Choosing a patio surface usually comes down to three popular options: pea gravel, flagstone, or pavers. Each one has a different look, price point, and level of upkeep, and each is available in bulk or by the piece from a Murrells Inlet supply yard. Here is how they compare.

Pea Gravel

Pea gravel is the most budget-friendly of the three and one of the easiest to install yourself, since it is simply spread over a compacted base and edged to hold its shape. It drains well, which matters in a rainy coastal climate, though it can shift underfoot over time and needs occasional raking and topping off.

Flagstone

Flagstone offers a natural, upscale look with irregular shapes that can be laid tightly or with gravel or sand-filled joints between the pieces. It costs more than pea gravel and takes more time to lay out and level, but it holds up well for decades with very little maintenance once it is set.

Pavers

Pavers give the most uniform, polished look and come in a wide range of colors, shapes, and patterns. They cost more than pea gravel but are often comparable to or less than natural flagstone, and their interlocking design makes small repairs easy since a single damaged paver can be popped out and replaced.

Base Materials Matter More Than the Surface

Whichever surface you choose, the base underneath does most of the work. A compacted gravel base topped with coarse sand keeps pea gravel, flagstone, or pavers from shifting, sinking, or heaving after a hard rain. Skimping on base material is the most common reason a patio fails early.

Get Your Materials from C-Scapes Mulch & More

C-Scapes Mulch & More LLC supplies pea gravel, base gravel, sand, and decorative stone for patio projects throughout Murrells Inlet and the Grand Strand. Come by to see samples in person and get help figuring out how much base material and surface material your patio project will need.