The exterior of your home and yard is an extension of you and your lifestyle. It is your outdoor living space. It is an investment in your property value.
Whether you love to entertain family and guests or simply like to have a quiet spot to visit with a friend, read a great book, or enjoy a good meal, an expertly designed and installed patio can be as functional as it is stunning.
This article explores the key advantages of using stone, including some modern stone patio ideas to enhance your backyard.
Why Choose Stone for Your Porch, Walkway, or Backyard Patio?
Many different types of materials can be used to create your porches or patios. Stone, however, brings a unique style and defined look to your outdoor living space.
Stone porches, walkways, and patios are durable, with the ability to rise above the constant exposure to tough outdoor weather, NOVA’s infamous clay soil, and heavy foot traffic. It can handle the blazing heat from the sun and the freeze/thaw temperatures of winter without cracking, warping, or fading of its color. Stone that is cared for can last for centuries!
Quarried from the Earth, natural stone varieties such as limestone, sandstone, bluestone, and flagstone offer a range of colors, textures, and patterns that add character and charm to any outdoor setting.
Below are a few other reasons to choose stone for your porch or patio
It increases your property value- it's estimated that well-designed patios not only add 8-10% home value, but also earn an ROI of over 80%
It offers you a wide variety of design options to personalize your patio
It is a natural, sustainable, and eco-friendly choice, being always reusable
It is the lowest maintenance per cost of any patio choice
Types of Stone For Your Home and Property
One of the reasons many homeowners are drawn to natural stone is that it is prized for its timeless beauty and durability. It is a popular choice for outdoor porches, patios, and walkways. Your choice of stone provides a unique opportunity to match their style and design. How? There are many different types of stone available to choose from, including:
Bluestone
Flagstone
Limestone
Sandstone
Research your options and determine what will work best for your outdoor living space.
Stone Patio Ideas
When you close your eyes and envision the perfect backyard patio, what do you see? Is there an outdoor kitchen? A fire pit? Seating for guests? Is there plenty of wide open space for furniture and fun? Will you have a walkway providing access from front to back?
The ideas for creating your space are endless. Here are a couple of ideas to help you get started.
Patio with In-Ground Fire Pit
Fire pits are always a wonderful addition to the backyard.
There is nothing more irresistible than an outdoor fire pit to create time spent with friends and family. Additionally, the visual impact of an in-ground, stone fire pit built with a white fire brick interior creates a high-end ambiance that speaks to your home’s overall landscape.
A stone fire pit provides you with the perfect gathering spot on a chilly night to huddle around, grill kabobs, or party with gooey s’mores. When designing, it's important to place an above-ground fire pit at least 15 feet away from your home, the fence, and the neighbors' yards and allow plenty of space around it for furniture and other personal touches.
Outdoor Kitchen with Stone Patio
Outdoor kitchens bring the inside out in the most dynamic way possible. They are built in using brick and stone, giving them a formal and appealing look.
Outdoor kitchens are custom-built to your specifications so dream big!
Consider what you know you want and need while adding value and space to your home, spending more time outside with family and friends, and saving on restaurant meals.
Choose your own grill and maybe add a Green Egg, a food preparation area, a sink for hand-washing and food preparation, cabinets for storage, and more. Add an outdoor fridge for cold drinks and salads.
Your outdoor kitchen will make cooking outdoor meals and socializing a cinch and a joy.
Stone Retaining Walls
If you are dealing with drainage soil erosion issues on your property, why not address the problem while also providing the perk of extra seating for your backyard? This is done with the help of mortared, stone retaining walls. You can personalize your own by choosing various types of stone to make it an artistic, hand-built, and solid part of your long-lasting, backyard transformation.
Investing in retaining walls is a great way to keep soil in place. It prevents erosion, reduces flooding, and minimizes your need to worry about the loss of your property every time it rains.
Stone retaining walls are both beautiful and functional making this choice a win-win.
Make Your Stone Patio Idea a Reality
Looking for more ideas? At Green Lady Masonry & Drainage Solutions, LLC, we have an entire portfolio of complete projects that can help you find what fits your taste. You will work directly with our owner and feel confident that your project is handled by us directly as we never subcontract.
Own or manage a commercial property? We are not only Design-Pro Residential Contractors, but Traditional Contractors too. The owner is an A-licensed VA contractor who can install large masonry projects, working with architects, engineers, and permitting. Give Green Lady a call.
