Patio Archives (2024)

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to surface a patio? ›

Gravel is the cheapest option when looking to create a patio on a budget. Otherwise, pebbles or reclaimed materials are also good options. If you're set on laying paving slabs, concrete is one of the cheapest materials, and when installed and maintained correctly, it can hold up well and last for years.

Outdoor patios are usually cheaper to install than a deck, yet they tout a 100% resale value. It's reasonable to expect that you'll recoup your investment.

As we've seen, outdoor furniture can often last over twenty years — and sometimes much longer than that. It all depends on the quality of the materials, with the likes of aluminium, wrought iron, and hardwood furniture lasting a long time.

While these materials can be rust-resistant and highly durable, it's important to note that even furniture made from these materials can still succumb to the elements. That said, it's always a good idea to cover patio furniture to provide an extra layer of protection and extend their lifespan.

One of the best ways to prevent patio furniture theft is by locking it down. You can do this in a variety of ways. For one, you can bolt down larger patio pieces to the ground, such as tables, benches, outdoor sofas, etc. A bonus is your patio furniture will remain secure during extreme weather.

Porch pirates likely hope that small packages contain expensive items that can be resold, such as phones, video game systems, sound systems, or computers. Some people might simply have a compulsion towards theft that drives them to seek out the thrill of stealing.

Your patio furniture doesn't need to be covered every night, but it does need to be protected from the elements when conditions are right. Especially in spring and summer, when humidity is high and rain is common, it's important to cover your furniture so that you can keep it safe from the elements.

What kind of patio furniture lasts the longest? ›

Truly an investment that keeps on giving, wrought iron is one of the most durable and longest lasting types of outdoor furniture available. Though durable, it needs protection from rust, and its weight makes it difficult to move – though this is great for a windier environment.

The best durable outdoor furniture pieces are those made of wood, galvanized steel, and synthetic rattan. Other furniture material types will be as durable as you intend to maintain them continuously.

As far as installation costs and concrete costs go, poured concrete is technically the most affordable per square foot. However, even though the upfront cost of pavers is higher, concrete pavers offer greater value and durability than poured concrete and stamped concrete.

It's cheaper to build a concrete patio in terms of both the initial cost to lay a concrete patio, as well as its cost of maintenance over time. A concrete patio costs only $4 per square foot, while a deck costs roughly $6 per square foot for lower-cost pressure treated lumber.