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Patio Scopebook · Statistics
Patio and hardscape statistics for 2026
129 sourced data points on patios and hardscapes: what projects cost, what they return at resale, what homeowners choose, how many U.S. homes already have each feature by region, and 1 finding from Patio Scopebook's own analysis of federal household data. Every number links to where it came from.
What Patio Scopebook's analysis of federal data shows
These comparisons were calculated by Patio Scopebook from the Energy Information Administration's 2024 household survey microdata and the Census Bureau's new-housing tables. They answer questions the published reports don't break out.
Patio Scopebook analysis · 2021–2025
| 2021 | 60.5% of 970,000 new homes (587,000) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 62.9% of 1,022,000 new homes (643,000) |
| 2023 | 63.6% of 999,000 new homes (635,000) |
| 2024 | 62.9% of 1,019,000 new homes (641,000) |
| 2025 | 62.2% of 1,005,000 new homes (625,000) |
Change 2021–2025: +1.7 percentage points.
Patios are standard on a majority of new homes, so a new patio is often an upgrade or expansion rather than a first outdoor space.
Source: Patio Scopebook analysis of U.S. Census new-home tables from the U.S. Census Bureau. How we calculated it
Patios and hardscapes: resale value and return
95% of a modest paver patio's cost recovered at resale, per Realtors (2023)
NAR's 2023 Remodeling Impact Report priced an 18-by-16-foot dry-set concrete paver patio at about $10,500 and Realtors estimated sellers recover roughly $10,000. Few outdoor projects come this close to paying for themselves.
National Association of Realtors / NALP, 2023 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features56% of a gas fire feature and flagstone patio's cost recovered at resale (NAR 2023)
Landscape pros estimated $9,000 for a dry-stacked stone kit, gas burner and 10-foot flagstone patio; Realtors estimated $5,000 recovered at sale. Buy a fire feature for the evenings you will use it, not for resale.
National Association of Realtors / NALP, 2023 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features100% of a $9,000 flagstone walkway and planting upgrade recovered at resale (NAR 2023)
The NAR project spec was a 3-by-30-foot natural flagstone walkway with two stone planters, shrubs and a tree; Realtors estimated sellers get the full $9,000 back. Front-yard hardscape is one of the safest curb-appeal investments.
National Association of Realtors / NALP, 2023 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features207.9% return on manufactured stone veneer in Zonda's 2025 Cost vs. Value Report
Only garage door (267.7%) and steel entry door (216.4%) replacement scored higher out of 28 projects across 119 markets. Stone veneer on seat walls, pillars and wall faces carries that masonry appeal into patio projects.
Zonda, 2025 Cost vs. Value Report (PR Newswire release)94.9% of cost recouped by wood deck additions in Zonda's 2025 report; composite 88.5%
Eight of the top ten projects in the 2025 report were exterior work. Outdoor living additions are among the few discretionary projects that hold value in a thin buyer pool.
Zonda, 2025 Cost vs. Value Report (PR Newswire release)46% of cost returned by a backyard patio addition, per 2025 Cost vs. Value data via Opendoor
Opendoor's summary of Zonda's 2025 report puts a full patio addition well below deck additions on pure resale return. The gap between this and NAR's 95% estimate shows how much scope and pricing assumptions drive ROI figures.
Opendoor, citing Zonda 2025 Cost vs. Value Report
Patios and hardscapes: behavior and choices
9.9 / 10 Joy Score homeowners gave a new patio (NAR 2023)
Only landscape lighting and an in-ground pool scored higher among the 11 outdoor projects studied. The score combines the share of owners who felt happy or satisfied when they saw the finished patio.
National Association of Realtors / NALP, 2023 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features85% of owners wanted to be home more after adding a patio (NAR 2023)
The same share reported more enjoyment at home, and 52% said the most important result was better functionality and livability. That is a strong signal the space gets used, not just admired.
National Association of Realtors / NALP, 2023 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features78% of fire-feature owners did it to add features and improve livability (NAR 2023)
The project earned a 9.7 Joy Score, and 73% said they have a greater desire to be home since completing it. Fire features are a lifestyle purchase first.
National Association of Realtors / NALP, 2023 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features38% of 2026 outdoor renovations include a patio or terrace (Houzz, 1,191 U.S. homeowners)
Decks appear in 43% of projects, shade structures in 35% (up 15 points) and fire features in 18%. Patios remain the second most common structural element in outdoor remodels; the figure is a survey of Houzz users, not a national count.
Houzz, 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study (magazine summary)18% of homeowners renovating outdoor spaces are adding a fire feature in 2026 (Houzz)
Among lounge areas specifically, 48% include a fireplace or fire pit. Plan the patio layout and gas line before building the base so the feature does not become a costly retrofit.
