​Decorative Concrete Patio Designs And Maintenance Tips

Patios are a part of the home that adds to the home decor. It is a part that can be designed to make the home look beautiful. Most patios are made from cement.

Decorative concrete patios have lots of advantages.
 
First is that they are durable. Since cement does not get ruined easily even by adverse weather conditions, it lasts for a while. It means that you will not need to install new concrete. You will only have to do routine repairs to ensure that it does not crack.
 
Two, it comes with plenty of design possibilities. Lots of people choose to have patios installed. This is advantageous as you can choose whatever design that you want or whichever you see is fit for your house. You can also mix up a couple of designs and have a unique look.
 
Unlike other types of patios that will need too much energy during maintenance, concrete patios are easy enough to maintain. This means that it will not take up too much of your time. Apart from that, it is cheaper to install and will not take too long. This means that you can have your patio constructed in a good amount of time.

Different Patio Designs.
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There are multiple designs that you should consider. Here are some of them:
 
Interlocking rocks.

The concrete can be placed in a way that appears as if the rocks are interlocking. This design is perfect if you want your patio to look bigger.
 
Fractured Slabs.

This design is achieved by creating patterns that look like folds. These then make the entire place look like the surface is fractured. This look, however, tends to be quite costly.
 
Special Effects.

These are designs that create the illusion that the surface is not concrete. The design can be made to appear like a porous material, a stained look or a graphite look. This design is possible with the use of exposed aggregate concrete.
 
Maintenance Tips.

Decorative concrete is usually not very hard to maintain. However, some designs do require particular kinds of treatment, mostly designs that use different types of stone. It is important to ensure that the stones do not lose their luster.
 
When concrete is washed with soap, it should be rinsed off completely and with lots of water. The point is to prevent the soap from remaining in the concrete and drying up which will result in a spotty looking surface.
 
It is also important to dry off the water completely from the surface after washing. This is to prevent the concrete from absorbing too much water which will eventually make it crack. You can clear off the excess water with a broom or a brush.
 
Always ensure that you employ a maintenance service so that they can do regular sealing of the concrete to prevent it from cracking. They can also apply new coats of polish if your patio is the smooth design. This will ensure that it does not look faded or old.
 
 
Hiring a Contractor To Do The Work.

This is an important process because it will determine the end result. It is advisable that you compare different contractors and decide on the one that is most fit to do the job. Always ask for a portfolio beforehand so you can see their work. This should tell you if they are the right person for the job.
 
Your contractor should tell you all the costs that will be involved in the construction of the patio. It is important that you go with one that has plenty of experience is the business as they will be able to advise you accordingly.

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