Finish: Pacific Strong, a discontinued Bona waterbased urethane finish in two coats was applied over Duracraft stain. Chipping: small 1/8th" or bigger pieces of wood individually chip out from the wood floor upon light contact by shoes, full plastic laundry basics, kitchen garbage cans.An opening is left in the floor which is blond, like bare oak. It's not flaking off as I've seen can happen with drums during refinishing, nor are their wavy lines periodically. Rather it's chipping off with contact, as when a tree limb is placed in a chipper/shredder machine outdoors. As to the stairs, well both the stain and the finish are gone on the edges of the steps (the rounded part at the stair end). Bare wood remains and is very slippery compared to the rest of the step, where stain and finish give it a rougher surface texture. You can see the difference on the step and you can feel the lack of any finish on the edges, precisely where it is needed most. We keep the house humidified and run house temp at 64 in the winter. We don't abuse our floors. Thanks for your response. In all my many years owning several homes, I have never encountered anything like this.

There are any number of 'rubberized' coatings that can be applied to both wood and concrete to adhere. You can add any color pigment you want and even work in a pattern. Most major boxstores have it, whether it be Gaco or the like. You can also mix in a grit. Below is a pic of a deck coating called Miraflex. It's a much more involved process....(14 coats) but you can get a somewhat similar look. Here is a link that might be useful:

Agree, looks like a great spot for a shade garden, much nicer to look at a bit of a garden than grass as you sit on your beautiful new patio. Put stepping stones through the area if you need to walk through. And yes, mulch for now to keep med down.

Beautiful. You might consider an awning over your patio door. https://www.ebay.com/itm/40-x-80-Door-Window-Canopy-Patio-Awning-DIY-Overhead-Door-Clear-Decorator-/192387040987 Especially like the materials you used for the steps and landing/patio as well as including the fountain/bird bath but do take care not to decorate to the point of adding clutter your space. Potted plants flanking your door could add a welcome vibe. You might add other plants and/or wind chimes with posts that can be mobile: a wide holiday tree stand can also hold a4"x4"x6' post for hanging brackets and solar lights to be put where you want them when you want them. Since you have multiple sections in the southern sun, you might consider which one you could add the shade of a pergola over it (or gazebo by it) without blocking the sunlight to the other sections (likely the western most area) and decide if a small pergola or gazebo would suit your plans for the use of the patio. While cushions could be stored out of the sun when not in use, as you choose your furnishings, so please remember that the southern sun will bleach/fade the color fabrics and even furnishings such as wicker whereas your black metal furnishings could easily be repainted as needed so you can avoid making decisions you might well regret. Even if you prefer new furnishings for your summer use of your patio, your metal furnishings could be repainted and set in another, perhaps shady, area of your yard with their legs on individual pavers with their tops at ground level. Your view from your patio will matter so consider what you can do to improve any areas you might prefer looked better even if it is only adding a green hedge visual around the edges of your yard. Pick shrubs that will look good year round. If you are in Zone 7, consider Aucuba or Camellia or the type of Abelia bushes that keep their leaves year round and provide color and/or blooms. Looking forward to your after pics.