrete pavers are manufactured from a blend of cement, aggregates (like sand and gravel), and water, often with added pigments for color and sometimes admixtures for enhanced performance. This composition, plus individual, jointed installation, provides exceptional durability.
Aesthetic Appeal
Concrete pavers can replicate the look of natural stone (like flagstone or cobble), traditional brick or sleek, modern designs with crisp lines. Premium finishes, like those that expose aggregates, provide a more refined texture and depth of color.
Summer Performance
The key to summer comfort with concrete pavers is selecting lighter colors and potentially incorporating permeable designs or larger joints for better heat dissipation. Lighter shades reflect more sunlight, preventing the surface from becoming scorching hot (a huge bonus for pool-adjacent patios.)
Year-Round Performance
Concrete pavers are incredibly durable, designed to withstand heavy loads and Ohio’s freeze-thaw cycles without the cracking issues often seen with solid concrete slabs. Individual pavers can be replaced if damaged, simplifying maintenance.
Cost and Value
This is a more accessible premium option, with installed costs typically ranging from $30-40 per square foot. Their durability and design flexibility offer excellent value, making them a popular choice for large, intricate patio designs.
5. Glazed Ceramic or Porcelain Tile (Outdoor Rated): Sophisticated and Low Maintenance
While often confused with porcelain pavers, outdoor-rated glazed ceramic or porcelain tiles create a highly sophisticated and modern patio aesthetic to make your outdoor living dreams come true. Their precise manufacturing allows for crisp, uniform lines and consistent sizing.
Composition and Durability
Outdoor-rated glazed tiles are crafted from highly refined clays and minerals, fired at extremely high temperatures. The glazed finish provides a protective, non-absorbent layer that contributes to its stain-, fade- and scratch-resistance. Proper outdoor installation techniques, including a stable substrate and appropriate thin-set mortar and grout designed for exterior use, ensure durability.
Aesthetic Appeal
They offer crisp lines, consistent sizing and a range of finishes, often mimicking natural materials or offering unique patterns. The expansive range of glazes offers many colors, from vibrant to subtle. Their smooth, reflective surfaces (especially lighter colors) make a patio feel larger and brighter, contributing to a high-end, contemporary ambiance.
Summer Performance
Glazed surfaces, especially in lighter colors, are excellent at reflecting sunlight, minimizing heat absorption and keeping the patio surface cooler to the touch. Their low porosity means they won’t absorb water and become saturated or slippery.
Year-Round Performance
When specified as outdoor-rated and installed with proper substrate and thin-set mortar, these tiles are incredibly durable and resistant to staining, fading and moisture. They stand up well to freeze-thaw cycles, provided the installation accounts for expansion and contraction. Their ease of cleaning makes year-round maintenance a breeze.
Cost and Value
Costs can vary, generally from $7-$35+ per square foot installed, depending on the tile quality and complexity of installation. Their sleek appearance and minimal maintenance contribute to a high-end feel and lasting value.
6. Permeable Pavers: Sustainable Luxury With Practical Benefits
Permeable pavers represent a fusion of environmental responsibility and sophisticated design. They allow rainwater to filter through the surface and into the ground below, reducing stormwater runoff and replenishing groundwater, all year round.
Composition and Durability
Permeable pavers are typically manufactured from robust concrete and specially designed to allow water to pass through. They can have larger joint spaces filled with permeable aggregate (like small stones) or an internal open-cell structure within the paver itself. The segmented nature of the pavers and the well-draining base allow for slight movement and prevent hydrostatic pressure buildup.
Aesthetic Appeal
Available in a wide array of colors, shapes and textures, they can mimic the appearance of traditional pavers, natural stone or create unique, modern patterns. The visible permeable joints, often filled with contrasting aggregate, add a subtle texture and visual interest.
Summer Performance
The gaps in permeable paver systems allow for natural evaporation and air circulation. This causes a slightly cooler surface temperature compared to solid, non-permeable surfaces. More importantly, they prevent water pooling.
Year-Round Performance
Their segmented design makes them highly resilient to the freeze-thaw cycles common in the Greater Dayton/Cincinnati area. They are exceptionally durable for everyday use.
Cost and Value
Permeable pavers are a higher initial investment, typically $10-$30+ per square foot installed in Ohio, due to the specialized base preparation required. However, the long-term benefits of superior drainage, reduced maintenance from standing water and environmental advantages make them a compelling choice for homeowners.
Choosing the Best Patio Materials for Your Project
Understanding the nuances of each patio material option is key to making the best investment for your home. You also need to take your home into consideration. Are you designing a mid-century modern vision? Do you live on a flood plain? Are you building a patio for entertainment and high-traffic crowds?
There are a plethora of patio material options for every kind of homeowner and home. Discerning what you need, want and can’t live without is essential for a streamlined project and satisfactory end result.
The Best Patio Materials Need the Best Patio Design Process Partner
Selecting the perfect patio material is just the beginning. True value lies in partnering with a team that offers a seamless end-to-end process.
With Site Group, we take a design-build-maintain approach. Our landscape architects and designers work with you to translate your vision into a functional blueprint. Our experienced craftsmen bring that design to life with precision and quality. Our year-round maintenance offerings ensure continued beauty and tranquility.
Schedule a design consultation with us today to see how we can make your dream a reality.
Not ready for a call? Check out our outdoor planning guide to understand how your design process gets off the ground.
