Platform Decks

How do Paver patios, stamped concrete patios, and trex decking compare in pricing? which is most expensive.... which is least expensive?

What is the best way to protect a stamped concrete patio from cracking and chipping this winter? I have a stamped concrete patio that is not protected with a sealant or anything. It is showing some chipping and cracking and I would like to protect it. Thank you! can you recemmend any specific products? should I patch the chips before sealing?

How much does it cost to get a stamped concrete patio (about 10' X 15')? I am thinking about calling a concrete contractor but I would like to know some ballpark figures of how much a stamped concrete patio runs. Thanks

looking for pros and cons for stamped concrete for patios?

Can stamped concrete be repaired? I just had a stamped concrete patio put in. The finish in the center of the patio it is very poor, rough, uneven , and choppy. The concrete company stated that they will grind down the bad section of concrete refill it and stain it. Is this a sound method for repairing the concrete or is it just a half ass way to repair it. Oh yea the day the concrete was being stamped the guys were yelling that it was drying too fast could this have something to do with it? The company said that it has nothing to do with the finish.

We have a stamped concrete patio that apparently was not stained right, can this be reclored, it looks awful? There are actually spots that appear to be raw concrete. The color that is there somehow seems to be fading away, so it looks speckled. Has anyone had this with their stamped concrete. I thought the color was supposed to be throughout.

How much does a stamped concrete patio add to the value of my home? It's estimated to be a $5,000 job for a 15 x 17 patio. Will it add that much to the value of my house?

I have a stained and stamped concrete patio and after it set up the guys came back and used a color hardener? to try and give it character i absolutely hate it and i've been using an angle grinder with a wire brush to get it off but it's removing a lot of the surface any ideas on a less abrasive approach or a chemical maybe ?

How much should I expect to pay for a stamped concrete patio that is 15' x 20'?

Can I install a stamped concrete overlay over an existing concrete patio? We are looking at buying a house with a concrete patio. In the center of the patio is a small inground pool. We plan to have the pool removed and fill in the pool area with concrete to make a large patio. I would like the patio to look seamless, so I was thinking about having an overlay of stamped concrete to connect the existing patio with the new section. Is this feasible? What might I expect to pay for this sort of thing? (We are in Ohio.)

Best material for patio - stamped concrete or brick pavers? I'd like to build a new patio in my backyard, right next to my house. I'm wondering about the advantages and disadvantages of stamped concrete vs. brick pavers. Thanks!

How much should a 26 x 17 stamped concrete patio cost (ohio)?

How much would a stamped concrete patio, 20x14 cost?

Removing Behru concrete sealer used on a stamped concrete patio? we used this product on our patio which is now peeling off and has made a complete mess, how can we safely remove this product without completely ruinng the patio.

Where can i buy set of lights to mount in the concrete of my stamped concrete patio?

Stamped Concrete Patio Average Price? I live in Charlotte, NC. I am looking for information about what the average cost of a stamped concrete patio would cost in this area. I recently moved from Southern California, where I think landscaping was more reasonably priced. Not knowing the avg costs here I would appreciate some guidance. The stamped portion of the patio is 14' x 20' with a 7' x 13' walkway. The plain concrete portion (driveway extension) is 20'x6' We plan to hire a contractor to do the whole thing, what on average should we expect to pay? Thanks

Is stamped concrete a patio option for pool in Ontario? We are putting in a pool and have been quoted for a flagstone patio. We would like to put in stamped concrete but were told it would likely crack in Ontario's climate, and would be very slippery when wet. Can anyone advise if there is a way to limit potential cracking and if there is a sealant that can be used to decrease how slippery it is? So what would be the best material to build my patio out of?

Can stamped concrete that has been stained be changed to look like the stone that it was supposed to look like Our stamped concrete patio has been a disaster since it was put in. It looked beautiful at first with the concrete looking like stone with color variation. However, the sealant that was applied started bubbling and popping. In an effort to fix the problem, our contractor stripped it and applied more sealant making the patio darker with less color variation. The sealant still bubbled and popped. Now he has stained it a beige color that looks nothing like what was originally contracted for. Is there anything that can be done to bring back the stone look?

I have stamped concrete patio excess water on surface after sealing the patio? I sealed my patio, and it rained after. It seems the sealing water-base has caused it stay on the patio, causing the floors to be slippery. I tried neutralizing it with a acid vinegar, but who do I get rid of it on the patio....thanks.

