Porches & Patios

A new patio or porch installed on your property will create a unique space for you and your friends to hang out.  These areas are mostly seen as just concrete slabs, but they will transform the area into a valuable space for friends to hang out with each other.  This space could be used for many reasons now.  This space could become an outdoor entertainment area for friends, it could be used for a comfortable place in the morning for coffee, it could be a place for grilling on the weekends, and it could be a place for hosting family gatherings.  This will become a place of enjoyment for years.

Many projects start with getting an idea of how you want to use the space.  Some Georgetown homeowners will want a space to accommodate a grilling area, a place for watching TV, a complete outdoor kitchen, or a space that has room to accommodate a large audience.  Some patios and porches are used to be a simple room with a cozy place to relax for a while.  This first step of understanding your goals will help us determine the design of the project and what we will need to do to get where you want to go.

While the project appears to be simply a slab of concrete on the ground, we have found that adequate site preparation will ensure that the porch or patio will last for years.  Before even thinking about placing the concrete, we need to make sure that site drainage, the surrounding grading, and the existing soil conditions are adequate for the project.  As with any construction project, water management will play a big piece of making sure the project gets done properly.  If the area is designed to collect water, you will find that the water will freeze and thaw during frost cycles and the concrete will deteriorate quickly.  We will make sure this does not happen to you.

After the appropriate site drainage is complete, we will than move on to installing a base of compacted material for the concrete foundation.  As with driveways, we have found that the foundation is one of the most important parts of the project.  The material must be compacted properly instead of just being dumped into place.  The compaction makes sure that the concrete that is placed on top of the base material will be fully supported throughout its lifetime.

One of the nice things about concrete is that it is flexible enough to give you many design options.  While a traditional broom finish is still popular because of its slip resistance, there are other patterns now available for you to utilize.  These finishes allow you to create a design that is more to your liking.  Some of these items are stamped concrete and decorative borders.  The stamped concrete will make the surface look like natural rock, brick or another material.  The decorative borders allow you to pick from multiple types of materials to put your pattern around the concrete.

With all of that said, what is the difference between porches and patios.  Front porches contribute greatly to the curb appeal of your property and they can be a welcoming sign for anyone entering your property.  We need to make sure that we incorporate your house structure into the design of the front porch so that everything matches.

Backyard patios are more likely to be designed about how the homeowner enjoys spending their time outside.  These can be quite spaces or very large spaces with multiple uses.  After our initial appointment for you, we will be able to determine how you want to use your backyard patio.

Concrete generally needs very little follow up work, but there are a few things we would like to point out to make sure your porch and patio last the longest.  Depending on your design, we will have different recommendations for you to make these products last a long time.

Here is what we are trying to provide you with your new patio and porch; a new area that will be attractive for everyone coming to your home, something that has a tremendous function to your outdoor living, and something that will add real value to your home price.  With our input on design, our expertise in the concrete construction industry, and with our way of communicating with you throughout the project, we will deliver you the best porch or patio in Georgetown!