Concrete gets a bad rap. Unfairly, in our opinion.
“Boring,” they say. “Dreary, Cold. Lifeless. Brutalist.” Ever heard the term “concrete jungle”? It’s not someplace you’d want to be.
Well, we’ve got news for you. Concrete is awesome. And not boring at all—at least, not if you know its potential.
If you’re looking to upgrade your patio or other outdoor space, this is one construction material you definitely shouldn’t overlook. It could be both an affordable and beautiful way to build the landscape of your dreams.
Here’s why.
Concrete Can Be Beautiful
We know, when you hear “cement” or “concrete” you probably think cracked sidewalks or lifeless midcentury urban plazas surrounded by government buildings—imagine Calder Plaza in Grand Rapids, except without the actual sculpture.
But concrete doesn’t have to be cold and gray. In fact, concrete can be stenciled, stamped, engraved, stained or overlaid to give it whatever color, pattern, or look you want. Just think of the possibilities—your concrete patio, pool deck, or walkway can easily take on the appearance of:
- Golden sandstone
- Elegant charcoal slate tile
- Bright limestone
- Multicolored grout and stone
- Red brick
- Faux wood
- Crushed glass
- Flagstone
- Custom patterns like animal footprints or flowers
And those are just a few examples.
Concrete can do all that? It can! Whatever elegant or beautiful look you want, you can usually achieve it with overlaid concrete.
Concrete Fits Any Space with Limitless Possibility
Unlike bricks, pavers, flagstone, wood, and other solid materials, concrete is poured as a liquid paste, then solidifies. That mans you have no restrictions whatsoever on form. Any geometry or design is possible.
Want rounded curves instead of squared-off edges? No problem. Need to navigate around specific space restrictions in your backyard? Piece of cake. Contrasting patterns, colors, or designs? Easy peasy. With concrete, you’re never going to be limited by the natural shape, color, or texture of other building materials.
Concrete Is Durable
Assuming that it was installed properly by a professional, few substances hold up better than concrete through rain, Michigan winters, heavy foot traffic, and all the other stresses and pressure of life.
Concrete resists warping, sinking, and water damage. It won’t spread or rot over time. It won’t catch fire. It’s sturdy enough to support anything you want to put on top of it, from patio furniture to an outdoor kitchen or pizza oven. Minor cracks can typically be repaired easily.
In other words, you can expect to enjoy your outdoor space for decades with minimal hassle.
Concrete Is Easy to Care For
The fact that concrete is solid, flat, and durable makes it a cinch to clean and care for. It’s less likely, for example, to develop mold or moss in the cracks like you might get from wood or brick. It won’t become a home for pests or weeds.
Is your concrete dirty? Sweep it. Once in a while, spray it down with a garden hose. That’s pretty much all you have to do most of the time. You can use a mild soap or degreaser and a bristle scrub made from natural or synthetic fibers if you do happen upon a particularly grimy or stained spot.
Concrete only needs to be resealed once every two years to help prevent chipping and cracking and to preserve color.
Concrete Can Be Eco-Friendly
Okay, sure, concrete isn’t exactly a naturally occurring substance. But compared to some other surfaces, your concrete work can be pretty harmonious with nature. For one, concrete can be produced near where you live with locally sourced (and even recycled) ingredients. And because concrete is low-maintenance, you won’t have to use harsh chemicals, solvent-based stains, or other products to clean or care for it as
Concrete Is Affordable
Concrete is one of the most inexpensive building materials for a patio, walkway, or other surface. You’ll also save on labor costs, since concrete can be poured, stamped, and cured in a much shorter timeframe than laying pavers or building a deck.
Even stamped concrete can come out to half the cost (or less) of more expensive options like pavers, brick, or natural stone. And since it’s so easy to stamp or overlay the concrete to resemble other types of surfaces, you can end up getting the high-end look you want at a fraction of the cost. That’s a great value!
So, have we convinced you? Not so boring after all, is it!
To make your landscape dreams, well, concrete, give Bosch’s Landscape and Lawn Specialties a call today. Whether you need to install a brand-new surface, or simply “dress up” your existing surfaces with custom overlays, we can help. Call (616) 399-6861 to request a free estimate today.
