Just like most other landscaping projects, installing a new patio is a very unique addition to your home. While selecting a multitude of factors – such as color, material, texture, features, size, and location – can be an extremely daunting task, creating the right patio for your home will provide a beautiful outdoor area for relaxation, barbecues with friends, and spending time with the family. By outlining the most significant qualities that they consider when designing an outdoor living area, our experienced engineers created this blog post to help you plan for the patio of your dreams!

Size
Size is the most important factor when installing a new patio. Making it too small may make the space feel cramped and unusable while, on the other hand, making the area too big may feel like a waste of space and money. To help with this challenge, we often ask our customers questions about how they will be using the space before deciding on an exact size. “Are you looking for a spot for a large dining table? Will you need space for a grill? How big is your outdoor furniture? Do you like to entertain outdoors? What types of features are you looking for in your patio?” The answers to these types of questions will help greatly in determining the exact size of the patio area.

Location
After you have decided the approximate size of your patio, it next makes sense to determine its location.  We like to recommend to have the area close to an entry door so as to make the patio feel like an extension of the home. Also, with your new outdoor living space being close to the house, it makes bringing items in and out of the home much easier. This makes entertaining friends and families at barbecues and get-togethers a breeze!

Features
Determine the type of features you would like your patio have. Do you want to install seat walls, a fire pit, a pergola, or an outdoor kitchen? Once you have determined your desired features, the space for a patio should be able to accommodate them all with allowing for plenty of space in between.

Material
The last major decision in installing a brick patio is selecting the material. We usually like to recommend different brick type options based on the feedback from the customer, as well as their desired features and budget. By providing a few different options with accompanying pictures and color charts, the customer can really begin to envision their new patio. Additionally, we have created an outdoor display showcasing a wide variety of brick pavers, walls, and inlays located at our office at 2900 S. 166th Street, New Berlin. It is open 24/7 (even on weekends) and is well lit for night viewing, so you can feel free to stop by at your convenience.

If you are looking to install a new patio and would like to meet with one of our designers, please feel free to contact us or fill out a request a quote form. We would be happy to meet with you and provide a variety of options to turn your dream into a reality!

Polymeric sand is a sand like material that contains a unique polymer that is placed in between the joints of brick pavers. When the material is activated with water, it creates a flexible “mortar-like” bond in between the pavers and acts as a joint stabilizer.

Why should I install Polymeric Sand on my patio or walkway?
1. It will decrease the amount of water that travels in between the pavers.
2. It allows for freeze/thaw without cracking the pavers.
3. Forms a tighter bond in between the pavers than traditional joint sand.
4. Decreases maintenance and increases longevity of a patio or walkway.
5. Reduces the chance of weeds growing through joints.

Can I install Polymeric Sand myself?
-Yes, you can install polymeric sand yourself. However, the process is very tedious, time-consuming and if installed incorrectly it can ruin your patio or walkway. The brick surface needs to be cleaned thoroughly before installation, then the Polymeric Sand is swept into each and every joint by hand. Once the sand is in the joints, each paver surface must be swept clean of the Polymeric Sand. If the brick pavers are not cleaned before the sand is activated, then a permanent haze can form on the pavers. Once cleaned, a quick coating of water is applied to the joints to activate the polymer within the sand. After initial activation, the surface should remain clear of furniture and foot traffic for 24 hours to allow the Polymeric Sand to form it’s initial bond.

Our team at Integrity Landscape Services are experienced and knowledgeable on the installation of Polymeric Sand and would be happy to provide a quote to install a new brick patio or walkway, with Polymeric Sand, at your home!

Request a Quote!