Continued Growth in Patios for New Homes
In 2023, the share of new single-family homes featuring patios reached another record high, with 63.7% of the approximately 950,000 homes started that year including this feature. This marks a slight increase from 63.3% in 2022 and continues a trend of growth that has lasted for eight consecutive years. These figures come from NAHB tabulations of data from the Survey of Construction (SOC), conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau with partial funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
This growth reflects the increasing popularity of patios in new homes, particularly as the housing market has recovered from the extreme weakness seen during the 2008-2011 period. Historically, fewer than half of new homes came with patios during those years, but since 2012, the share has steadily climbed. In fact, the percentage of new homes with patios has increased in 13 of the past 14 years, with the only exception being in 2015 when the figure remained unchanged.
Geographic Differences in Patio Presence
While patios have become more common in new homes across the U.S., there are regional variations in their prevalence. In 2023, New England saw only 17% of new single-family homes come with patios, while in the Middle Atlantic, the percentage was slightly higher at 20%. In contrast, patios were present in over 80% of new homes in the West South Central region, with the South Atlantic and Mountain divisions seeing patio inclusion rates near 70%. These geographic trends have remained consistent over the past year.
Patio Size and Material Trends
The size of new home patios also varies depending on the region. According to the 2024 Annual Builder Practices Survey (BPS), the average patio size across the U.S. is about 290 square feet. However, this figure varies significantly by region. For example, the average patio size in the East South Central region is over 400 square feet, while in New England, it is around 380 square feet. On the other hand, the West South Central region has an average patio size of under 200 square feet, and the West North Central division sees patios just above 200 square feet.
Regarding materials, poured concrete is the dominant choice for patio construction in most regions. In the East South Central area, for example, over 90% of new home patios are made with poured concrete. However, there are exceptions in certain areas, particularly on the East Coast. In the South Atlantic, concrete and brick pavers each account for about a quarter of the patio market, with poured concrete making up less than half. In New England, there is a more even distribution among poured concrete, concrete pavers, and natural stone. The Mid-Atlantic region stands out for its preference for brick pavers, which are the most popular material for new-home patios by a significant margin.
Conclusion
The trend of including patios in new homes continues to grow, reflecting broader shifts in consumer preferences for outdoor living spaces. While the national average continues to rise, regional differences in patio prevalence, size, and materials suggest diverse market conditions across the U.S. As the demand for outdoor living spaces remains strong, builders are likely to continue adapting to these evolving preferences, offering larger and more varied patio designs in different regions.