Wood decks are beautiful, but they will need to be replaced after a few decades due to warped or rotting wood. Products like Trex decking have the same appearance as wood, but without the extra hassles. But, until wood decks became the trend, concrete was king. For those who customize everything in and around their home to fit their needs, personality, etc., concrete makes a statement. Concrete is fully customizable and it will outlast the wood deck by decades.

One element of concrete patios is the shape. Concrete patios can be placed in a landscape as smooth, rounded shapes between hedges, or as wavy sidewalks that follow the edges of garden beds.

Everything about a concrete patio can be customized. Concrete can be poured into any shape, because once the model has been built, the concrete just fills the mold. Concrete can be colored to match the homeowner’s personality. The color is added to the concrete before the concrete is poured to ensure an even color. The concrete patio can be colored to match the house, or it can be at the other side of the color chart, a standout showpiece in the backyard. Concrete patios can be built with numerous design elements: Stamped patterns, stencils, engraving. It can be made to look like brick, stone, and wood. The design elements that can be stamped into concrete are endless.

Concrete is durable. Here in Montana, concrete stands up very well against the most desperate lows and the highest of high temps. Sealers are usually placed over the top of the concrete patio as a preventative to moisture and stains. These sealers, like the sealers on a wooden deck, will have to be reapplied every other year. The concrete patio, most likely, will stand up to decades of abuse from heavy traffic, barbeques, and patio furniture.

Concrete patios are also more economical. A patio can be poured and customized for far less than the cost of its wooden counterpart. It’s also an environmentally friendly choice. If you are considering putting in a new patio in your back yard, or if you would like something unique in your own backyard, consider the benefits of using concrete.