Pros And Cons Of Concrete Patios Compared To Wood Patios
The patio of your home can be such a functional space to enjoy whether you are entertaining, hanging out with the kids, or otherwise enjoying the outdoors. If you are in the process of implementing a new patio, you will be faced with a number of material choices for the main patio structure.
Two of the most common materials for patios are concrete and wood. Even though both concrete and wood patios have their advantages, having the patio installed by a concrete contractor tends to be the better option for most homeowners. Take a look at some of the pros and cons of concrete when it comes to patios to help you decide.
Pro: A concrete patio contractor can implement many designs; wood patio designs may be more limited.
You can choose various wood colors and layout patterns for decking boards, but, in the end, a wooden patio is still going to look like a wood patio. Concrete patios can take on a number of different end appearances. Professional contractors can add textures, pigments, and aggregate to give the patio a more decorated look. You can even get a concrete patio finished to look like wood.
Con: Concrete patios do require a brief time to cure; wood patios do not.
Once a concrete patio contractor installs your patio, you will not get to use the space until the concrete has properly cured. The process usually only takes a few days. Of course, wood patios can be used as soon as they are finished, but they also tend to take much longer to complete.
Pro: Concrete patios tend to have a longer lifespan than wood.
By far, concrete is more resilient over the years than wood. Concrete patios could easily last for decades with proper care and maintenance.
Con: A pigmented concrete patio can fade with time but wood may not.
Decorative concrete often contains pigments to give the finish a nice color. While deeper pigments do fine, some of the lighter hues may fade with sun exposure. Wood can fade as well; however, wood may not fade quite as quickly. To avoid issues with your decorative concrete patio's color fading, be sure to work with a concrete contractor to get the patio properly sealed annually.
Pro: Concrete fares better than wood patios in wet climates.
If you live in an area that gets a great deal of rain or snow, wood patios can be in danger due to all of the moisture. On the contrary, a concrete patio, when properly installed by a concrete contractor, is much more equipped to withstand high levels of moisture.
For more information, contact a local concrete patio contractor.