The Durability of Concrete Patios
Why Choose Concrete Patios Over Other Common Patio Materials
Written By: Lindsey Vandenberg | Digital Marketing Specialist | Updated March 2024
Replacing your old patio or installing a new patio is an important decision that will improve your home for decades to come. With so many kinds of materials to choose between, such as wood, stone, composite, and concrete, it’s important to choose the best investment for your new patio. When compared to other materials, concrete provides many distinct advantages. With unbeatable strength, easy maintenance, many environmental benefits, and added home appeal, concrete is without a doubt the ideal choice for any patio.
Concrete patios in Bucks and Montgomery Counties are very popular for a reason. They can withstand the harsh weather Pennsylvania brings while offering easy maintenance and a sleek, modern look. Concrete is durable and long lasting making your investment worth it. Keep reading to learn more about the pros of a concrete patio.
Durability
Concrete has stood the test of time and can last over 30 years if maintained properly. In comparison, wood decks on average last just one-third to half as long as our concrete, while requiring continuous upkeep and rigorous maintenance schedules. Concrete is also the only material trusted to withstand the rigors of weather in any climate. From pouring rain to sub-freezing temperatures and blizzarding snow, concrete doesn’t budge. Unlike stone, which can easily become cracked or dislodged due to extreme weather or temperatures, concrete endures.
Easy Maintenance
Compared to other common materials used for patio installations, concrete is by far the easiest to maintain. When installing your new concrete patio, we strongly encourage adding a sealer which will improve the already amazing longevity of concrete patios. Below are a couple advantages of using a sealer on concrete:
- Sealer protects the concrete from freeze-thaw cycles, road salts, stains, chemicals, and more.
- Sealer is easy to apply: You can even do it yourself at home! Once a year apply a reliable concrete sealer and watch the magic work.
Concrete helps keep the cleaning process easy. All you need is a broom, hose, or power washer to restore the beautiful look of your amazing concrete patio, no matter what mother nature has thrown at it. Unlike wood or stone, concrete can withstand any nylon brush scrubbing or power washing that it may need.
Environmentally Friendly
Concrete is a sustainable alternative for patios because of its energy efficiency, long-life cycle, and lower life-cycle costs. During the production stage of concrete, it uses less energy when compared to the production of wood or stone. Lumber needs constant staining and finishing which increases chemical waste, not to mention wood patios don’t last as long, adding more waste to the pile. Homeowners who choose concrete have a long-lasting patio with very little maintenance, they preserve more trees, and in the long run, it is more cost-effective. Concrete can also be recycled and reused!
Sleek, Modern Appeal to Your Home
Having the opportunity to design your outdoor living space to fit your style is always important. If you were to install a wood or composite deck, there are only a few design options and colors to choose from. However, when it comes to concrete, there are endless options! You can change the color, choose a stamped design, and create any shape you desire for your patio. Below are three different ways you can utilize concrete: Â Â
- Colored Concrete: Coloring concrete allows you to put your personal styling touch into your driveway or patio that compliments the exterior color of your home. If you aren’t sure what color and don’t want to commit to a full-color base, don’t worry you can consider a color-release sealer that contrasts with the existing concrete.
- Stamped Concrete Patio: Step up your game by adding a unique design that can replicate any common patio material such as wood, pavers, ashlar, stone, and more! This way you still have the durability and low maintenance concrete offers while still getting the look of a different material.
- Different Concrete Shapes: Concrete has extensive design flexibility compared to composite or wood. Your new concrete patio can be just about any shape you want, and we will work with you to find the best shape for your space! Whether that is a rectangle, oval, circle, or even an oblong shape, concrete can do it all and Sam The Concrete Man can help.
As you can see, there are many great design benefits to stamped concrete patios. From different types of designs to a whole array of color and staining options, your patio will look unique and help pull together your outdoor space. Sam The Concrete Man BucksMont is here to help you choose the best shape, stamp, and color for your next concrete patio.
Different Types of Concrete Patios
Whether you have a small or a large backyard, deciding what patio compliments your outdoor space might be difficult. From stamped designs to borders and different textures, the options can become overwhelming. Below are a few different types of concrete patios that are popular throughout Bucks and Montgomery Counties to help you gain inspiration and ideas:
Stamped Concrete
A stamped concrete patio is a great way to add style and flair to your home’s aesthtic. The number of concrete stamps to choose from is extensive – matching anything from rustic to modern styles. Here are a few stamped concrete design options to consider:
- Brick stamp: Brick stamping is a great design option that allows you to keep a classic look while giving you a step up from broom-finished concrete. Want to add even more spice to it? Try using a herringbone pattern!
- Cobblestone stamp: Cobblestone has been around for centuries, originally dating to ancient times. Using cobblestone stamping offers an antique aesthetic to your patio by bringing the old world to your outdoor living space.
- Large ashlar slate stamp: Modern concrete designs are becoming more and more popular, especially for patios. A large ashlar slate design is a great way to create this sleek modern patio look. The best part, you get the look without the intensive tile installation process.
Exposed Aggregate Concrete
Take your plain concrete and enhance the design by showing a sand or stone texture on your next patio. Exposed Aggregate is a great material to use for patios since it can withstand heavy wear and tear and resists cracking. Add heavier furniture patio and worry less about it causing damage or scratches! Since exposed aggregate is textured, this is a great way to reduce slipping during the colder months of Pennsylvania.
Colored Concrete
If you want to add a pop of color to your new patio, colored concrete is a great option. The fun part is that you get to match your patio furniture to pull the whole look together with your backyard design. Concrete colors range from different shades of gray to different shades of red. This allows you the opportunity to make your outdoor space look classic, modern, elective, or even Aztec!
