HawthorneVillager.com

Just wondering what you guys recommend for a porch in the backyard. I am debating between concrete or patio stones. Any help/recommendations/pics of your own would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

Do you mean a rear "patio" ??, on the ground ??

If so, IMO, for a "patio" I would prefer interlocking brick because in many years from now if it starts to look crappy, the whole thing can easily be pulled up and redone to look like new.

In fact, that is exactly what I am doing around our pool this summer. Pulling up the interlocking bricks that I did 16 years ago and redoing it. If I had put in concrete around the pool 16 years ago then I'm sure by now it would also be slightly settled, have a crack or three, and look like crap. But, to get rid of it, or redo it, would be next to impossible.

However, at the front of my house last spring I had JMC Concrete put in a new concrete walk and it looks awesome, but that's a different application.

Either way, if you put down concrete and the house is fairly new then keep in mind that the soil may still be settling. Make sure that what ever you install that it slightly slopes away from your home. If you use concrete then make sure that they cut the concrete to control cracks.

What ever you do call John at JMC Concrete. I was very happy with his prices and work and his references were all happy as well.

Tell him Andy from Elmwood Cres says hello.

http://jmcconcrete.ca/

In the photo below this new concrete slab looks great now but IMO there are not enough control cuts in it and I would expect it to crack fairly soon. I would want more cuts to control the cracks.

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For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

We got patio stones last summer. Used Garden Wizard (905) 693-6969

We have patio stones. They require upkeep (the weeds will eventually shine thru) but it looks good.

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Some people are like slinkies. They're really good for nothing but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.

I have poured concrete and would never do it again.
Pros - looks good when it's new
Cons - when it cracks (and it will because of our climate) it looks awful. Repairing is very difficult to make it look seamless and replacing is VERY expensive due to labour costs.
Patio Stones:
Pros - they look great to start off with and can look great for years if they're maintained properly.
If they settle funny, they can be pulled up and repaired easily. Also, they can be replaced fairly easily too if you decide to change the look in a few years.
Cons - more labour intensive when installing and potentially more expensive but cheaper over the long term.

I would go patio stones any day of the week.

Tony at Duralock.ca does great work.

Cliff

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Cliff Barron
Selling in Milton for over 14 years!
Sutton Group - Summit Realty Inc. Brokerage
#1, 07-18 company wide!

cbarron@sutton.com
http://www.callcliff.ca
905-286-5888

Well that depends. What are your goals?
Patio stones look better IMO but they cost more

For me, small patio stones like Barley Mans before and after picks are just another style of interlocking brick. Both are very good options for a back yard.

_________________
For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

When installed, a person can greatly reduce weeds coming through the gaps between pavers by filling the gap with "polymeric" sand.

Just make sure that when you sweep it into the gaps between the pavers that the pavers are perfectly dry and that none of this sand is left on the top surface of the paver.

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/permasand-polymer-jointing-sand-25kg/984852

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For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

Properly done, reinforced concrete will not crack.

STONES BY FAR. Concrete especially stamped concrete will crack, many contractors have told me that and they do either product. Stones can be replaced re- laid and fixed very easily. As for weeds a quick spray with roundup and a brushing of polymeric sand 4 days later. good as new.

This makes me feel better about my neighbours backyard ...

Wow, thanks guys!! such helpful advice!!!

Ehhhh just for the "daycare kids" would be my guess.

Does anyone have photos of their backyard they could post here or pm me or even guide me to a thread on here which I could not find. Looks for different designs/examples.

Thanks