Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - making a new patio

I would like to make a 10x12 patio, plus a walkway included. What would be the cheaper way to do this? Would I use pavers, slabs or cement? I live in Saskatchewan, Canada so it has to keep up with the winters here. I also need a step by step on how to put this in.:thinker:

Probably the pavers would be cheaper but you could call the local ready mix yard & get a quote on what it would cost to pour something that size. You certainly can't mix all that yourself but you could do the framing. They could also calculate the cost of the pavers for that size area. If you go with the pavers, you would lay a bed of gravel with a dry mix on top except for the edges. That would be a wet mix.

my $.02:

at 10'x12', concrete is going to be your most expensive option. it's also susceptible to cracking.

the nice thing about pavers and architectural slabs is that you have plenty of options for do-over. and - imho - they're more attractive. so is natural flagstone - maybe with decorative gravel swept into the joints.

for pavers, slabs, or flagstone, you want a good, solid, compacted soil sub-grade. if weeds are a problem, put weed block fabric on the sub-grade. 2-3 inches of paver base (sand/gravel mix) above that. pavers on top. i've done this job on my own home and can advise on technique.

if things aren't level after a year or two, you can pull the pavers up, level the sub-grade, and do it again at minimal cost.

and unlike concrete, a paver or flagstone patio is permeable.