Patios and walks are typically four inches thick over a compacted base. The surface gets a slight pitch, about a quarter inch per foot, so rain runs off toward the yard and not toward your foundation.
They can be plain broom finish, smooth trowel, or stamped and colored. Plain concrete costs the least. Stamped costs more but gives you the stone look.
Walkways and steps follow the same rules. Steps need even risers so nobody trips, and a broom finish so they are not slick in the rain.
Typical patio build
- Thickness
- 4 in. is standard for foot traffic
- Slope
- About 1/4 in. per foot, away from the house
- Finish
- Broom, smooth trowel, or stamped
- Ready to walk on
- A day or two. Furniture after about a week
Questions people ask
Can a hot tub go on a patio?
Yes, but say so up front. A filled hot tub is heavy, so that part of the slab should be thicker and reinforced.
Do I need a permit?
It depends on where you are. Some lake communities and HOAs have their own rules. Check with them before the pour.