Home patios evolve

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

The backyard patio is no longer a square of plain gray concrete, surrounded by plain green grass.

The trend, according to Kevin Hodges of BEI Concrete, is toward a more natural look, such as flagstone or materials that look like flagstone, and interesting shapes. Homeowners are going to softer lines, with rounded corners or amoeba-shaped patios. Color is also big, and there are many ways to enhance patios with landscaping.

Even though "natural" is in, maintenance is not. Many people are looking for easier maintenance, and that has made stamped concrete a popular choice.

"Stamped concrete looks like real stone," Hodges said, "but there are no weeds to deal with."

For those who still prefer real flagstone, there are many more color options than in previous years. BEI Concrete, which opened a garden and landscape center in Wellington this year, offers 10 different colors of flagstone from different parts of the country.

Also, there are a few ways to minimize maintenance on patios made with flagstone or concrete pavers. One is to grow "steppable" plants such as woolly thyme between the flagstone pavers. Another is to use a product called Breeze, a byproduct of rock quarries, which is composed of small stones and fine powder. It compacts well between pavers and doesn't allow weeds to grow through. It also comes in different colors.

Other options for filling the spaces between pavers include a sand and gravel mix or concrete. If the concrete is added after pavers are in, workers use a device similar to a cake-decorating bag.

If people decide on a concrete patio, they also have many color options. Both acid-based and water-based stains are available. The water-based products offer more color choice and can be safely used by homeowners, but the colors aren't as durable. Acid-based stains are deeper and richer, but Hodges said it's best to have a professional use them.

There's another choice about colors, too. Pigments can be mixed in a batch of concrete, giving a consistent look, or the patio can be top-dressed with pigment. The latter method allows for color variation and a more natural look.

While some patio projects are friendly to homeowners, others are best left to the professionals, Hodges said. Homeowners can easily install paver stones or flagstone, but stamping concrete is a skill that takes a lot of practice.

When people are looking for ways to dress up their patios, Hodges has several suggestions. Options include the use of planters around the patio, or leaving space for a tree in the middle. Fire pits and built-in barbecues are also popular choices.

Retaining walls can create a larger flat area and a more interesting patio. In earlier years, railroad ties were popular for making walls, but Hodges has found that they don't hold up well. He has replaced many of those older walls with decorative cement blocks. If people want a more interesting look, they can terrace a slope with the use of several short walls. Terracing also creates more garden possibilities around the patio.

Hodges suggests buying a how-to book on patios, to find just the right look for that special outdoor place. After all, outdoors is where most Coloradoans like to live, whenever the weather allows.