Houzz, 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study (magazine summary)39% of homeowners renovating outdoors in 2024 upgraded a patio or terrace (Houzz via This Old House)
This Old House's roundup of Houzz's 2024 data also found 26% added fire features and 68% controlled outdoor tech from a phone. Patios consistently top the list of hardscape upgrades among surveyed renovators.
This Old House, Outdoor Living Trends 2025 (citing Houzz 2024 Outdoor Trends Study)25% of homeowners plan to build a new patio or deck; 38% want a fire pit (Talker Research for Trex, 2025)
In a Talker Research survey of 2,000 U.S. homeowners fielded April 2025, 87% believe outdoor upgrades increase resale value and the average planned renovation budget was $13,321. Landscaping (34%) was the only project with wider interest.
Talker Research for Trex Company, Backyard Sanctuaries survey (2025)77% of households with outdoor space say they underuse it (ICFA, 2025)
Only 23% use their patio or yard as much as they want, and 42% cite the hassle of cleaning and caring for furnishings as a barrier, in a January 2025 survey of 1,000 U.S. adults. Low-maintenance hardscape and built-in seating address exactly that complaint.
International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA), 2025 consumer research on porch and patio living71% of surveyed outdoor renovators hired a professional (Houzz 2026 Outdoor Trends Study)
Among renovators surveyed for the 2026 study, 26% hired a landscape contractor and 20% a stone, paver or concrete specialist. Planned and completed projects are mixed and the sample is Houzz users, not a national count.
2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study20% of surveyed outdoor renovations aimed to personalize a recent home purchase (Houzz 2026)
Recent-purchase personalization: 20% of surveyed outdoor and exterior renovators with recent, current or planned projects. Source: 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study.
2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study41% of surveyed outdoor renovations were triggered by deterioration of the existing space (Houzz 2026)
Deterioration was the leading trigger, ahead of accommodating a change in household (25%) and personalizing a recent purchase (20%). Much hardscape deterioration traces to thin bases and poor drainage, which is why those details dominate this site.
2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study32% of surveyed outdoor renovators aim to extend living space; 53% cite appearance (Houzz 2026)
Appearance was the top objective at 53%, followed by entertaining at 34%, extending living space at 32%, matching home style at 28% and easier maintenance at 24%. Multiple answers were permitted among surveyed Houzz users.
2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study71% of surveyed homeowners prioritized preventative maintenance in 2025 (Angi)
Prioritized preventative maintenance: 71% of surveyed homeowners who hired a pro in the previous year, fielded April 15-16, 2025. Source: Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse.
Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse19% of surveyed homeowners chose cheaper materials or services to manage cost in 2025 (Angi)
In Angi's April 2025 pulse survey, 19% selected cheaper materials, 23% started early to beat price rises and 29% bundled repairs. In hardscape, the cheaper material is fine; the cheaper base is not.
Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse29% of surveyed homeowners bundled repairs to save money in 2025 (Angi Home Spending Pulse)
Angi's April 2025 survey of homeowners who hired a pro found 29% bundled work. Hardscape rewards bundling because mobilization, equipment and disposal cost the same for a patio alone as for a patio with a wall and steps.
Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse62.2% of new single-family homes completed in 2025 had a patio, up from 60.5% in 2021
Patio Scopebook compared the Census Bureau's new-housing tables: 2021 60.5%, 2022 62.9%, 2023 63.6%, 2024 62.9%, 2025 62.2% of newly completed single-family homes (+1.7 points over the period). Builders now treat a patio as standard, so homes without one stand out.
Patio Scopebook analysis of U.S. Census new-housing tables (2025)44.4% of U.S. occupied homes have large shade trees (EIA 2024 RECS)
44.4% of occupied primary-residence housing units in 2024 (about 58.9M housing units); by region: Northeast 39.0%, Midwest 48.7%, South 46.9%, West 40.2%. Patio Scopebook's weighted analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026).
Patio Scopebook analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026)25% of surveyed outdoor renovations were triggered by a household change (Houzz 2026)
Accommodation trigger: 25% of surveyed outdoor and exterior renovators with recent, current or planned projects, second to deterioration at 41%. Source: 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study.
2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study53% of surveyed outdoor renovators named appearance as an objective (Houzz 2026)
Appearance objective: 53% of surveyed outdoor and exterior renovators with recent, current or planned projects, the most common goal. Source: 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study.
2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study34% of surveyed outdoor renovators want better space for entertaining (Houzz 2026)
Entertaining objective: 34% of surveyed outdoor and exterior renovators with recent, current or planned projects. Source: 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study.
2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study28% of surveyed outdoor renovators want the space to match the home's style (Houzz 2026)
Match home style: 28% of surveyed outdoor and exterior renovators with recent, current or planned projects. Source: 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study.