What adds more value, stamped concrete or pavers? I was wondering which adds more resale value when putting in a patio, stamped concrete or pavers?

I want to put in a stamped decorative concrete patio. Any tips? Any suggestions on what to look for in how its done. How should the color be added to the concrete?

What's a better patio, stamped concrete, concrete pavers, or fieldstone, for durability and maintenance?

Which is better stamped concrete vs stone patio? I'm thinking of hiring someone to put in a patio. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a patio that is either a stamped concrete or a natural stone (maybe flagstone) set in concrete? Are some stones better than others? I live in a very hot climate if that makes any difference?

What is the best way to strip & re-seal decorative (colored) stamped concrete? The surface of our three year old, decorative stamped patio is washed out and appears almost milky in color. What should I do to restore it to it's original, glossy/colored (brown) appearance? Colored concrete - without a sealer - looks very muted, almost chalk like in appearance. However, when you apply the sealer the color (in our case, dark brown) pops and appears glossy until the sealer is eventually weathered away. After the original coat of sealer weathered away after about a year, I bought a 10 gallon drum of sealer from Home Depot and applied two coats on my own, on two successive days. My application never looked like the original, much less like I wanted. It only looks good when it's wet at which point it looks exactly how it used to. How do I get back to where I want to be? I assume that I need to first strip all of the accumulated and remaining sealer from the patio and start over. Is that accurate? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Related photos: http://jamesrreed.multiply.com/photos/album/5

what is the price range for a concrete stamped patio around 10' by 15'?

I'm having my Stamped Concrete Patio poured today. Chance of rain later tonight and tomm. Should I postpone?

Stamped concrete or a broom finish? We are putting in a concrete patio in Michigan. (16x24 feet) I have heard and read of some horror stories with stamped concrete. I also realize that the unhappy are generally louder than the happy. How much maintanence is really involved with stamped concrete? Will the color fade? Will the texture chip away? If it will end up looking bad, I'll just do a broom finish and be done. Thank you for your input!

Is it possible to stamp a preexisting concrete patio to look like flagstone? I know that they can stamp concrete to look like flagstone. What Im not sure of is if there is a way to, maybe add a thing layer of new concrete over the old concrete patio and stamp THAT. cause I want to expand a concrete patio with stamped concrete, but I want the old part to be stamped so the whole thing matches. Is this possible? and about how much would stamping the old part cost if it is possible?

How much does it cost to have a 400 Square Foot Patio done in stamped concrete? What is the cost per square foot for stamped concrete, including labor?

Stamped Concrete patio gone wrong? Hello! We recently added a stamped concrete patio to our back yard. However, we have had some major issues. The concrete that we order was suppose to have a special chemical that caused it to harder slower that normal. The man that we ordered it from said that all of their summer mixes include this chemical. The mix that we received on Saturday (06/19) didn't include this chemical and it was quite odvious. When the concrete was being poured, it was drying really fast and making it difficult to smooth and then stamp. Some of the concrete was even coming up on the stamps. After it was all said and done, we stamped the whole area and it looked like crap. We then tried to sand it down and it looked alot better. Now after the sealing and antique process has been attempted, there are larger beige spots on the surface. The concrete was tinted a terra cota color. What causes these spots and can they be corrected?!? What the concrete dummed from the beginning because of the lack of proper chemicals?!? Help!!!! I look forward to hearing from someone very soon. Thank you

I have stamped concrete on my patio the surface is flaking? The patio is only three years old can i resurface it in any way

Why is my beautiful concrete patio turning white, when I water my potted plants? We put in a large stamped concrete patio this year. We put quite a few plants in pots on the patio. When I water there is a white film left on the concrete. If it is mineral deposits from the water, how or can I get it off! And any ideas on how to prevent it from happening. Our patio would be empty without plants. so not putting them is not a option! We had the concrete put in professionally. It is colored stamped concrete. The contractor did seal it a day after he put it in. It is a brownish grey color, so the white really stands out. I do have my pots on rollers, , but I guess when the water drains, it sits in the low stamped spots, and causes the white spots. Also I have used store bought potting soil for all my pots.

Stamped concrete release residue?? Stamped concrete release residue?? I recently had a stamped concrete patio created in my yard and two weeks later I am still having a ton of release color on my feet when I walk across it. I have hosed it off every day. The release color is almost black and it causing huge problems w/ visitors and children not wiping their feet prior to entering my home. My floors are becoming trashed daily which is causing alot of work on my end!! What is the cause of this and what can I do? Of course I can not get a hold of my contractor.

