Reasons to Convert Your Wood Deck Into A Concrete Patio

There are so many choices when it comes to improving or enhancing your outdoor living space. Creating a place to hang out, relax, or gather with family and friends require careful planning. One of the most important factors to consider is material. The traditional choice for patios is wood. However, some homeowners are giving up their wooden decks for a concrete patio. There are good reasons behind this, and it is important that you take those into consideration when you need to make a decision.

Wooden Deck: What You Need to Know

A well-built deck can add value to your property and to your life. A small but usable outdoor space can attract buyers immediately, knowing that they have a place to enjoy the outdoors. Wood is an ideal material because it looks stunning. There is a wide range of options for color, grain, and wood type. You can shape wood in many different ways to add a stylish flair to your deck. Wood is durable especially when it is properly stained or finished.

When it comes to the installation process, wood requires skill and time. You have to be knowledgeable about cutting wood and putting all the pieces together. You may hire a contractor and, although they are skilled and experienced, the process may take several days or weeks to complete.

Wood is not affordable. If you want high-quality wood, you need to invest. It also requires tedious cleaning and maintenance if you want it to maintain its appearance and condition for a longer time.

Concrete Patio: Why it is Highly Recommended

Concrete is a very versatile material. You can shape, mold, and form it in many different ways to achieve the look you are aiming for. It is resistant to outdoor weather especially if it is properly sealed. Decorative concrete is a popular aesthetics-enhancing solution for outdoor spaces. You can choose to stamp, engrave, stencil, or texturize your patio and the results are amazing.

Installing concrete is a lot easier than putting together a wooden deck. It dries in a day or two but would need to cure for at least 28 days to a full month. You can do it yourself but if you want seamless and high-quality results, hire a licensed contractor. Concrete is an affordable choice. It requires minimal maintenance, and it is as durable as time itself.

Making the right choice has to feel right for you. Think about what you and your family needs. Once you choose a material and everything that it involves makes you comfortable, then you know that you have made the right choice.

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5 Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Deicing Salt

 

The winter season is fast approaching. Although it is fun to see those first snowflakes fall from the sky, it won’t be as fun when you have to deal with snow and ice outdoors, especially on the concrete driveway. When it comes to deicers, salt is the most popular option. However, there are many reasons why driveway owners don’t want to use it, such as:

• Salt builds up on soil and it can make the soil not ideal for plants
• It can leach heavy metals into the soil and water supply
• Some animals are attracted by salt so expect to find some licking salt off of the driveway
• It can break down concrete, making it weak and brittle

Fortunately, there are eco-friendly alternatives that you could use to melt ice off of the driveway or to at least enhance traction on the surface.

Shovel

This, of course, is the traditional method of removing snow and thin ice on a driveway. If you do it on your own, you get good exercise. If you hire a kid in the neighborhood, you get to help him earn extra bucks.

Snow Blower

A snow blower is a helpful machine to keep snow from piling up on the driveway. However, if you must use this, choose the electric type. It requires less air and is quieter than the gas-powered type.

Snow Melt Mat

This is similar to a heated garage floor. Electric wires are installed underneath the driveway and these heat up to melt the snow on top. Although it does use electricity to heat up, it eliminates the use of any toxic substance or material that could cause harm to humans, plants, and animals. This is only ideal for driveways that are yet to be installed or that needs to be replaced.

Sand, Kitty Litter, or Sawdust

These do not melt snow or loosen ice but they could enhance grip and traction on the driveway. Just be ready for the mess you have to clean up when the snow completely clears out.

Rubbing Alcohol

A 70% rubbing alcohol has a freezing point of -20 degrees F so it is an ideal deicer for driveways. Some car windshield deicers contain rubbing alcohol. However, for an entire driveway, it is probably an expensive alternative.

Salt is not the only option. If you need something to increase traction and loosen the ice on your concrete driveway, opt for something eco-friendly. Try each one of these until you find the one that works for you.

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