2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study24% of surveyed outdoor renovators want easier maintenance or organization (Houzz 2026)
Easier maintenance/organization: 24% of surveyed outdoor and exterior renovators with recent, current or planned projects. Source: 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study.
2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study17% of surveyed outdoor renovators want a better indoor-outdoor connection (Houzz 2026)
Indoor-outdoor connection: 17% of surveyed outdoor and exterior renovators with recent, current or planned projects. Source: 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study.
2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study26% of surveyed outdoor renovators hired a landscape contractor (Houzz 2026)
Landscape-contractor hiring: 26% of surveyed outdoor and exterior renovators with recent, current or planned projects, against 20% who hired a stone, paver or concrete specialist. Source: 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study.
2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study54% of surveyed Houzz homeowners renovated in 2025 (Houzz & Home 2026)
Renovated in 2025: 54% of surveyed homeowners on Houzz, reporting 2025 activity and 2026 plans. Source: 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study.
2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study52% of surveyed Houzz homeowners decorated in 2025 (Houzz & Home 2026)
Decorated in 2025: 52% of surveyed homeowners on Houzz, reporting 2025 activity and 2026 plans. Source: 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study.
2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study47% of surveyed Houzz homeowners made repairs in 2025 (Houzz & Home 2026)
Repaired in 2025: 47% of surveyed homeowners on Houzz, reporting 2025 activity and 2026 plans. Source: 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study.
2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study50% of surveyed Houzz homeowners plan to renovate in 2026 (Houzz & Home 2026)
The 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study found 54% of surveyed homeowners renovated in 2025 and 50% plan to renovate in 2026. Stated intent, from a Houzz platform sample.
2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study23% of surveyed homeowners started projects early to beat price rises in 2025 (Angi)
Started early before price rises: 23% of surveyed homeowners who hired a pro in the previous year, fielded April 15-16, 2025. Source: Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse.
Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse62% of surveyed homeowners grew more worried about affording maintenance in 2025 (Angi)
Increased maintenance-affordability concern: 62% of surveyed homeowners who hired a pro in the previous year, fielded April 15-16, 2025. Source: Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse.
Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse
Patios and hardscapes: market size and trends
92% of Realtors have told sellers to improve curb appeal before listing (NAR 2023)
97% of NAR members say curb appeal matters in attracting a buyer, 75% very important. Walkways, front steps and entry hardscape are the first thing a buyer sees from the street.
National Association of Realtors / NALP, 2023 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features-9.9% change in U.S. and Canadian segmental concrete paver production in 2023 (CMHA)
The industry's own production report shows the post-pandemic hardscape boom cooled, with median declines sharper than the average. Softer demand generally means better contractor availability and pricing for homeowners.
Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA), 2024 Hardscape Production Report+5.8% growth in permeable interlocking paver production in 2023 while other pavers declined (CMHA)
Permeable pavers were the only paver category to grow in 2023, driven by stormwater rules and drainage-conscious homeowners. They are worth pricing if your yard collects water or your municipality limits impervious cover.
Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA), 2024 Hardscape Production Report-6.1% change in segmental retaining wall unit production in 2023 (CMHA)
Engineered SRW units still posted slight growth, showing demand shifted toward taller, engineered walls. Block availability is not a constraint for typical residential walls.
Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA), 2024 Hardscape Production Report98% of outdoor-industry experts say updated outdoor spaces significantly affect home value (Fixr, 2025)
Fixr's 2025 panel of 52 architects, builders and landscapers also found 56% see homeowners more willing to invest outdoors than a year earlier, and 46% favor composite decking for patio surfaces.
Fixr, Top Outdoor Living Trends for 2025 (expert survey)625,000 new single-family homes completed with a patio in 2025 (U.S. Census Bureau)
Of all new single-family houses completed in 2025, 625,000 included a patio, down from 641,000 in 2024 and a 2022 peak of 643,000. This counts new construction only, not patios added to existing homes, and Census rounds the figures.
U.S. Census Bureau, Characteristics of New Housing: Outdoor Features (2025)471,000 new built-for-sale single-family homes completed with a patio in 2025 (Census)
New single-family homes completed with patio (built for sale): 2021 494,000, 2022 518,000, 2023 481,000, 2024 493,000, 2025 471,000, from the Census Bureau's Characteristics of New Housing.
Patio Scopebook analysis of Census Characteristics of New Housing: outdoorfeatures (2025)64,000 new contractor-built single-family homes completed with a patio in 2025 (Census)
New single-family homes completed with patio (contractor-built, on the owner's land): 2021 52,000, 2022 64,000, 2023 71,000, 2024 54,000, 2025 64,000, from the Census Bureau's Characteristics of New Housing.
