Patio Installation by Hometown Landscape in Burtonsville, MD
A patio is the foundation of outdoor living — the flat, stable surface from which everything else in an outdoor space grows. At Hometown Landscape, we've designed and installed patios throughout the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC region for over 27 years, in every material, style, and configuration. We've built simple 12x12 concrete pad replacements and complex multi-level stone terraces with integrated kitchens, fire pits, and garden structures. What they all have in common: a properly excavated and compacted base that will keep the surface flat and stable through Maryland's freeze-thaw cycles and heavy spring rainfall.
We recently completed a large flagstone patio in Fulton for a homeowner who'd been living with a deteriorating concrete slab for years. The existing slab had heaved and cracked — typical for a concrete pad that was poured thin on uncompacted fill. We removed it entirely, excavated to proper depth, installed 8 inches of compacted dense-graded aggregate base, and laid Pennsylvania bluestone in a natural irregular pattern with tight mortar joints. Two seasons in, everything is exactly level and the client uses it daily from late March through November.
Patio Materials We Work With
- Natural flagstone (bluestone, limestone, slate, granite) — Premium appearance, natural variation, excellent durability. Dry-set for flexibility in freeze-thaw, or mortared for a tighter finish. Best for traditional or naturalistic settings.
- Concrete pavers — Versatile, consistent, and available in dozens of colors and profiles. Easier to repair than poured concrete if settling occurs. Suits contemporary or traditional designs equally well.
- Brick — Classic choice for older homes in Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and DC-adjacent neighborhoods. Genuine clay brick ages beautifully and holds color well; concrete brick less so.
- Porcelain tile — Large-format outdoor porcelain offers a clean, modern look with excellent durability and low maintenance. Requires a very stable base due to rigid tile dimensions.
- Decomposed granite / stabilized gravel — Lower-cost option suitable for informal garden areas; not appropriate for high-use dining patios but works well for secondary spaces.
Why Base Preparation Is Everything
Maryland's clay soil is the enemy of a flat patio. Clay expands when wet and shrinks when dry — and in a frost year, it can heave several inches. A patio installed on compacted clay without a proper gravel base will look great for one or two seasons and then start to develop low spots, shifted pavers, and cracked joints.
We excavate to a minimum of 8 inches below finished patio grade, compact the subbase, install dense-graded aggregate base, and add the appropriate setting material (sand-set for pavers, mortar-set for stone). Edge restraint prevents lateral movement at the perimeter. Drainage is planned from the start — every patio needs to slope away from the house at a minimum 1% grade, and we design for where that water goes after it leaves the patio surface.
Ballpark Pricing
- Concrete pavers (standard residential): $18–$28 per square foot installed
- Natural flagstone (dry-set): $22–$38 per square foot installed
- Natural flagstone (mortared): $28–$48 per square foot installed
- Porcelain tile on concrete base: $30–$55 per square foot installed
- A typical 400 sq ft patio: $9,000–$22,000 depending on material and complexity
These are ranges for the Maryland/DC metro market. Final pricing depends on access, existing surface removal, drainage requirements, and material selection. We provide detailed quotes after an on-site visit.
Recent Work
Related Hardscaping Services
“We got three quotes for our patio. Hometown's base preparation explanation was completely different from the other two — they were the only ones who talked about drainage and base depth before talking about materials. That's why we hired them, and the patio has been perfect for three seasons now.”
— Columbia, MD homeownerTalk to Hometown Landscape
Call 301.490.5577 or request a free estimate for Patio Installation in Burtonsville, MD and the surrounding areas. Our experienced local team is ready to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big should your patio be?
A dining table for six requires at least a 12x14 area to be comfortable with chairs pulled out. Add 4 feet all around for circulation and you're looking at a minimum of 20x22 for a functional outdoor dining space. We see a lot of patios that were built too small — it's better to size it right initially than to extend it later.
Can you add a patio to an existing landscape without disturbing plantings?
Often yes, with careful planning. We'll assess root zones and existing grades to minimize impact on established plantings. Some situations require temporary removal and replanting; others can be worked around entirely.
How long does patio installation take?
A 400 sq ft patio with no major complications typically takes 3–5 working days. Larger or more complex projects with retaining walls, steps, and drainage work take proportionally longer. We give you a project timeline in writing before work begins.
Landscape and Outdoor Living Across the DMV
Hometown Landscape serves homeowners across Montgomery County, Howard County, and the wider Washington, D.C. region with landscape design, hardscape, outdoor living, and outdoor carpentry from our Burtonsville home base.