Concrete pavers (Belgard® and similar)
The workhorse, best all-around value on clay
Installed cost
$$, our completed paver projects start ≈ $8,000; typical patios $8k to $16k
On expansive clay
Excellent, hundreds of units flex with movement; spot repairs are invisible
Heat underfoot
Moderate; lighter colors stay comfortable
Maintenance
Re-sand joints every 3 to 5 years; rinse as needed; optional sealer
Best for
Patios, walkways, and driveways (80mm, herringbone) that need to look right for decades
Travertine
The barefoot luxury pick
Installed cost
$$$, our travertine patios typically run $10k to $16k+ at patio scale
On expansive clay
Excellent on a proper base, same unit-flex advantage as pavers
Heat underfoot
The winner, noticeably cooler in full sun than concrete or porcelain
Maintenance
Seal if you want stain protection; naturally slip-resistant around pools
Best for
Pool decks and patios where bare feet and a high-end look both matter
Porcelain paving
The modern statement, with conditions
Installed cost
$$$$, premium material and the most demanding installation of the four
On expansive clay
Good only on a flawless engineered base; unforgiving of shortcuts
Heat underfoot
Runs hot in dark colors; fine in shade or light tones
Maintenance
The lowest, no sealing, near-zero staining, wipes clean
Best for
Covered outdoor rooms, courtyards, and modern designs where crisp lines rule
Poured / stamped concrete
Cheapest today, most regretted in year five
Installed cost
$, the lowest upfront of the four
On expansive clay
The weakness, one rigid slab; DFW soil movement cracks it, and repairs show forever
Heat underfoot
Hot, especially darker stamped finishes
Maintenance
Crack filling and re-sealing; stamped color fades and is hard to match
Best for
Budget-first projects and areas where appearance is secondary, we'll say so honestly when it's the right call
Methodology & sources
Cost anchors reference True Star completed-project data (see the Costs asset, n=132 projects, 2025 to 2026); relative cost tiers ($ to $$$$) reflect installed price per square foot at typical patio scale in DFW. Heat, clay behavior, and maintenance characteristics are standard material performance for North Texas conditions as we observe them across our builds. Every surface we install rides on the same engineered base system, excavation, geotextile separation, compacted crushed-limestone lifts, and drainage, because on Blackland Prairie clay, the base decides lifespan more than the surface does. Last field-verified July 19, 2026.