Gravel is the cheapest option when looking to create a patio on a budget.
Pea gravel is the best option to create a patio on a budget. Stake down landscaping fabric, spread pea gravel on top, and create a border with larger rocks. Then, you can set your patio furniture on top of the pea gravel for an outdoor entertaining area.
One of the least expensive ways to make a small outdoor patio is by using concrete pavers or gravel. You can lay them out in the desired area, level the ground, and then arrange the pavers or spread the gravel.
What is the most budget-friendly DIY patio material? Packed gravel is the lowest-cost option. Gravel is inexpensive, and installation involves digging, tamping, spreading, and adding borders. It's a fast way to add usable backyard space.
Gravel is the cheapest option when looking to create a patio on a budget. Otherwise, pebbles or reclaimed materials are also good options. If you're set on laying paving slabs, concrete is one of the cheapest materials, and when installed and maintained correctly, it can hold up well and last for years.
A 20-foot by 20-foot concrete patio runs between $2,000 to $6,000, including labor and materials. Adding decorative finishes and colors could make the price even higher.
Gravel is easier and more economical to install than other patio materials. A pea gravel patio requires fewer tools and materials to create than other types of patios. The small stones will fill in nearly any shape, allowing you to create a customized design with edging or borders.
As far as installation costs and concrete costs go, poured concrete is technically the most affordable per square foot. However, even though the upfront cost of pavers is higher, concrete pavers offer greater value and durability than poured concrete and stamped concrete.
Installing a patio costs $5 – $40 per square foot, including materials and labor. Small patios of 80 to 100 square feet cost $400 to $4,000, while large patios of 400 square feet or more range from $2,000 to $16,000.
As one of the cheapest paving options on the market, Limestone is a great choice if you are looking to create a bold finish to your patio without breaking the bank! Black limestone slabs look stunning when wet, offering deep tones which are great at disguising most types of spills from a garden party or BBQ!
Concrete and gravel are the cheapest materials you can use to extend your patio. Concrete typically costs around $5 per bag. One 60-pound bag makes enough concrete for 1.5 square feet of a 4-inch-deep patio.
Paver Patios Are Your Best Choice For Low Maintenance Outdoor Living. As they are typically based on the ground, there is no concern for climbing stairs and avoiding a step up as most paver patios blend seamlessly from your backyard lawn to the patio itself.
Options such as screened-in patios, outdoor curtains, polycarbonate or corrugated roof panels, bamboo or reed fencing, and tarps or shade sails can help you create an affordable, comfortable, and functional outdoor living space.
In conclusion, whether you choose block paving, resin-bound gravel, timber decking, tarmac, composite decking, bark chippings, or artificial grass, there are plenty of alternatives to paving slabs that can help you create a unique and stylish outdoor space.
In an apples to apples comparison, most paver patios are less expensive than wood decks or comparable in price.
Pouring a 12-by-12 Concrete Slab
On average, some areas can cost as low as $50 for pouring a 12-by-12 slab of concrete . Otherwise, inclusive of materials and installation, a 12-by-12 patio will cost roughly $796 to $1,476 at $4 to $8 per square foot.
Gravel. Gravel is one of the most inexpensive patio material options. You'll pay approximately $6-$10 per square foot. It is also easy to install so you can save on the cost of labor if you want to do it yourself.
Indeed this is a common question for first time do it yourself-ers. And the answer is a resounding “No! Don't do it!” Patio pavers need to be placed on a special base material that allows moisture to drain away.
Gravel is one of the most cost-effective patio designs around. Less expensive than concrete or paving stones, it's easy to install and requires minimal upkeep. The biggest drawback is that the surface can be unstable, which can make it difficult to walk on.
So, you would need about 222 bags of concrete for a 20x20 slab with a thickness of 4 inches if using 80 lb. bags.
It is possible to build an attractive concrete patio yourself, but careful planning and preparation is necessary. Be sure to place all the concrete at once; a big patio can be broken down into smaller manageable sections using 2x4's.