Upon hearing the word ‘flooring’, most people think about their bathroom, kitchen, living room, and so on. Yes, these are the rooms where people spend most of their time, so it is to be expected that these have to be rebuilt more often. However, what about the outdoor area?
If you live in a house, then certainly you have a yard, whatever its size may be. Surely, you spend a lot of your leisure time there, especially during summer when the last thing anyone wants is to be locked between four walls. Still, in order to fully enjoy your surroundings, you have to make it aesthetically appealing. What’s more, these renovations are going to increase the value of your property, which can be quite beneficial in the future if you ever opt for selling your house.
In the following article, we are going to discuss the flooring of the outdoor area. We are going to list a few materials that are most commonly used, talk about their advantages and disadvantages, and hopefully, help you choose the right one for your property.
What area to update?
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The first thing that you have to decide is what area of the garden you want to cover. For example, the porch is the initial thing that visitors see when approaching your home, so it has to be pleasant. On the other hand, deck and patio sections are more secluded and probably the places where you spend a lot of time with your family and friends, so it has to be functional. Maybe you even want to improve your landscape not only with breath-taking flowers and plants but also with some paths between them.
The next thing that you have to consider is the state of your garden. How hard have you been working on maintaining it? Is the terrain flat or are there some slopes? What are the weather conditions? As you know, natural elements like sun, rain, and wind can quickly damage and destroy anything on their way, so you have to choose the material that is resistant and able to withstand any effect of these elements.
What are your options?
Before we begin, you have to know that you have two options – natural and synthetic flooring. As you can imagine, both of these have their benefits and downsides. For example, the former one will easily blend with the outdoors, while the latter is cheaper and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance.
Stone
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The first thing that probably comes to your mind when you envision your deck paved with stone is its unique appearance. Yes, when it comes to choosing this, there are numerous kinds of stones at your disposal, all in different colors, so you have the opportunity to opt for a type that does not only meet all your requirements, but that can also greatly improve the overall appeal of your property. Why not go with irregular shapes and create an interesting mosaic?
Besides, since this material is completely natural, it is eco-friendly, but unfortunately, this feature also means that it can be quite expensive. Another downside is that it can be quite hard to handle so you might need some professional help.
Our advice is to go with the stone that can be found in your area, simply because it will be the cheapest and you will get it as soon as possible. Some other options include slate, granite, marble, bluestone, quartzite, and so on.
Brick
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If you want to achieve that traditional style and vibe, you should definitely opt for brick. Even though most people these days want to have modern-looking properties filled with smart devices and systems, there are still many that appreciated that old-school vibe, which is why bricks have been becoming a popular flooring option.
When it comes to style, you have endless options. You can choose the color of each piece, and if you want you can combine them and create some interesting design. All you need is a little bit of creativity and a plan on how to make your vision come true.
Concrete
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Because of its many benefits, most people opt for covering areas of the property with concrete. First of all, it is extremely hard and durable meaning that it is probably going to last forever. Secondly, it is resistant to heat and rain so it cannot be destroyed by weather elements. If it does get destroyed in any way, it can simply be repaired by pulling out that section and replacing it with a new one.
Due to the fact that concrete is so widely used as a flooring option, people have come up with many designs. One of the most popular ones is co-called stained concrete. Simply, by using acid, you can stain the concrete and make whatever patterns you want. Check here for more information about concrete staining.
Wood
Source: decorfloors.ca
Without a doubt, wood is another popular option. Why? Well, simply because it is cost-effective, it is easy to install, and you can literally create any design that you want. Naturally, you should only opt for these if you want to cover flat surfaces or the terrain around the pool.
However, you should make sure that it is not in direct contact with the ground because due to the fact that it is a natural material, over time it is going to decay due to moisture and other elements. When choosing the species, you have to consider the weather conditions. You should always go with cedar or redwood instead of oak or hickory.
Synthetic materials
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Let’s move on to some synthetic options, and let’s begin with rubber paver. The main feature of these is that they can copy the appearance of the stone or brick, but they are much cheaper. Plus, they are a great option if you have young kids because these pavers are soft which makes them the safest option.
Moreover, if you are interested in resin, you can install resin driveways, pathways, or create an area for your children to play. The resin also comes with multiple benefits some of which are durability, resistance to UV light, porosity, low maintenance, and for some people most important advantage – it is quite aesthetically appealing. If you are interested in learning more about this material and also what can you do with it, visit the ResinDriveways website.
Finally, if you are having any kind of issues with your lawn, why not opt for artificial grass? You would be surprised to learn how many homeowners actually invest in it. The best part is that it is going to feel great beneath your bare feet, but at the same time, you will not have to mow it, water it, or maintain it in any way.
