Calgary Patios
Simply put, a patio can be a place to enjoy quiet contemplation or to gather and enjoy the company of friends and family. It can be a small, intimate corner in your backyard or a large dining area for guests of a busy local Calgary restaurant. Textures can vary from old, weathered roman paving stones to large slabs of sleek, modern concrete tile.
Design
Adding more visual interest to your patio can be as simple as using a double soldier course border, adding an inset flagstone circle, or having one of our Studio b designers create interesting elevation changes in the living space.
Construction
To ensure that your patio lasts decades, these fundamental construction minimums should be followed.
Base:
A base of ¾” aggregate (preferably with a down) and a minimum depth of 6-8” should be compacted and wetted in 2” layers.
Drainage:
A 2-3% slope should be added to the patio so water drains away from your building, with this drainage slope continuing as necessary throughout the property.
Polymeric Sand:
An additional precaution that can be swept into patios to help prevent weeds and water from penetrating the base of a patio, polymeric sand also helps lock together the paving stones or patio slabs.
Eaves Troughs and Sump Pumps:
Drainage that spills onto -or in the vicinity of- the patio should be redirected onto splash pads and/or into rain drain boxes. Depending on the area and design of a building’s roof, large amounts of poorly-directed rainwater can potentially erode a patio’s base material.
Return on Investment:
With regard to patio hardscaping, paving stones and patio slabs are the best long-term investment. Varying by climate zone, the average poured concrete patios have a lifespan of 20-30 years before heaving and cracking, requiring them to be replaced. In comparison, a well-built paver or patio slab patio will last just as long as a concrete pad. However when shifting occurs the pavers can simply be reset on the same base, potentially saving you thousands of dollars in excavation and material costs.
