Paving Costs - Choosing Hardscape Materials

The most important determining factor of your paving costs will be the paving material that you select.

Here, I will refer to patio costs, although the information applies to all paving costs, whether it be for a patio, walkway, or driveway.

Other factors are involved too, but they are a smaller part of the price factor. The extent of grading, including excavating and fill, might impact the patio cost.

The size of your patio is another factor.

If your design includes a raised terrace, this often necessitates side walls and steps, which will raise the price. All that being said, there can be a tremendous price range and you do have control by selecting materials that will best fit within your budget.

Paving costs will vary depending on which part of the country you live in and the contractor that you select. There are no set prices, although certain paving materials are generally less or more expensive than others. The prices below are assuming all factors, such as grading or size, are the same. Labor is included in the prices below. There may be additional charges for additional labor on the project.

Decomposed Granite

This is quite inexpensive if the simplest method is used. There are actually three different types of decomposed granite. When it is used alone (the simplest method), it should cost around $7.00 per square foot. This would include edging to hold it in place and help keep it from eroding.

Cement Patio Cost

One of the least expensive paving materials is concrete. Concrete pricing should be in the area of about $6.00 per square foot. A concrete patio does not have to be boring. It can be made more interesting by creating a pattern. A nice concrete patio idea is to score the concrete into eighteen inch squares.

You can also add color to the concrete. Beige, gray, or even a soft peach can be interesting. Do not add the color after the concrete is poured. Instead, have the contractor mix the color right into the concrete. In this way the color is throughout the mortar and has longevity. You can read more about this on my page concrete patio designs.

Stamped Concrete Patios

Stamped concrete would be the next price, going up the scale. This runs about $9.00 per square foot. There are many designs and finishes available. However, construction joints can ruin a design. For example, a free-form design made to look like stone has no straight joint lines. However, long, straight construction joints are needed to help keep the concrete from cracking. These run through the design. It is not very attractive.

Paver Cost - Concrete Pavers

Concrete pavers are a popular choice. They are more costly than stamped concrete. Many of the nice looking pavers of today are tumbled to give a stone-like appearance. Paver cost will be in the neighborhood of $15.00 per square foot. Read all about concrete pavers on my other page. There is a lot of information.

Need some paver recommendations? Here are some that I have used that you might consider: Paver Suppliers. I have listed a few specific companies, patterns and colors that I have used and look great.

Brick Cost

Brick is a paver made from clay. It is a natural product, the first one I have mentioned thus far. The brick of today is made very strong. In fact, it is being used on driveways and streets. Brick will cost about the same or a little more than pavers, if it is dry laid. You might want ot visit my page on brick patterns.

Travertine Pavers

Travertine pavers are also a natural material. They are easily laid due to their pre-cut shapes. They, also, are dry laid. They will be priced at about $22.00 per square foot, give or take. I have written a page all about travertine pavers, including patterns, colors and advantages.

Bluestone Patios

Bluestone, dry laid, would be next in costs. You can figure a cost of around $28.00 per square foot. As mentioned above, this might be more or less, depending on the contractor. However, be sure the contractor will cut the stone if necessary, as geometric shaped bluestones can be uneven. This is very important for creating bluestone patios that look professional.

Natural Stone Or Brick Set in Concrete

Brick or any type of natural stone set in concrete are among the most expensive paving costs. There is a huge range, but assume that it will not be less than $60.00 per square foot and can be much more.

A word of advice.....do not get hung up on a particular material. It is the patio design, along with the total landscape that will provide a beautiful outdoor living space.

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