THE BEST PATIO SURFACE
Choosing the Right Patio Surface in Central Ohio
When it comes to choosing the best surface for your outdoor living space, it’s important to weigh long term durability, maintenance, and visual appeal. Central Ohio’s freeze thaw climate adds extra considerations for any hardscape. Here’s an overview of the most common options and why stamped concrete should often be your last choice.
1. Plain Concrete (Broom Finish with Troweled Edge)
Best for: Budget-conscious projects with a clean, functional look.
Plain concrete remains one of the most economical and versatile patio options. A broom finish with a hand-troweled edge gives it a clean, intentional appearance. While concrete is prone to cracking due to our region’s seasonal freeze and thaw cycles, individual sections can be cut out and replaced. Over time, these repairs will blend in as the color of the concrete weathers consistently.
Pros:
- Lowest initial cost
- Simple and clean appearance
- Easy to repair without major aesthetic concerns
Cons:
- Prone to cracking
- Not considered a premium finish
2. Stamped Concrete (Why We Recommend Against It)
Best for: Clients looking for a decorative finish at a lower initial cost (with trade offs).
While stamped concrete may offer a decorative look that mimics natural stone, its performance and longevity in Central Ohio are poor. The integral or surface applied color will degrade with UV exposure, leading to fading and uneven coloration over time. When sections eventually crack or deteriorate and need replacement, new sections will never match the original, creating an unsightly patchwork.
Pros:
- Decorative appearance at installation
Cons:
- Color fades under UV exposure
- Difficult and expensive to repair or match
- Susceptible to cracking
- Requires sealing and maintenance
Recommendation: If budget is the primary concern, stick with plain concrete. It’s easier to maintain and much more repair friendly than stamped concrete.
3. Natural Stone Overlay on Concrete
Best for: Clients wanting a premium, elegant, and extremely low maintenance finish.
By applying natural stone directly over a plain concrete base using mortar, you can achieve a high end look without sacrificing durability. This option creates a timeless, durable patio with virtually zero maintenance. The mortar installation eliminates weed growth and shifting, making it ideal for long term performance.
Pros:
- High-end appearance
- Zero maintenance
- Extremely durable
- Long lifespan
Cons:
- Higher initial cost
- Requires a solid, stable concrete base
4. Premium Concrete Pavers
Best for: Clients looking for a balance between aesthetics, repairability, and performance.
Concrete pavers offer a modular system with a wide range of patterns and colors. Their PSI strength is typically around 8,000 more than double that of poured concrete. While pavers will shift slightly over time due to the freeze thaw cycle, individual areas can be easily reset without leaving visible patches. The result is a patio that always matches and stays looking great.
Pros:
- Stronger than poured concrete
- Easily repairable
- Wide range of colors and styles
- Long lasting and visually appealing
Cons:
- Slightly higher cost than plain concrete
- May require occasional resetting
In Summary
| Surface Type | Cost | Durability | Maintenance | Appearance | Repairability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plain Concrete | Low | Moderate | Low | Basic | High |
| Stamped Concrete | Moderate | Moderate | Low | Fades Over Time | Poor |
| Natural Stone Overlay | High | High | Very Low | Premium | Not Typically Needed |
| Premium Concrete Pavers | Moderate-High | High | Low-Moderate | High-End | Excellent |
If you are not sure which route to take, let’s talk through your goals, lifestyle, and long term plans. Our goal is always to help you make the right choice not just for today, but for years to come.
EXAMPLES
Stained Concrete
This piece can be replaced but will be a different color than the rest of the patio.
Plain Concrete
All concrete will eventually crack but can be replaced with new concrete that will match over time.
Stamped Concrete
Areas in full sun will change color compared to other areas in the shade.
Natural Stone On Concrete
Natural stone does not fade or ever change in color over time.
Paver Patio From The 90’s
There are many examples of patios built in the 90’s that used low quality pavers. This was a step up from traditional decking but had it’s own issues with UV degregation. Many were not installed properly and did not have the proper slope to shed rain water from the surface. This caused excess movement in the patio and puddling on the surface. This is not what is sold today.
Stamped Concrete
This stamped concrete patio has cracked and can not be repaired. The entire project will need replaced if the homeowner would like everything to match.
Properly Installed Paver Patio
This large format paver patio was installed properly on a gravel base in 2017. Portions of the polymeric joint sand needed replaced in 2023. Other than that zero movement or maintenance has been needed.
Properly Installed Travertine Patio On Gravel Base
This natural travertine stone patio was properly installed on a compacted gravel base. With proper slope and drainage it has had zero issues. There are the occasional weeds but they are minimal and should be removed with a line trimmer.
Improperly Installed Paver Patio On Gravel Base
This modern paver patio was installed incorrectly using the wrong base material. There was extreme settling along the edges and the whole patio held water. After removing the entire project we discovered there was 12″ of sand instead of 2″ of #9 lime screed (max depth 2″ allowance). This caused the entire patio to fall apart in under a year.
Properly Installed Paver Patio
This large format paver patio was installed properly on a gravel base and has had no issues or movement over time.