Patio Scopebook analysis of Census Characteristics of New Housing: outdoorfeatures (2025)23,000 new owner-built single-family homes completed with a patio in 2025 (Census)
New single-family homes completed with patio (owner-built): 2021 17,000, 2022 20,000, 2023 24,000, 2024 20,000, 2025 23,000, from the Census Bureau's Characteristics of New Housing.
Patio Scopebook analysis of Census Characteristics of New Housing: outdoorfeatures (2025)30 inches height above grade at which a deck or raised patio typically needs a building permit (PermitsGuide, March 2026)
PermitsGuide's New York guide says any structure more than 30 inches above grade and any covered patio or patio roof needs a building permit. Portland, Oregon uses the same 30-inch line for decks.
PermitsGuide, Patio Permits in New York (2026)$4.4 billion U.S. demand for hardscaping products in 2024 (Freedonia)
Freedonia's industry study sizes the pavers, wall blocks and related products market; residential work is the largest share. A large, competitive supply base keeps material choices wide for homeowners.
The Freedonia Group, Hardscaping Products: United States (2024)
Patios and hardscapes: costs and prices
$3,400 average interlocking paver installation, or $8 to $25 per sq ft (HomeAdvisor, June 2026)
Most projects land between $1,500 and $7,000. Concrete pavers run $8 to $15 per square foot, brick $10 to $20 and natural stone $15 to $50, so material choice can double the bill.
HomeAdvisor, Interlocking Pavers Cost Guide (2026)$10 to $24 per sq ft installed cost of a paver patio (LawnStarter, December 2024)
By material: concrete pavers $8 to $16, brick $14 to $24, natural stone $12 to $30 per square foot. A 400-square-foot patio lands around $4,000 to $9,600.
LawnStarter, Paver Patio Cost Guide (2024)$1,310 to $1,770 vs $865 to $1,085 cost of a 120 sq ft paver patio versus poured concrete (Fixr)
Fixr's line-item comparison shows pavers cost roughly 50% more than concrete for the same footprint. Pavers cost more up front but individual units can be lifted and reset instead of replacing a cracked slab.
Fixr, Pavers vs Concrete comparison (2024)$13 to $27 per sq ft installed cost of a paver walkway (Lawn Love, December 2025)
A 100-square-foot front walk runs about $1,300 to $2,700. Concrete pavers are $7 to $16 per square foot in materials, clay brick $10 to $19 and natural stone $13 to $36.
Lawn Love, Paver Walkway Cost (2025)$12,000 average paver driveway, typical range $6,000 to $18,000 (HomeAdvisor, June 2026)
Installed cost spans $10 to $70 per square foot depending on material: concrete pavers $10 to $25, brick $10 to $45, natural stone $15 to $60, permeable $10 to $70. Removing an old driveway adds $550 to $1,700.
HomeAdvisor, Paver Driveway Cost Guide (2026)$6,084 average retaining wall, or $40 to $360 per linear ft by height (HomeAdvisor, June 2026)
A 2-foot wall runs $40 to $200 per linear foot while a 6-foot wall can reach $360. Most homeowners spend $3,192 to $9,206. By material per square foot: timber $15 to $30, concrete $30 to $50, gabion or stone $10 to $100, steel $15 to $150.
HomeAdvisor, Retaining Wall Cost Guide (2026)$350 to $750 structural engineering for a retaining wall over 4 feet (HomeAdvisor, June 2026)
Walls taller than 4 feet, or any wall holding up a driveway or structure, typically need a stamped design and a permit. Budget for the engineer and for drainage behind the wall, which is the most common failure point.
HomeAdvisor, Retaining Wall Cost Guide (2026)$3,000 average outdoor fireplace, most projects $1,500 to $8,000 (HomeAdvisor, June 2026)
Natural gas units run $1,800 to $3,500, wood-burning $2,000 to $3,200; stone construction is $1,800 to $5,000 versus $800 to $2,000 for block. Custom masonry fireplaces can exceed $21,000.
HomeAdvisor, Outdoor Fireplace Cost Guide (2026)$830 average installed fire pit; built-in models $1,000 to $3,000 (Lawn Love, December 2025)
The typical range is $250 to $2,200. Natural gas pits cost $400 to $3,000 before the gas line, which adds $14 to $25 per linear foot from the meter to the pit.
Lawn Love, Fire Pit Cost Guide (2025)$7 to $14 per sq ft construction cost of permeable interlocking pavers, which remove 67 to 81% of sediment (U.S. EPA)
EPA's stormwater fact sheet cites construction costs of $7 to $14 per square foot for PICP versus $3 to $9 for pervious concrete, with 67 to 81% total suspended solids removal. Some jurisdictions give stormwater-fee credits for permeable surfaces.
