The Best Way to Remodel you Patio in Few Effortless Steps

Posted: Aug 15, 2010 |Comments: 0 |

With patios increasingly becoming a natural extension of your internal living area, that old, drab  concrete pad is most possibly in desperate need of a bold makeover to meet  changing requirements. And a makeover of  your patio can generally be one of the most cost effective home improvement tasks you can undertake and if it's a professional looking transformation, can add substantially to the value of your home.

A number of options are possible for remodeling or transforming existing concrete pads, depending on the condition of the concrete, such as whether it is severely cracked or not, the amount of money you wish to spend , the amount of disruption you can tolerate and material preference. For example, if the concrete is in excellent condition , then the concrete surface could be simply be stained, given a textured coating or a stenciled tile pattern applied. These options involve only minimal disruption and are applied by specialized contractors.

If the concrete surface is in sound condition, maybe with only hairline cracks, then laying down ceramic, stone tiles or flagstones is an option that could be considered. Ceramic tiles are available in a kaleidoscope of colours, styles, surface textures and sizes. Textured finishes are generally applied to exterior tiles to provide a degree of slip resistance under wet conditions.  Check to ensure the tiles are suitable for your local conditions as tiles with high water absorption may exhibit freeze-thaw cracking in freezing conditions. It's important also to note that any existing cracks in the concrete which extend through the total concrete thickness are likely to become more pronounced and eventually can cause any tiles laid above to crack.


Natural stone products such as sandstone, limestone, slate or granite are also an opion but if using such tiles it's a good idea to make sure thay are sealed against moisture or to prevent staining.

Another option is to use new or reclaimed bricks or clay pavers although the extra height that bricks or pavers will add needs to be considered . But bricks or pavers have the advantage that they are normally very easy to lay and it's not normally necessary to fill in the gaps between the bricks .

But perhaps one of the simplest, most cost effective and attractive options is to lay down interlocking deck tiles. Such tiles can tolerate a certain degree of cracking of the concrete and will not cause problems if cracks in the concrete pad are likely to expand. These do-it-yourself decking tiles are typically available as 12" x 12" squares and are easily installed by just clicking the modules into place . The tiles have special tabs built onto the sides of the plastic mesh base which keeps them firmly in place and avoids the need for any particular surface preparation, adhesives or other fixings . The plastic base is designed to allow water to pass freely under the tiles and keep the wood clear of the concrete base . A typical patio area can be fully laid in just an hour or so and is ready to use immediately.

Deck tiles are availabel in various designs, so it is possible to create borders, centerpieces, feature areas etc. to suit your individual preference. And they are now available not only in different species of wood but also in slate, sandstone, granite, ceramic , PVC, rubber  and composite wood. With some tiles you can combine interlocking tiles of different materials. So for example you could build a central patio area paved in slate or sandstone tiles , surrounded by wood tiles.

To complete the makeover, you could purchase a few large pots or planters, a few well established plants and maybe a decorative item or two ensuring that your formerly drab patio will become a place you can again enjoy and be truly proud of.

Questions and Answers

Ask
200 Characters left
Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 0 vote(s)
    Feedback
    Print
    Re-Publish
    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/construction-articles/the-best-way-to-remodel-you-patio-in-few-effortless-steps-3048282.html

    Article Tags:

    deck tiles

    ,

    decking tiles

    ,

    discount tile

    ,

    outdoor tile

    ,

    patio pavers

    ,

    interlocking tiles

    When tiling outdoor floors, no longer do you have to mess with adhesives and grout. Here's how.

    By: Malcolm Kayl Home Improvement> DIYl Aug 26, 2010

    There's a new and painless means to resurface an existing patio that just takes a few hours, not days and avoids all the hassles of conventional tiling.

    By: Malcolm Kayl Home Improvement> DIYl Aug 23, 2010 lViews: 206

    Creating a dry area underneath an existing upper level deck need not be either an expensive exercise or involve a great deal of hard work if you consider the simple solution of using interlocking deck tiles in conjunction with an EPDM sheet

    By: Malcolm Kayl Home Improvement> DIYl Aug 14, 2010 lViews: 233

    Interlocking deck tiles present a convenient technique to resurface outdoor hard surfaces. While they are swift and easy to lay, here's a few tips to assist you on your way.

    By: Malcolm Kayl Home Improvement> DIYl Aug 23, 2010

    When an existing timber deck becomes tired and weather worn, what can you do? Here's a way you can transform that old deck in no time at all and without breaking the bank.

    By: Malcolm Kayl Home Improvement> Remodelingl Aug 23, 2010

    Subterranean room water resistant has become well-known as property owners have sought to convert difficult basement area into home.

    By: Persia Walkerl Home Improvement> Constructionl Jun 01, 2012

    NW Bath Systems has been serving the Portland area with the highest quality bathroom remodeling services for years. We specialize in the design and installation of everything in your bathroom.

    By: OpheliaRomerol Home Improvement> Constructionl May 30, 2012

    With the weather as shaky and abnormal as it has been this year, most areas are having to deal with problems associated with the weather, that they may not be used to. Hopefully you won't have to worry about concerns like these or worse, but it is always better to be prepared just in case. Here are a few items to consider when dealing with roof issues after a storm!

    By: David Snelll Home Improvement> Constructionl May 29, 2012

    Massachusetts is one the most popular states in the United States of America. It is said that most of the houseowners in Massachusetts are installing septic tanks to manage the sewage water in their residence or business location.

    By: Wilmet Zenithl Home Improvement> Constructionl May 29, 2012

    Septic tanks are mostly found in rural areas because of poor sewage system. Most of the individuals in such areas prefer to install septic tanks for their sewage access. These septic tanks collect all the sewage waste that comes out from lavatories, bathrooms, washing stations, and kitchen.

    By: Wilmet Zenithl Home Improvement> Constructionl May 29, 2012

    Nowadays there are less and less reasons for venues to sell tickets via the major ticket agencies. Here's why.

    By: Malcolm Kayl Arts & Entertainment> Theaterl Apr 20, 2011

    Setting up a box office to sell tickets need not be at all expensive. For no more than $200 these days you can set yourself up with printer, scanner and card reader and use one of the excellent ticketing software sytems now available to make selling tickets so much easier.

    By: Malcolm Kayl Arts & Entertainment> Theaterl Apr 06, 2011

    When tiling outdoor floors, no longer do you have to mess with adhesives and grout. Here's how.

    By: Malcolm Kayl Home Improvement> DIYl Aug 26, 2010

    Landscaping in small areas entails unique challenges . Here's a few tips to help you rise to the challenge.

    By: Malcolm Kayl Home Improvement> DIYl Aug 26, 2010

    Interlocking deck tiles present a convenient technique to resurface outdoor hard surfaces. While they are swift and easy to lay, here's a few tips to assist you on your way.

    By: Malcolm Kayl Home Improvement> DIYl Aug 23, 2010

    Discuss this Article

    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    Quantcast