Patios

Americans everywhere - from Washington D.C. to California, from Florida to Minnesota - are spending more time at home and more time outdoors. A concrete patio can be a great place to spend time.

Back yards are being transformed into luxurious extensions of the house. They're the new favorite room to relax, entertain, and cook. And the heart and soul of the backyard resort area is the concrete patio.

The Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association, which recently held its annual tradeshow and exposition, says the growth of the outdoor living phenomena is the result of North America's interest in 'cocooning,' the trend toward a more casual lifestyle, an aging population and the popularity of porches, decks, and concrete patios in homes. Concrete patios, sometimes referred to as cement patios, provide the perfect sanctuary for outdoor living spaces because they are often connected to the house and blend the interior with the exterior living areas. For example, homeowners can match the stone facade of their house by installing decorative concrete to create a stone patio without the expense of installing traditional individual stones.

Homeowners want to enjoy their homes, but they also see upgrading their back yards as an investment. Creating the look of an authentic stone patio, or slate patio, or cobblestone patio is more economical to install using decorative concrete, and adds value to the home.