Who do I contact to put in a new concrete patio? My old patio is not doing it for me anymore. We are putting a door from the master bedroom to the patio and will need to have steps built so I figure this is the time. I now have an ugly painted concrete pation with a bad slope (towards the house) and would like a stamped concrete patio, but cannot figure out where I find someone to do this work. Thank you for any help or further information. I am at a loss! I live in Sonoma County, California. How much would I expect to pay for demolition and installation of a 500 square food stamped concrete patio?

will removing dirt so i can install a mulch border harm my stamped concrete patio,i live in indiana? i have a stamped concrete patio,iwanted to install low voltage lights around it .i removed 3 to 4 inches of sod and dirt,12 inches wide,from around the patio,i also removed exsess stone that was under the sod.my concrete guy told me i should not have done this because water will now run under the patio and cause it to crack in the winter.im from northern indiana.he said to use landscape stone,not mulch,to help fix what i did.i wanted to use mulch.should i hire a new concrete guy

Should my concrete patio color be darker or lighter then the house color stucco? Im putting in a colored stamped concrete patio. Should the color be lighter then the house's stucco or should it take on a darker color? What do people usually do. thanks!

Landscaping - Stamped concrete. Do steps at a landing cost more per square foot than a walkway or patio? I am building a home. Originally considered flagstone for the patio/walkways, but was too expensive. Changed things to stamped concrete, which for the patio/walkways is about the third of the cost of flagstone. The landscaper now tells me that making the landing steps from the house onto the patio/walkway is almost twice as expensive compared to flagstone. Makes no sense, concerned about the honesty of the contractor. Thoughts?.

How can I install an alumimum pergola onto my concrete patio without drilling into the patio? My pergola is alumimum and my patio is stamped concrete. We do not want to damage the patio so we are trying to avoid drilling into it to hold the columns, any other suggestions?

What is the best concrete patch product? what is the best product to patch cracks in my grey stamped concrete patio? They are not wide, but they are extensive (poor quality job, but making the best of it). Slab is supposed to be standard depth, and probably is in most of the patio. I live in southern california, so doesn't get below 20F and temperatures can reach >100. Not subject to great amounts of water. I am a pretty handy gal, so any tool requirements/recomendatons are also appreciated. Thanks!

Concrete patios & sidewalks? What are some ideas for concrete patios and sidewalks that look good but not too expensive. Stamped concrete is beyond my budget but yet I don't want plain ugly concrete. I have a lot of oak trees in my yard and the debris makes a mess on everything. Any ideas would be appreciated. My house is white siding with grey wooden deck, front porch and grey shutters so need something that would go with a while and grey theme. I'm sure someone has done something really unique that looks expensive but isn't. My contractor just wants to broom finish it and put on a sealer, not very creative for something that is going to be expensive anyway. If you've purchased yards of concrete you know what I'm talking about. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks to all for your help. Carol

Questions about concrete stamping for patio? I have an existing concrete patio that I want to dress up with a stamp and stain. The patio already has an epoxy paint finish on it that is pretty worn. My question is, can I put the layover right on top of that epoxy, or will I need to use a grinder to take down that surface first for better adhesion? Thanks for any helpful suggestions!

Has anyone ever stamped their own concrete patio? Should I try and do it myself?? I have quotes from contractors but they are so expensive!! I am looking to paint and do a stamp design of rock (or something like that) The area I want to do this to is 10'x4' , 10' x 10', and 10'x5'.

Patio options - pavers or stamped concrete? Im considering putting in a small patio behind my home. What are the pros and cons of pavers and stamped concrete? which costs more? which lasts longer?

My stamped concrete patio has whitish-blue spots left on it after it was sealed.? I'm guessing these are areas of excess sealer. I tried to powerwash the spots, but not much luck. Does anyone know if I put another coat of sealer on if it will help or hurt the problem. I'm guessing that it will probably make the situation worse.

Will Flower planters stain concrete patio? We have a stamped concrete patio that I would like to add plants to for the spring and summer. I have purchased pots and the plants to go in them, but now am told you can't do that. Will the pots stain the concrete or cause any kind of problem? Thanks

How much for stamped concrete? I want to extend my existing patio (stamped and stained to appear like 12" square slate tiles). How much will it cost for approximately 300 square feet? (Or approx. cost per square foot at this scale?)

