There are tons of wonderful ways to upgrade your property with some basic landscaping. Planting trees, shrubs, and flowering blooms can make your backyard look like a slice of paradise, while installing hardscapes can not only be decorative but also highly functional.

From patios, steps, and garden paths, there are many different hardscape elements to choose from that will suit any purpose, as well as property size and shape.

After deciding on what hardscapes you want on your yard, there is the issue of choosing the materials you want to build these hardscapes with- and that can be quite a daunting task. After all, you’ve got everything from concretes, woods, metals, plastics, and so on.

So, why don’t we narrow down your options a bit?

Say hello to pavers- wonderful, versatile building materials that you can use for pretty much any kind of hardscape. They come in different colors, shapes, sizes, styles, and materials, and accommodate all budgets.

Hmm… perhaps that was a bit overwhelming. You may be thinking, well now you have a new problem- choosing the right Pavers to work with on your landscape project. How do you do that, exactly?

Don’t worry- we’ll guide you through it!

Here are the things you need to consider in order to make the right decision on what pavers would work best for your backyard:

The local climate

This is perhaps the most important factor as it directly influences how much you have to spend on maintenance.

Different materials weather different environmental conditions, which, for your pavers, can spell the difference between having beautiful hardscapes for years, or having to spend huge bucks for repairs and maintenance every so often.

Rain, moisture, heat, and even wind and sunlight can affect the wear and tear of any object, especially if it is exposed outdoors 24/7. These things take a physical toll, and can ultimately cause that material to break or disintegrate.

To give you an idea, brick works well in mild climates, while stone and concrete fair better against harsh weathers. In terms of sun exposure, stay away from limestone as that wears quickly.

On the bright side, you can always opt to apply a heavy coating of a sealer to keep the elements at bay, or installing a roof or shade over your hardscape for a bit of protection and ambience.

Home architecture

Another important thing to consider is whether the paving material you choose will blend with the style of the rest of your property. The goal is to look seamless and cohesive, so that your property doesn’t up like a patched up mess.

If you are aiming for something versatile, the best option may be wood. Brick gives that old, timeless feel, while metal and concrete is more modern and streamlined.

In terms of color, there isn’t much you can do with bricks, unlike versatile wood. Concrete, meanwhile, can be painted, stamped, stained, and so on. The general rule is to go with basic, muted colors then apply a coating to protect it from fading.

As for shape and size, smaller pavers are best for small yards and bigger ones for big yards, but smaller pavers let you work in a bit more creativity in creating circular and geometric patterns.

Budget

Just as important (if not more) as the first two, your budget definitely plays as a big factor in your landscaping project.

Some paver materials cost more than others, and the design and modification on these materials will factor in as well, like if you want to paint or stain it. Moreover, elaborate layouts and patterns will also cost you more money, or at least take more time and effort.

Finally, if you plan on working with an expert rather than going with the do it yourself approach, it’s best to canvass landscaping contractors for prices of materials, labor, and project timelines. It’s good practice in general, to ensure that you are not overspending, but making the most bang out of your buck.