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Thanks to Dirty Boys Concrete for contributing to this article.When it comes to creating the perfect backyard patio, you want advice you can really set in stone. Before you cement your plans, use this handy little cheat sheet to help guide your decision-making process. No frills; just the concrete facts, ma’am.
Goldilocks and the Three Patios
We all know the story of Goldilocks, but only the best readers understand that it is a parable about patio size. So before a blond forest urchin breaks into your house and provides a running critique of your backyard leisure area, ask yourself: Do you want a big, medium or small patio? For instance: If you have 10,000 Instagram followers and belong to the local BBQ Society, you might want a large space. If you’re more of a wind-down-with-the-nuclear-family sort, go for medium. And if you are really and truly alone in this world, consider a micro-patio. (Hint: Your patio can’t be bigger than your yard. That’s a parking lot.) The important part is that you (and Goldi) think it’s just right.
And while we’re talking about math (gotcha), make sure you consider the slope of your yard before you build. You want the rain to flow away from the party, not onto it. So invite your old calculus teacher over and dust off that TI-95 for a little rise-over-run action. Also, if your patio is lower than your lawn, it will flood. But you don’t need to invite a high school math teacher over to tell you that.
Backyard Bling
You might think all concretes are made alike. You would be wrong. There are as many different styles as there are snowflakes. Alright, that’s definitely not true, but seriously, you’ve got options. Again, you’re going to have to do a bit of soul-searching. Do you want a patio for entertaining? Is it a fire pit you’re after? Do you simply want to pave paradise and give Joni Mitchell something to sing about? If it helps, think of this like MTV’s Cribs, but for concrete. There are decorative, stamped or patterned options for the rags-to-riches types, colored or acid-stained concrete for people who like to wear shawls and bright glasses with beaded chains, fire areas for pyros, and regular old rustic concrete for people who always want to remember where they came from/are still Jenny from the block. Hey, maybe you could even get a diamond-studded patio — a grill for your grill, so to speak. Take-home message: Go wild!
Concrete vs. Shark
Definitely concrete. (Go with us for a minute here.) Is a shark super-versatile? Easy to maintain? Does a shark last longer than conventional wood patios? Can it be customized to your exact specifications, and can it promise to not shift or move over time? No, dummy, that’s concrete, which is why it’s way better than a shark (and competing patio materials) to grill your dogs on. Also, sharks have to keep moving to stay alive — obviously less than ideal for a patio.
Concrete Makeover
No, it’s not HGTV’s latest home improvement reality show, it’s just one of many options you can consider when remodeling your backyard. If you already have a patio, why not give it a face lift? If the concrete is in good condition, it would look even better with an acid stain or seal to improve color and shine. If it’s looking a little drab, try a color upgrade that works better with its natural complexion (yours is totally a spring). At the very least, try taking your patio’s glasses off. That always works in the movies.
Etc., Etc.
You know what they say: If you reach for the stars and fail, at least you’ll hit the moon. Well what if you got both? Besides a basic concrete slab, there are add-ons you’ve never even thought of for your patio; ask your contractor about adding custom countertops, firepits, water features, benches, and planters.
(Wo/)Men at Work
Who can that be knocking at your door? Probably the licensed, insured, and experienced contractor you hired to do your patio right! But seriously, if everyone’s favorite Aussie rock band were to launch a public information campaign, we are sure they’d tell you to properly vet the women and men at work on your dream backyard. Ask about a contractor’s qualifications and take a look at their past work and online reviews, as well.
Interested in getting some of those licensed, insured and experienced contractors over to your house for a consultation? Try the clean, dependable guys over at Dirty Boys Concrete, who contributed the tips above, or another highly rated service professional on the KSL Classifieds app.