U.S. EPA, NPDES Stormwater Best Management Practice: Permeable Pavements (2021)$2,029 to $6,088 typical patio installation cost per project (Angi, updated May 2026)
Angi's U.S. planning reference for a patio project. Retaining walls, fire features, major drainage changes and driveways need their own scope and price on top of this range.
Angi, How Much Does It Cost to Install a Patio? (2026)$8 to $24 per sq ft installed cost of a paver patio; a 280 sq ft patio averages $3,350 (Lawn Love, December 2025)
Most projects run $2,275 to $6,950. Labor is $5 to $15 per square foot, or about $50 to $80 an hour. A DIY build of the same 280 sq ft patio came to $5,402 to $5,652 once tools and equipment were counted.
Lawn Love, Paver Patio Cost Guide (2025)$114 to $173 per linear ft typical national cost of a retaining wall (Thumbtack, 2026)
Thumbtack's example is a 60-foot concrete or cinder block wall. At 4 feet tall, a concrete wall breaks down to $3,431 labor, $2,360 materials and $913 equipment; a cinder block wall to $4,021, $2,703 and $80.
Thumbtack, How Much Does a Retaining Wall Cost? (2026)$37.55 to $51.76 per sq ft installed cost per sq ft of wall face for a block wall up to 3 ft (Homewyse, September 2026)
Homewyse prices a dry-stack interlocking block wall no more than 3 feet above grade with favorable site conditions, including excavation, gravel base and filter fabric. Structural and taller walls are excluded.
Homewyse, Cost to Install Retaining Wall (2026)10 to 15 feet typical minimum distance between a fire pit and the house or other structures (Fixr)
Fixr says fire pits must sit at least 10 to 15 feet from the home, other buildings and combustible materials; local fire codes can require more. Fixr's national average for an installed pit is $850.
Fixr, Fire Pit Cost Guide (2025)
Patios and hardscapes: timelines
4 to 10 days typical duration of a professional paver installation (HomeAdvisor, June 2026)
Excavation, base compaction and drainage prep account for most of that time. A quote promising a one-day patio usually means a thin base, which is the leading cause of settling and heaving later.
HomeAdvisor, Interlocking Pavers Cost Guide (2026)2 to 4 weeks typical plan review time for a retaining wall permit (DoINeedAPermit.org, 2026)
Permit fees run $50 to $200 flat or $150 to $500 when based on valuation, and engineered plans cost $800 to $2,500 separately. A standard permitted wall takes 4 to 8 weeks from submission to completion.
DoINeedAPermit.org, Complete Guide to Retaining Wall Permits (2026)1 to 3 weeks time most retaining walls take to build (HomeAdvisor, June 2026)
HomeAdvisor's guide says most walls go up in one to three weeks; design, engineering and permit review come before that and are not included.
HomeAdvisor, Retaining Wall Cost Guide (2026)
Patios and hardscapes: maintenance and lifespan
$1.50 to $3.25 per sq ft professional paver sealing cost (HomeGuide, 2026)
Pricing includes pressure washing, re-sanding joints and applying sealer; smaller jobs under 500 square feet sit at the top of the range. Most pavers are resealed every 3 to 5 years.
HomeGuide, Cost to Seal Pavers (2026)20 to 30 years service life of permeable pavement when maintained (Virginia Cooperative Extension)
Virginia Tech's homeowner fact sheet puts installed cost at $4 to $50 per square foot depending on type and says the base must sit more than 2 feet above the seasonal high water table. Routine vacuuming keeps the joints draining.
Virginia Cooperative Extension, Stormwater Management for Homeowners Fact Sheet 3: Permeable Pavement (2019)
Patios and hardscapes: safety and codes
4 feet retaining wall height the 2024 IRC exempts from permits, measured from the footing, unless surcharged
Height is measured from the bottom of the footing, not grade, so a 3-foot exposed wall with a 1-foot footing is at the limit. Walls supporting a driveway, patio or slope above them need a permit at any height, and many cities set stricter local limits.
House Digest, citing the 2024 International Residential Code
Patios and hardscapes: energy and utility costs
55.6% of U.S. occupied homes have no large shade trees (EIA 2024 RECS)
About 73.7 million of the nation's occupied primary residences report no large shade trees, with the Northeast (61%) and West (60%) highest. Yards without tree shade need a built shade structure, whose footings belong in the first phase of a hardscape plan.
EIA 2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey, preliminary household microdata (May 2026)43.4% of U.S. occupied homes leave outdoor lighting on all night (EIA 2024 RECS)
Roughly 57.5 million occupied primary residences leave some outdoor light on all night, highest in the West (48.5%) and South (45.2%). Wiring patio lighting on a timer or photocell during construction costs little and avoids that energy use.
