Outdoor living isn’t complete without a practical (and beautiful) patio. If you have existing hardscape areas and want to expand them—and you can’t find the same materials or want to mix things up by choosing complementary materials—here are some tips for having patio pavers installed that complement the rest of your Winnetka, IL, hardscape.
Outdoor living isn’t complete without a practical (and beautiful) patio. If you have existing hardscape areas and want to expand them—and you can’t find the same materials or want to mix things up by choosing complementary materials—here are some tips for having patio pavers installed that complement the rest of your Winnetka, IL, hardscape.
Related Post: How Quality Pavers Can Improve Your Living Space in Glenview, IL
If Your Existing Hardscape Is Brick
Brick is a time-honored building material that brings a sense of tradition and history to your outdoor spaces. But if your existing hardscape is brick, adding more of the same could be too much. You can complement the texture and color of brick by choosing neutral or cooler pavers. These can tone down the warmth of the brick (and the redness) and offer an interesting contrast.
Choose pavers that are physically different in every way. Brick is smooth and small, and its visual texture is created through the many joints between individual bricks. Smooth granite- or limestone-looking pavers are in the same historic/traditional style family as brick, but you can achieve an updated modern aesthetic by choosing large format pavers that minimize joint lines and prevent the space from being too busy. Another type of paver that works well with brick is a tumbled paver. Tie the spaces together using bricks as borders, accents, or even inlays such as an outdoor “area rug” made of brick.
If Your Existing Hardscape Is Wood or Composite Decking
Flagstone-textured pavers are a wonderful complement to the natural look of wood or composite decking. Choose a color that’s a shade lighter or darker to give your new outdoor space its own character. You can tie the look together by installing wooden benches supported by masonry pillars or planters on the outer perimeter of the patio (a great solution for small spaces where seating is needed but there’s not much space for more furniture).
Related Post: 6 Factors To Consider When Choosing Patio Pavers in Wlimette, IL
If Your Existing Hardscape Is Concrete
If you are not looking to replace your poured concrete patio just yet but do want to add onto your outdoor living space, then choose pavers from a reputable company that may be able to ensure the availability of these pavers in the future. You can create a trendy modern space by choosing large-format pavers that feature interesting patterns such as flagstone to contrast the simplicity of the concrete. Add a seat wall, and use mortar that is the same color as the concrete to tie the spaces together.
If Your Existing Hardscape Features Loose Material
Patios made with pea gravel or small river rock can give your backyard a wonderful rustic quality. Add large-format pavers in the same or complementary color. Instead of separating the pavers with jointing sand, use the same material as the existing hardscape. Installing a seat wall on one or two sides and extending it along both spaces creates unity and balance.
If Your Existing Hardscape Is Made of Pavers
If your existing hardscape is already made using pavers—and you can’t get the same style anymore—don’t worry. Give the extension its own character by choosing a different material altogether, and then you could use a similar paver as an accent or border to tie the spaces together.