So why do they prefer to work with homeowners?

A properly planned patio that is in the right place can become a part of a landscape and add to its attraction. Concrete patios are economical and highly durable and can be made to look attractive by the many different ways in which they can be fashioned during installation.

Concrete is very versatile and ideal for use in outdoor situations where it is constantly exposed to the weather elements. Maintenance of these surfaces is quite easy and can easily be carried out with pressure washers. You can choose from a wide variety of finishes, like a smooth finish, scored concrete, staining, stamping, or imprinting. You can even color the concrete and use different colors to create pleasing and attractive patterns.

Concrete that is acid stained is stylish and durable, and in this process of finishing a concrete patio surface, the acid is poured on to the concrete when it is still wet and has not set. This causes a natural stone look, with an array of colors that blend and mingle with each other. These colors will never fade and remain intact, as long as the concrete itself lasts. You can also expose the aggregate in the concrete, and this finish is all the more attractive if the aggregate also consists of pebbles. You can also mix in tile bits or colored glass to give a distinct personality to your concrete patio. Combine these various finishes in patterns and you will have a concrete patio that is unique and eye-catching.

Poured concrete presents a dull grey appearance, but you can always have the concrete supplier add color to the concrete to add variety to your patio surface. We have already mentioned the possibility of stamping or imprinting concrete to give the patio an attractive look. You can give the patio the look of stone, brick or tile using the right dyes and designs to give the require stamped looks. You can also stain concrete so that your surface looks like natural stone. Stain can fade and may require periodical application at intervals.

Plan the area for your concrete patio with great care. It should look like an added attraction to your landscape without overwhelming it in any way. A patio makes for greatly usable living space that can be used for many outdoor activities. Always ensure that your patio is adequately drained and will never allow ponding of water. See that it has a thickness of at least 4 to 6 inches and is laid on a properly consolidated base of soil.

A large area of concrete in a patio is subject to the forces of expansion and contraction and this can lead to a lot of stress that can lead to the cracking of the surface. Water getting into these cracks and then freezing can actually lead to a disintegration of the concrete. These effects of the forces of expansion and contraction can be minimized if areas of concrete are restricted and expansion joints provided in your concrete patio at intervals. These joints can be filled with readily available fillers that will ensure that the surface still remains level.

Plan the area for your concrete patio with great care. It should look like an added attraction to your landscape without overwhelming it in any way. A patio makes for greatly usable living space that can be used for many outdoor activities. Always ensure that your patio is adequately drained and will never allow ponding of water. See that it has a thickness of at least 4 to 6 inches and is laid on a properly consolidated base of soil.

Hopefully these tips were helpful to you.