Alternatives to Concrete patios

[pixiegirl]

We've decided to put in a patio outside and connect our two porches with a deck that will wrap around the back of the house. Off the area where the one porch is now; out the side door where the kitchen is we were thinking about having a concrete patio poured as well. Something nice to put the grill on and make the entertaining space bigger than just the wrap around deck. I'm not totally opposed to a plain concrete slab but was just looking for other options as well. Cost is really of no great concern. It's a rather large space. I think he measured it out at 20 ft. x 12 ft. I don't want brick I know that much. We have a brick retaining wall that is going to have to be taken down and redone. I'm going for looks as well as practicality.

 

[Vince]

My neighbor had a sideway done with kind of a colored flagstone. Odd shapes and not the usual gray color. Looked good. I'm going to knock down my deck next year and put in french doors out of the back, cement steps with a landing, and a stone or brick patio with fire pit.

 

[pixiegirl]

My neighbor had a sideway done with kind of a colored flagstone. Odd shapes and not the usual gray color. Looked good. I'm going to knock down my deck next year and put in french doors out of the back, cement steps with a landing, and a stone or brick patio with fire pit.

Is there some sort of mortor (sp?) inbetween the stones?

 

[DQ2B]

stamped concrete, pavers, slate?

 

[Vince]

Is there some sort of mortor (sp?) inbetween the stones?

I'd have to get a closer look, but I think the joints were tight enough where they just swept sand into them. They lay them into packed sand the same way they do with the brick. Under the sand they put a barrier to prevent anything from growing up through. Check out the DIY website.

 

[BadGirl]

How 'bout a regular concrete slab that's been amended with dye to color the concrete in a myriad of color choices. Also, concrete can be stamped with many types of designs that resemble bricks, flagstone, slate, or just about anything else. My concrete sidewalk has a design in it of small river pebbles. It's subtle, but something that looks nice. Come on by and check it out!

Try going here and looking at the stamping options, the color options, and the surface options available. http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/concrete_patio/index.html?p

 

[pixiegirl]

How 'bout a regular concrete slab that's been amended with dye to color the concrete in a myriad of color choices. Also, concrete can be stamped with many types of designs that resemble bricks, flagstone, slate, or just about anything else. My concrete sidewalk has a design in it of small river pebbles. It's subtle, but something that looks nice. Come on by and check it out!

Try going here and looking at the stamping options, the color options, and the surface options available. http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/concrete_patio/index.html?p

Those are beautiful! You're the best!

 

[Vince]

Or Flagstone Patio

 

[pixiegirl]

Or Flagstone Patio

I like that a lot too. Cost is of no great concern but of course is a factor. Do you know off-hand how concrete and stone price up to one another? Are they comperable or is one usually much more expensive than the other?

 

[Lilypad]

As much as I love brick and slate-I stayed away from it when I created a space-
ck, out http://www.creativeconcrete.com/
Slate is slick when it's wet and brick-unless the bricks are tight-has a tendency to grow "stuff" between each brick.

 

[czygvtwkr]

Outdoor ceramic tile looks great in my opinion. I laid some over an older concrete patio it was pretty easy and has held up 10 years now and still looks new.

 

[Nickel]

Outdoor ceramic tile looks great in my opinion. I laid some over an older concrete patio it was pretty easy and has held up 10 years now and still looks new.

That sounds nice. I'll keep that in mind when we grow tired of our boring concrete slab patio.

 

[BadGirl]

I like that a lot too. Cost is of no great concern but of course is a factor. Do you know off-hand how concrete and stone price up to one another? Are they comperable or is one usually much more expensive than the other?

Stamped concrete is much less expensive.

 

[czygvtwkr]

That sounds nice. I'll keep that in mind when we grow tired of our boring concrete slab patio.

Another really neat thing is in the middle of the day in summer you can go out on it in your bare feet and it feels barely warm. Not really a reason to do it just something neat.

 

[Nickel]

Another really neat thing is in the middle of the day in summer you can go out on it in your bare feet and it feels barely warm. Not really a reason to do it just something neat.

I go onto our patio with bare feet fairly often when I take the dog out. :shrug:

 

[dustin]

Another really neat thing is in the middle of the day in summer you can go out on it in your bare feet and it feels barely warm. Not really a reason to do it just something neat.

How difficult is it to clean mud from the grout (or whatever is used in between the tile?)

 

[FastCarsSpeed]

I have sworn off decks. At the new house we have double opening french door being installed and I want a stamped concrete patio or stone including the stairs . They can do some amazing things with concrete these days and cost wise its usually better and lasts longer.

 

[Vince]

I have sworn off decks. At the new house we have double opening french door being installed and I want a stamped concrete patio or stone including the stairs . They can do some amazing things with concrete these days and cost wise its usually better and lasts longer.

Exactly. Low or no maintenance. I'm doing the same thing next summer. French doors opening onto concrete or brick steps with a landing, and down below a brick or concrete patio with a fire pit. Going to do the patio myself from the designer brick laid onto a packed sand base.

 

[marianne]

Do you know off-hand how concrete and stone price up to one another? Are they comperable or is one usually much more expensive than the other?

I was going to go with the concrete moulds as I thought they were much less expensive than flagstone. But I've heard mixed opinions on this. When I actually price it out I'll let you know. Hopefully someone else already knows though and can weigh in ...

 

[Vince]

I was going to go with the concrete moulds as I thought they were much less expensive than flagstone. But I've heard mixed opinions on this. When I actually price it out I'll let you know. Hopefully someone else already knows though and can weigh in ...

If you're talking about the concrete with the coloring added and the pattern pressed in? Alot more money.