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Serving Massachusetts, Rhode Island & New Hampshire
Patios & Bluestone Patios
Paver patios, natural bluestone patios and stone steps, built on a deep compacted base so frost does not lift them.
The short answer
A patio is where most families actually spend time outside, so it has to look good and stay flat. We build paver patios and natural bluestone (blue stone) patios in backyards across Marlborough and MetroWest, from small sitting areas off a back door to large patios that wrap a colonial home. One of our recent projects was a large bluestone patio behind a colonial, with curved bluestone steps and a fieldstone riser leading down to a paver patio.
What keeps a patio flat in Massachusetts is the part you never see. We excavate below the topsoil, lay and compact crushed stone in layers, screed a bedding layer and pitch the surface slightly away from the house so rain and snowmelt run off. Skipping depth or compaction is why so many patios turn wavy after two or three winters.
Machado Landscaping & Construction Inc is family-owned and based in Marlborough, MA, with over 25 years of hands-on experience in construction. We build patios for homeowners and as the hardscape sub for builders and general contractors in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire.
Bluestone is a natural stone with a blue-gray color that fits New England homes very well. It comes in cut rectangular pieces for a clean pattern or in irregular pieces for a more natural look. It feels solid underfoot and ages well, though it can get warm in direct summer sun and the color varies from piece to piece, which most people see as part of the charm.
Concrete pavers come in many shapes, colors and textures, interlock tightly, and are easy to repair: a single paver can be lifted and reset if something settles. They are a good fit for larger patios, curved designs and areas next to a paver walkway or driveway so everything matches.
Many of the best patios mix the two: a bluestone field with a paver or cobblestone border, or paver patios with bluestone steps. We bring options to the free estimate and help you choose based on your home, how you use the space and your budget.
Massachusetts winters freeze the ground deep, and water trapped under a patio lifts it. That is why base depth and compaction matter so much: a well-drained, compacted gravel base gives water a way out and keeps the surface from heaving. Patios on clay or wet ground may need extra base or a drainage solution, which we look for during the estimate.
Pitch matters too. A patio should fall slightly away from the house so water never sits against the foundation. On patios next to steps or a bulkhead, we pay close attention to where every drop goes.
De-icing salt can wear the surface of some stones and pavers. We will tell you which products are gentler on your patio and how to clear snow without chipping edges.
Patios often need steps to the house, the deck or the lawn. We build stone and bluestone steps with consistent rise and solid footings so they stay level. When the work is done we sweep the patio, clean up the lawn edges, haul away debris and walk the finished space with you.
Call or text (508) 663-9401 with a few photos of the area and a short note about what you have in mind. We reply within 1 hour during business hours, Mon-Sat, 8am to 6pm.
We measure the space, check grade and drainage, show you paver and bluestone options and give you a clear written estimate for the patio and any steps. No visit fee.
We excavate, build and compact the base, lay the pavers or bluestone, set the steps and fill the joints. Then we clean the site, haul away debris and walk the patio with you.
Something else? Call (508) 663-9401. We reply within 1 hour during business hours.
It depends on size, base depth, material and access. As a rough market reference, paver patios in New England often run about $15 to $35 per square foot installed, and natural bluestone is typically higher, often $25 to $50 or more. Steps and walls add to the total. Your free estimate gives the real number.
Both work well when the base is built right. Bluestone gives a natural, classic look that suits colonial and older homes. Pavers offer more colors and shapes and are easy to repair. Many clients combine them, for example a bluestone patio with a paver border.
Usually because the base was too thin, not compacted in layers, or sitting on wet soil. Water under the patio freezes and lifts it. A deep, compacted base and proper pitch prevent most of that movement.
Yes. A paver patio under a deck is a good way to turn dead space into a usable area, and we can connect it to the house with a walkway. We check drainage from the deck above during the estimate.
Yes. We are based in Marlborough, MA, and we build patios across Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. Send your town and a few photos to (508) 663-9401 to get started.
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