A new patio can be a great accent in your landscaping design. Depending on how you prefer to use your yard, your patio can become a thriving container garden haven, a private place to sunbathe, or your best outdoor space to entertain guests for an al fresco meal.

However, what your patio is made of can affect its suitability for different activities and can play a big part in what type of maintenance and upkeep you'll need to do as well. Here are some pros and cons of two common types of patios: poured concrete versus pavers.

Paver Patios:

Designing your patio with brick, concrete, or stone pavers can be a great move if you want the decorative, classy visual aesthetic that pavers can provide. This type of installation also has a long lifespan, especially if you use natural stone, and a wide variety of available styles (slate and brick, for example, have two very different looks).

Plus, if you do have to repair it, removing and replacing one or two pavers can be much easier than a similar repair on a poured concrete slab, which would require cutting and re-pouring.

On the flip side, though, a paver patio can have a higher installation cost and a longer installation time than another material (such as poured concrete). In addition, although the pavers don't require a lot of care and upkeep, you do have to keep an eye out for weeds, which may start to grow between the pavers over time.

Poured or Stamped Concrete Patios:

Pouring concrete in one large slab can be cheaper and quicker than installing hundreds of pavers in careful interlocking formation. For this reason, a concrete patio can be more affordable. In addition, you can choose decorative or stamped concrete for your pour, which can raise the patio's visual appeal significantly.

One downfall of poured concrete is that since it's all in one slab, it's more likely to fall victim to ground heaving or settling stress that can cause cracks. While the cracks can be repaired and don't detract from the patio's functionality, they can be visually unappealing and they can be difficult to repair especially if your patio has a complicated stamped design.

Another factor is that the stamped concrete will require maintenance every few years. The concrete will need to be resealed, at a minimum.

As you can see, both types of materials can be great options for your patio. If you're looking for something that will be easy to repair and not vulnerable to disruptive cracks, a paver patio would be your best bet. But if you're on a budget or don't want to deal with weeds, you might opt for a poured concrete. Talk to your local patio constructor today to learn more.