Being outside during the summer can be an escape from the stuffy heat inside your house – but being outside is a lot more enjoyable when you have a clean space to set up a table, chair, and ice tea pitcher. If your home doesn’t have a porch yet, or if you want to make your porch larger, then you may want to consider a concrete porch. Whether you’re taking out an old deck or making a little oasis for yourself in your backyard, concrete is an ideal material to work with for your project.
Relax and Enjoy the Summer on a New Concrete Porch
So, what is a concrete porch? Basically, it’s a porch or a patio in the front or back of your house that is made with smooth concrete. You can expect the concrete used for your outdoor space to be smooth to the touch because of the specific concrete mixture used to pour these outdoor spaces. Concrete is ideal to work with for several reasons, including:
1. Excellent Outdoor Entertaining
Outdoor entertaining is made easier when you have a place to entertain. Instead of grass and dirt, you can entertain on a concrete patio that has a clean, smooth surface. Concrete flatwork for your porch gives you an even surface to place outdoor furniture and can even be safer when you fire up the grill. Even for a porch at the front of the house, entertaining guests is much more enjoyable when you have a dedicated space to play host or hostess.
2. Customizable Design
The biggest advantage of a concrete porch is the fact that it’s so easily customized in terms of design. If you can dream it, then concrete can make it happen. Because concrete is such a malleable material, the size, shape, and texture of your concrete can be customized to fit your exact needs. Whether you want a simple square at the back of your house or a more complicated design that includes walkways through a garden, concrete is the best material to make your design come to life.
As to the overall appearance of your concrete porch, concrete is a medium that lends itself to creative versatility. There are many techniques that can be used to customize the final style of your porch so that your porch can match your house or your outdoor space. For example, stamping, imprinting, or embossing the concrete can make the porch appear to be made of bricks, flagstones, or even smooth tiles.
Expanding Your Design
Depending on your needs and your intended use for the space, you may want to consider expanding the design of your concrete patio to include features such as pergolas. A pergola is a slatted archway or framework with a flat top that is traditionally used to train climbing plants and also provide some shelter from the sun, wind, and rain.
Pergolas are a classic way to elevate the design of your patio and truly make your outdoor space into a place for entertainment and relaxation. There are several designs you can use for a pergola, such as reclaimed wood, a design to filter light, or even a pergola made out of unique materials.
3. Low-Maintenance
Concrete is an incredibly low-maintenance material. Once it’s poured out and sealed, most homeowners won’t think twice about a porch made of concrete. This is a huge advantage over deck porches and patios, which must be looked after very closely to prevent warping, wood rot, termites, and other issues. With concrete, you won’t ever have to worry about your porch failing.
As for daily upkeep, a simple sweep every now and then is adequate care for a porch made of concrete. During the winter, putting salt down will prevent ice from forming during snowfall. Beyond that, you won’t need to do much to maintain the appearance of a concrete patio or porch.
4. Affordable
In general, patios and porches are more affordable builds than decks – but when you factor in building materials, you will really be able to see what your most affordable options are. Concrete is by far the most affordable material to use for any project, but particularly for porches. Compared to wood, not only will concrete spaces not deteriorate as quickly, but they are significantly less expensive. If you want to complete a project on a budget, then concrete is the way to go.
Finance Options
Of course, many construction and renovation businesses also offer finance options so you can more easily pay for your concrete project. Financing through the company completing your project simplifies paying back your loan for your project. Simply bring up financing options when your project is being quoted and submit an application for approval, and then you can complete your project with even the tightest budget.
5. Long-Lasting
Unlike a wood deck or porch, you can expect a concrete patio to last for at least 20 to 30 years. This is one of the reasons why choosing concrete as your building material is such a no-brainer decision. Instead of needing to replace wooden planks every so often when the wood begins to fail, you will not need to think about the longevity of your concrete porch for several years.
Who Should You Trust to Build Your Concrete Patio?
While it might be tempting to tackle your patio project by yourself, the truth is that hiring a reputable company is a better idea for several reasons. For one thing, the years of experience will ensure that your porch is built correctly and that any advanced design ideas you have will be executed perfectly. You can ascertain the experience of your builder by looking at their portfolio of previous concrete patio projects.
Professionals also have the licensing and insurance to complete projects safely, which can protect your investment in your project. This can include ensuring that any permits required to complete your project are filed correctly so you can avoid untimely delays. Other reasons to trust professionals with your project include:
Timeliness
Any renovation or construction project will have an estimated completion deadline, but outdoor projects can be tricky. Inclement weather can potentially halt a project for several days, so it’s important for the crew completing your project to arrive on time and work efficiently on good weather days. Staying on schedule ultimately saves you time and money, and also allows you to enjoy your completed project more quickly.
Quality
When it comes to any construction projection, the most important factor is the quality of the work, as this will ensure that your project will last for a long time and will look good after completion. From using quality materials to a crew well-trained in various techniques, hiring a professional team will give you the best possible results for your project.
If your backyard is only grass but you have the urge to entertain outdoors, then you may want to invest in a concrete patio or porch. Concrete is a versatile material that lasts much longer than wood, is more easily customized in design, and is low-maintenance. Overall, when it comes to achieving the best results, the best thing you can do to create a comfortable outdoor space is to hire a professional service. Contact Summit Concrete & Construction in Tulsa, OK today to start your project.