EIA 2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey, preliminary household microdata (May 2026)
Patios and hardscapes: materials and products
8,000 PSI or more compressive strength of concrete pavers, against 3,000 to 4,000 PSI for stamped concrete (Belgard, manufacturer, 2020)
Belgard, a paver manufacturer, gives these averages and notes its pavers carry a transferable lifetime warranty. Treat it as a manufacturer's claim.
Belgard, Pros and Cons of Stamped Concrete vs. Pavers (2020)
State by state: homes with large shade trees; homes that use an outdoor grill; homes leaving outdoor lights on all night
Homes with large shade trees: 44.4% nationally. Highest in Kansas (59.2%), Missouri (57.8%), Georgia (57.2%); lowest in Hawaii (18.9%), West Virginia (30.6%), North Dakota (33.7%).
Homes that use an outdoor grill: 52.7% nationally. Highest in Montana (67.1%), Iowa (65.3%), Maine (64.6%); lowest in District of Columbia (22.6%), Hawaii (38%), New York (38.4%).
Homes leaving outdoor lights on all night: 43.4% nationally. Highest in Arizona (59.3%), Washington (56.2%), Texas (53.8%); lowest in Hawaii (23.8%), Vermont (25.1%), District of Columbia (25.3%).
Patio Scopebook calculated these state estimates from the Energy Information Administration's 2024 household survey microdata. EIA publishes the 2024 survey nationally and by region, not by state. Shares are weighted; a dash means the state sample was too small for a reliable estimate (fewer than 100 households, fewer than 10 yes answers, or a relative standard error above 30%). Source data.
| State | Homes with large shade trees | Homes that use an outdoor grill | Homes leaving outdoor lights on all night |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 44.4% | 52.7% | 43.4% |
| Alabama | 53.2% | 54.7% | 39% |
| Alaska | 34% | 57% | 49% |
| Arizona | 39% | 56.9% | 59.3% |
| Arkansas | 55.9% | 56.2% | 39.7% |
| California | 37.2% | 47.4% | 46.5% |
| Colorado | 41.6% | 54% | 44.5% |
| Connecticut | 38.7% | 57.7% | 36.2% |
| Delaware | 38.4% | 51.4% | 43.8% |
| District of Columbia | 34% | 22.6% | 25.3% |
| Florida | 41.4% | 49% | 44.6% |
| Georgia | 57.2% | 59.1% | 41% |
| Hawaii | 18.9% | 38% | 23.8% |
| Idaho | 46.5% | 63.2% | 48.7% |
| Illinois | 45.2% | 58% | 43.9% |
| Indiana | 40.5% | 58.7% | 50.5% |
| Iowa | 46.1% | 65.3% | 31.1% |
| Kansas | 59.2% | 52.9% | 47.6% |
| Kentucky | 43.2% | 50.3% | 47.4% |
| Louisiana | 40.4% | 50.7% | 41.4% |
| Maine | 42.3% | 64.6% | 36% |
| Maryland | 47.1% | 48.4% | 41.6% |
| Massachusetts | 40.5% | 54.2% | 27.1% |
| Michigan | 53.5% | 61.8% | 42.3% |
| Minnesota | 53.9% | 62.9% | 39.4% |
| Mississippi | 53.9% | 58% | 50.1% |
| Missouri | 57.8% | 61.1% | 45.6% |
| Montana | 45.8% | 67.1% | 36.1% |
| Nebraska | 52.9% | 59.7% | 35.9% |
| Nevada | 40.6% | 52.7% | 53.7% |
| New Hampshire | 41.6% | 60.2% | 30% |
| New Jersey | 41.1% | 46.3% | 40.3% |
| New Mexico | 43.3% | 63.6% | 44.7% |
| New York | 36.4% | 38.4% | 28.7% |
| North Carolina | 45.9% | 56.1% | 43.5% |
| North Dakota | 33.7% | 56.9% | 28.9% |
| Ohio | 46.9% | 56.3% | 47% |
| Oklahoma | 44% | 54.5% | 53.5% |
| Oregon | 51.4% | 52.6% | 49.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 39.4% | 51.8% | 39% |
| Rhode Island | 43% | 53.8% | 29% |
| South Carolina | 44% | 52.5% | 32.8% |
| South Dakota | 43.7% | 61.1% | 35.4% |
| Tennessee | 44% | 54% | 42.7% |
| Texas | 49.2% | 50% | 53.8% |
| Utah | 49.5% | 55.4% | 45.9% |
| Vermont | 43.1% | 63.1% | 25.1% |
| Virginia | 49.8% | 50.7% | 40.8% |
| Washington | 44% | 46.4% | 56.2% |
| West Virginia | 30.6% | 60.5% | 46.5% |
| Wisconsin | 44.6% | 60.3% | 36.2% |
| Wyoming | 49.4% | 64% | 35.6% |
U.S. housing data by region
How many existing homes already have the features that shape a patios and hardscapes project, nationally and in each census region. Patio Scopebook weighted these from the federal survey records; counts are rounded.
