Concrete Patios

The Benefits of a Concrete Patio

A well-designed patio extends your living space outdoors and creates a perfect spot for relaxing, entertaining, or enjoying meals with family and friends. When it comes to choosing the right material for your patio, concrete offers advantages that are hard to beat. It provides a solid, level surface that handles foot traffic, furniture, and grills without the maintenance headaches that come with wood decks or the shifting problems you get with loose pavers.

Here in Southern Utah, where we experience intense sun and occasional temperature swings, concrete patios perform exceptionally well. The material stays cooler than dark asphalt and more stable than wood that can warp or rot over time. A properly installed concrete patio resists cracking from our climate conditions and requires minimal upkeep compared to alternatives. You will not need to worry about annual staining like wood decks demand, or spending weekends replacing individual pavers that have settled unevenly. Your concrete patio will be ready to use whenever you want to step outside.

Concrete patios also adapt to virtually any design vision you have for your outdoor space. Whether you want a simple rectangular area off your back door or an expansive custom-shaped entertainment zone with multiple levels and integrated features, concrete can deliver. The surface can be left natural, stamped to look like stone or tile, stained in colors that complement your home, or finished with exposed aggregate for added texture. This flexibility means your patio can match your home's style and your personal taste without compromise.

Planning Your Patio Layout and Size

Determining the Right Size

The size of your patio depends on how you plan to use the space. A simple sitting area for a few chairs and a small table might only need 100 to 150 square feet. If you want to host gatherings or accommodate outdoor dining for six or more people, plan for at least 200 to 300 square feet. Larger entertaining spaces with room for lounge furniture, a grill station, and multiple seating areas can easily reach 400 square feet or more. We help you think through your intended uses and recommend a size that fits your lifestyle and property.

The shape and configuration matter as much as the total square footage. Your patio should flow naturally from your home's doors and integrate well with your yard's existing features. We consider factors like sun exposure throughout the day, views you want to emphasize or screen, prevailing winds, and proximity to outdoor utilities if you plan to add features like lighting or water elements later. Good planning during the design phase prevents regrets after installation and ensures your patio becomes a space you actually want to use.

Location and Site Considerations

Choosing the right location for your patio involves more than just picking a spot near your back door. We evaluate the natural drainage patterns in your yard to ensure water flows away from both the patio and your home's foundation. The slope of your yard affects excavation requirements and costs, with level areas being more straightforward than hillside locations that might need retaining walls or extensive grading work.

We also discuss access for equipment and concrete trucks during installation. Some backyards require special planning to get heavy machinery and materials to the patio site without damaging existing landscaping, sprinkler systems, or other features. Understanding these logistics upfront prevents surprises and helps us provide an accurate estimate. For homeowners with smaller yards or tight access, we have solutions that work within those constraints.

Design Features and Custom Options

Today's concrete patios can include features and finishes that transform them from basic slabs into true outdoor living rooms. Understanding your options helps you create a space that meets your needs and reflects your style.

Popular Patio Enhancements

• Multi-Level Designs: Different elevation zones can define separate areas for dining, lounging, or cooking. Steps between levels add visual interest and help with sloped yards.
• Integrated Fire Features: Built-in fire pits create a natural gathering spot and extend the usability of your patio into cooler months. We can form these directly into the concrete.
• Decorative Borders: Contrasting colors, patterns, or materials around the edges dress up the patio and create definition between different zones or against surrounding landscaping.
• Stamped Patterns: Stamped concrete replicates slate, flagstone, brick, or tile patterns at a fraction of the cost of actual stone installation.
• Stained or Colored Concrete: Acid stains or integral color can transform standard gray concrete into earth tones, blues, greens, or custom hues that coordinate with your home.
• Seating Walls: Low concrete walls around the perimeter provide built-in seating and help define the patio space. These work especially well on sloped lots.

We can also plan for future additions during the initial installation. Embedding conduit for lighting, running plumbing rough-ins for outdoor kitchens, or reinforcing areas that might support structures like pergolas down the road saves money and disruption compared to retrofitting these features later. Let us know your long-term vision so we can build in the flexibility you need.

Patio Installation Questions and Answers

Based on the hundreds of patio projects we have completed in Ivins and neighboring communities, here are the questions homeowners most frequently ask about concrete installation.