What’s on your outdoor living project list this summer? Whether you’re considering a few small upgrades to your patio or a complete hardscape makeover, we have the materials you need for a stylish and practical outdoor space. Here are four essential materials to pick up from our landscape supply and plant nursery for your next patio project in State College and York, PA.

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The Foundation

Your patio is only as good as the base it rests on. While it may be tempting to rush ahead and get to the fun part of seeing a patio come together, a properly constructed foundation is the most critical aspect of a successful patio installation. You will need the right amount of gravel and bedding sand to form a sturdy foundation that will keep concrete from cracking or paving stones from settling: at a minimum, you will need a 6-inch layer of gravel base and a 1-inch layer of sand. Don’t guess how much you need; it depends on the soil type and the surface you’re installing! If you’re installing a permeable surface, the choice of gravel and bedding sand will be slightly different to safely accommodate water seeping through to the ground below. Our friendly experts can help you determine the type and exactly how much gravel and bedding sand you will need.  

Edging

Properly supporting the edges of the patio will ensure that the outermost pavers won’t migrate into the surrounding soil, or that the edges of a concrete slab won’t crack and crumble. Edging becomes even more critical if you’re planning on installing a seat wall or pergola on the outer perimeter of your patio. 

Patio Materials

If you’re installing a poured concrete patio, you will need fiber-reinforced crack-resistant concrete (unless you want to lay a reinforcing mesh first). How much depends on the intended uses of your patio: if it will just house a few lounge chairs and a coffee table, then you will need a minimum of 4-inch depth. If you will add a hot tub, outdoor fireplace or other heavy elements, increase the depth to 6 to 8 inches minimum. You will also need enough concrete stain and finish to give your patio an attractive appearance.

If you’re installing a natural stone or concrete paver patio, you will need slightly more paver materials than the footprint of your patio, to account for breakage or cutting. When choosing stones or concrete pavers, make sure you’re choosing the right thickness that can support heavy elements like a fireplace, outdoor kitchen, or hot tub. You will also need jointing sand and, if your pavers are unfinished, a penetrating or surface sealant. We have a huge selection of natural stone and concrete pavers to suit your design aesthetic and practical needs.

Wall Units

A stylish seat wall adds beauty and functionality to your patio. Even if you don’t want your patio surrounded by a seat wall, consider adding vertical features such as a masonry grill station, an outdoor fireplaces or fire pit, and water features to give your patio dimension as well as practicality. Many of these can be constructed as integral parts of your patio using concrete blocks covered with natural stone or faux stone veneer. You’ll need the blocks, mortar, veneer, also cap stones. Walls are a brilliant opportunity to add illumination to the far reaches of your patio, so add light fixtures that can be incorporated into any vertical masonry feature for a clutter-free patio.

Our friendly experts will also help you choose the right tools and miscellaneous materials that will make your project installation a breeze. 

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