Concrete Patio

Concrete is an essential material used when constructing houses, office buildings, roads, and other establishments. It comes from composite materials like water, Portland cement, and aggregates like sand, gravel, or rock. Combining all these materials result in a workable paste that eventually hardens after a while.

Of all the materials available to build patios, concrete is the most traditional yet versatile choice. It's smooth, clean, can be cast and formed into curvilinear or geometric shapes, and, with the addition of tints, can become anything other than the classic light gray.

Other benefits: it offers permanence, durability, and is fairly inexpensive―even more so if you do it yourself―provided you know what you're doing and are more than capable of accomplishing the task. If you aren't sure you can tackle a concrete patio project on your own, hire a contractor.

If you dread the idea of weeds or volunteer plants growing between spaces, pavers can be butted together for a smooth, unbroken surface. If you opt for the more traditional method of leaving spaces between pavers (this means you'll buy fewer pavers), they can be filled with pea gravel, pebbles, or a tight, low-growing ground cover.

- You can put a pop of color in your concrete driveway using any decorative concrete. You can achieve this by adding integral colors to your concrete mixture to make the vibrant color that you want to see in that part of your home. Some of the colors you may consider adding to your decorative concrete include neutral shades if you intend to follow a neutral theme or use a bold tone to make the area stand out.

- Using a plain concrete surface may sometimes look dull. But you can enhance the look by using the concrete stamping method. The stamped concrete can bear the resemblance of brick or natural stone to provide a different dimension to your construction project. You may also make the concrete look like cobblestone, a slate, or even a well-polished wood.

- Another popular choice for improving the area’s look where you plan to install decorative concrete slabs is the polished look. You can make the space more aesthetically pleasing without having to spend a lot of money. If you also choose to go for polished concrete, you no longer have to worry about expensive maintenance to keep the beautiful appearance of your concrete project.

Photos by: Pinterest and Installidirect