PICK THE FLOORING
When it’s time to pick out the specific features of your new covered patio take into account what type of flooring you will want installed. Talk to Texas Patio Pros about recommendations for your outdoor space.
POURED CONCRETE
The most popular and versatile flooring option is poured concrete. There are so many things you can do with concrete. It can be shaped, and stained or tinted. Concrete can even be made to look like individual paver stones. Concrete patio floors are very durable and resistant to weather, especially humidity.
Cons: It is not very comfortable to walk barefoot on, it gets hot and there are better looking options. Concrete is the work horse – not the beauty queen – of patio flooring.
PAVERS
The choices and colors for pavers are endless and beautiful: concrete, clay brick or natural stone. Pavers add value and luxury to your home. A true investment, pavers are also very durable and low maintenance. Pavers are also great for extreme temperatures and climates and can expand and contract without many visible changes.
Cons: The installation is a long and arduous process. It can take 3-5 days to install a paved patio depending on the terrain and the size. Then there are the weeds! And it is very expensive to install.
WOOD FLOORING
Wood decks are beautiful when done right and wood does not retain heat the way other types of flooring do. If you live somewhere hot like Houston this is definitely a factor.
Cons: Wood is notoriously high maintenance. Expansion, contraction, termites, wood rot, re-sanding, and refinishing can make wood decking a very expensive option. There is also the risk of someone trying to sell you illegally harvested wood. Buyer beware!
BRICK FLOORING
Bricks are durable and one of the oldest building materials. Brick homes are long lasting and so are brick floors. If installed correctly brick flooring can last a lifetime with little maintenance. As it wears with age it becomes more beautiful. Brick is also naturally slip-resistant. It is an environmentally sound material and can be recycled.
Cons: In hot environments like Houston, brick can retain a lot of heat. Something to think about in terms of energy savings. Also, brick must be sealed as it is naturally porous and will retain moisture, creating mold and mildew down the line. Brick will shift and move over the years creating an uneven surface, this is unavoidable. And when it is time to repair a brick floor the process can be arduous.
WOOD COMPOSITE FLOORING
Wood composite is a favorite because it’s low maintenance. Just use soap and water and it’s clean. It is fire resistant unlike real wood. Wood composite flooring is great for upstairs decks and balconies. Wood composite is also much more affordable than real wood flooring. By half.
Cons: Plastics will retain more heat than traditional wood (but is still cooler than concrete), and will therefore get warmer in a sunny area. You can combat that factor by choosing a lighter color. While still more affordable than real wood flooring, composite wood flooring is still more expensive than the other options.
PORCELAIN & CERAMIC TILE FLOORING
It’s gorgeous! Let’s get that out of the way. The options are endless and tile can give the look of stone while being much more durable. Patio floor tiles, especially porcelain exterior tiles, are often more durable than natural stone, depending on the PEI rating. Many of those stone patios you see are not actual stone but tile. That’s the look you can get with tile without paying the price. At $2/sq. ft. porcelain tile is very cost effective and beautiful. It adds a luxurious look and value to your home. It is also easy to maintain. Sweep and mop, that’s it.
Cons: Tile is not good in cold environments. Especially if it’s basic ceramic and not porcelain. And, of course, tile is notoriously slippery so don’t install near pools or other water areas.
SLATE FLOORING
Slate is so strong and durable as it is resistant to cracks, scratches, breaks, and chips. It does have to be sealed to protect against stains. There are many natural colors to choose from, every one unique from the other. Slate flooring adds value to a home being one of the most upscale materials in building. They can be removed and replaced in case of damage.
Cons: Slate is expensive. But it looks great. There is a certain amount of maintenance, sealing being one. Then there is grout! Who likes to deal with grout? Because slate tiles naturally shift, this creates issues with the grout lines and creates, over time, an uneven surface that may have to be repaired if it creates a trip hazard. Slate tile is also cold and heavy. And if you are looking for consistency, this may not be a good option as slate is naturally unique in every way. You can’t overly plan using slate – slate plans the design for you.
SANDSTONE FLOORING
Sandstone flooring is a wonderful option if you are looking for the slightly upscale but earthy look. Naturally craggy, sandstone is another unique option like slate. There won’t be a lot of consistency in texture and color but it will look good. You can either choose a rougher textured sandstone or a smoother one. And colors vary and come in desert like tones. Sandstone tiles are relatively easy to replace should there be damage to some, they are durable like stone, and eco-friendly depending on the quarry techniques used.
Cons: Sandstone is porous and not recommended for water areas – do not install near a pool. In outdoor locations it requires sealing. As a soft stone, it is prone to scratches and dents so be careful with those heels. The texture also makes it prone to stains. It can also be very slippery.
GRANITE FLOORING
Granite is a long-lived and extremely durable material for patio flooring. It is low maintenance and a very dense, hard rock that stands up to heavy weighted traffic. Being as hard as it is it does not crack or split. It looks great, too.
Cons: It can get very expensive, especially if you want the rare colors. It’s also very heavy – do not handle on your own.