How to Build the Perfect Patio

A patio is a paved outdoor space that is usually built next to the house. It forms a great outdoor living area for dining or simply spending some time with family or guests. It is also a great way to add on to the appearance of your home. Whatever intentions you have with your patio, you need to ensure that you build one that is most suitable for you. To achieve this, there are some things that you will need to put into consideration. Here are a few guidelines to ensure that you end up with the perfect patio.

The Location of the Patio

The first thing that you must consider before going ahead to build a patio is its intended location. This however only applies if you have plenty of space to choose from. Otherwise, if you have a limited area, there isn’t much to put into consideration and you will have to work with what you have.

For you to put your patio to good use, you should build it at a place where it can easily be seen and accessed. The most suitable location for your patio will also depend on some factors. One of them is to place it where it will best serve its intended purpose. For instance, if it’s to be mainly used for dining, then it should be placed next to the kitchen. It should also be somewhere where it will maximize the available view. Privacy and climate should also determine where you build your patio.

The Patio Design

Another important aspect to consider when it comes to building a patio is the design. If you want something more simple and functional, you can set up a design for yourself. If however, you are looking for a more intricate design, then a professional can help you come up with something. There is no standard and a patio can take up almost any design, depending on various factors.

The most obvious consideration with the patio design is the final look that should match your style, that of the surroundings as well as the house. Still, the design should also allow you to make the most out of the available space. The location and size will also affect how much or how little you can do. The design should also suit the intended purpose and how private or open you would the patio to be.

The Flooring Material

With no ceilings or walls, the floor is the main component of a patio. This makes choosing the building material to be used for this an important step when planning for a patio. As they are mostly used for seating and dining, patios usually require firm building materials for the floor that will allow the setting up of chairs and tables. They should also be able to withstand outdoor conditions.

Consequently, common building materials used for patio flooring are concrete, bricks, and gravel among others. The flooring material will determine the final look hence it should match the style that you are going for. There is still a budget to consider. Materials are priced differently requiring you to go for the one that will give you the best results and at a cost that is affordable for you. The material used will also determine how long your patio floor will last and the amount of maintenance that will be needed.

Material to be used for the Railing

Adding a railing to your patio is optional and it will mostly depend on who and how that patio is to be used. If you are going to have children running around, then a railing may offer some protection. Also, if you want to keep your patio a little bit more intimate and private, then a railing might be a good option. For this, you may also consider a partial fence. If your patio is to be elevated, then a guardrail is a necessity.

If you choose to have a railing, the next step would be to pick out the building material to be used. This should be mostly guided by the design. Glass and cable rails are appropriate for a contemporary look while a wooden one will be good for something more conservative.

Accessorizing and the Surrounding

What you include in your patio will also determine how perfect it will be for you. You may engage the space with some furniture that is both functional and attractive. You can go out of the box with the designs and the building materials to add some personality to the patio. Other items to make the place more comfortable such as a fireplace should also be considered.

You may also decide to make the surrounding of the patio more appealing. Some landscaping will well serve this purpose by adding to the overall look of the patio.

SUMMARY:

A patio can be as minimalistic or as complex as you want it to be. Whichever way you decide to build your patio, it should be able to serve the intended purpose and add to the overall look of your home. It may seem like a difficult task, but, the above guidelines will give you some direction on how to go about building the perfect patio.