The One Thing That'll Make Sunny Weather Even Better
Condiment: Five Faves: Apt2b.com's Mat Herman
With summer finally here, I began wondering what's new in the world of patios. So I went straight to the source and talked to Home Depot's Mike Mahler, who is the company's merchant for the hardscape side of landscapes. "The biggest thing we see is more people are looking to get back into doing things themselves," says Mike. Customers are even willing to tackle complicated patio installations and they're attending classes to learn how to do so. So what are they laying down? Here's a snapshot.
Natural Stone
According to Mike, natural stone is still the "gold standard" for patios. However, manufacturers are now creating do-it-yourself-friendly stones that are incredibly affordable. Stone used to cost 4 to 10 times more than concrete. Now, for only a little more than concrete, you can get real stone that has been laser-cut to give each piece a perfectly level bottom, making it much simpler to install.
Concrete
Dirt cheap and easy to lay, concrete pavers are still the bulk of the patio business. Mike notes that suppliers have become more innovative. For example, there are more color blends and textures available for a more natural look.
Rubber
Home Depot has carried rubber mulch for a while but interest in the material is increasing, as it's an earth-conscious choice that keeps the rubber out of landfills. Mike says that he's also starting to see a bit of interest in rubber pavers, but the market for them is still limited.
Permeable Patios
On the green side of things, more and more people are laying permeable patios, which leave wider spaces between the stones or pavers. "This allows ground water to stay closer to the source, to prevent run-off," says Mike. People fill the gaps with sand, pea gravel or even a low-maintenance ground cover or moss.
Reclaimed Materials
Another green trend is the use of reclaimed bricks and cobbled stones. These are mostly used for paths, walkways and borders or as a decorative element. (Laying a whole patio of reclaimed materials is hard, as they typically aren't a consistent size or shape.)
