Custom Stone & Paver Patios

Your backyard should be more than just grass and dirt. A well-designed patio extends your living space outdoors, creates a gathering spot for family and friends, and adds significant value to your property. Stone and paver patios offer beauty, durability, and versatility that concrete slabs and wooden decks simply can't match.

Here in Salinas, CA, we have the perfect climate for outdoor living. A custom patio lets you enjoy California weather year-round. Whether you're hosting summer barbecues, enjoying quiet morning coffee, or entertaining guests, a properly designed patio becomes the heart of your outdoor space.

At SLM Salinas Masonry, we specialize in creating custom stone and paver patios that fit your lifestyle and budget. We don't use cookie-cutter designs or rush through installations. Every patio we build is carefully planned for proper drainage, long-term stability, and visual appeal that complements your home's architecture.

The material you choose affects how your patio looks, how long it lasts, and how much maintenance it requires. We'll walk you through the options and help you make the right choice for your specific situation.

Natural Stone Patios

Natural stone brings timeless elegance to outdoor spaces. Flagstone, bluestone, limestone, and slate each have unique colors and textures. Natural stone works especially well for informal, organic designs. The irregular shapes and natural color variations create visual interest that manufactured products can't replicate. Stone stays cool underfoot even on hot days, making it comfortable for bare feet.

Paver Patios

Pavers offer consistency in size, shape, and color. Concrete pavers come in countless styles, from traditional brick patterns to modern geometric designs. They're more affordable than natural stone and easier to replace if damaged. Pavers work well for formal, structured layouts and can handle heavy furniture without concern about cracking individual stones.

Combination Designs

Many of our customers love mixing materials. We might use natural stone for the main patio area with paver borders, or create patterns that incorporate both. This approach gives you the best of both worlds while staying within budget.

What We Consider in Every Design

Your patio design needs to address:

• Proper slope for water drainage away from your home
• Base preparation with compacted gravel and sand
• Edge restraints to prevent paver shifting
• Joint sand or polymeric sand to lock pavers in place
• Integration with existing landscaping and hardscaping
• Access to utilities and irrigation systems

A patio is only as good as the foundation underneath it. We don't skip steps or rush through installations. Here's how we ensure your patio lasts for decades without settling, shifting, or drainage problems.

We start with excavation and site preparation. The depth depends on your soil conditions and the materials you've chosen. We typically excavate 8 to 12 inches below finished grade. This gives us room for a proper base that won't compress over time. Poor base preparation is the main reason patios fail.

Next comes base material installation. We use crushed stone or gravel that compacts well and provides excellent drainage. This base gets compacted in layers with professional equipment. Each layer is checked for proper slope and compaction. This step takes time but makes the difference between a patio that lasts 50 years and one that starts sinking after 5 years.

Sand leveling comes next. A one-inch layer of sand creates a smooth, level surface for stone or paver placement. We screed this layer carefully to maintain consistent thickness. Then comes the detailed work of placing each stone or paver. For natural stone, we fit pieces together like a puzzle. For pavers, we maintain consistent spacing and check alignment constantly.

We also integrate our patio work with other hardscape features. If you need walkways or pathways connecting to your patio, we design them as part of the complete outdoor living space. Similarly, if you're planning retaining walls around your patio area, we coordinate these elements for a cohesive look.