An outdoor living space, such as a patio, is a rather exciting and desirable feature in any traditional and modern home. Therefore, using the best items and resources makes sense to create a lovely, visually pleasing, and durable outdoor area.
Flooring is one of the most critical features of a patio that can provide utility and enjoyment to the area. However, with so many flooring options out there, it can be challenging to find something that suits your needs and is durable, aesthetic, and amps up the ambiance of your space.
Whether you’re building a patio from scratch or are looking to revamp it, we’ve put together this article to see the best and worst patio flooring choices.
With this comprehensive list, you’ll have no trouble finding a patio flooring option that best suits your needs. So, let’s get started!
Best Patio Flooring Options
Flagstone
Flagstone is the ideal flooring material for patios, which is why it is the most sought-after option. The reason behind the popularity of this material is that it is downright stunning and highly durable. Flagstone flooring can help you make a statement on your patio without having to change any other features.
What adds even further appeal to this option is the variety of colors it is available in, including greys, reds, and earthy blues. Also, these colors are naturally occurring to the stone, which makes this option even more interesting.
Flags patio are typically made from limestone, basalt, bluestone, sandstone, and slate and are laid down on patios into common patterns. The random rectangle flagstone pattern is often used to create a more formal patio, while an irregular flagstone pattern is used for a more casual ambiance as it maximizes the natural look. The best thing about using flagstone for patio flooring is that it can last you over 100 years and is relatively low maintenance. However, they can be quite expensive.
Concrete Pavers
Concrete pavers are probably the most popular and versatile flooring option for patios and other outdoor areas. Made of concrete, this flooring is found in many colors and can be laid in almost any pattern, and the combinations you can create with different paver shapes, colors, and patterns, are absolutely bewildering.
Concrete pavers are made by pouring concrete into a mold to give it shape, and the most commonly found shapes include square, round, rectangular, and hexagonal. These shapes are further found in various dimensions. Another interesting benefit of this flooring choice is that they are easy to color.
Moreover, concrete pavers are also pretty durable and low maintenance. They can easily last about 50 to 100 years and can be cleaned and wiped easily. Additionally, pavers are more budget-friendly than flagstone, but their price can vary according to their shape.
Outdoor Tiles
Tiles aren’t just for your bathroom or kitchen backsplash. In fact, it’s an excellent choice to create a beautiful and stunning patio, especially if you’re looking to add a contemporary touch. Outdoor tiles are often used for formal looks due to their long and clean lines. Moreover, they are great for high-traffic areas.
A great benefit of tiles is that they are available in various colors and shapes, so you can expect your options to be as limited as they are when designing a bathroom. Additionally, another enticing benefit of porcelain tiles for outdoor areas is their ability to withstand extreme temperatures and be moisture resistant.
If you’re looking for a more natural color palette for your patio and want to prevent slip and fall accidents on porcelain, natural stone tiles can be a great choice. Stones, such as marble, granite, slate, and limestone, are durable and lend a unique natural texture and color to outdoor spaces.
Worst Patio Flooring Options
Gravel
Gravel tops the list of the worst flooring choices for patios. Although this flooring choice lends a quaint and appealing look to an area, it is better suited for pathways and gardens. Although a gravel patio eventually sets a little, it never fully sets, which can be a huge issue when adding furniture items, such as couches and benches.
Gravel also requires consistent upkeep that includes frequent raking every few weeks and snow removal during the winter season. The only plus side to gravel is that it is extremely cheap. However, its low price still doesn’t bring it to the list of possible floor considerations given its ton of drawbacks.
Wood
You probably want to add a touch of nature to your patio with a low wooden deck. However, this might not be the best option. Sure, wooden flooring has its own charm and can seriously enhance the aesthetics of a space, but it has limitations that other options such as concrete or stone don’t.
Perhaps, the biggest drawback of wooden flooring compared to other options for outdoor spaces is that it isn’t durable. An outdoor wooden deck or floor requires considerable upkeep, including yearly thorough cleanings and sealing and re-staining. Moreover, despite consistent care, wooden flooring in outdoor spaces won’t last you more than 15 years.
Wooden decks are available at nominal prices, costing between $15 and $35 per square foot, including the supports, stairs, and railings.
Rubber Flooring
Rubber flooring is gaining much popularity when it comes to functional surfaces, such as athletic grounds or playgrounds. Although this heavily purpose-built material is practical and feasible, it lacks a certain amount of aesthetic.
Rubber flooring can’t deliver the same natural and visually-pleasing aesthetic as stone or brick, and if that wasn’t enough, it also has a terrible smell. Rubber mats give off a rubber odor, which might not be a big deal for some; we can’t deny how much it dampens the fresh outdoor vibe.
If you’re all about creating an appealing and attractive patio, then rubber flooring isn’t for you. On the other hand, if you’re looking for comfort, reliability, and durability without breaking the bank, then you can probably make rubber flooring work.
The Bottom Line
We hope our list of the best and worst patio flooring options has armed you with the knowledge to make the right choice for your patio!