Is stamped concrete hard to do yourself? In Victoria , its hard to find someone even available to do stamped concrete for something as small as a patio. Is it hard to do yourself??

What to use to shine my stained concrete patio? I just bought this house in a foreclosure and the patio and walkways are all stained and stamped concrete. What products can I use to bring back the shine and polished look to my stained concrete?

Can you seal concrete more than once? Hello, Recently sealed my stamped concrete backyard patio and it is not as glossy as i'd like it to be. Is there any negative impact on sealing it twice? Should I wait a period of time? Thanks in advance. Kris The concrete is stamped colored concrete with a "stone-like" finish. Would the sheen not come out as much because of this finish?

Stamped concrete just sealed is slippery? Hello, we just had a new pathway to the front door and patio put in. We choose stamped concrete. It looks great and it was sealed yesterday. Today water got on it and it is very slippery. I asked the concrete guy who we worked through and he said over the next few weeks it will get less slippery and more rough but be very careful walking on it right now when if it gets wet. I am very concerned about this. Will this eventually go away?

Stamped concrete release residue?? Stamped concrete release residue?? I recently had a stamped concrete patio created in my yard and two weeks later I am still having a ton of release color on my feet when I walk across it. I have hosed it off every day. The release color is almost black and it causing huge problems w/ visitors and children not wiping their feet prior to entering my home. My floors are becoming trashed daily which is causing alot of work on my end!! What is the cause of this and what can I do? Of course I can not get a hold of my contractor.

What value would be added to my home if I had a stamped and colored concrete patio? I'm preparing to sell my home in approx 3 or 4 years, so I've started all the necessary home repairs to get it in "sell-able" condition. The next item on the agenda is my patio. It's so old and the current grey concrete there is sunken and cracked. I'm having it all torn up and a new patio floor put down. My question is this: I already know I want to get colored concrete rather than just plain grey. But I'm also considering getting it "stamped" so it looks a lot nicer. The cost of getting it stamped is an additional $350. I'm just curious if the designed look will increase the sale value of my home at all...realistically. Any feedback is welcome and I thank you in advance :)

decorative stamped concrete? I am considering stamped concrete for my walk ways and a patio. Can anyone tell me what the cost is to something like this and how long does the stamping last, does it have to be resurfaced each year?

Building a concrete patio, would like to stamp? Anyone know where I can rent stamps for a concrete patio I'm going to build? I'm in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. Also, do you know how much it might cost? Thanks

Can a dip in a concrete patio addition be fixed? We just poured a concrete addition to our patio and it dips in the center as well as the elevation being way off. The guys stamped the concrete so the texture is rough. How can this be fixed? And with what type of material? Some type of overlay?? Any suggestions would be great.

Is stamp concrete a quality product for a patio? We are considering building a patio out of stamp concrete. We like the design features and it works well with our backyard design. What I would like to hear about is wear and tear and quality for the price. Thank you!

Where do I get info on stamping concrete? I would like to pour a patio and stamp the concrete to make it look like cobble stone. I also would like to add some leaf design. Where can I get the moulds/stamps and how difficult is it really. I have poured concrete before

For a patio deck (stamped concrete), what type of base should I use? AB road base or sand? I live in Solano County in California; soil is supposedly alot of clay (I think)?? Contractor is telling me the AB road base is overkill and suggests a layer of compact sand base and using 3/8" reebar--12" off center. Trying to do my homework. I know the AB road base is probably better. It's more costly; is it necessary?

How much should I pay for patio concrete color and stamping in Kansas City, MO? Does it make any difference in price whether the stamping is horizontal or vertical? Is the going rate around $10.00 a square foot? I have a quote from a great company that quarantees their work...but it is coming in at more than $15.00 a square foot. My driveway is only about 800 square feet and my patio area is around 250 square feet. Is this the problem? Are they charging more because it's a small job? Or, does it make any difference in price that I'm asking for two different patterns? I need to have an answer tomorrow for my contractor. My contractor won't let me contact the sub on this. . . That's why I'm asking you for help!

What do I put at the bottom of a fire pit? I have a fire pit that was made with my stamped concrete patio. The bottom of it is some chunks of concete and dirt. I was thinking of putting sand in it to make a level bottom. Any suggestions of what to do / use would be great.

