Concrete overlays have been a consistent top choice for Katy homes’ patio surface material. This is because the material is highly malleable, durable, impervious and requires minimal maintenance.

Due to its malleability, a concrete overlay can easily take up the shape or design of any other patio material you want. In this smooth driveway, the homeowner opted for a brick design with hues of black and varying browns. With a concrete driveway, you get a smooth drive and a beautiful, inexpensive patio.

Flagstone, a natural stone material, is the top choice for pool surrounds. However, it’s not as budget-friendly as concrete. But with concrete’s malleability, it can easily be crafted to mimic a flagstone and even achieve the slightly uneven surface for better foot traction which flagstone cannot give. For a marble effect, simply ask your patio contractor to apply this aesthetic design.

When your home has bricks as its main building material, it usually follows that your patio surface material must also be bricks or pavers to provide a cohesive look to your outdoor aesthetics. However, if your budget is limited, a concrete overlay can do the job but for a lesser cost. Again, with its malleable characteristics, a concrete overlay can easily be carved for a paver pattern and stained for color.

Stained and carved to achieve a faux flagstone surface, this patio enjoys the flagstone look without bearing the cost. Another good thing using concrete overlay is its design flexibility. In the design process, a concrete overlay can also have a high-gloss seal which will make this patio look bright and shiny for a long time.

Concrete overlay is the master of mimicry when it comes to achieving faux look of the other patio surface materials for a fraction of the cost. If you’re interested in installing one for your patio, call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation!

Keep your patio and outdoors blooming all-year round with these 4 patio and lawn care tips.

Prune and mow.

Controlled wildness in the garden has its own charm but make sure each plant has its own space to grow and thrive in. Take note of the ones which require pruning from time to time. Mowing is not limited to the lawn. If you have grass growing in between your pavers, trim that too to still keep a level patio surface.

Sweep and dust.

Since it’s an outdoor space, it’ll tend to get dirtier faster than the rest of your property. Make sure to schedule a weekly sweeping of the patio surface to clear any debris. Don’t forget to dust your plants to retain the vibrant verdant look of your outdoors, too. Sometimes, it is not the weather that makes your outdoors gloomy but the extra layer of dust hiding away the beautiful colors of your garden.

Peel and paint.

When it comes to patio furniture, restore their brand-new look upon seeing the first signs of chipping and cracking. If the paint is peeling, make sure to scrub away the old layer of paint as much as possible and letting the furniture’s natural material breathe before painting a new coat over it. The peeling process will also reveal whether the furniture is still serviceable or not.

Spruce up and re-arrange.

Spruce up your outdoor setting by re-arranging patio furniture. Introduce a new bench or stool, enhance the social space with a carpet or move the table to the side. Change the orientation of your outdoor room and transform it with a few tweaks. If you have potted plants, give the other ones the chance to shine by putting a new one in the patio and taking the old one to its comrades over at the open garden area.

Every part of your property is an opportunity to truly make your home a paradise. Boost your outdoor lifestyle with a neatly paved outdoors, compatible to the activities your outdoor space usually hosts. Find out more tips on how to pick the right patio surface for your outdoors below!

1. Consider the existing outdoor structures.

Your home exterior material, borders, and walls around your property’s perimeter can give you an idea of which material to use. By using the same one, you are bringing a cohesive look to your outdoors. This also triggers the illusion of a wider outdoor space since there is uniformity in the landscape.

2. Determine the space function and match the material’s suitability to it.

If you are going to pave part of the yard which is near a water feature like a fountain or a pool, consider materials which are compatible with water. Porous surface materials like travertine or the elegant flagstone normally border these water features. For a driveway which will bear a lot of weight and traffic, concrete is king. With its malleable and durable properties, concrete lasts a lifetime and is easy to repair.

If you aim for your yard to be a playground or open space friendly to both children and pets, you can also consider soft paving materials. Patio surface materials need not always be made of rocks, concrete, or even wood. You can also consider a green groundcover or gravel. Some may even have a sandy pit for the children and pets to roam around.

3. Save money and help Mother Earth by using sustainable and recycled patio surface materials.

There is a classic charm unique to repurposed patio surface materials. Whether it’s old brick, reclaimed wood, or even paving blocks made from recycled components, these Earth-friendly materials give your outdoors not only the paved look but a great mission statement in helping make not only your yard but the Earth a better place.

A porch gives your home façade a welcoming atmosphere and gives you front row seat to either your street or garden area. To level up your porch space, here are 5 porch ideas you might want to try and transform your porch experience into a whole new level.

A breezy porch

It can get really humid during summertime but a sturdy ceiling fan can easily combat this. When a natural breeze is hard to come by, create it yourself with a ceiling fan always ready to give some cooling effect to your porch area.

Natural insect-repellents

You might be deterred staying in your porch for long because of pesky insects. Deter mosquitoes by surrounding your porch areas with natural insect repelling plants like basil, chives, chrysanthemums, eucalyptus, and lavender to name a few. Having these plants and herbs around your porch gives you access to fresh ingredients for your culinary dishes and bring a wonderful smell to your porch.

Trimmed front yard

Make your porch stand out with a neatly trimmed landscape especially if you have shrubs and bushes just below your porch. Make sure they aren’t stealing the limelight away from your porch balustrades.

Porch paint

Another way to make your porch stand out is to repaint your porch. Whether it’s bringing back that balustrade a white picket fence look or making your ceiling as blue as a summer sky, make your porch shine as bright as summer with a new hue!

Cozy furnishings

Nothing makes your porch more inviting and warm than cozy furnishings. Make your guests feel your warm hospitality with plump pillows and comfortable seating which can easily urge them to lounge a little longer in your porch. With the street scene to entertain them and comfortable furnishings for a seating arrangement, watch how your porch becomes the favorite of the neighborhood.