The word patio can refer to any paved outdoor space adjoining a house and usually not enclosed by walls. Patios may be made of gravel, a poured concrete slab or large paving stones. Concrete is the most common construction material but tiles or bricks are also used for visual interest and durability.
A well-furnished patio increases the livability of a home and helps it to stand out in the market. Experts estimate that a good-looking patio adds about 8-10% to a home’s value, so it is worth a bit of extra effort and expense to make sure it looks its best.
It is important to spend the most money on larger furniture pieces like lounge seating and dining tables, which will be outdoors year-round. Then scrimp a bit on accessories, such as pillows and accent tables. It is also a good idea to splurge on high-quality, performance fabrics that are marked for outdoor use, such as teak and eucalyptus wood, which are easy to clean, plus UV-resistant cushions and fabric.
Patios are generally separate from a home, unlike porches, which can be attached to the front, side or back of a dwelling. In addition, a patio doesn’t need to share floor materials or other elements inside the house with a porch, but porches must comply with local building codes. In the winter, patios can be covered with a roof to allow for use when the weather is cold and wet.