Many homeowners today are finding that paving stones give them a smarter solution to their back yard living space.

For many years, wood decks have been the popular choice for the outdoor extension of your home, but as all deck owners will tell you, the annual maintenance and pest nuisance are more than they bargained for.

This is why more homeowners are investing in solid, time-proven concrete paving stones. They find they can create a unique, custom-made space for their home’s style and color scheme. Paving stones such as Romanstone offer more than 14 color choices, 12 shapes and hundreds of laying patterns. So finding a unique style and color for their home is easy.

Creating elegant exterior spaces can be made easier by hiring a contractor who specializes in installation of paving stones. While it can be done by do-it-yourselfers, most find the labor to be more than they want to undertake.

Paving stone patios are not limited to flat backyards. Using concrete retaining walls such as Keystone and Versa-Lok allows you to construct a raised patio. The many styles of retaining walls often complement the landscaping by creating more sculptured spaces than you can achieve with wood.

If you are considering an investment in your backyard, explore your options before you commit yourself to years of future maintenance.

Once upon a time, Versa-Lok retaining walls were used exclusively for holding up the earth. But today, Versa-Lok can be used to build everything from curving walls and stately columns to tiered gardens and graceful stairways.

Homeowners are using Versa-Lok — and their imaginations — to transform their yards into magnificent extensions of their living rooms or kitchens. Versa-Lok Mosaic, for example, offers a random-pattern, hand- crafted appearance that’s more affordable than natural stone — and more flexible. Used in tandem with paver stone patios and walkways, Versa-Lok Mosaic makes it possible to create just about any kind of living space to blend in with the great outdoors.

Versa-Lok Retaining Wall systems can be used to build freestanding walls or columns. These can be particularly attractive around the perimeter of a raised Romanstone patio or flanking an entryway or driveway. Versa-Lok even can be used to build rock-solid stairs.

Homeowners are rediscovering their front yards, installing entry courtyards and other amenities that incorporate freestanding walls and columns. An entry courtyard makes a graceful transition between the streetscape and your doorstep. Just as the front porches of yesteryear have become fashionable again, an entry courtyard sends a welcome message to neighbors and visitors.

The hottest trend in Versa-Lok’s line is the Weathered option, an aged, antique texture available on all Versa-Lok products. Weathered Versa-Lok is extremely popular with homeowners seeking a more natural look. It’s an ideal solution for historic preservation or renovation projects in which existing stone must be matched — especially if you don’t have a couple hundred years to wait for the look you desire.