You Live Outside Down Here
One thing I love about working in Sarasota is that people actually USE their outdoor spaces. Up north a patio sits under snow half the year. Down here you're grilling in January. That's why a good patio isn't a luxury - it's basically another room of your house.
Here's some stuff we've been doing a lot of lately that people really love.
The Extended Patio
This is our bread and butter. You've got that standard 10x10 builder patio that came with the house and it fits maybe two chairs and a grill. We come in and extend it out to 20x20 or bigger, sometimes wrapping around the side of the house. Had a family in Palmer Ranch last month go 24x30 - basically their entire backyard is usable space now.
Outdoor Kitchen Slabs
These have gotten HUGE in the last few years especially in Lakewood Ranch and the newer communities. We pour a dedicated slab for the outdoor kitchen - usually thicker than a standard patio, 6 inches instead of 4, because you're putting heavy stuff on it. Grills, pizza ovens, kegerators, the works. We make sure the drainage slopes away from the house and away from the cooking area.
Fire Pit Pads
Real popular right now. We pour a circular or square pad, usually about 8x8 or 10x10, set back from the main patio. Some people go with stamped concrete to make it look like stone. Then you put your fire pit in the middle and chairs around it. Even in Florida it gets cool enough in the winter to enjoy a fire, and honestly we use ours year round just for the vibe.
Stamped and Stained Patios
If you want something that doesn't look like plain grey concrete, stamped concrete is the way to go. We can make it look like brick, flagstone, slate, tile - whatever you want. Add an integral color or acid stain and you've got something that looks like it cost twice what it did.
I did a stamped patio in Gulf Gate last year with an Ashlar slate pattern and a terra cotta color and the homeowner's neighbor called us the next week wanting the same thing. That's my favorite kind of advertising.
What About Pavers?
People always ask me pavers or concrete. I'm biased obviously but here's my honest take - pavers look great day one but they shift, weeds grow between them, ants make hills, and they're more expensive. A well-poured concrete patio with a good finish is gonna last longer and cost less. But hey, I'm a concrete guy, what do you expect me to say.
If you're thinking about upgrading your backyard situation, drop us a line. We do free estimates and we'll come out and look at your space and give you some ideas. No pressure, no hard sell, just real talk about what would work for your yard.