Many traditional Calgary outdoor living spaces include a patio, and it is often made of concrete. While this material is durable, easy to clean and often inexpensive, some view it as boring. Times have changed, and modern design has breathed life into the concrete patio and turned it into a material that makes for an interesting outdoor area.

If you are renovating the outdoor living space in your Calgary home, start with what you have. Using your existing concrete patio will save money because this material is labor intensive to remove and expensive to haul away. While there are times when concrete cannot be refurbished, it is often easy to breathe life into a patio. It is a good idea to consult with a Calgary general contractor to walk you through this process and discuss cost effective way to create the patio you are hoping for.

Refinishing Concrete

After your concrete slab has been fully cleaned, the next step is to refinish it. There are several ways to do this including staining it, scoring it or adding pavers.
Staining changes the color of your concrete and sometimes the texture. It essentially involves painting your concrete and applying a sealant to protect it. While this is sometimes an easy do-it-yourself project, it is always a good idea to consult with a Calgary construction professional to ensure the integrity of your concrete remains solid and the stain is applied evenly.

If you are hoping to create a pattern on your patio, scoring can help you to achieve this. The process involves cutting into your concrete about ¼-inch and creating a visual rhythm. Many homeowners add diamonds, lines and grids using this method. The cuts must be made with great precision, so this is not a project to handle on your own unless you have a lot of experience.

In some cases, paving veneers can be added to a concrete slab to entirely change the look of your patio. This process basically turns your existing concrete into a foundation with the pavers mortared on top. While it creates a beautiful architectural look when done right, adding paving veneers must be overseen by a seasoned Calgary general contracting professional. When pavers are added incorrectly, homeowners often run into problems with drainage and the surface can also become unsafe to walk on.
Sometimes changing the look of your concrete patio is easiest to accomplish by renewing the outline. Using a circular saw, concrete that is structurally sound can be cut into a circle or octagon to create a whole new space. A short wall can also be added to the edge to make your space feel like a contained outdoor room. Framing it with a pergola adds an element of privacy and can help to make your outdoor living space feel cozy.

Patio Lighting

If you tend to use your outdoor living space a lot at night, make sure your Calgary home renovation includes adding light. Low glow lights, downcast lights, fire pits and hanging lanterns are all great options to consider. Be sure to discuss how your family plans to use your outdoor patio with a Calgary design and construction professional to get the right effect.

Your outdoor living space should bring your family joy, and Alair Homes Calgary can help you to create it. Whether you are working with an existing concrete patio or creating an entirely new area, our contracting professionals are ready to assist. Learn all about our transparent construction process, impressive buying power and all of the advantages that customers realize when they work with us by requesting your free, no obligation consultation.