Building Your Dream with Concrete - The Concrete Patio Pros and Cons, and Everything In Between

You'll never get bored of Tampa. There’s always something for you to do here. Plus, you won’t run out of places to visit. Neighborhoods, each with their unique allure, appeal to different kinds of people. Do you like walking down cobblestone streets or visiting historic brick buildings? If you’re a history buff who likes old sites, then Ybor City is a better option with its lively Cuban culture. But if you like shopping at high-end stores or eating at lavish restos, Hyde Park is a great spot. On the other hand, if you prefer waterfront living, then Channelside Bay and Davis Islands are great choices.

With the multimillion-dollar luxury homes of SoHo or the community of single-family homes, you can’t go wrong with whichever you choose. There is a unique Tampa Bay neighborhood for every preference, living style and budget.

But more than that, the real draw of the Tampa Bay lifestyle is an outdoor space living. Tampanians can unwind or entertain their family and friends outdoors. It is for this reason that the Sunshine State is called the Sunshine State – to be outdoors, right? So we can maximize our time outdoors, we need to extend our living area into our yards. And for that, we need a patio. Specifically, a concrete patio. But is concrete a good material for Tampa’s unique geography, climate, and cultural attractions? What are the pros and cons of using concrete? Let’s find out!

• Year-Round Entertaining: 244 out of 365 days in Tampa is a sunny day. Admittedly, it can get extremely hot. This is mostly true during summer when the average daily temperature is 91°F high. But because the sun is always out year-round, locals can hold get-together gatherings all the time. For romantic nights, couples can walk barefoot on warm concrete patios while enjoying the view of the night sky. Families can also have pool parties any time of the week. More than that, dads can have a great time. They can fire up the grill for weekend barbecues without worrying their concrete patios will catch fire.
  
  
• Subtropical Durability: Durability is one great advantage of cement patios. They are built to withstand Tampa's sunshine and humidity. Winter freeze-thaw cycles are also not a big deal with a properly installed and sealed concrete patio.
  
  
• Low-Maintenance Appeal: We’re all busy one way or another. We got to cheer on the Bolts and be there for the Buccaneers! We got to go on that zip-lining tour and boat ride! Nobody expects anybody to have much time on their hands and spend that precious time cleaning patios. You’re in luck! With concrete, you just need to do a quick sweep and hose it down. Besides the sealing every 3 to 5 years, simple cleaning is all it takes to look pristine. This aligns perfectly with the easy-breezy Tampa lifestyle.

With its many great features, we must admit that concrete is not perfect. To give you a better perspective, let's break it down so you can better decide if a concrete patio is for your home or not, let’s break down the pros and cons of using concrete that we shouldn’t overlook!

• Durability: Concrete is king when it comes to resilience. Your Tampa concrete slab will get plenty of use in that sunshine and humidity, not to mention the occasional freeze-thaw of winter.
  
  
• Low-Maintenance:  Unlike wood decks, which need to be stained and/or sealed every year or two, a concrete patio surface is basically maintenance-free; a quick sweep or a hose-down keeps them looking like new and gives you more time to enjoy being outside.
  
  
• Customization Options: You can have custom concrete. This material isn’t often built to a standard size and shape. You can choose the size and shape that best works for your home and pick a finish that works for the look you want to create. There’s classic stamped concrete, which will never feel dated. There’s a hint of color with a staining option. A sealer even provides a subtle sheen that’s worthy of Tampa’s vibrancy. Or try something even more unique by selecting decorative concrete or an exposed aggregate finish to create one covered in pebbles that will remind you of the city’s historic brick streets.
  
  
• Cost-Effectiveness:  In terms of patio cost on a per square-meter basis, concrete is far less expensive than other options, such as pavers or natural stone. This is attractive to homeowners wanting to get the best bang for their buck.

• Vulnerability to Cracking: Being a durable material, concrete can still develop cracks from movement in the soil or with extreme shifts in temperature. This could call for a bit of maintenance and perhaps repairs.
  
  
• Limited Heat Retention: Concrete is good at retaining and absorbing heat, so during the Tampa summers, it can be very hot to the touch with bare feet. You might want to design your patio with a shady area or other cooling element.
  
  
• Drainage Considerations: The relatively flat topography of the city of Tampa, at times, presents drainage issues with concrete patios, and proper installation with proper drainage solutions is highly recommended to avoid the pooling of water and potential damage to the site.
  
  
• Minimal Design Flexibility: You can do some customization with concrete patios - to a limited degree - but it isn’t going to recreate the sorts of patterns and beauty that you get with products like flagstone or pavers.

Concrete patios can be customized to complement any aesthetic:

• Classic Stamped Concrete: For a timeless look.
• Stained Concrete: Add a pop of color that reflects Tampa's vibrancy.
• Exposed Aggregate Finishes: A touch of local history that echoes Tampa's historic brick streets.

• Drainage Solutions: A professional, experienced team will design a system that seamlessly integrates with your concrete patio, considering Tampa's mostly flat topography and soil composition.
  
  
• Coastal Protection: High-quality sealants shield your patio from the effects of salt air, a concern for any coastal city like Tampa.
  
  
• Sinkhole Savvy: Professional foundation techniques are built with Tampa's unique geology in mind, so you can rest assured the structure will be built to last.

• Permitting Process:  While Tampa's permitting process is considered relatively straightforward, there will likely be associated fees. General contractors can help navigate this step and ensure you have the necessary permits before construction begins.
  
  
• Patio Size and Complexity:  The size of your dream patio is a significant cost driver. A larger, more intricate design will naturally be more expensive than a smaller, simpler patio.  Discuss your desired size and features with potential Tampa concrete contractors to get accurate estimates.
  
  
• Concrete Finishes:  Walk up the stairs into a basic concrete form that offers a clean, blank canvas. But with concrete, you want to experience it – its tactile qualities are half the experiential artistic equation, so spruce up the palette. Stamped, staining, and even exposed aggregate are all available at drastically different price points.
  
  
• Drainage Solutions:  Because Tampa’s topography is fairly flat, its drainage can be a problem for non-permeable concrete patio areas. Make sure you ask for a price estimate for proper drainage when you receive quotes from your general contractors.
  
  
• Additional Considerations:  Keep in mind that the proposal might not include some other common expenses, such as the cost to demolish existing buildings or structures or to haul away unwanted vegetation or previously used materials. A transparent general contractor should break down all costs to you in advance to minimize surprises.