Different Types of Patios: Pavers, Flagstone, and Natural Joint Designs

Whether you’re hosting a lively summer barbecue, sipping coffee on a crisp fall morning, or simply enjoying the sunset after a long day, the right patio can transform your backyard into a destination you never want to leave. But with so many patio materials and designs available, how do you choose the one that’s perfect for your home?

As a landscaping company with decades of experience in hardscape design and construction, our team of experts at Campbell & Ferrara knows that the best choice depends on your lifestyle, your home’s architecture, and how you want your space to function. Today, we’ll walk you through three of the most popular and timeless options: paver patios, flagstone patios, and natural joint flagstone patios.

1. Paver Patios: Versatile, Durable, and Stylish

If you want a patio that combines design flexibility with long-lasting performance, paver patios are a top choice. Pavers are individual units made from concrete, brick, or natural stone that can be arranged in countless patterns, from classic herringbone to sleek contemporary layouts.

Why Homeowners Love Paver Patios

Design Variety: Pavers come in a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes, which makes them adaptable to virtually any landscape design style. Whether your home is traditional, modern, or somewhere in between, pavers can be customized to match your aesthetic.
Durability: High-quality pavers are built to withstand harsh weather, making them ideal for Northern Virginia’s seasonal changes. They won’t crack easily. If one becomes damaged, it can be replaced individually without tearing up the whole patio.
Low Maintenance: Pavers require minimal upkeep. Occasional sweeping and a quick rinse will keep them looking sharp, and with proper sealing, they resist stains and fading.

Function and Value

A paver patio not only creates a visually pleasing focal point but also adds lasting value to your property. It enhances your home’s curb appeal while creating an ideal space for outdoor entertainment, including evening gatherings with friends, weekend brunches, or cozy family movie nights under the stars.

For homeowners who want to take it up a notch, integrating landscape lighting around your paver patio can make it usable well into the night, adding both beauty and safety.

2. Flagstone Patios: Timeless Elegance and Natural Appeal

Flagstone has a unique, organic beauty that instantly elevates an outdoor space. Its earthy tones and natural texture give your patio a sophisticated yet welcoming feel, making it a favorite among hardscape experts who appreciate blending structure with nature.

Flagstone patios generally come in two styles: geo-cut and irregular.

Geo-Cut Flagstone: Geo-cut flagstone is shaped into uniform sizes and patterns, giving the patio a refined, orderly appearance. This works well for homeowners who prefer a cleaner, more symmetrical look in their landscape design.

Irregular Flagstone: Irregular flagstone keeps the natural, uneven shapes of the stone, which creates a more rustic, free-form style. This is perfect for properties surrounded by lush gardens or wooded landscapes, where the patio becomes a seamless extension of nature.

Why Flagstone Stands Out

Durability: Flagstone is extremely hard-wearing and can handle heavy foot traffic for decades.
Unique Appearance: No two pieces of flagstone are exactly alike, which means your patio will be one of a kind.
Slip Resistance: The natural texture of flagstone provides excellent traction, even when wet. This is an especially important feature for pet-friendly and family-friendly spaces.

Flagstone patios also offer incredible versatility. They can be paired with fire pits, water features, or even built-in seating for an extraordinary transformation that turns your backyard into an outdoor retreat.

3. Natural Joint Flagstone Patios: Organic Beauty with a Softer Touch

While traditional flagstone patios are often set with mortar or polymeric sand, a natural joint flagstone patio takes a different approach. Here, the stones are spaced slightly apart, and the joints are filled with materials like pea gravel or lush, low-growing plants that can withstand foot traffic.

This type of patio is ideal if you want a softer, more relaxed aesthetic that blends seamlessly into a garden setting. It’s especially popular among homeowners who want their outdoor living environment to feel like an extension of the natural landscape.

Joint Material Options

Pea Gravel: Small, rounded stones that offer excellent drainage and a relaxed, informal look.
Steppable Ground Cover Plants: Perfect for adding greenery between stones. For our Northern Virginia clients in USDA Zone 7, a few great options include:
- Creeping Thyme – Fragrant, drought-tolerant, and blooms with tiny purple flowers.
- Irish Moss – Soft, bright green mats that stay lush year-round.
- Blue Star Creeper – Produces tiny blue flowers and can handle moderate foot traffic.

Benefits of Natural Joint Flagstone Patios

Eco-Friendly: The permeable joints allow rainwater to soak into the ground, reducing runoff.
Low Heat Retention: The gaps between stones help prevent heat buildup, making it comfortable underfoot in summer.
Visual Interest: The mix of stone, texture, and plant life creates a dynamic, layered look.

For pet owners, this style can also be pet-friendly, as the softer joint materials are gentler on paws than harder mortared surfaces.

Pro Tip: Extend the Value of Your Patio!

A patio is the foundation, but the magic really happens when you expand your outdoor living space with additional features to enhance your landscape design. Imagine a paver or flagstone patio paired with a custom-built fire pit, an elegant outdoor fireplace, or even a fully equipped outdoor kitchen. These elements not only enhance your outdoor entertainment options but also make your space usable throughout the year.

We’ve covered this in more detail in our blog on designing destination patios, which is full of ideas for bringing warmth, light, and gourmet cooking into your backyard. Check it out for some amazing ideas!

Choosing the Right Patio for Your Home

When selecting the best patio for your property, consider:

Your Home’s Style: Does your home lean modern, traditional, or rustic? Pavers might suit a contemporary home, while irregular flagstone pairs beautifully with a natural garden.
Your Lifestyle: Do you entertain large groups often, or do you prefer quiet mornings with coffee? Your daily habits and seasonal routines can help determine the size, layout, and features your patio should include.
Maintenance Preferences: Pavers are generally the easiest to maintain, while natural joint flagstone requires occasional care for plants or gravel.
Budget: All three options offer long-term value, but material and installation costs can vary. Paver patios often provide a cost-effective balance of durability and style, while flagstone, especially geo-cut varieties, can be a higher investment due to the material’s premium quality and installation labor. Natural joint flagstone patios may fall in between, with costs influenced by the choice of joint materials such as gravel or ground covers.

Why Work with Campbell & Ferrara

As a local landscaping company serving Northern Virginia for decades, we pride ourselves on being hardscape experts and landscape experts who can bring your vision to life. Our team of experts knows how to combine beauty and function, creating extraordinary spaces that transform the way you live outdoors.

From hardscape design to selecting the right plants for your horticultural zone, we take care of every detail, so your new patio blends perfectly with your landscape lighting, gardens, and existing outdoor features.

Let’s Bring Your Patio Vision to Life

The right patio has the power to turn your backyard into a personal retreat, a gathering place, and a lasting investment in your home. Whether you choose the design flexibility of pavers, the natural elegance of flagstone, or the organic charm of a natural joint flagstone patio, each option offers its own unique benefits for your outdoor living environment.

If you’re ready to begin your patio transformation, our team of experts is here to help. Call us at (703) 354-6724 or contact us to start planning your new space with Campbell & Ferrara’s landscape experts today.