4 Ways To Spruce Up Your Freshly-Laid Concrete Patio

A concrete slab is a tough and durable choice for your patio construction. However, not everyone likes its plain gray appearance. 

The good news is that there are many ways to make a plain gray concrete patio pop. All you have to do is to think about the aesthetics you want your patio to give and choose a decorative concrete style to match your goal.

Here are a few smart ways to make your plain-looking concrete patio look stunning.

1. Apply Paint

You can paint your concrete patio with your desired paint color. However, you'll have to wait until the concrete is fully cured to paint it. If you proceed with paint application before the concrete has fully cured, chemicals that cause concrete to crack will be trapped underneath the paint coating, resulting in premature pavement damage.

It's worth noting that not just any paint will work well on concrete patios. Regular masonry paints designed for exterior walls will quickly peel and flake off the concrete. For a beautiful and long-lasting appearance, use waterproof masonry paints only.

2. Add Integral Color

Integral coloring serves the same purpose as concrete paint application – to add color to concrete surfaces. However, it has to be infused structurally – that is, color pigments are introduced into the concrete mix before it is poured.

3. Create Patterns

Another effective method of beautifying your concrete slab is to add patterns to it while it's still fresh. This is often an excellent way to achieve the high-end look of brick or stone pavement without the high price tags.

You can create patterns on your concrete slab by stamping or stenciling it. Stamped concrete requires using large flexible polyurethane forms to imprint the desired patterns into the freshly-laid concrete. On the other hand, stenciled concrete involves the use of disposable paper to create the patterns you want.

4. Surround The Slab With Pavers

If you want to integrate the look of traditional paving materials like stone, brick, and tile into your patio without opting for stamped or stenciled concrete, consider surrounding your concrete slab's perimeter with real pavers.

The pavers will act as a beautiful edge restraint for your concrete patio, increasing its durability.

Building a concrete patio helps increase your enjoyment of the outdoor living space, but it also offers an opportunity to add curb appeal to your property. Contact a concrete paving company near you for professional assistance with your project.

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