Outdoor Style: Creative Ways With Classic Concrete
Have you cast concrete aside as being too dull or crack-prone? Learn about new design options along with the basics of using it outside
June Scott
June 21, 2015
Versatile, strong and readily available, concrete is one of the most widely used outdoor materials. Though it’s sometimes thought of as cold or even dull, its design potential for paths, patios, walls and other features is almost limitless. It can be cast in nearly any form or shape and offers tremendous flexibility in terms of color and texture. Here are a few points to consider when designing concrete surfaces.
The basics. Concrete is a mixture of paste and aggregates, or rocks. The paste, composed of Portland cement and water, coats the surface of the fine (small) and coarse (larger) aggregates. As the paste hardens, it gains strength to form the rock-like mass known as concrete.
In this process lies the key to a remarkable trait of concrete: It’s plastic and malleable when newly mixed, strong and durable when hardened.
Cost. Concrete outdoor features typically cost less than those made of stone, brick or tile. You’ll need to budget for the material cost (the concrete itself), site preparation and grading, gravel or sand sub base, and concrete forms and finishing.
Patios and walkways cost $6 (no color additives, broom finish) to $15 and up (coloring or other decorative techniques) per square foot; retaining walls will run $30 to $40 per square foot for a basic design.
In this process lies the key to a remarkable trait of concrete: It’s plastic and malleable when newly mixed, strong and durable when hardened.
Cost. Concrete outdoor features typically cost less than those made of stone, brick or tile. You’ll need to budget for the material cost (the concrete itself), site preparation and grading, gravel or sand sub base, and concrete forms and finishing.
Patios and walkways cost $6 (no color additives, broom finish) to $15 and up (coloring or other decorative techniques) per square foot; retaining walls will run $30 to $40 per square foot for a basic design.
Limitations. Concrete has a tendency to crack due to expansion and contraction. When concrete is used as paving, cracking can be minimized by installing control joints when the concrete is placed. Control joints are essentially planned cracks that allow for movement caused by temperature changes and drying shrinkage. Handled well, joints can become an opportunity to line up and link various elements of the design. Here dry-laid concrete pavers provide ribbons of interest within 6-inch joints.
Joints can also be planted, lined with synthetic turf or filled with gravel or pebbles. All of these treatments increase the permeability of the paving, an important aspect of sustainable gardens.
Design Options
Texture. Concrete paving is often given a surface treatment to improve its traction and appearance.
Texture. Concrete paving is often given a surface treatment to improve its traction and appearance.
- Sand finish: Sand finishing gives concrete a lightly edged surface. Once the concrete is placed, special retardants are applied to etch away a thin film of the surface. After a curing period, the surface is scrubbed with machinery to remove and expose only the sand matrix of the mix.
- Acid-etch finish: Acid etching produces a surface closely resembling that of limestone, brownstone or sandstone. After the cast element is removed from the form, the concrete is washed with an acid solution and scrubbed to remove the surface cement. With this method the exposed sand retains more sparkle than with light sandblasting.
- Exposed aggregate: This finish has a coarser texture than that of sand-finished or acid-etched concrete. It is created by casting the concrete against a form surface that has been painted with a retarder to slow the set of the concrete. After the form is removed, the retarded concrete is stripped away to reveal the beauty and texture of the underlying aggregate. Endless variations are possible, depending on the type of aggregate used and degree of exposure. In this example pebble-like Coral Sea gravel was exposed to provide a warm, shimmery texture. Because of its skid resistance, an exposed aggregate finish is ideal for most flat underfoot surfaces, such as sidewalks and patio floors.
Color. Two popular ways to color freshly poured concrete are using integral coloring admixtures or dry-shake color hardeners. In addition color hardeners can improve the surface hardness and durability of concrete. A range of colored pigments are available. Neutrals such as brown, tan and gray tend to be less subject to fading than red, green and blue.
Refurbishing Existing Concrete
Using a microtopping with a stencil can be an economical way to enliven a worn concrete area. Microtoppings, or thin-section overlays, run the spectrum from spray deck products for driveways and pool decks to high-end trowel-grade materials for interior residential and commercial spaces. The overlay is about ⅛-inch thick and can stand up to freeze-thaw conditions if applied and maintained properly.
Using a microtopping with a stencil can be an economical way to enliven a worn concrete area. Microtoppings, or thin-section overlays, run the spectrum from spray deck products for driveways and pool decks to high-end trowel-grade materials for interior residential and commercial spaces. The overlay is about ⅛-inch thick and can stand up to freeze-thaw conditions if applied and maintained properly.
Recycled concrete. Breaking up and relaying concrete is another ecologically sound way to refurbish existing concrete. Broken-up pieces of sidewalk or used concrete paving stones can be used to build new paths, walkways or raised planters around your home and yard.
More: How to Tear Out That Old Concrete Patio
How to Pick the Right Floor for Your Garden Room
More: How to Tear Out That Old Concrete Patio
How to Pick the Right Floor for Your Garden Room
Related Stories
Porches
Porch of the Week: Catching a Breeze in Austin, Texas
By Becky Harris
The new screened-in space has a beautiful fireplace as a focal point and includes lounging and dining spaces
Full Story
Before and Afters
Before and After: 4 Landscapes That Bring Resort Style Home
Stunning fire pits, luxurious pools, elegant entertaining zones and other relaxing spots give these yards vacation vibes
Full Story
Before and Afters
Before and After: 3 Exuberant, Wildlife-Friendly Landscapes
By Elena Vega
Ho-hum expanses give way to colorful meadow-inspired gardens that encourage butterflies, birds and bees to stay awhile
Full Story
Landscape Design
7 Key Features to Include in Your New Landscape Design
By Kate Burt
Looking to create a gorgeous outdoor space that suits your home and lifestyle? Start by considering these options
Full Story
Events
Outdoor Flooring, Turf and Tile Products for 2024
By Julie Sheer
See the latest materials for patios, decks and yards displayed at the recent Surfaces trade show
Full Story
Saving Water
10 Gardens That Capture and Drain Water With Style
Landscape pros design beautiful and hardworking gardens that effectively drain and manage rainwater and runoff
Full Story
Before and Afters
Yard of the Week: Ranch Home Opens Up to Indoor-Outdoor Living
A home and landscape makeover near Denver creates harmony and connection between interior and exterior spaces
Full Story
Patios
15 Outdoor Spaces That Rock Permeable Paving
These patios, paths and driveways showcase beautiful and integrated drainage solutions
Full Story
Outbuildings
Family Gatherings in Argentina Inspire a Pavilion and Guesthouse
By Becky Harris
A new yard adds room for hosting, swimming and bringing part of one homeowner’s culture to her family’s Seattle home
Full Story
Gardening Guides
What Will We Want in Our Landscapes in 2024?
Discover seven trends that landscape designers predict homeowners will be bringing into their outdoor spaces this year
Full Story
Board Formed Concrete Walls is a beautiful way to incorporate concrete into your project. Here is one we did.
We are really loving these creative uses of concrete!
Nothing is more unique in style than the industrial look of concrete furniture. Smooth, clean straight lines give this style of furniture a distinguished modern appearance with durability and longevity.
memoky.com