Form Follows Function: Making Concrete Patio Plans, Designs, Ideas
In today’s backyards, a patio is a must-have feature. In the United States, concrete is the most used patio material. Concrete patios are popular among homeowners who want an outdoor surface that can be personalized in various ways. Compared to wood decks, pavers, and natural stone, concrete patios are more durable and require less maintenance.
Concrete is the most classic and adaptable of all the materials available for patio construction. It’s smooth and clean, can be cast and shaped into curvilinear or geometric designs, and maybe tinted to become anything but the traditional light gray.
Other advantages include permanency, durability, and low concrete patio cost, especially if done yourself if you know what you are doing and are more than capable of completing the task, but it’s not easy for a newbie to do it yourself, and it’s not a one-person task. Hire a contractor in Stockton if you’re not confident you can handle a concrete patio project on your own.
Things To Consider When Making Patio Plans
A plain concrete slab can’t go wrong, but specific procedures can be used during the curing phase if you want to add textures or a pattern. One of the simplest ways to create roughness is to sweep a stiff broom across the drying concrete once in each direction, giving the surface some “tooth” and preventing it from becoming slippery while wet.
Thinking about space’s functionality and its use is the first step in planning patio plans. The instructor puts “form follows function” on the chalkboard for all to see on the first day of Landscape Design School. Everything will be good if you keep this tried-and-true consideration in mind while you plan your backyard space.
You’ll be better off breaking up space into numerous smaller patio spaces or “outdoor rooms” unless you often conduct huge meetings and need everyone in one oversized patio area.
Decorative Options:
- Colored concrete has four different ways to color concrete, including staining, intrinsic color, color hardener, liquid release agents (for stamping), and dyes.
- A stamped concrete patio can be used to produce textures that resemble stone, brick, or other materials on the surface of your concrete patio.
It is possible to resurface an existing concrete patio that is cracked or discolored. Resurfacing your concrete patio will make it look brand new. It is possible to color and stamp a resurfaced concrete patio.
Another popular trend is to incorporate plants into areas where expansion joints would normally be seen. This helps make the surface more permeable and provides some greenery to break up the expanse of asphalt. Artificial turf is commonly used in these areas, especially in areas where water conservation is a priority.
Concrete Strength and Durability
One of the essential aspects of concrete is its durability. You might as well flush your money down the toilet if you don’t have it. Concrete durability is the ability of the material to withstand chemical attacks and weather while maintaining the intended qualities.
Concrete structures worldwide are becoming prone to chemical and weather attacks and failing prematurely due to the use of subpar materials, flawed construction procedures, and incorrect cure times. As a result, determining the concrete’s endurance is crucial.
Testing Concrete Strength
After you’ve acquired the answers to these questions, you’ll need to test the strength of your concrete. Thankfully, this is a simple and constant action that can be completed regardless of the surroundings. The dimensions will remain the same, even if different areas of your structure demand different strength capacities.
Testing Concrete Durability
After you’ve determined the concrete’s strength, you can move on to determining its durability. This is a lot more difficult to describe, but you can find out by evaluating your mix’s permeability. When water enters into your concrete, the odds of it deteriorating prematurely grow dramatically. To avoid this, you’ll need to minimize the amount of water that passes through your concrete.
Is a Concrete Patio a Good Choice for Your Backyard?
Here are some reasons why concrete is a good choice for your patio:
You Can Create an Outdoor Entertaining Zone
The concrete patio allows homeowners to effortlessly connect inner and outside living spaces, in addition to functioning as a gathering zone for sitting and entertainment. Outdoor kitchens and living spaces with cozy seating areas, fireplaces, and water features benefit from their attractive flooring.
You Can Enjoy a Durable, Low-Maintenance Surface
Incorporating decorative concrete patio ideas into your backyard is also an investment that will bring many years of enjoyment while also increasing the appearance of your landscape. Concrete is simple to maintain and can withstand even the most extreme weather. You won’t have any joints between units, unlike paving stones, where grass and weeds can emerge. Concrete, unlike wood, does not warp, decay, or require staining regularly.
