In Newport Beach, your patio isn’t just a patio. It’s the heart of your home’s outdoor life—an extension of your living room, a place for entertaining, and a private retreat. Creating this space for luxury outdoor living starts from the ground up, and the paver style you choose sets the entire tone.
But as a premier custom patio contractor in Newport Beach, we have to share a crucial secret: the style of the paver you choose is far less important than the quality of the installation beneath it.
Anyone can lay pretty stones. But in this coastal environment, on this specific soil, an improper installation will fail. You’ll have sinking, shifting, and weeds within a year.
True pavers installation in Newport Beach is an engineering process. It involves:
Proper Grading: Creating positive drainage so water never sits.
Sub-Base Compaction: Building a rock-solid “foundation” for the pavers, often 6-10 inches deep, compacted in “lifts” to prevent settling.
Edge Restraints: Locking the entire patio in place so it can’t spread apart.
This process is built on the same principles as a home’s foundation. It must account for the unique coastal soil and be integrated with your home’s drainage plan to protect its foundation integrity.
Now that the most important part is covered, let’s get to the fun part: the styles. Here are the 5 most popular paver styles our luxury clients in Newport Beach are requesting right now.
This is the hottest trend in luxury outdoor living, and for good reason. Porcelain pavers are a high-tech product that offers unmatched performance with a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. They are perfect for contemporary homes and for creating that seamless “indoor-outdoor” flow.
Why They’re Popular: They can be manufactured to look like anything—Calacatta marble, a plank of hardwood, or a solid piece of slate—but with none of the maintenance.
Pros:
Zero-Maintenance: They are non-porous. They will never stain, fade, or grow mold.
Incredibly Strong: Resistant to scratches, stains, and frost.
Perfect for Pools: Most are inherently non-slip and unaffected by salt or chlorine.
Cons:
The Cost: They are a premium, high-end product.
Expert Installation: Porcelain requires a perfectly level sub-base and a specialized setting method. This is not a DIY job.
Travertine is a natural stone that instantly evokes a timeless, Mediterranean-meets-coastal vibe. It’s the go-to choice for elegant, upscale patios, especially around pools.
Why They’re Popular: The natural, earthy tones (from light creams to warm walnuts) are synonymous with coastal luxury.
Pros:
Stays Cool: It’s one of the best materials for walking barefoot, as it reflects heat and stays cool to the touch even in direct sun.
Non-Slip: “Tumbled” travertine has a naturally porous, textured surface that provides excellent grip when wet.
Cons:
Porous: Being a natural stone, it must be sealed to protect it from saltwater, chlorine, and spills (like red wine).
Color Variation: This is a pro for some, a con for others. Every single paver will be unique.
This style moves away from traditional “bricks” and into oversized, geometric slabs (think 24×24, 24×36, or even larger). It’s a bold, contemporary look that makes any space feel grander and more modern.
Why They’re Popular: The clean lines and large scale are a perfect match for modern architecture. They often feature smooth textures and monochromatic colors (like grays, charcoals, and whites).
Pros:
Scale: Makes small spaces feel larger and large spaces feel more majestic.
Modern Aesthetic: The “plank” style, which looks like wide wood boards, is particularly popular.
Cons:
The Installation: These heavy, massive slabs are extremely unforgiving. The sub-base must be 100% perfect. Any slight imperfection and the paver will “rock” or crack. This requires a true master custom patio contractor.
This is the “classic” paver, but modern versions are far from boring. High-end brands like Belgard and Unilock offer stunning designs, from “plank” styles that rival wood to textured surfaces that look just like natural stone.
Why They’re Popular: The “interlocking” design, combined with polymeric sand, creates a flexible-yet-powerful surface that is incredibly durable and resistant to cracking.
Pros:
Strength: Ideal for driveways and high-traffic areas.
Easy to Repair: If one paver is damaged, you can simply pull that one paver out and replace it.
Variety: The sheer number of colors, textures, and shapes (herringbone, running bond) is limitless.
Cons:
Maintenance: The polymeric sand between the joints will need to be “topped off” or refreshed every 3-5 years.
For the ultimate in natural, rustic, or “Old World” charm, nothing beats true natural stone. Each piece is unique, creating a patio that is a true one-of-a-kind work of art.
Why They’re Popular: It’s the most authentic, organic look you can get. It’s perfect for English gardens, Tuscan villas, or rustic ranch-style homes.
Pros:
Absolutely Unique: No two patios will ever be the same.
Timeless: This look will never go out of style.
Cons:
Cost: This is often the most expensive option, both for the material and the labor.
Labor-Intensive: Installation is a slow, meticulous process, like putting together a giant jigsaw puzzle.
Uneven Surface: The natural cleft of the stone can create a more uneven surface to walk on.
Your choice often comes down to matching your home’s architecture and your tolerance for maintenance.
Modern Home? Go with Porcelain or Large-Format.
Coastal/Mediterranean Home? Travertine is a perfect fit.
Traditional Home? Interlocking Pavers or Natural Stone are timeless.
Hate Maintenance? Porcelain is your #1 choice, followed by a high-end composite deck.
As your Newport Beach custom patio contractor, we can help you navigate these choices. But no matter which style you pick, our focus will always be on the certified-quality installation beneath it.
Ready to design your ultimate outdoor living space? Contact Gaga US Construction
In Newport Beach, your patio isn’t just a patio. It’s the heart of your home’s outdoor life—an extension of your living room, a place for entertaining, and a private retreat. Creating this space for luxury outdoor living starts from the ground up, and the paver style you choose sets the entire tone.
You’re standing on your property, looking out at the harbor or feeling that coastal breeze. You’re ready to build the deck that will complete your outdoor living space. But now you face the single most important choice for your project: what material will you be standing on?
A new foundation is the most important part of your home, and it’s the only part you’ll never see.
When it’s done right, it quietly and reliably supports your home for generations. When it’s done wrong? It’s a catastrophic failure that can compromise the entire structure.
GAGA US INC is a licensed (#1074874 – B, C13) General Building Contractor based in Los Angeles. GAGA US works with professional contractors to ensure your construction needs are fully met and executed promptly.
