Patios
Despite stiff competition from wood decks, the concrete patio is gaining
in popularity as an essential element in today's backyards. According
to a survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders, the
share of new homes with patios jumped from 35% in 1995 to 46% in 2005.
With more decorative options than ever before, concrete patios are
attracting homeowners who want an outdoor surface that offers the
ultimate in design versatility. Concrete patios also have the edge when
it comes to durability and low maintenance.
In addition to serving as a gathering zone for lounging and
entertaining, concrete patios allow homeowners to seamlessly blend
interior and exterior living spaces. They are the perfect decorative
flooring surface for outdoor kitchens and living rooms, complete with
cozy seating areas, fireplaces and water features. What's more, this
outdoor floor offers unlimited design options. When enhanced by stains
and integral colors, concrete patios can be color coordinated to match a
home's exterior or landscape. They can also be stamped or engraved in
patterns that mimic other popular paving materials, such as brick,
flagstone, slate and tile.
As an investment, concrete patios typically cost less than patios
made of brick or natural stone because they are less labor-intensive to
install. The lower price tag combined with the wide array of patterns
and colors available make concrete an economical choice for most
budgets. Plus, concrete is easily formed into any shape to accommodate
backyard space restrictions.
Upgrading your backyard with a decorative concrete patio is also
an investment that will provide many years of enjoyment while improving
the look of your landscape. Concrete is easy to maintain and can stand
up to the harshest of weather conditions. Unlike paving stones, you
won't have joints between units where grass and weeds can sprout. And
unlike wood, concrete won't warp, rot or require periodic staining.
We offer tips for designing and sizing a concrete patio,
give you an overview of the various concrete patio finish options, and
tell you about ways you can accessorize and enhance your patio. For
people with existing concrete patios, we also tell you about ways to
give your old patio a decorative makeover by resurfacing, staining or
engraving.
Walkways
Concrete walkways or sidewalks are more than just a way to get
wherever it is you're going—they can provide much-needed curb appeal to
homes and buildings, and they are fast becoming a point of artistic
expression by way of a multitude of decorative concrete options.
While plain gray concrete is still the most often surface
installed, as seen on most concrete sidewalks, there are numerous
decorative concrete alternatives sure to dress it up, taking your
sidewalk from boring to amazing.
The best part is that most of the options will work just as well
on an existing walkway, because the concrete industry has rapidly
developed many decorative products that can be applied to existing plain
concrete walkways.
Concrete has become the new material of
choice for designers across the U.S. Decorative concrete in all of its
stained, colored, molded and personalized glory is popping up in retail
stores, trendy restaurants, offices and homes everywhere.
Pool Decks
One of the biggest trends in outdoor design today is a decorative
concrete pool deck, a colored, textured and inviting area surrounding
the pool that does more than provide a safe, slip-resistant deck for
sunbathing and barbecuing. Inground pool decks are now given nearly as
much attention as the interior design of the home.
Decorative concrete has opened the doors to creating pool decks
that complement the exterior of the home, meld with the outdoor
environment, and replicate exotic and traditionally expensive materials
such as slate, stone or even wood.
