Stones That Last the Longest on Outside Patios

Flagstone

• One of the most popular outdoor patio stones, flagstone is both attractive and durable when used on an outdoor patio, able to withstand both physical damage and weathering quite effectively. Flagstone can also be used on other landscaping structures, making everything in the backyard surrounding the patio match aesthetically. Flagstone is also easy to clean with a hose or power washer. This stone can be bought at masonry outlets and can sometimes be found for reasonable prices, though it is often rather expensive because of its quality and popularity.

Slate

• Slate is an attractive and incredibly durable stone when it comes to weathering, but it is also quite expensive stone to install on an outdoor patio. One of the best things about slate is how smooth it is and how it releases heat quickly when cooled or in the shade of the house. However, slate is also know to chip when something heavy is dropped upon it, which can lead to uneven places or divots in the stone itself. A good way to keep this from happening is to use a good sealant and avoid using heavy metal furniture on slate patios.

Bluestone

• With an engaging tint of blue to it, bluestone is another one of the best stones to use for outdoor patios. It is a sedimentary rock that is smooth, heavy and durable. This flat surface created by bluestone makes a quality outdoor patio surface that is smooth enough to put pieces of heavy patio furniture on, as well as grills and other items. Bluestone also masks many stains or discolorations from weathering due to its bluish hue, which makes its upkeep easier.