Transforming your outdoor living space using patio pavers could be one of those “I wish I’d done it sooner” projects that makes the space more enjoyable. The key is choosing the right pavers that harmonize with the home. Here are 5 patio pavers for your ranch style backyard remodel in Highland Park or Northbrook, IL, areas.
Related: The Ins And Outs Of Maintaining Patio Pavers In Glenview And Highland Park, IL Areas
Brick
It’s hard to beat the classic appeal of brick. Few other materials give you the same warmth and charm, for a patio that says “welcome.” Aim for harmony, not a perfect match, with other exterior features. If your home has rusty-red brick siding, you could use bluish-tinted brick or lighter pinkish bricks; or, a combination of three colors (one that matches the home) for a dynamic effect.
With brick, you have the added fun of choosing a laying pattern. Running bond, straight set, basket weave, herringbone, circular, fan, or completely free-form patterns give you the versatility to create a completely unique backyard space.
Bricks are available as traditional clay bricks, or as concrete bricks. With clay, your color choices are limited to the clays used in making the bricks. With concrete, there are more color choices including blended shades.
Which is better, clay or concrete bricks? Clay bricks are more environmentally friendly and can be made from recycled materials. Concrete bricks have a higher compressive strength, lower water absorption rates, but they’re not as environmentally friendly, and they don’t last as long as clay bricks (however, both materials will outlive a human lifespan).
Flagstone- and Bluestone-Inspired Pavers
For a more relaxed feel, opt for pavers that mimic the look of flagstone (typically reddish or buff) or its blue/gray cousin, bluestone. Flagstone-inspired pavers look best and echo a ranch-style home’s easygoing character when they are installed in a visually random laying pattern such as ashlar (which uses two sizes of rectangles and one square) to give your outdoor living space a relaxed look.
Why choose pavers over natural flagstone or bluestone? The main reason is that flagstone is a sedimentary stone that has a tendency to absorb water. Over time, the freeze-thaw cycle will cause the stones to flake (a process called spalling) and once that happens the stone must be replaced.
Large Format Concrete Pavers
If you want to go unabashedly modern and get away from the ‘50’s ranch-house vibe, and you want to use modern materials for a fresh look, there are several concrete pavers by Unilock that could be ideal for your project. Among them, 24” square Arcana or Skyline pavers with their unique speckled appearance. Large format pavers make any outdoor space feel larger since there are fewer joint lines. This gives your patio a more chic look which is a great way to dress up a ranch.
Plank Style Pavers
Oversized plank style pavers such as Senzo from Unilock will give your patio a trendy linear look that echoes the low lines of the home. Laid at a 45-degree angle to the home, the results can be stunning! Like brick, plank-style pavers can be laid in a variety of patterns to give you a more relaxed or more formal look.
Hexagonal Pavers
Hexagonal pavers are another wonderful trend that pays homage to the ingenuity of honeybees. While hex pavers are relatively small (around 8”) and can make for a visually busy space, they also add incredible character and charm with a vintage feel. Some great choices include the Hex Paver from Unilock or the hexagonal Granito paver from Unilock.
Related: How To Choose Patio Pavers For A Glenview IL Outdoor Kitchen