Outdoor living plans (surveys)
| Measure | U.S. | Northeast | Midwest | South | West | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homes with large shade trees2024 · occupied primary-residence housing units | 44.4% | 39.0% | 48.7% | 46.9% | 40.2% | U.S. Energy Information Administration |
| Homes without large shade trees2024 · occupied primary-residence housing units | 55.6% | 61.0% | 51.3% | 53.1% | 59.8% | U.S. Energy Information Administration |
| Homes leaving outdoor lighting on all night2024 · occupied primary-residence housing units | 43.4% | 33.4% | 42.9% | 45.2% | 48.5% | U.S. Energy Information Administration |
Outdoor renovation (surveys)
- 41% Deterioration trigger (Recent/current/planned projects surveyed for 2026 study, Surveyed outdoor/exterior renovators). 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study
- 25% Accommodation trigger (Recent/current/planned projects surveyed for 2026 study, Surveyed outdoor/exterior renovators). 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study
- 20% Recent-purchase personalization (Recent/current/planned projects surveyed for 2026 study, Surveyed outdoor/exterior renovators). 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study
- 53% Appearance objective (Recent/current/planned projects surveyed for 2026 study, Surveyed outdoor/exterior renovators). 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study
- 34% Entertaining objective (Recent/current/planned projects surveyed for 2026 study, Surveyed outdoor/exterior renovators). 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study
- 32% Extend living space (Recent/current/planned projects surveyed for 2026 study, Surveyed outdoor/exterior renovators). 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study
- 28% Match home style (Recent/current/planned projects surveyed for 2026 study, Surveyed outdoor/exterior renovators). 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study
- 24% Easier maintenance/organization (Recent/current/planned projects surveyed for 2026 study, Surveyed outdoor/exterior renovators). 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study
- 17% Indoor-outdoor connection (Recent/current/planned projects surveyed for 2026 study, Surveyed outdoor/exterior renovators). 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study
- 71% Professional hiring (Recent/current/planned projects surveyed for 2026 study, Surveyed outdoor/exterior renovators). 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study
- 26% Landscape-contractor hiring (Recent/current/planned projects surveyed for 2026 study, Surveyed outdoor/exterior renovators). 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study
- 20% Stone/paver/concrete specialist hiring (Recent/current/planned projects surveyed for 2026 study, Surveyed outdoor/exterior renovators). 2026 U.S. Houzz Outdoor Trends Study
Remodeling behavior (surveys)
- 54% Renovated in 2025 (2025 activity; 2026 plans, Surveyed homeowners on Houzz). 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study
- 52% Decorated in 2025 (2025 activity; 2026 plans, Surveyed homeowners on Houzz). 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study
- 47% Repaired in 2025 (2025 activity; 2026 plans, Surveyed homeowners on Houzz). 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study
- 50% Plan renovation in 2026 (2025 activity; 2026 plans, Surveyed homeowners on Houzz). 2026 U.S. Houzz & Home Study
- 71% Postponed a project (April 15-16, 2025, Surveyed homeowners who hired a pro in previous year). Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse
- 71% Prioritized preventative maintenance (April 15-16, 2025, Surveyed homeowners who hired a pro in previous year). Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse
- 29% Bundled repairs (April 15-16, 2025, Surveyed homeowners who hired a pro in previous year). Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse
- 19% Selected cheaper materials/services (April 15-16, 2025, Surveyed homeowners who hired a pro in previous year). Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse
- 23% Started early before price rises (April 15-16, 2025, Surveyed homeowners who hired a pro in previous year). Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse
- 62% Increased maintenance-affordability concern (April 15-16, 2025, Surveyed homeowners who hired a pro in previous year). Angi 2025 Home Spending Pulse
New homes built with this feature (Census)
- 2021: 587,000 · 2022: 643,000 · 2023: 635,000 · 2024: 641,000 · 2025: 625,000 New single-family homes completed with patio (all purposes) (2021–2025, New single-family houses completed, all purposes). Census Characteristics of New Housing: outdoorfeatures
- 2021: 494,000 · 2022: 518,000 · 2023: 481,000 · 2024: 493,000 · 2025: 471,000 New single-family homes completed with patio (built for sale) (2021–2025, New single-family houses completed, built for sale). Census Characteristics of New Housing: outdoorfeatures
- 2021: 52,000 · 2022: 64,000 · 2023: 71,000 · 2024: 54,000 · 2025: 64,000 New single-family homes completed with patio (contractor-built) (2021–2025, New single-family houses completed, contractor-built). Census Characteristics of New Housing: outdoorfeatures
- 2021: 17,000 · 2022: 20,000 · 2023: 24,000 · 2024: 20,000 · 2025: 23,000 New single-family homes completed with patio (owner-built) (2021–2025, New single-family houses completed, owner-built). Census Characteristics of New Housing: outdoorfeatures
How Patio Scopebook compiles these figures
Published figures come from National Association of Realtors / NALP, Zonda, Opendoor, Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association, HomeAdvisor, LawnStarter, Fixr, HomeGuide and other named sources, each linked where it appears. Housing data by region is Patio Scopebook's weighted tabulation of the EIA's 2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey public microdata, using the survey's own weights and 60 replicate weights for the intervals, and of the Census Bureau's Characteristics of New Housing tables. Figures describe the period and population shown next to each one.
