Didn't we just have this question about a month ago?

So what if we did???? Man, sometimes this forum is just unbelievable with the rudeness of some people. No one is forcing you to read or answer any of the questions.

I'm really sounding snarky tonight, I guess. Didn't mean to!

I'm asking because I and others responded to the question with some good thoughts.

Maybe not, but it looked the same.

Although not very clearly articulated, I'm sure Maro's intention was to stimulate the OP in perusing through the older threads to see how this same issue was approached. No need to get your knickers in a twist, sweetrain, and your response was even less helpful.

There are many ways to approach this. If carefully done, just extending with the shape you desire out of the same material can work. I designed something similar for my stepson's garden, uniting two separate concrete pads with a free form shape - it turned out very well. Sometimes it helps to tie both the old and new patio surfaces together with a second material, like bricks or cobbles or even treated wood to define expansion joints. Or surfacing both the old and new areas with a tiling or flagstone to disguise the transition.

Ripping it up is not out of the question, either. A concrete saw can be borrowed from equipment rental companies or it can be done with a pry bar and sledge. Then you can design the space in whatever shape you want and use whatever material suits your budget to surface. If the depth allows, you could deck over it with a wood material, although this is trickier to form into a more organic shape.

Sometimes I wish builders would simply stop providing these square patio pads. They are inevitably too small to be very functional and always the same boring rectangular shape. Too often they remain in place simply because they are there and given no consideration to how they blend in to the landscape or add to the aesthetics

Maro, sorry if it's been answered alot here. I know what it's like to get the same question on forums you frequent. I don't hang out here much though. I did search but didn't find much I was interested in so rather than hijack someone else's thread, I decided to start my own.

I really don't want to rip up the old patio since sq. ft./dollar is as concern for me but I REALLY need a few more square feet. What I'm leaning towards right now is buying the 24x24 square concrete patio tiles that would match the original concrete color. I then would lay them out with about 2-3 inches between each one and grow creeping thyme or some other very low groundcover in the cracks. The border would be organically shaped and I would use a differently shaped block (4x8 or similar) to create a formal border. My goal with this is to make it look like a continuation of the existing patio but also be garden friendly. I think the thyme and the organic shape will accomplish the second objective, while the formal grid pattern and gray color will accomplish the first. I also like the idea of decreasing runoff issues with the gaps in the patio. My backyard is very flat so puddling is always a concern.

I'd appreciate any feedback, tips, whatever... Is this a terrible idea?

gardengal,
I will look into your treated wood between a grid of concrete idea. I assume these would be large timbers? That is an interesting idea that I think could fit. I'm also thinking I could make a large grid with bricks and fill in the squares with concrete. I am concerned with how larger grids will work with a non-linear border though.

If using wood between your pavers, make sure it is large, as the 2x4's I used warped and raised up over the winter--then all had to be removed as they became a trip hazard. If using the 2'x2' square you could also paint stripes on the old patio to simulate the edges of the new section. or even just paint a few groups of 2' squares (the edges only) to look like the new pieces.

One of the reasons I suggested removing the existing pad is to use the recycled concrete chunks it will generate as the basis for expanding the area into a more naturalistic or organic form. Recycled concrete can be used in much the same manner as natural stone flagstones and additional material is typically rather easy to obtain (and very low cost, if not free). Look for any local architectural salvage yards or construction/remodeling sites in the area or on Craig's list.

It just needs to be laid in the same manner one would natural stone, with a leveled and compacted sand or gravel base. You can space out the 'pavers' as desired and surround with more sand or fine crushed rock or plant with groundcovers. I've done several terraces or patios in this method and the results have been great! I'm huge on recycling building materials whenever possible and you can't beat the cost.

OK, I've been working on this patio/new backyard thing a great deal and I've come up with a plan I like. The two options I'm thinking about currently are to make the patio out of either broken concrete or 24x24 inch square concrete pavers. Either way, I will have creeping thyme or similar groundcover between the cracks. Here is a picture of what I sketched out. Sorry the plants are not very 'visually' accurate. The size of the circles are though.

{{gwi:44910}}

Here's the plant list:
1 - Rhododendron
2 - Cherry Tree
3 - Bloodgood Japanese Maple
4 - Perennial Hibiscus
5 - Hydrangea
The small circles are unknown but I'm currently considering hosta, nandina, and pretty much anything else...

What do you guys think? Any ideas of where I can improve (other than my cad skills :) )

Here's what I did with broken concrete. I did the outside first and then filled in the center. It's easier that way.

{{gwi:44911}}

botann,
Thanks for picture, that looks really nice and is very close to what I'm thinking! Did you have to 'resize' any of the concrete by hand and if so, was it difficult? I'm thinking I'm only going to be able to find concrete from random sites and much of it will need to be resized.

The thing I'm struggling with now is how to keep the creeping plants of the patio out of the lawn if there is no formal border.