There are so many ways to make a backyard more functional. Come see why we decided to go with a stamped concrete patio and how it transformed our backyard!
A Backyard Makeover
When we moved into our house, we knew right away the backyard was going to be a problem. Sure, it has a nice covered BBQ area and a lovely fountain for ambiance, but the main issue was mud…umm, I mean the grass that covered the bulk of it.
With a doodle and his adorable furriness, this was going to be the problem during those wet Northwest fall and winter months.
We had a plan drawn up, so we knew what we wanted to do with the yard overall, but we had some decisions to make about the patio. Should we do pavers or concrete? Could we do the pavers ourselves and save some money? How long and how much work would that be? I really liked the look of stamped concrete, but it’s more expensive than plain concrete. What to do!
Related: How to Transform Your Home Interior in One Afternoon
Here are 3 Things to Consider When Deciding Between Patio Pavers or Stamped Concrete:
1. Aesthetics
Because of its unique texture, color variations, and ability to mimic natural stone, some say that stamped concrete has a little wow factor over pavers. Others would sing the praises of pavers for their natural beauty, pattern and color choices as well as its durability and flexibility for design. It really is a personal choice and both make a beautiful outdoor surface for entertaining.
2. Usability and maintenance
Stamped concrete looks great when finished, but takes a bit longer to cure before it’s usable, usually 3-5 days. Stamped concrete also has some maintenance involved. It needs to be power washed and sealed every year or every other year. Also, it is likely to crack over time. Pavers, on the other hand, are ready to be used right away. No, wait. Pavers are molded under extreme pressure and are much stronger and durable. Thus, they will not crack. However, they will settle over time and may allow weed growth or uneven spots, so replacing some of the sand and adjusting the individual pavers may be necessary. It is recommended that you apply a sealer to the pavers every couple of years.
3. Cost
Although some would say pavers and concrete are about the same in price, we found the stamped concrete to be a bit more expensive in our area. Plus, it wasn’t something we could do ourselves. We had to contract a landscaper, so we couldn’t save any money on installation, so pavers would have been a little less expensive upfront. Paver base products, like Brock Paver Base, allow for easier installation, reduced excavation, and a significant reduction in manual labor needed to haul in rock and sand for the traditional base…and they are available at Home Depot and Lowe’s. In short, they both have a bit of maintenance year after year, therefore, the long-term cost efficiency between the two is relative to factors including proper installation, climate and the periodic maintenance required.
Ultimately, we made the decision to go with stamped concrete and couldn’t be happier! It makes our interior seem larger since it feels like our living area is extended out the back door…and the low maintenance is going to be a plus too!
It was tough deciding on the concrete and release color, but in the end, we listened to our landscaper and went with a medium gray for the concrete color and a light gray for the release. Most of the photos we looked at online had a darker release, so we had to trust that this would look okay once it was finished. The stamp we used was the Ashlar pattern.
Right after they applied sealer
Well, it looks more than okay…it’s beautiful! We think it looks more like a natural stone and not “dirty” as it can with a dark release that gets into the crevices.
So yay, phase one of the backyard makeover is done and we can look forward to next Spring and planting some new foliage or staining the deck 🙂 And we won’t have a muddy pup to deal with when it’s rainy out!
I love entertaining outdoors when the weather is nice. What’s your favorite outdoor space? How do you use it? Let us know!
Erin this is beautiful! What a great idea and so doable on a budget! You should share on the #FreshMarketFriday Link-up where we share our passionate creations!
Hi Crystal. Thanks for coming by. Yes, this was definitely doable and now we have so much more usable space in our yard. I’ll check out the party!
Erin, this turned out gorgeous! I love the colors and the pattern you chose and can’t wait to see it all set up, you have great taste in decor and I’m sure that the patio will reflect this as well as the inside of your home. We love our backyard, the garden brings flowers in each season and there’s nothing like sitting outside with your morning coffee and waking up to the birds chirping or winding down at the end of the day watching the sun go down. I’m sure that this patio will see a lot of fun this summer and for many years to come! I love it!
Lovely Erin! My parents have a stamped concrete patio as well and you are right…it always seems to look clean. I know you are loving your ‘new’ back yard…just in time for this spring and summer enjoyment.
Have a great day.
Hugs, Lynn
Oh wow. Looks like fun. Getting ready for summer is always nice.
Hi there excellent website! Does running a blog similar to this
require a massive amount work? I’ve absolutely no knowledge of computer programming but
I had been hoping to start my own blog in the near future.
Anyhow, should you have any recommendations or techniques for new blog owners please share.
I know this is off topic nevertheless I simply wanted to ask.
Thank you!
Hi Julianne. Thanks for stopping by. Running a blog similar to this isn’t a massive amount of work, but it does take some time (and technical knowledge) up front to set it up if you are self hosting (going with a website). If you are blogging from a blogging platform like WordPress or Blogger, then I think it’s a bit easier. Let me know if you have other questions! Cheers! Erin
That is a very good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
Simple but very accurate information… Many thanks for sharing
this one. A must read article!
Thanks, Eula. I’m glad it was helpful. And welcome to the blogosphere 🙂
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with the
layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself?
Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this one today.
Thank you! I am new to blogging, so it’s nice to be noticed 🙂 I used the “Blossom” theme from Restored 316 Designs (they have lots of beautiful designs!). I used the “blog” template within the theme, with a plug-in for categorizing my posts. Thanks for stopping by, Erin