The sense of standing at your back door, coffee in hand, staring at a slab of concrete that appears to have withstood an earthquake, is what inspired me to write this guide. You’re genuinely a little embarrassed by the weeds growing through the gaps, the stains, and the overall “grey prison yard” atmosphere, but you still want to throw a barbecue.
I want to clarify what we are doing here before we get into the specifics. Calling a contractor to jackhammer your yard is not what we are discussing. It’s thousands of dollars. We are talking about inexpensive, do-it-yourself fixes for outdated, cracked, or unsightly patios that you can perform this weekend.
We’ll address the crucial query: Is it possible to make a dilapidated patio appear pricey on a tight budget?
Yes, without a doubt. There is a solution, regardless of whether your surface is simply unsightly or has tiny fissures. Paint, overlays, clever styling, and the “hide it” technique will all be discussed.
What is the Cheapest Way to Cover a Concrete Patio?
Here is a summary of the most economical ways to hide the unsightly if you’re pressed for time and need the essentials:
- Outdoor Area Rugs: The “band-aid” solution for stains that works instantly.
- The least expensive do-it-yourself renovation per square foot is concrete staining or painting.
- Pea Gravel Overlay: Completely covers uneven surfaces.
- Deck tiles that interlock snap together over concrete without the need for glue.
- For the cost of paint, stenciling may replicate the appearance of pricey tile.
The Power of the “Distraction” Method
Let’s begin with the simplest things first. In some instances, preventing people from gazing at the concrete is more important than fixing it.
The Enchantment of Outdoor Rugs
Since it works, this is, in all honesty, the oldest trick in the book. Don’t worry about filling a large crack that runs down the middle of your room just yet. Cover it with a vast, weatherproof rug.
The trick is to avoid purchasing a small doormat. The furniture needs to be anchored with a rug. It delineates your patio’s “living room” space. It instantly warms up the area and covers 80% of the unsightly surface.
Layout of Furniture Strategically
It costs nothing to arrange your furnishings. Pushing every chair to the edge reveals the unsightly center. Arrange your chairs in the middle, on the rug we discussed earlier. It diverts attention from the floor and up to the talking area.
Paint and Stain: The Real Game Changers
If hiding it isn’t enough, you’ll need to alter the color of the surface. Budget Fixes for Old, Cracked, or Ugly Patios excel in this situation.
Paint vs Concrete Stain
The truth is that although many confuse them, they are entirely distinct.
Concrete paint acts as a thick layer of skin on top of the surface. Because it is opaque, it is excellent for concealing fillers and patches. There are countless hues available. The drawback? The floor will peel if it is not properly prepared.
Concrete Stain: This penetrates the concrete’s pores. It is somewhat translucent. It won’t peel off, but it won’t conceal cracks or fillers very effectively. It creates a stone-like, organic appearance.
Paint should be used if your patio has been filled with filler. Use stain if the surface is smooth but only has an unappealing color.
Expert Advice: Don’t neglect the power washing. You are merely painting over dirt, which will come off in a week.
The Stencil Revolution
This is something you’ve seen on social media. After painting the base coat white or grey, you place a sizable stencil on it and apply a design. It costs roughly $50 for paint and a stencil, but it looks like Moroccan tile or brick.
You must wait for it to dry, which requires patience, but the visual impact is fantastic. Because the eye follows the pattern rather than the fissures, it totally conceals flaws.
The “Hide It” Strategy: Overlays
Sometimes, painting the concrete is just too late. It becomes pitted, uneven, or spalling when the top layer flakes off. In this case, we completely hide it.
Deck Tiles That Interlock
I adore these items. They are available at Home Depot, Amazon, and IKEA. They are snap-together squares with a plastic backing that are typically made of stone, wood, or composite.
- They’re great because you don’t require screws or glue. They hover directly over your patio crack.
- The benefit of drainage is that water flows beneath them since a plastic grid supports them. No more puddles.
- The Look: It instantly creates the appearance of a warm, wooden deck over a chilly concrete surface.
To learn how to plan this out properly, check out this Family Handyman guide.
The Pea Gravel Fix
This is intended for those whose patio is very uneven or fragmented. You fill your existing patio with pea gravel and construct a basic wood border frame around it.
It looks like an upscale European patio, drains flawlessly, and feels crunchy underfoot. When compared to pouring fresh concrete, it is incredibly inexpensive. All you have to do is make sure the gravel is deep enough—roughly two to three inches—to cover the previous slab completely.
Dealing with Cracks: The Prep Work
Look, a canyon cannot just be painted over. Before you do the nice things, you must take care of any cracks you may have.
Applying Filler to Concrete
A bottle of liquid concrete filler works well for tiny hairline cracks. However, a vinyl concrete fix is required for the larger ones.
- Clean it up: Remove any loose parts using a wire brush.
- Fill it: Press the filler into place.
- Smooth it out by feathering the edges with a trowel.
The patch will never quite match the color of your original concrete, let’s face it. Because of this, mending usually requires painting or staining. It seems to be a scar if you patch it.
Use Plants to Soften the Edges
The concrete used for hardscaping is difficult. To counterbalance it, you need softscaping, or plants.
The Garden Wall Made of Containers
Use big potted plants to border your patio if the edge is deteriorating. It gives the area vitality and establishes a physical barrier to prevent people from stepping on the dangerous edges.
Plants that creep
Some gardeners actually put low-growing creepers, such as creeping thyme, in fractures that are difficult to fix. It transforms a weakness into a strength. It appears purposeful, akin to a pathway in an English garden.
Lighting: The Atmosphere Creator
If the lighting is good, no one will notice that your floor is the ugliest in the world.
Lights on Strings
For every backyard, string lights are the ideal investment. Hang them in a zigzag pattern above. The eye is drawn upward by them. They produce a cozy glow at night that casts the concrete floor into the darkness.
Lights for Solar Paths
Put these all around the outside. Without requiring an electrician, it offers a unique style and identifies the area.
Don’t Forget the Clean Up
The patio isn’t always broken; sometimes it’s just dirty. Rent or borrow a pressure washer before you spend any money on supplies. The concrete is actually in fair condition under ten years of filth, which may surprise you.
The grey can be considerably brightened with a thorough cleaning. It is the first step in any of these Low-Cost Patio Repairs for Old, Broken, or Unattractive Patios.
This Old House claims that deep-set rust and oil stains that give the patio an aged appearance can be removed with the correct cleanser and pressure washing.
When to Call a Pro?
DIY is great, but I have to be responsible in this situation. Your patio may have a structural problem if it is sinking toward your house, which would allow water to seep into your foundation, or if the fractures are changing levels a lot, which might provide a trip hazard.
Fixes for cosmetic issues are cosmetic. Structural problems require an expert. Avoid covering over a sinkhole.
Conclusion
If you don’t have $10,000 for a makeover, you don’t have to put up with a backyard you detest. Making a place where you want to hang out is the aim, not perfection.
Everyone may use these inexpensive fixes for old, cracked, or ugly patios, whether they decide to snap down some deck tiles, apply a new stain, or simply power wash and decorate with a gorgeous rug.
