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Deciding between concrete, stone, or brick pavers comes down to your budget and the ease of installation. Concrete is the least expensive material, followed by brick and then natural stone. Concrete pavers are also the easiest to install, but bricks are relatively easy as well. Stone pavers require more time and labor because their natural shapes make them harder to fit together. Professional stoneworkers, however, are able to shape them as needed.

Most standard concrete patios are around 4 inches deep. However, concrete patios that need to support very heavy items, like a hot tub or outdoor kitchen, should be around 6 inches thick to support the full weight of these items. You'll also want to make sure you install rebar for patios that need to support a lot of weight like this.

The International Building Code requires individual step risers in a residential staircase to measure between 4 and 7-3/4 inches and the maximum rise of a staircase not to exceed 12 feet between landings. Individual step treads can’t be less than 10 inches deep.

Some patios will cause your property taxes to increase, while others will not. A good rule of thumb is that if your patio requires a permit, your taxes will increase. That’s because permits are necessary for “permanent” land improvements, and your taxes are based partially on improvements. Something like a concrete patio that’s considered permanent will bump up your property taxes, while a “temporary” paver patio or flagstone patio will not negatively affect your taxes. Keep in mind that this can vary, so always contact your building department to see if your patio project will affect your taxes.