Builders really seem to love concrete slab patios, don’t they? I would venture a guess that the concrete slab is the most common type of patio found in homes today, probably due to a combination of concrete’s durability and cost-effectiveness. There’s nothing wrong with a concrete slab patio per se, they’re just… well, they’re boring. Luckily, you can easily transform your concrete patio into something beautiful that will add character to your outdoor space. And it doesn’t take much more than a circular saw with a concrete masonry saw blade, a 2×4 and some concrete stain.
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Scoring Concrete with a Masonry Saw Blade
To add some dimension and visual interest to your drab concrete patio, we’re going to score some shallow lines into the concrete. The design is completely up to you and whatever style fits best with your home and landscaping. You could score perfectly straight lines in both directions to simulate the look of tile, or you could score in some irregular shapes to make your concrete slab look like it’s made of slate or natural stone pavers. While you are thinking about which design you will use, you can start by pressure washing your concrete until it’s nice and clean. After it dries, you can mark out your scoring pattern with chalk (if you are going for the tile look, snapping a chalk line is the fastest, easiest way to get straight lines down).
When you’re satisfied with the design of your patio, it’s time to start cutting the concrete. Wearing the proper eye and ear protection as well as a respirator mask, equip a circular saw with a high quality diamond masonry blade that is labeled for dry concrete cutting*. Use a 2×4 wooden board to help guide the saw as you follow your chalk marks to make very shallow score marks. When dry cutting, it is extremely important that you make your cuts short and shallow so the blade doesn’t overheat.
*Handheld circular saws, unlike masonry table saws, are not designed for wet cutting, but you can do a makeshift wet cut if you have a helper and are very careful. Use a GFCI outlet for power (typically located outdoors or near water supply), attach a diamond wet concrete blade, and have your assistant carefully pour a small stream of water just ahead of your blade.
Finishing the Concrete with Concrete Stain
Staining or painting your scored concrete will really transform your patio. Stain tends to be more durable than paint, and the stain allows the natural texture of the concrete to show through. Clear the concrete of dust from cutting, and then scrub with a concrete cleaner and degreaser. Rinse thoroughly and let dry. If the concrete is not 100% dry, the stain won’t apply correctly.
Apply a concrete stain according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you are trying to create a faux natural stone, you might consider using painters tape to make different “stones” different colors, or you can simply stain the whole slab a solid color. Either way, you will have turned a very boring, typical concrete slab patio into something with character that will make your patio much more inviting.
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