How to Choose the Right Patio Pavers for Your Backyard in Mechanicsburg and Enola, MI

When designing how to build out your patio, you’re probably thinking of all the amenities you want to add to your outdoor living space. Before you go wild, it’s important that you start with the ground surface. Pavers have considerable influence on the aesthetics and functionality of the space Here’s how to choose the right patio pavers for your backyard in Mechanicsburg and Enola, MI.

Complement Your Home and Landscape

Honor the beauty of your home with the patio pavers you choose. The choice of shape, texture, and colors should complement your home. The choices can be overwhelming, so start by talking to your landscaping professional about your home’s style, your vision for the outdoor space, and various prominent landscape features. Your landscaping professionals will help you narrow your choices to a few: and then, be sure to take home samples so you can see the pavers in both sunny and rainy conditions (since colors deepen and become more pronounced when the pavers are wet).

The Right Shapes and Sizes

The shapes and sizes of patio pavers make a considerable impact on the overall atmosphere. A patio that uses smaller brick pavers, for instance, will do well in a cozier setting surrounded by rich colors like pine green and burgundy. A patio that uses large-format modern pavers, on the other hand, will create sightlines that help expand the visual size of the patio. Shapes matter, too. The most common paver shapes are squares or rectangles, but you can also find fun shapes like hexagons that can bring a unique flair to the space.

Smooth or Textured

Smooth and textured pavers all have their place in the overall design. Smooth pavers will help achieve a clean and uncluttered feel ideal for modern landscapes. Pavers that are inspired by the natural stone will have more texture, which can give your outdoor living space an old-world feel of timeworn streets and pathways.

Color Pairings

A patio that uses pavers that contrast with the rest of the home and landscape can feel out of place. When choosing pavers, the color pairings are crucial. Earthy tones, such as reds, browns, and yellows, will go very nicely with each other and are ideally suited for vibrant, busy spaces with lots of activity. Steely grays, blues, and blacks will make up another category of colors ideal for sophisticated spaces where serenity is the main objective.

Interesting Laying Patterns

The laying patterns you choose also influence the overall look of the patio or other hardscape surfaces. Rectangular (brick-shaped) pavers are perfectly suited for running bond or herringbone patterns. Square pavers may be laid end-to-end or in a running bond style. The most interesting patterns can be made by having your contractor lay a combination of square and rectangular pavers in a variety of patterns that look random and relaxed, yet are actually very precise in their design.

Permeability

For safety and longevity, consider using permeable pavers in your patio design. These pavers will allow water to seep in between the pavers, preventing the collection of water on the surface. Not only does this prevent slipping hazards and ice formation, but it also helps replenish the groundwater supply. It will also make your patio less vulnerable to the freeze and thaw cycles that may otherwise cause cracks and degradation. The only aesthetic difference you’ll notice is slightly bigger joints between the pavers.