Start with how you'll use it.
The most common patio regret is going too small. A table for six with chairs pulled out needs roughly a 12-by-12 foot space on its own, before a grill or walkway. Mapping out furniture and traffic paths on site is the first part of every patio estimate.
Drainage comes first
A patio should slope gently away from the house so rain doesn't sit against your foundation or run under the back door. On clay soil that holds water, the grade and the compacted stone base matter as much as the concrete itself.
Finish options
- Broom finish: the most affordable and slip-resistant option
- Stamped and colored: the look of stone, slate or brick (see stamped concrete)
- Exposed aggregate: a textured, pebbled surface that hides dirt well
Common add-ons
- A walkway from the patio to the driveway or side gate
- A pad for a hot tub, grill station or outdoor kitchen, poured thicker where the weight is
- Extending an existing patio, tied in with proper joints
Fire pits
Concrete handles a fire pit fine with the right setup. A built pit or a pit on a raised base keeps direct heat off the slab and avoids surface spalling over time.