Homeowner polls
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Patios and hardscapes statistics: quick answers
What share of U.S. homes have large shade trees?
44.4% nationally in 2024 (about 58.9M housing units), based on Patio Scopebook's weighted analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026). The share is highest in the Midwest at 48.7% and lowest in the Northeast at 39.0%. The figure covers occupied primary-residence housing units.
What share of U.S. homes have no large shade trees?
55.6% nationally in 2024 (about 73.7M housing units), based on Patio Scopebook's weighted analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026). The share is highest in the Northeast at 61.0% and lowest in the Midwest at 51.3%. The figure covers occupied primary-residence housing units.
What share of U.S. homes are leaving outdoor lighting on all night?
43.4% nationally in 2024 (about 57.5M housing units), based on Patio Scopebook's weighted analysis of EIA 2024 RECS preliminary household microdata (May 2026). The share is highest in the West at 48.5% and lowest in the Northeast at 33.4%. The figure covers occupied primary-residence housing units.
How did patio inclusion in newly completed homes change from 2021 to 2025?
Patios are standard on a majority of new homes, so a new patio is often an upgrade or expansion rather than a first outdoor space. Patio Scopebook calculated this from the Census Bureau's new-housing tables.
What does National Association of Realtors say about of a modest paver patio's cost recovered at resale, per Realtors?
95%. NAR's 2023 Remodeling Impact Report priced an 18-by-16-foot dry-set concrete paver patio at about $10,500 and Realtors estimated sellers recover roughly $10,000. Few outdoor projects come this close to paying for themselves. Source: National Association of Realtors / NALP, 2023 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features.
What does National Association of Realtors say about of a gas fire feature and flagstone patio's cost recovered at resale?
56%. Landscape pros estimated $9,000 for a dry-stacked stone kit, gas burner and 10-foot flagstone patio; Realtors estimated $5,000 recovered at sale. Buy a fire feature for the evenings you will use it, not for resale. Source: National Association of Realtors / NALP, 2023 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features.
What does National Association of Realtors say about of a $9,000 flagstone walkway and planting upgrade recovered at resale?
100%. The NAR project spec was a 3-by-30-foot natural flagstone walkway with two stone planters, shrubs and a tree; Realtors estimated sellers get the full $9,000 back. Front-yard hardscape is one of the safest curb-appeal investments. Source: National Association of Realtors / NALP, 2023 Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features.
What does Zonda say about return on manufactured stone veneer in Zonda's 2025 Cost vs. Value Report?
207.9%. Only garage door (267.7%) and steel entry door (216.4%) replacement scored higher out of 28 projects across 119 markets. Stone veneer on seat walls, pillars and wall faces carries that masonry appeal into patio projects. Source: Zonda, 2025 Cost vs. Value Report (PR Newswire release).
Put the numbers to work
Free toolPatio cost calculatorSize, material tier and complexity in, a realistic budget range out.
Free toolCompare hardscape options, row by rowSide-by-side tables for the decisions that change the price most.
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Free toolHardscape polls: how other homeowners are decidingSee what other planners chose and add your vote.
Service guides
Service guidePaver Patio InstallationPaver patio installation is the excavation, compacted stone base, bedding layer, laid pavers, edge restraint and joint fill that together create a level, drained outdoor surface.
Service guideRetaining Wall ConstructionRetaining wall construction turns a grade change into stable, usable ground with a footing, a wall of segmental block, stone, timber or poured concrete, and the drainage stone and pipe behind it.
Service guideFire Pit & Fireplace InstallFire pit and fireplace installation covers built-in wood or gas fire pits, masonry or prefabricated outdoor fireplaces, the non-combustible surface around them, gas or electrical lines and the clearances local rules require.
Service guideWalkways & DrivewaysWalkway and driveway work covers paths from the street or driveway to the door, garden paths, and vehicle surfaces in pavers, permeable pavers, concrete or stone.
Service guideOutdoor Living SpacesOutdoor living space planning coordinates patio, seating, cooking, shade, lighting, fire, paths, walls and planting into one plan that can be built at once or in phases.
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