By Jack Labens

No matter what type of home you may own you can create a great getaway space in the comfort of your own backyard by creating an outdoor patio. A patio can be made of brick material or of a concrete base material. Both are very good choices and are mainly user preference as to which material to go with.

The first task for the homeowner is to estimate the size of the patio to be built and where exactly it will be built. These measurements do not need to be exact as these will serve as rough estimates and will be narrowed down to more precise once the project is in full gear. When the size and location of the patio is established the next logical thought is to be what material will be used for the base of the patio.

Concrete is an excellent choice for patios as it is very durable and easy to work with and will hold up to the elements for many years to come. Many times homeowners think of concrete being a very cold a sterile type of material but with the entire additive that can be added today that is not the case. Contractors can add additives that can change the color of concrete to fit the homeowners’ tastes and also perform a technique called stamping which can create many different textures in the concrete itself. When choosing a concrete pad for your patio it may be wise to actually hire a contractor to perform the pour because if the pad is not properly poured in the beginning it can cause cracking, warping chipping and insufficient drainage also. All of which will shorten the life of the patio dramatically. Money spent in the initial cost of the patio can be money save in the very near future.

Brick also lends itself to be a very good base material for a patio. When using brick you will want to use sand and compact the sand down to a firm base to lay out the brick. Brick is much easier for the average homeowner to work with and is less forgiving in errors made in installation. There are many styles of brick and pavers that can be used today and the price range varies widely as well. The first thing to think of is to know what kind of theme you want to go after. Do you want a traditional brick look or more of an old craftsman look that could be achieved with bricks that have gone through a process called tumbling. These brick cost more, but add a little more of a flair than the plain bricks do.

Now that you have your base is laid out and completed whether it is a concrete patio or a brick patio you will want to add patio furniture to your patio to enable you and your family to receive the maximum enjoyment possible out of your new patio. The type of furniture is a totally personal preference and should reflect the homeowners’ style and tastes. One accessory for your patio furniture after you and your family has decided on the patio furniture and it is in place on the patio is to purchase outdoor patio furniture covers. These covers will protect your patio furniture from the elements from the sun, rain, wind and snow if you live in a cold climate. This initial investment will help ensure that you enjoy your patio furniture for years to come.

About the Author: Jack Labens works for Empire Patio Covers, a leading provider of

outdoor furniture covers

such as

patio chair covers

and

outdoor table covers

. Empire Patio Covers can be found online at: EmpirePatioCovers.com or at their blog EmpirePatioCovers-Blog.com .

Source:

isnare.com

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