Featured Patio Articles:

Stamped Concrete Patios : Concrete has long been popular with homeowners because it is permanent, strong and relatively inexpensive. However, you no longer have to settle for plain old gray concrete slabs. Stamped concrete patios are fast becoming a prevalent trend. Stamped concrete is being used for patios, walkways, sidewalks, driveways and even in applications inside the home.

One of the fantastic things about stamped concrete is how different it can look, depending on the pattern, process and colors used. It can be pressed into patterns that look like flagstone, cobblestone, brick, spanish tile, quarry stone, slate, marble or granite tile, wood or several other finishes that mimic nature. Besides the wide array of patterns you can add borders, bands, centerpieces such as monograms insignias, logos, floral prints or family seals.The design possibilities are endless, making stamped concrete appealing to landscape designers and homeowners alike!

Wet and Dry Laid Flagstone : Better built patios begin with well planned hardscape like flagstone. There are a number of options when it comes to selecting the look that you want, like the shape, cut and size of the flagstone. Also to be considered is the method of construction. This article discusses dry laid and wet laid flagstone, or what is also called dry construction and wet construction. By considering the differences in the two methods you will be aided in determining which one is right for your home.

When flagstone is laid using dry construction the stones rest on a sand base on the existing ground. Dry construction requires less work and tools than wet laid flagstone.

While wet laid flagstone is more costly than the dry laid method it is also more permanent and should remain maintenance free for decades.