Reasons to Choose Decorative Concrete for Your Patio

To finish a patio so you can use it in all seasons, you need solid flooring. Then you won't have to worry about it becoming boggy when it rains. And, you can put out tables and chairs to lounge on, knowing the ground is secure. One paving to consider is decorative concrete. Here are some reasons to choose this flooring for your patio.

Colour and Texture Options

Concrete can be decorated to mimic virtually any look. As a result, your design options will be unrestricted. For example, you could spread faux travertine pavers in ivory, pink and peach tones over the area. Alternatively, you might prefer the look of dark earthy faux slate tiles in blue, grey, tan and gold. If you love the look of brick paving, contractors can make the concrete mimic a running bond or basketweave brick design.

You may wonder how concrete is made to look like so many other substances. Contractors create these surfaces using stamps or moulds that they press into unset concrete, forming indents, grooves and textures. These stamps come in numerous designs. Additionally, concrete can be coloured in various ways by adding pigments to the cement or applying dry shake colours and stains on top. By combining tones, they can create the natural variations of stone.

Coordinate With Your Landscape

With such control over the look of the patio paving, you can easily harmonise it with the environment. You could repeat the texture on the external walls of your house but use a contrasting colour. For example, for a red brick home, you could lay charcoal faux granite pavers on the patio. Another possibility is to lay similar flooring to what's inside. By continuing a colour or texture, you'll integrate the outdoor and indoor living spaces. For example, if you have ceramic tiles indoors, you could lay faux ceramic tiles on the patio. You can also customise the paving to match other hardscape elements like retaining walls, pathways or pool decks.

Durable and Low-Maintenance

While it's essential to have beautiful surfaces in the garden, a high-maintenance material can take away from the enjoyment of the space. The benefit of decorative concrete is that it doesn't necessitate a lot of maintenance. It won't need repainting. Nor will it rot or attract termites.

Make sure, though, to seal the decorative concrete as recommended. This will bring out the lustre of its colours and create a non-porous protective surface. An additional benefit of decorative concrete is that it doesn't allow weeds to go across the area, which can happen if you lay down individual pavers. To learn more about decorative concrete, contact a contractor.