Stained Concrete
With stained concrete, you can apply it to a new design or add it to your current concrete to revamp it. Staining has always been a popular method due to its many advantages, one being its incredible design flexibility. You can create anything imaginable that suits your design vision and budget, there is no limit to how big or small you want to go. The stain penetrates deeply into the concrete increasing durability and ensuring the color won’t fade or flake away. There are two different types of stains to choose from:
- Acid-based stain: A chemical reaction occurs with the concrete, creating natural color variations like marble or granite. Acid stains can also resemble wood, great for a patio design. Colors include tan, browns, terra cottas, and soft blue greens.Â
- Water-based stain: This offers a full spectrum of shades, allowing you to go beyond the subtle acid-based colors, helping you broaden your options even more. You can view color charts to see which colors for your stained concrete patio will match the best.
Concrete Border
Instantly add an upscale look to your new concrete patio by simply adding a concrete border. This is a very affordable design option that doesn’t significantly increase the time of completing your patio. If you are not ready to commit to a fully stamped concrete patio, a stamped border is the perfect alternative to spice up your backyard space!
Circle Patio
What’s better than spending the night cooking smores on your secluded concrete patio? A circular patio is a perfect option for you if you are looking for a unique design idea. They offer an amazing space for a firepit so you can host summer BBQs and late-night cookouts. No matter how big or small your backyard is, work with us and we will help you find the best shape for your concrete patio!
Wrap-Around Patio
Finding an affordable option for your patio depends on the material, but concrete proves to last the longest and is worth the investment. With the right care, concrete can last decades! Concrete psi (pounds per square inch) is the main price factor as it measures the compressive strength of concrete. The higher the concrete psi, the more expensive it will be per cubic yard. In terms of concrete psi for a patio, you will most likely not need to withstand a lot of weight (like a driveway) so for a concrete patio, a concrete psi of 3000 is common. Based on current cost factors, here is the price structure of concrete psi per cubic yard:
- 3,000psi: $180
- 3,500psi: $200
- 4,000psi: $220
- 4,500psi: $240
In addition to weight constraints on certain levels of psi, the region of the US you’re located in also plays a big part. 3500psi is used in warmer temperature locations whereas 4000psi is for colder locations. The 4500psi is usually meant for commercial-level projects. To ensure your concrete lasts you as long as possible, choosing the right psi is very important.
Design factors also affect the average concrete patio cost. These include patio size, property condition, design, and whether it’s an installation of a new patio or refreshing an existing one. A short load fee is also sometimes present if the job requires less than 3 yards of concrete. Below are some concrete styles by cost, price based on per sq ft.:
Current Cost of Concrete
The cost of concrete is measured in two different ways. Ordering concrete from a ready mix supplier means the price will be by the yard, but working with a contractor the price will be by square footage. The cost per square foot ranges anywhere between $10-$15, and $180 per yard (not considering paying for the ready mix delivery fee). Many factors go into a concrete price analysis including grading, subbase preparation, concrete forms and finishing, reinforcement, and the local cost of concrete. Concrete supply can also greatly affect the price. Concrete is built to last which is an important factor for patios. Having a reliable space to hang out with no worries of maintenance makes for a stress-free homeowner and party host.
Average Concrete Patio Cost
Finding an affordable option for your patio depends on the material, but concrete proves to last the longest and is worth the investment. With the right care, concrete can last decades! Concrete psi (pounds per square inch) is the main price factor as it measures the compressive strength of concrete. The higher the concrete psi, the more expensive it will be per cubic yard. In terms of concrete psi for a patio, you will most likely not need to withstand a lot of weight (like a driveway) so for a concrete patio, a concrete psi of 3000 is common. Based on current cost factors, here is the price structure of concrete psi per cubic yard:
- 3,000psi: $180
- 3,500psi: $200
- 4,000psi: $220
- 4,500psi: $240
In addition to weight constraints on certain levels of psi, the region of the US you’re located in also plays a big part. 3500psi is used in warmer temperature locations whereas 4000psi is for colder locations. The 4500psi is usually meant for commercial-level projects. To ensure your concrete lasts you as long as possible, choosing the right psi is very important.
Design factors also affect the average concrete patio cost. These include patio size, property condition, design, and whether it’s an installation of a new patio or refreshing an existing one. A short load fee is also sometimes present if the job requires less than 3 yards of concrete. Below are some concrete styles by cost, price based on per sq ft.:
Finding modern concrete patio ideas that stand out can be challenging, but design options are endless. The best part is that once you find a design that suits your preferences best, you can feel confident going into the project knowing that whichever one you choose, it’ll last you a long time.
Work with Sam The Concrete Man BucksMont
With all the different options of concrete, there is more creative freedom you can bring into your outdoor patio space. A patio is trendy to have in today’s world and Sam The Concrete Man can help you redesign your space. Trust a business with more than 30 years of experience in the concrete industry. We offer unlimited design potential ranging from cobblestone and brick stamps to exposed aggregate to staining options. Want to change the layout as well? Don’t worry, we can create circular patios which are great for fire pits, or a whole wrap-around patio covering the whole perimeter of your home. We will work with you to design the very best concrete patio for your space within your budget.
Our professional concrete contractors provide services throughout Bucks and Montgomery Counties and welcome you to get a free estimate today. A proposal will be written and printed for you on-site, giving you something to think about right away! We look forward to working with you on your next concrete patio project.
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