Concrete Patios in Tempe, AZ

Concrete patios in Tempe get used ten months a year and endured the other two. Many homes built in the 1970s and 1980s came with a small slab under a roof overhang, sized for a couple of chairs. Owners call us to extend that slab out into the yard, pour a new one under a larger cover, connect it to the pool or side gate with a path, or add a pad for a grill or outdoor kitchen.

Planning the size and shape

Think about what goes on the patio before deciding how big it is. A dining table and chairs, a sectional, a grill station and room to walk around all add up. HomeGuide's patio guide shows how size drives price, from about $400 to $1,200 for a plain 10 by 10 slab up to $1,600 to $4,800 for 20 by 20. Shade matters as much as size here, so we also ask where an existing cover, a planned pergola or the afternoon shadow of the house will fall.

Drainage on a desert lot

A patio has to send water away from the house. Monsoon storms bring a lot of rain in a short time; Wikipedia's climate table lists August as Tempe's wettest month at 1.30 inches. We slope the slab away from the foundation and toward a spot where water can soak in or run off, and we leave the edge clear of planters that would hold water against it. Clay soils that swell when wet and shrink as they dry are one of the main reasons back slabs crack and lift, so keeping water off and away is the cheapest protection a patio can get.

Thickness and reinforcement

HomeGuide says most residential patios should be at least 4 inches thick, and patios carrying a hot tub or outdoor kitchen should be 6 inches with added reinforcement. We set thickness for what will sit on the slab and add wire mesh or rebar where it is needed. Joints are cut on a grid so the slab can move with heat without random cracking.

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Finishes that suit the sun

• Broom finish: simple, grippy and the least expensive.
• Exposed aggregate: textured stone surface that hides dust and wear.
• Stained or integrally colored: warm tones that blend with desert landscaping. Lighter colors stay cooler.
• Stamped: stone, slate or brick patterns. See our stamped and decorative concrete page.
• Cool-deck style coating: a textured, light-colored topping that is easier on bare feet near a pool.

Tying into an existing slab

When we extend an older patio, we drill and dowel the new slab into the old one or separate them with an expansion joint, depending on the condition of the existing concrete. If the old slab has settled or cracked badly, we will tell you whether it makes more sense to replace it as part of the job, so the new and old sections do not end up at different heights.

Caring for a new patio

Keep heavy furniture and grills off for the first few days. Wait about a month before sealing a decorative surface. Keep irrigation spray off the slab edge, and sweep off leaves and dirt that hold moisture. A sealed, clean patio stays easier to keep looking good.