Can someone explain patio types/costs to me?

UsedToBeGoldie

We want a basic patio in our back yard... basically so our table/chairs are not sinking into the grass all the time

 My brother is visiting next month and may have time to put one in for us (my husband is not handy at all).... he's asking me what type i want- and i know nothing about them!

What is the easiest to put in? Cheapest? what looks best but not too expensive? etc?

thanks!

~NB~

The cheapest and easiest is probably poured concrete. The drawback is that they are not permeable, so they are not environmentally friendly (like most cheap & easy solutions).

Most people go with pavers. They are very attractive and durable. You can find lots of how-to videos and photo essays online. You can also build a deck, that is very close to the ground, very cheaply; maybe cheaper than concrete and definitely less mess and headache IMO.

UsedToBeGoldie

~NB~:

The cheapest and easiest is probably poured concrete. The drawback is that they are not permeable, so they are not environmentally friendly (like most cheap & easy solutions).

Most people go with pavers. They are very attractive and durable. You can find lots of how-to videos and photo essays online. You can also build a deck, that is very close to the ground, very cheaply; maybe cheaper than concrete and definitely less mess and headache IMO.

thanks- yeah, i don't like the look of poured concrete at all.  A deck might be a good option.  I'm going to have to discuss with my brother and see what he thinks. thanks!

hippie4yahweh

~NB~:

 You can also build a deck, that is very close to the ground, very cheaply; maybe cheaper than concrete and definitely less mess and headache IMO.

This is what we did- a floating deck, no footers, it's about 15" off the ground. It's 10 x 12' and cost less than $500. This year I'm doing another, about 8" off the ground, that wraps around the current one on 2 sides so it'll be the step to the original one, and provide more space (leaving the seating area on the current deck and putting the dining table on the shorter one)

It was SO easy to build, I did most of it by myself (my husband helped while I was setting up the joists). My neighbor likes it so much that he's building one this year too  

UsedToBeGoldie

hippie4yahweh:

~NB~:

 You can also build a deck, that is very close to the ground, very cheaply; maybe cheaper than concrete and definitely less mess and headache IMO.

This is what we did- a floating deck, no footers, it's about 15" off the ground. It's 10 x 12' and cost less than $500. This year I'm doing another, about 8" off the ground, that wraps around the current one on 2 sides so it'll be the step to the original one, and provide more space (leaving the seating area on the current deck and putting the dining table on the shorter one)

It was SO easy to build, I did most of it by myself (my husband helped while I was setting up the joists). My neighbor likes it so much that he's building one this year too  

that sounds really nice- do you have a pic?  BTW- LOVE your sig pic!  that's what i wanted my crinoline to look like but it was a much lighter orange and i wasn't thrilled with it, lol

 

emjacobs13

UsedToBeGoldie:

~NB~:

The cheapest and easiest is probably poured concrete. The drawback is that they are not permeable, so they are not environmentally friendly (like most cheap & easy solutions).

Most people go with pavers. They are very attractive and durable. You can find lots of how-to videos and photo essays online. You can also build a deck, that is very close to the ground, very cheaply; maybe cheaper than concrete and definitely less mess and headache IMO.

thanks- yeah, i don't like the look of poured concrete at all.  A deck might be a good option.  I'm going to have to discuss with my brother and see what he thinks. thanks!

Check out stamped and dyed concrete, I don't like traditional poured concrete because it reminds me of a school.  Someone on here did a stamped concrete patio that is gorgeous! We will be doing a stamped concrete driveway eventually. 

hippie4yahweh

UsedToBeGoldie:

hippie4yahweh:

~NB~:

 You can also build a deck, that is very close to the ground, very cheaply; maybe cheaper than concrete and definitely less mess and headache IMO.

This is what we did- a floating deck, no footers, it's about 15" off the ground. It's 10 x 12' and cost less than $500. This year I'm doing another, about 8" off the ground, that wraps around the current one on 2 sides so it'll be the step to the original one, and provide more space (leaving the seating area on the current deck and putting the dining table on the shorter one)

It was SO easy to build, I did most of it by myself (my husband helped while I was setting up the joists). My neighbor likes it so much that he's building one this year too  

that sounds really nice- do you have a pic?  BTW- LOVE your sig pic!  that's what i wanted my crinoline to look like but it was a much lighter orange and i wasn't thrilled with it, lol

 

So I've barely scratched the surface of my outdoor "spring cleaning" in favor of shaving the dogs and cleaning inside.... don't judge lol 

 

The step in the foreground will soon be part of the new deck, and the table and chairs will go on it (really? I want the new deck mainly because NOTHING I do will make grass grow in that spot. It's shaded 90% of the day by our house and the super tall trees in the background. So I'm just going to cover it up lol)

And thank you for the compliment!  

ETA- oy, and looking at these pics I feel I should explain that I started to strip the finish off the deck last fall so I could redo it and the new one all at once. Obvs I didn't finish, it looks MUCH better when it's stained a nice color!