Where can I find an outdoor fire pit that I can cook over? I'm building a new house and I'd like to add a stylish fire pit on the nice stamped concrete patio. However, I looked at one that said you can NOT cook food over it. I'd like to find something that looks cool, would be great for conversing over a nice fire, but could also be used for roasting marshmallows, etc... To the first couple responses - are you sure you can cook over these?!?!

Pavers versus Stamped Concrete which is better? We live in Colorado and are installing a patio and need advice on which application will last longer and which has less maintenance and which is the most cost effective?

Stamped Concrete Sealant? Hi: We have a stamped concrete covering on our driveway, patio, etc which we would like to seal. We are looking for a polyurethane based product which will provide UV/UAV protection (we live in Phoenix, AZ) and end with a glossy shine. I have looked and looked on Google (yuko) and the only hits I have found were companies paid advertisements for selling me something other than the product we need. If someone could tell us the product name and a reseller we would greatly appreciate it. We have considered hiring the job done but with the home repair market in the condition it is, we are afraid the contractor we choose may not be in business long enough to honor the warranty they sell. Thank you in advance!!

What are the pros and cons of having pavers versus concrete for a backyard patio? Any other advice? We could put tile over the concrete later or get more expensive stamped concrete. What has your experience taught you? Which is easiest to maintain? How much rebarb should concrete have in it so it doesn't crack (I live in California - temperate climate.)

average price of concrete per cubic yard (tinted, stamped) for new patio?

Stamping or cutting a pattern into a concrete patio? What type of handheld saw would be used to cut a pattern into the concrete? I saw this on 'diynetwork.com'... and can't find it again...The article recommended using one type of saw to do straight cuts, and another type to do more realistic looking, stone-shaped cuts. HELP! lol

Concrete repair? I have a concrete patio and it is settling. I would like to cover it with something similar to stamped concrete, I'm not sure it has stopped settling and whether the stamped concrete would crack. What would look nice and cover the patio? I don't really want pavers, although I know they might be an only option.Someone told me about a product that is used on uneven concrete and has rubberized or polymer type panels, but he wasn't sure of the manufacturer. The patio has a huge arbor over it and the removal of the slab would be difficult.

Suggestions for concrete pool patio? We have a pool patio that had Chattahoochee on it. We have removed this product because it was not in good condition. We are looking for something to replace it. The product that is put down can't be more then 3/4" thick due to some doorways and cutting the bottom is not an option. We have looked at stamp concrete and we don't like it and cool deck as well. Does anyone have any suggestions and were in S. Fla so they would need to be able to work in Dade county.

How easy is it to stamp concrete and then apply an acid wash color? The project will consist of a sidewalk to a landing at the front stairway, the sidewalk is offset from the front door to the street. Then the sidewalk will 90 around to a landing at a side door, it will continue to the back of the house and 90 into a patio area.

Need expert. Want to use 2 Kicker CVR12 for subs in an outdoor stereo system. Help with box design xperts only Ok, I've built many boxes in my day (15 years). I have 2 full range outdoor speakers running off of the "b" switch on my receiver and I am soon to have 2 Kicker CVR 122's outside as soon as figure out how to make the box. I know that I want to use the ported design (20.5" long port.) I was thinking of a downfiring box that is placed facing downwards. I would have it about 7 inches off of the ground aiming down. .I would just extend 3 pieces past the baffle piece by 7 inches. Does that make sense? Would fibreglass be enough to waterproof the box from the weather? I'm looking for ideas as I am in need of more "lower end" in my yard. I know that the speakers are "marine ready" and should hold up to the elements. My second concern is that the box will look ugly on my stamped concrete patio. Can You think of any way to make it blend in? One friend suggested I make a planter out of it. I need major advice.

Concrete Patio ended up the wrong color!!? A contractor poured a concrete patio in the front of our home. We had a terra cotta color mixed in with the concrete and it was great. We were having it stamped. The contractor put what he called a release on it which was a light gray. We thought the release was something that kept the stamping material from sticking to the concrete but now the terra cotta color has pale gray in it. Our home is earth tones but no gray so it really looks out of place. Had we known that the gray was going to affect the color, we would have had them put a tan, brown or even black as the "release". Does release come in colors AND is it too late to do anything about it now?

Pavers VS stamped concrete? We are planning to add a large patio about 620 sf to our back yard. we were considering doing it ourselves with pavers to save $, but i had a guy give me a qoute for $6 per sf for stamped concrete, what is the better deal????