Introduction
A revolution has occurred in backyards everywhere in the last decade. These outdoor spaces have become far more than simply a place to put the children’s swing set. Patios are at the heart of this home building or remodeling revolution.
While beautiful wooden decks are still highly desired, the architectural styling of a stamped concrete patio is becoming popular as an absolutely essential living space for the great outdoors.
Also decorative concrete products are becoming more and more popular as people discover the various uses for concrete. Floors, porches, and countertops all have significant advantages when made from concrete. These advantages include great design options and excellent durability.
If you’re looking to decorate in your own inimitable way, you can hardly do better than concrete. Concrete stains come in a multitude of colors and styles, all of which last and last due to the fact that the stains melt right into the concrete. There’s nothing there to wear away, so your colors remain just as you like them for a long, long time.
Such stains are great for outdoor structures like driveways, patios, and porches since you won’t have to worry about the color going anywhere no matter what the weather. These structures really liven up the outside portion of your home, giving you more space in which to enjoy those warm, glorious days. Concrete design features let you do so in lasting style.
Other options, like concrete engraving, painting, or stamping, lend a highly personalized character to your surroundings. Choose whatever design you want! And once again, durability is a big factor, as the imprints on your custom decorative concrete products are there to stay, as the etching is made right in the concrete itself.
Stamped concrete and increasing popularity
According to a survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders, nearly 60% of the single-family houses that were built in 2018 came with patios. That popularity has been growing from early 2000 steadily.
Homeowners can increase their home’s value by giving its old patio a resurfacing facelift. They may also add to the value of their home by creating a patio where none presently exists.
Today’s beautiful stamped concrete patio designs are more flexible and numerous than ever. Homeowners today want an outdoor surface that offers great versatility in use.
They look for the perfect floor surfacing material for decorating their outdoor living spaces which may include seating areas, an outdoor kitchen, a dining area, a surround for any water features, and flooring around a swimming pool.
Making any major upgrade to your home or yard will pay off in a higher appraised value for the home in the future. Building a stamped concrete patio enables the patio to be sculpted into any shape or shape desired to ensure that the creation of the patio will accommodate or make allowances for any or all of the backyard’s space restrictions.
Patios of concrete cost are less than those built with natural stone or brick, partly due to the fact that it is less labor-intensive to install. These patios are known for their durability and low and easy maintenance needs.
Patio concrete can be enhanced by stamping it in patterns that mimic other materials like flagstone, cobblestone, brick, tile, and slate. It can withstand the harshest weather conditions.
With the wide and creative array of patterns, textures, and colors available combined with its lower overall cost, concrete is the most economical choice and is within almost every homeowner’s budget.
The concrete patio can be enhanced with stains in a wide variety of colors. It can be color coordinated to match the home’s interior, making a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living spaces.
It can be colored to match or compliment the backyard landscaping, fireplace, or patio furniture. A pattern from chair cushions can be carried through with a stamped concrete patio design, either ready or custom-made.
Such creative freedom allows the homeowner or building designer to mix materials and styles from one part of the patio area to another, just as the rooms inside a home do. Examples include using more texture in the patio area with the dining table or more color around the outdoor kitchen or fireplace.
Stamping allows for design flair to achieve any look one can imagine. It will match or blend well with any exterior landscaping or architectural style. A stamped concrete patio can be built to suit any design goal or family budget.
Whether a homeowner wants a restful, natural appearance or a bold and vivid change of pace, a stamped concrete patio will provide a long-lasting living space that accomplishes the desired look.
Why choose stamped concrete over natural stone
If natural stone seems to cost a fortune why not use stamped concrete to achieve the same look? Concrete pavers are individually laid by hand, this added expense will cost more for both the material and labor.
The beauty of concrete is that it can be poured in a relatively short time frame, usually the same day; Before the concrete hardens the surface finish is stamped or imprinted with a rubber mat called a stamp mat.
The patterns and textures are endless and you can create the look of a natural stone, river rock, slate, flagstone, brick, or even wood. The finished look can be deceivingly realistic while creating a continuous slab eliminating joints for weeds or for individual bricks or pavers to move or loosen.
Concrete can be supported and strengthened with a metal re-bar which is done prior to the pour and becomes an integral support element in the hardened concrete. This makes concrete and stamped concrete a popular choice in areas with harsh winters, and tough climates.
Conclusion
A patio is a place for relaxing, at least for me, so it makes sense to make it look as good as possible on the budget. Stamping concrete isn’t that expensive if you can do it yourself and maintenance is rather easy.
Also, concrete in itself is a good material for outdoor building. With proper coating and sealing it can handle many different weather conditions and its life lasts decades so it’s money well spent.
Here is an article about casting concrete fireplace surrounds, might be a nice add to any patio.
