From Backyard to Front Step: A Guide to Choosing Outdoor Surface Materials

Ever wanted to renovate an outdoor area but didn’t know where to start?

Selecting the wrong surface material can be an incredibly costly mistake for a homeowner. Get it right and your patio/pathway/driveway will look amazing for decades. Get it wrong and it will need replacing in half that time.

Luckily…

There are some great materials on the market now that make this choice easier than ever. This handy guide breaks down every popular option so you can make an informed decision.

Why You Should Care About Surface Materials

The majority of homeowners spend way too much time looking at how a surface looks and nowhere near enough time considering anything else.

But wait, there’s more…

The material you pick has a huge impact on how long a surface will last without maintenance, how easy it is to look after, and if it adds value to your home. Residential paving leads at 40% market share and continues to grow thanks to homeowners investing in outdoor areas that actually stand the test of time.

Picking the wrong material costs you money twice. Once when you have it installed. And again when you have to pay to replace it.

Natural Limestone Square Tiles — The Best Option

Natural limestone square tiles are by far the most popular surface material for outdoor areas.

And they should be!

Square format limestone is a natural stone that has been used for thousands of years. Not only does it offer a warm, inviting look that complements pretty much any house style. But when shaped into squares and laid on patios/pathways/driveways it provides crisp edges and a super professional finish.

Why Natural Limestone Square Tiles Deserve Your Attention

• Tough and durable — perfect for withstanding heavy use
• Unique colour variation — adds richness and depth
• Wide range of different formats — hundreds of sizes to choose from
• Stays cooler than concrete or porcelain tiles in summer

Don’t forget that within natural limestone square tiles there are different finishes and formats to choose from. As well as the regular square tiles, limestone cobbles are fantastic for building pathways and driveways with more character.

Throw some cobbles alongside your limestone squares and you end up with a finish that other neighbourhood patios will be jealous of.

Natural stone hit USD 9.94 billion in 2024 and shows no signs of slowing down. Homeowners and landscapers all over the world are stepping up and investing in natural stone.

Holy slab batman.

Other Common Outdoor Surface Materials

Before diving into how to select the best material for you, here’s a quick look at some other common alternatives.

Porcelain Tiles

Porcelain tiles have become super popular recently. Low maintenance, hard wearing, and available in hundreds of designs. Porcelain is a great surface material but can lack warmth when compared to natural stone options.

Sandstone

Sandstone has a similar colour scheme to limestone but typically comes at a lower price. It’s a decent budget alternative but more porous than limestone so requires more maintenance.

Concrete Pavers

Where budget is the main concern concrete pavers are hard to beat. They don’t offer the same charm as natural stone but will get the job done and last a long time when installed correctly.

Granite

If you want something tough then granite is one of the best materials around. It’s often used for heavy traffic areas like driveway steps. Granite can be expensive though when compared to the likes of limestone or concrete.

Brick Pavers

Nothing says traditional like a good brick paver. They work wonders on period properties and cottage gardens. Try to avoid them anywhere with heavy traffic as they can become uneven without a solid base.

How To Select The Correct Material For Your Area

This is usually the point where people get stuck.

They have googled lots of different tiles and can see what looks good. But now they just don’t know which material suits their space.

Don’t be that person.

Take a step back and think about these 4 things before picking any surface material:

• Traffic — Is this a high or low traffic area? Driveways will withstand cars every day. Areas around the home may only have foot traffic.
• Maintenance — How much are you prepared to look after the area? Porcelain is super low maintenance. Natural stone likes the occasional seal.
• Appearance — Take a walk outside and really look at your property. What stone/colours are already there? Brickwork? Render? Your patio isn’t going to be the only surface people admire when visiting.
• Budget — Finally. And yes it should be considered. Think about the budget but think long term. Replacement and maintenance costs should factor into your decision.

Things To Consider Before You Buy

Outside of the above 4 points. Every patio, pathway, or driveway should consider…

• Slip resistance — Surfaces around pools/decks tend to get slippery. Add some texture or porosity to the mix.
• Frost/heave — If you live in a colder climate frost heave can ruin your hardwork. Make sure whatever material you choose can handle being frozen solid repeatedly.
• Base preparation — This is MASSIVELY important. You can have the nicest porcelain tiles in the world but if they’re laid on sand, they’ll move. Period.
• Fall & Drainage — Water still needs to drain even if your patio is perfectly level. All patios should have a minimum fall of 1:60 for water to run into an adjacent drainage area.
• Colour fade — Stone naturally fades over time. Some quicker than others. Make sure you select a surface that won’t change colour too much if that’s important to you.

Buying from a trusted brand who offer natural limestone square tiles in a variety of finishes can really help narrow down your choice. Some finishes better suited to sunny patios and others perfect for wetter areas.

So What Should You Go With?

Truthfully there is no ‘best’ surface material for outdoor areas.

There is only the best surface material for your project, budget, and design.

Natural limestone square tiles come out on top time and time again for good reasons. They look great and will keep on getting better with age. Install them alongside limestone cobbles for pathways/driveways and you’ve got a winner!

Wrap Up

Picking the right surface material is easy when you know what you’re looking for. To recap:

• Natural limestone square tiles look great and are suitable for most projects
• Think about the long term cost when selecting a material
• Don’t forget about drainage, base prep, and frost heave
• Combine natural limestone square tiles with cobbles for pathways/driveways

Choose the right materials and your backyard will be the envy of the street block for years to come.