You Can Save Money Without Sacrificing Style
Because they are less labor-intensive to install, concrete patios are often less expensive than patios built of brick or natural stone. Concrete is an affordable option for most budgets due to its cheaper price tag and many designs and hues. Furthermore, concrete may be easily shaped into any shape to fit any backyard space constraints.
You Can Customize With Color and Pattern
Furthermore, this outdoor floor provides limitless design possibilities. Concrete patios can be color harmonized to match a home’s exterior or landscaping when enhanced with stains and intrinsic colors. They can also be embossed or engraved to seem like brick, flagstone, slate, or tile, all common paving materials.
Patio Design Ideas
Many people are opting to expand their living area outdoors rather than moving to a larger home. Patios are becoming larger, more elegant, and more covered as a result. Patios have evolved into centers of activity centered on entertaining and resting. A well-designed patio will boost the resale value of your property while also adding more living space.
Small Concrete Patio Ideas
Not everyone has the space to design a backyard that looks like it came straight out of a magazine. Pouring concrete might be a beautiful and economical choice if you just have a tiny garden or space to create a patio.
Concrete patios have the advantage of being able to be poured almost anyplace in your yard, even on steep slopes. You can even be mixed cement bags on-site and pour the patio by the wheelbarrow if you just have a tiny place for a patio. Small concrete patios are a great way to make use of a space that might otherwise be wasted.
Elegant Flagstone Patio
The material you select for your outdoor patio is influenced by your personal preferences as well as practical concerns. The majority of homeowners prefer hard surfaces, such as the flagstone patio in this photo. However, as we will see later, some situations in which a hard surface is not the ideal solution.
Concrete Garden Patio
Plants and garden beds are some of the best ways to brighten up a concrete patio. These green spaces not only give a refreshing contrast to the concrete, but they also provide a peaceful place in which to breathe in the fresh air. There are few better ways to pass the time in the garden than with a good book.
Concrete is particularly well suited to garden areas since it can be poured into practically any shape. This means you can make curving paths, garden beds, and other shapes that complement the garden’s design. While the material may not feel natural, it can be tailored to fit the area and not a distraction.
All Season Patio- Mediterranean Patio
This bespoke design construction project included a covered patio addition to the existing house that served as a living room and dining room expansion. A gas fireplace, television, general and accent lighting, and ceiling fans were among the project’s goals. The original wood trellis beams were reused in this project—a big Mediterranean backyard concrete patio makeover with a fireplace and a roof extension.
Concrete Patios with Fire Pits
There’s no other excellent way to spend a summer night than around an open fire with good companions. To feel the fire pit’s warmth, you don’t need to load up your car with your tent and sleeping bag. Making your patio’s fire pit the focal point is a terrific way to get everyone together for a toast and a laugh.
Tiered Concrete Patio
If you have a backyard that is sloped, you may be frustrated and believe that your options are restricted. The truth is that you may employ a tiered-design concept to create multiple levels in your backyard, each with its own purpose.
A tiered concrete patio area can be designed in a variety of ways. You’ve generated options by constructing a tier for cooking, a tier for dining, and a tier for resting. You’ve avoided pouring one enormous patio that can feel more like a parking lot than a backyard hideaway, and your guests can now select from three unique locations to enjoy.
Final Thoughts
Concrete patios are the clear winner compared to hardwood decks and patio surfaces made of paver stones or bricks. Concrete has numerous advantages, ranging from many shapes and designs at accessible rates to its minimal maintenance nature and permanence.
Concrete Contractor Stockton focuses on how we can help you, and we will ensure that we complete any concrete works in the most beneficial way possible. We work efficiently because what is important to you matters to us, and we aim for your satisfaction in terms of concrete works. Contact us today!