An experienced concrete contractor can make a pour that will cure in just about any weather, based on what additives they use. And proper reinforcing will provide you with a patio that will withstand subfreezing temperatures easily......they actually build concrete structures in places like Alaska and Siberia, you know :-)

Try posting in the Landscape Design forum and see what responses you get. Stamped concrete is very popular, is very attractive if done properly, can be very long lasting (longer than you will be around!!) and is less than half the price of pavers or bricks.

We have a stamped/colored concrete steps, walkway, and front porch. We love it, but it does get hot in the sun!

So funny you post this. I have a stamped, dyed, concrete walkway. My house was built in 1998. The walkway wasn’t put in at the time we built, but was put in within the first 2-3 years after the house was finished. The other day my brother came by and just randomly noted that we really got our money’s worth out of it as it still looks the same as it did the day it was put in. The house is just north of Atlanta. So it does get pretty hot in the summer.

I’m not there now but will check my albums to see if I have any decent pics.

We got stamped concrete at the old house and it stood up very well so long as you don't mind that the cracks don't make any sense in that it doesn't just crack at the "joints" but wherever they want to go.

We had a stamped concrete walk to the front door and loved it. It looked like slate, with subtle color variations. And we included a compass design, pointed true north. After five years the colors seemed to fade so we re-sealed it (a very easy process, just mop the stuff on), and it looked beautiful again. Another good thing: no cracks or gaps for weeds to grow up in. Get it done right and it will be the lowest maintenance option for you.

edited to add: I wonder if cracking depends on the surrounding soil type. Our old house was on very well draining, almost sandy, ground. Everyone had basements and no one's basement leaked. Not like here, *sigh*

My son has it and it looks great. No problems that I am aware of.

We've had a large stamped concrete patio and walkway for about a dozen years. We get temps up to 100F in summer and way below freezing in winter with usually about a month of over 2 feet of snow and often more. I guess the company that did it for us picked a day with the right weather/ temperature to pour the concrete, as It's held up well, so far!

What damages concrete in winter is melting chemicals, especially ordinary salt. What happens is this: During the day during maximum temperature, the chemical melts snow and ice and the brine penetrates porosities in the concrete, then later at evening and night if the temperature falls below the freezing point of the brine, it freezes and pops off chips of concrete.

Talk to your concrete contractor about this. He can select a mix that is more resistant to freeze spalling, usually a greater amount of cement to sand and gravel (and greater cost). He may recommend a sealant. Do not start the project too late in the year. There is a wait time before applying sealant. Its best to have the recommended curing time before applying a sealer and before freezing weather sets in. Many times, the fine, smooth finish layer is more susceptible to damage than the underlying base concrete,

It has been my experience that sealers do help but are not 100% effective. Expect damage after 3 winters of salting.

One of the very best things you can do is to shield the stoop immediately in front of the door from snow and drippings from the main house. I recommend a portico (roof projection) over the entryway. Its roof should be shaped to direct house roof drippings away from the stoop and the walk.

After a snow, clean the stoop before trampling the snow and welding it to the concrete.

Before you begin your project, educate yourself about how to make concrete resistant to cyclic freezing-thawing. This is big problem in northern climes and reduces as one travels south.

Our daughter has had it for almost 20 years and it has help up well!! It is really pretty and they often get compliments on it. No cracks!!

" I like the look of brick or cobblestone but I'm thinking those would be very expensive." There are pros and cons to consider.

Let's talk cost. Stamped concrete for my patio I just completed....it needed dirt hauled in to level it. A rim installed around it to hold the dirt. Tamping the dirt down.....then a cement pumper truck would have crushed my front driveway which is already cracked. Then $15k to have hired it done. ... then replace my front driveway that the pumper truck ruined. :0)

I would have used fibermesh in the colored concrete, rebar w/ chairs to hold the rebar off the ground. Covered it, so it dried slowly & cement cure. It would last forever! But the cost.....and damaging one thing to get another...might make brick or cobblestone less expensive by comparison.....depending on your situation.