A plain concrete slab is the typical patio material, so if you want something a little more upscale, you may start to look at pavers or natural stone. However, there's one option you don't want to overlook, and that's stamped concrete. It pours on like a concrete slab, but it looks just like more expensive stone. Here are some of the benefits of installing a stamped concrete patio.

Lower Cost

Slate and other stone materials are expensive. They are heavy and more difficult to work with. The cost of the materials is much more than concrete, and the installation cost is higher too. Stamped concrete is poured into place just like a traditional concrete slab, so installation is quick and easy. This makes it much more affordable. A stamped concrete patio costs more than plain concrete because of the final step of stamping a pattern onto the surface, but you only pay a little more to get high-end results that rival the appearance of real, natural stone pavers.

Custom Color and Pattern

While you may want your patio to look like slate or brick, you can actually have any color and paver pattern you want. The dye is added to the concrete when it is mixed rather than the color being painted onto the surface. This keeps the color uniform and natural looking if you want the patio to look like stone. However, you can get a green, orange, or blue patio if you want. This allows you to show off your creativity if your home and yard has an artsy theme. You can also get about any shape you want for the stamping pattern from rectangles, circles, squares, and more. You can even have the concrete poured in stages so you can create a patio with multiple colors and shapes for a truly unique result.

Low Maintenance

One of the best things about stamped concrete is that it needs very little maintenance. One problem with a patio made of pavers is that the pavers often shift over time. This causes some pavers to sink and others to rise and create a tripping hazard. Also, when gaps form between the stones, weeds and grass begin to grow, and if you don't keep them pulled out, they'll take over the patio. You can eliminate these problems when you get a poured concrete patio. The surface remains level and sturdy. The only maintenance you'll have to do is apply a sealer every few years to keep the color fresh. Other than that, you can keep the patio clean by sweeping it or washing it with a garden hose.

Stamped concrete is the ideal choice when you want a low-cost patio that requires little care, yet you want it to have an upscale appearance. It's a perfect complement to your home and it turns your outdoor space into an attractive place for entertaining guests.