There are various different ground surfaces that you can choose for your backyard – each with their own pros and cons. This post compares five of the main options to help you choose the right surfaces for your backyard.

Natural lawn

Natural lawns are great for the environment, helping to fight air pollution and support local wildlife. They’re also great surfaces for kids and pets to play on.

The downside of natural lawns is that they require a lot of work to maintain if you want to keep them looking good. They can be a fun project for avid gardeners, but may be a burden for others.

There are many different types of grass that you can choose for your lawn. It’s worth looking for a grass seeds supplier online where you can explore different varieties of grass and get the best quotes. You can lay grass yourself or hire a landscaper to do it for you.

Artificial turf

Artificial turf looks and feels like a natural lawn, but doesn’t require any of the mowing or watering or fertilising. It’s a great alternative to a natural lawn if you don’t have the time or patience for lawn maintenance. You can also lay it anywhere – including shady areas.

Of course, it has none of the environmental benefits of the real thing. It’s also more expensive to lay and typically requires a professional to install.

Artificial grass can vary in quality. It’s better to spend a little extra on good quality artificial grass.

Paving slabs

Your typical patio is made of paving slabs. It can provide the perfect hard easy-to-clean surface for adding outdoor furniture on – you don’t have to worry about it getting muddy or having to mow around it. Paving slab patios tend to add a lot of value to homes.

While some people pave over their entire backyard, this may not be ideal if you have kids or pets. Paving slabs are also quite expensive – most people can only afford to pave a small area.

You can explore all kinds of stone and all kinds of different patterns. When it comes to very intricate paving patterns, you’ll likely want to hire a professional contractor.

Wooden decking

Wooden decking can similarly make a suitable surface for placing outdoor furniture on due to being hard and easy-to-clean. It can add value to your home, while generally being cheaper to lay than a patio. You can also use wooden decks to level uneven or sloped areas of your backyard.

Wooden decking typically requires a little more maintenance than paving slabs – which may include occasionally repainting and refinishing it. Decking is usually paired with a lawn and is unlikely to be something you want to surface your entire backyard with as it will lose its dramatic appeal.

There are various different types of wood and various different decking designs that you can choose from. While you can build a deck yourself, many people hire a contractor.

Gravel

Gravel is a low-maintenance surface that is generally cheaper than paving stones or wooden decking. It can be used to create social areas, garden paths or even mulch to create stony plant beds.

Gravel isn’t always the best option if you have pets or kids. It also doesn’t provide quite as solid a surface as paving slabs or wooden decking, so heavy furniture may sink into it.

As with other surface options, there are many different types of gravel. You can opt for different colours, go for a beach theme or stick to something earthy and neutral.