What Should You Know Before Building a Patio in San Antonio?

A new patio seems pretty straightforward. Pick a material, decide how big you want it, and build it. The patio itself may be simple. The yard underneath and around it usually isn't. Before we design a patio, there are a few things we look at that can make a big difference in how well the finished space works.

Start With Drainage

Adding a patio changes how water moves through your yard. Instead of soaking into the ground, rain hitting concrete, pavers or stone has to go somewhere. That's why we look at the existing grade and drainage before deciding where a patio should go or how it should be built.

If the yard already holds water or sends runoff toward the house, that's something to address as part of the project, not after the patio is finished.

Pay Attention to the Grade

San Antonio yards aren't always flat. A small change in elevation may be handled during site preparation. A steeper yard could require steps, retaining walls or a completely different approach. Sometimes a deck makes more sense than trying to create a large, level hardscape area on a significant slope.

Think About Trees Before You Build Around Them

That big oak tree may be one of the reasons you love the backyard, so the patio needs to work around it.

Tree roots, water and the amount of impermeable surface around established trees all deserve consideration. In some situations, a permeable patio using loose-laid flagstone, crushed granite or another material that allows water into the soil may make more sense than solid concrete.

Big Enough for What You Want to Do

A patio can look plenty big when it's empty. Add a dining table, six chairs, a grill and room to comfortably walk around everything, and it can feel very different.

We like to talk about how you're going to use the space before deciding how much patio you need. Furniture placement, traffic flow and the way the patio connects to the house matter just as much as the square footage.

Think About What You May Add Later

You may only be building the patio today, but think ahead. Could you eventually want a patio cover? An outdoor kitchen? A fire feature? More seating? Planning for those possibilities now can affect the size, layout and construction of the patio and may save you from undoing work later.

Then Choose the Material

Concrete, manufactured pavers, flagstone and permeable materials all have their place. We don't start with the question, “Which patio material is best?”

We start with your yard, how you want to use the space, the look you're after and your budget. Then we can recommend materials that make sense. If you're ready to start planning your own patio, schedule a consultation with VHS Outdoor Living.