What's the difference between a fire pit and a fireplace?

A fire pit is open-air and seats people around all sides, which makes it a better choice for group entertaining. A vertical, code-vented fireplace that seats people in front of it makes it a stronger architectural anchor for a patio space.

Do paver patios shift or settle over time?

Properly installed pavers stay stable for the long term. Settlement issues stem from shortcuts at the base layer, which is why our crews compact in lifts, install geotextile fabric, and slope the base to ensure drainage before the first paver is set.

What warranty is included?

A 1-year craftsmanship warranty covers all installed work, with manufacturer warranties on pavers, grills, and gas appliances varying by product line.

Custom Paver Patio Builder in Bay County

A patio is the ground-level foundation of an outdoor living space. Gulf Coast Decks, a trusted patio paver contractor in Bay County, FL, designs and installs paver patios, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and fireplaces as a single, cohesive build, so the hardscape, drainage, and finish materials work together from day one. Digital 3D modeling verifies grading, paver layout, and feature placement before any base is cut.

We’re trusted by:

A Decade of Excellence

Precision drives every patio installation to expand the usable hours of the backyard.
30+ Custom Structures Completed 10+ Years of Combined Construction Experience Coastal-Grade Anchoring: Vertical features like outdoor kitchens and fireplaces are anchored to meet Florida high-velocity hurricane zone standards.

Paver Patio Designs & Installation

At Gulf Coast Decks, every durable patio starts below the surface with proper base preparation and drainage planning.

Compacted Base Construction: Excavation, geotextile fabric, and a layered crushed-stone base prevent paver shifting and pooling.
Paver Material Options: Concrete pavers, travertine, and natural stone are selected for color stability and salt resistance in coastal conditions.
Drainage Integration: French drains, slope grading, and surface channels manage Gulf Coast rainfall before it pools.
Polymeric Sand Joints: Activated polymeric sand locks pavers in place, resists weeds, and blocks ant infiltration.

Outdoor Kitchens

An outdoor kitchen turns the patio into a working entertainment space without forcing guests indoors to cook.

Built-In Grill Stations: Stone- or stucco-clad surrounds are framed to fit homeowner-supplied grill inserts in standard or custom sizes.
Counter and Prep Surfaces: Granite, quartz, and porcelain countertops are installed at counter height with overhang for bar seating.
Storage and Utility: Weatherproof cabinets, drawer bases, and access doors provide storage for grilling tools, propane, and dry storage.
Plumbing and Gas Coordination: Water, gas, and electrical rough-ins are planned during design and inspected before finish work goes on.

Fire Pits & Outdoor Fireplaces

Fire features extend the patio season into the cooler months and visually anchor the space.

Wood-Burning Fire Pits: Stone or paver-ringed pits are built with proper draft, drainage, and fire-rated base materials.
Gas Fire Pit Tables: Low-profile pits with hidden propane or natural gas hookups give push-button operation and adjustable flame height.
Stacked-Stone Fireplaces: Vertical fireplaces are framed with steel and clad in stacked stone, brick, or stucco, with code-compliant chimney venting.
Paver-Matched Surrounds: Fire feature bases and hearths are clad in paver or stone selections that tie back to the surrounding patio.

Built on Professional Standards

Madison and Hudson Rehm founded Gulf Coast Decks to raise construction standards across Northwest Florida. As a Licensed Residential Contractor with a background in construction management, the team treats every patio as a permanent extension of the home.

Coastal Integrity: Emerald Coast Builds in ActionPaver patios, outdoor kitchens, and fire features are installed in backyards across Bay and Walton counties.

Paver patios, outdoor kitchens, and fire features are installed in backyards across Bay and Walton counties.

Proudly Serving the Entire Emerald Coast

Bay County:

Walton County:

Okaloosa County:

Local Feedback from Your Neighbors

Our reputation is built on crystal-clear communication and a refusal to cut corners. See why homeowners across the Emerald Coast trust Hudson and Madison to handle their outdoor investments with total transparency.

Benefits of Working with Gulf Coast Decks

We apply structural guards to prevent decay in salt-air environments.

Led by licensed contractors with backgrounds in Construction and Construction Management.

Direct communication with Hudson and Madison throughout the entire build.

Patios & Pavers FAQs

How long does a paver patio installation take?

Most paver patios take 1 to 2 weeks on-site once permits and materials are in place. Builds with outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, or extensive drainage work add to the timeline, depending on the scope.

What paver materials work best on the Gulf Coast?

Concrete pavers are the most cost-effective and color-stable option. Travertine stays cooler underfoot for pool-adjacent patios. Natural stone reads as the most premium but requires periodic sealing to resist salt-air staining.

Do you handle outdoor kitchen plumbing and gas?

Yes. Water and gas lines are planned during design, run during the build, and permitted and inspected before finish stone or stucco goes on.

Can you connect a new patio to my existing deck or pool?

Yes. Patio elevations and transitions are graded to meet existing decks, pool decks, or thresholds without trip hazards, and matching or contrasting materials are selected to define each zone.