5 Ways to Give Your Concrete Patio a Facelift

Concrete is a great building material, thanks to its durability, malleability and, with care and maintenance, a long service life. However, it needs a lot of work to make it look good, as its natural gray color isn’t exactly the most visually pleasing. If you have a concrete patio, read on as Envy Home Services shares some of the ways you can give your concrete patio a new look.

1. New patio furniture. Let’s start with something that doesn’t require changes to the concrete patio — new furniture. Patio furniture is available in a wide selection of styles, colors and materials that makes it possible to give your patio a completely new look without even hiring a contractor.

2. Resurfacing. Worn concrete is easily noticeable because of regular wear and tear. Spalling, or the pits that form on the concrete surface, can also happen when too much water is used in the concrete mix. If the concrete patio doesn’t have cracks that penetrate the slab, you can have it resurfaced instead of breaking it down and building a new one. Concrete resurfacers are a blend of Portland cement, sand and polymer that fills cracks and uneven concrete surfaces, and can be made into a uniform finish.

3. Staining. Concrete staining is a great way to add richness and depth to the surface. It also creates a protective layer that protects the concrete from moisture damage. It’s important to note that the process often involves the use of an acid wash, so it’s best to have staining done by a professional.

4. Expand its footprint. If your concrete patio feels like it could use some more room, consider increasing its footprint. Instead of just making it a bigger slab, consider different elevations, especially if your property has sloped ground. Also, the additional slab requires less materials and labor as the original slab will not require modification.

5. Install outdoor lighting. The right kind of lighting can set your patio’s mood at night. String lights, solar pathway lights or wall-mounted lights are all great options that offset the grayness of concrete slabs. Also, consider solar-powered patio lighting for modularity and energy savings.

Need help with exterior home renovations? Give Envy Home Services a call at (888) 847-7954. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.