Stafford TX Outdoor Living Experts

Stain-and-stamp concrete patios

There was a time when all concrete patios were the same color. With the addition of color and the use of stamps to create appealing patterns on the surface, stain and stamp concrete has become an art form. Many of our clients choose concrete not just for its more affordable price but for the design possibilities. With your selection of a stamp pattern and a base color, along with an accent or release color, you play a key role in the custom design of your patio.

Contact us today!

For the best possible patio and hardscape project, let Archadeck of Southwest Houston design and build your custom outdoor living space in the Stafford, TX, area. We will work with you to custom-design an outdoor space unique to your home and perfect for your family. To schedule your free consultation, call us today at (281) 214-8299 or email us at swhouston@archadeck.net.

— David Herbert, owner at Archadeck of Southwest Houston.

Let a Patio Cover Protect Your Patio Time

If you love entertaining outdoors, or you treasure every minute you’re able to relax on the patio, you will probably want your patio to include a cover or roof. There are plenty of options, so don’t feel like your choices are all-or-nothing. As your Stafford TX covered patio builder, we have designed patios that are completely covered and others that are only partially covered. When we meet with you for the design consultation, we’ll talk about how you want to use your patio. The necessity – or not – of a patio cover usually emerges during that conversation. Are you willing to move the party indoors if a rain shower pops up unexpectedly? Are you willing to schedule your patio time to avoid the sun’s harshest UV rays?

The proximity of your patio to your house will dictate whether your patio cover will be free-standing or attached to your home. You’ll have several design choices to make for the patio cover. Will its support posts be made of exposed wood, wrapped with low-maintenance PVC, or covered by stone veneer? That depends on the aesthetics you prefer; it’s a sensory decision.

If the patio is adjacent to your home and the patio cover will be tied into your home’s roof, what kind of pitch will it have? What kind of ceiling do you want for your patio cover? Those options include tongue and groove cedar, pressure-treated pine, or exotic hardwood – or perhaps you would prefer an open rafter design.

Beyond Patio Basics: Adding Hardscapes

Technically, a hardscape is a paver/stone/concrete/brick structure that is introduced into the landscape. When we talk about hardscapes, we’re referring to the patio itself, yes, but also to any vertical elements added for functional or decorative purposes. The vertical components of a hardscape could include a retaining wall or seating wall usually placed at the patio’s edge, a custom fire feature, or an outdoor kitchen. For additional flourishes, you might add stone bench seating along a retaining wall or pillars at either end of a seating wall. If your patio has more than one level, or if steps are needed, the steps become part of your hardscape design.

When you introduce these vertical elements, you have the opportunity to select materials that match the horizontal patio surface or that complement it. If your patio is made of pavers, most paver manufactures offer matching pavers in larger sizes designed for vertical elements such as the base of your outdoor kitchen. With natural stone, you may be able to use that same stone for your vertical hardscapes. You also have the option of selecting a hardscape paver that goes well with your stone. For a stain and stamp concrete patio you will need to select a complementary hardscape material.

Don’t Forget the Pergola!

A custom pergola – or two – added to a patio present all kinds of design options. Many of our clients want a pergola at the back edge of the patio as a visual element to help define the space. Some want a pergola on the side, or both sides, to serve as the frame for a privacy screen. Another popular spot for a pergola is over the dining area or over the outdoor kitchen to set it off. If you don’t have a patio cover, you may want a pergola for shade. Realize a pergola only provides partial shade unless you add a canvas or polycarbonate cover to the pergola itself. Wherever you place a pergola, it will make a powerful design statement.