When it comes to having an outdoor living space attached to your home, there are many options. You can have a deck or a sunroom, for example. One of the best choices you can make is to go with a concrete patio. Just like anything else, there are pros and cons to having a concrete patio.
However, for the most part, they do a great job of acting like an extra living room, dining room, or even family room. If you’ve covered it properly, you can spend your time out there whenever the weather allows, even when it’s not nice outside. Here are some of the top benefits of installing a concrete patio.
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Easy Maintenance
While you might want some extra room on the exterior of your house for relaxing, entertaining, and spending time with family, that doesn’t mean that you want to maintain it in the same way as the interior. You need something that is durable and doesn’t require much in the way of maintenance.
Concrete can do just the trick. It’s outside, but it will hold up for decades against any type of weather or climate. It is also non-porous, so as long as you clean up spills quickly, it shouldn’t stain or discolor. Since a concrete patio is all one slab, you don’t have to worry about weeds poking through or dirt and debris getting caught between stones.
Versatility
If you were to install a deck on the exterior of your home, you will only have so many options. You can choose the type of wood, and you can choose from a limited amount of stains or paint colors. With a patio, however, there are many different variables and choices that you can make to come up with something that is perfect for you and your home. You can choose between styles, finishes, and sizes.
When you consult with your concrete contractor in Miami County, IN, they will introduce you to options you probably didn’t know existed. For instance, you get stamped patterns placed on your concrete, or you can stain it either in solid colors or in a pattern. Some homeowners choose to emboss or engrave designs and patterns onto their patios as well. If you are looking for a more natural, stone-like appearance, then your patio can be stained to give off that look. There is truly no end to the options that you can have.
Durability
Concrete is durable. That’s why so many building components are made from it. It can take on rain, snow, and anything else mother nature will throw at it. It can handle a lot of traffic and won’t get chipped or scratched very easily. It is also not susceptible to mold or rotting.
All you have to do is give it a power wash every once in a while and sweep it up when there is debris. If your concrete does get cracked or chipped, you can easily seal it up in moments and move on. Your concrete patio can last for 30 years or more, and you won’t have to do much work to get it there.
Affordability
Concrete is one of the most affordable patio options there is. That includes the up-front installation cost and the cost of repairing it. With wood, you might need to buy lumber to repair. With concrete, you only have to seal it
Installing it is not as labor intensive as cobblestone or pavers since only one slab needs to be placed. Concrete is not a natural material, which means that it is much lower priced than natural options. Concrete is the way to go if you want to avoid breaking the budget for your new patio.
No Weeds or Pests
The wood that is used for decks and balconies is susceptible to many things. It could start to rot, bugs could set up a home, or weeds can poke through the slats in the floor. This is not the case with a concrete slab for your patio.
Pests cannot burrow into concrete, nor can weeds fight their way through from underneath. Concrete is non-porous if installed correctly, meaning that mold and rot are very uncommon. Weeds, holes, and rot can very much harm the look of any outdoor living space, but with concrete, you can avoid them altogether.
Concrete is Eco-Friendly
You might think of wood as being the most eco-friendly material. While that might make sense in most situations, it does not when it comes to wood used for decks. To protect against the elements, wood is treated and protected by a sealant. This makes the wood non-recyclable, and it will have to be thrown away when it is replaced.
The chemicals also have to be reapplied regularly, and they are not environmentally friendly on their own. Concrete is not easily recycled but offers permanence and long-term use. You don’t have to replace your concrete patio during your lifetime, making it the greener option of the two.
It’s great to have space on your home’s exterior. You can enjoy the fresh air, keep an eye on the kids or pets, and get away somewhere quiet when the house gets too crazy. Having a patio of some kind can fill these needs. Not only that, but you can decorate it or even put down rugs or other flooring options if you feel that direct concrete is too utilitarian. Choose concrete for a solid and versatile patio that will last for decades.
