How long does a stamped concrete patio last?

Decades, if it is built on a compacted base and kept sealed. Colorado sun and freeze-thaw wear the sealer, not the slab, so plan to reseal every two to three years to keep the color rich and the surface protected.

Will a new patio make my basement wet?

Not if it is built right. A patio should slope away from the house, about a quarter inch per foot, with the joint at the foundation sealed, so rain runs to the yard instead of along the wall. A patio that tips toward the house does the opposite, which is a common reason old ones get replaced.

Which patio finish stays coolest in the sun?

Lighter colors and textured finishes. Dark stamped colors look rich but get hot in full sun at altitude. If the patio faces south or west, a lighter integral color or a broom or exposed-aggregate finish is easier on bare feet.

Can a patio hold a hot tub or a pergola?

Yes, if it is planned for them. A hot tub needs a thicker, reinforced section under it, and pergola or shade-structure posts need their own footings below frost depth rather than sitting on the slab. Tell us at the estimate and we build them in.

Can you add on to my existing patio?

Yes. The addition is built on its own compacted base and tied in or separated with a proper joint so the two slabs don’t crack each other. The colors won’t match at first, so many owners choose a contrasting border or a new finish for the addition.

Patios in Denver and the Front Range

Concrete Patios

An outdoor room you’ll actually use.

We plan a patio around how you’ll use it: where the grill goes, where the sun lands in July, where the water runs in a storm. Then we pour it on a base that won’t shift with Front Range clay, in a finish that suits bare feet and snow shovels alike.

Typical price$6–$12 / sq ft · stamped $12–$18installed · free written estimate

(720) 459-9091

How we build a patio

What we build

Concrete Patios, start to finish

New patio installation
Patio replacement and paver tear-out
Patio extensions and wraparounds
Stamped, colored and exposed-aggregate finishes
Fire-pit and hot-tub-ready sections

Key considerations

What goes into it

01Slope away from the house
02Base prep for expansive clay
03Joint layout that fits the design
04Finish suited to bare feet and snow
05Sealer against sun and de-icer

Good concrete starts long before the truck arrives. Our experienced team knows what to look for, what questions to ask, and which details can make the difference years down the road.

What's under the surface

A driveway built for the Front Range, in cross-section

Not to scale · slope exaggerated

1Front Range clay swells when it's wet and shrinks when it dries, moving whatever sits on top of it.

2Soft soil comes out and compacted road base goes in, so the slab sits on something that stays put.

3Rebar on chairs at mid-depth keeps any cracks that do form tight and level.

4An air-entrained mix survives freeze-thaw, and control joints decide where the slab cracks.

5The slab slopes away from the house, with an isolation joint where it meets the foundation.

How it runs

Estimate to final walkthrough

1On-site design walk: size, shape and sun
2Written scope with finish options priced
3Excavation, base and forms
4Pour, finish, cure and final walkthrough

Finish options

Straightforward or decorative

Broom finish

Fine ridges for traction on snow and ice. The standard for driveways and walks.

Exposed aggregate

The top layer washed back to show the stone. Grippy and good at hiding wear.

Stamped

Patterned to look like stone, slate or brick, at a fraction of the cost.

Integral color

Color mixed through the concrete, so chips and wear don’t show grey.

Smooth trowel

Dense and flat for garage floors, shops and courts.

Sealed

A penetrating sealer before the first winter to resist water and de-icer.

Where you live changes the job

A patio on bentonite clay is a different job than one on river sand

The Front Range has four distinct ground conditions, and each one changes how we prepare the base, reinforce the slab and handle water. Your community page has the specifics.

Expansive clay plains

Remove the soft and organic soil, bring in compacted road base, set rebar on chairs, and plan joints and slope so water runs away from the house instead of soaking the clay beside it.

Denver Aurora Centennial Highlands Ranch

Foothills and tilted bedrock

Deeper excavation and a thicker compacted base, reinforcement sized for uneven support, and drainage that intercepts runoff above the slab, often paired with a retaining wall where the grade demands it.

Lakewood Boulder Golden Morrison

River sand and gravel

Compaction done in lifts, geotextile fabric where the native soil is soft, and a thicker section anywhere a truck, trailer or RV will park.

Longmont Commerce City Wheat Ridge Brighton

Palmer Divide uplands

Air-entrained exterior mix, proper curing, a penetrating sealer before the first winter, and a broom texture for traction on sloped driveways.

Parker Castle Rock Castle Pines Elizabeth

Questions about patios

Concrete Patios: what people ask us

A plain broom-finished patio usually runs $6–$12 per square foot installed. Stamped and colored patios run $12–$18 per square foot, more for multi-color patterns and borders, and exposed aggregate adds about $2–$3 per square foot over plain. A 14 by 18 foot patio is typically $1,500–$3,000 with a broom finish.

Typical prices for every kind of project are in the Denver concrete cost guide, and general questions are on the FAQ page.

More ways to improve your property

Explore our concrete services

Concrete DrivewaysA better driveway starts from the ground up.Concrete WalkwaysSafer paths, cleaner lines.Concrete FloorsGarage, shop and basement floors that hold up.Pads & SlabsSmaller project, big peace of mind.Athletic CourtsA court in the backyard, built to play on.Pool DecksSafe when wet, cooler underfoot.Retaining WallsHold the grade. Give the water a way out.

Get a clear price on your patio.

You'll know, without question, what your project involves, what it costs, and what to expect before work begins.