Stamped Concrete Patios Built for Harsh Somerville Winters

The Art & Science of Making Your Patio Last Forever

If there’s one thing that’s sure to destroy any masonry work you’ve done here in New England, it’s water. Water enters tiny pore spaces, freezes, and then expands, creating enough internal pressure to create cracks and cause spalling (or breaking off) of your masonry. To counteract this, we make all of our mixtures air-entraining, so they contain trillions of microscopic air bubbles, thus allowing the freezing water to expand without causing stress to your structure. We believe that making this technical adjustment is crucial to ensuring the longevity of your investment.

Protective Sealants – First Line of Defense Against Nature

Sealants act as a protective shield against the elements. They prevent moisture absorption and protect your color from fading due to the intense summer sun. Simply reapply a high-quality sealant every three to five years to extend the life of your surface. Sealants also provide a barrier to stains from fallen leaves or spilled drinks at summer barbecues. If your surface is sealed, water beads up on the surface and dries quickly, instead of penetrating the surface.

Historic Design Options

With such an abundance of historic homes in Somerville, ranging from beautiful Victorian ladies to the classic triple-decker homes in Prospect Hill, modern hardscape designs need to complement the original design of the home, not compete with it. Using stamping technology, we can mimic the texture and look of natural slate, flagstone, or weathered wood planks. With the ability to offer homeowners a high-end look, similar to natural stone, but with the added benefits of lower maintenance and higher durability, homeowners receive the real appearance of their desired natural material for a fraction of the price of actual natural products.

Colors Built Into the Mix

Unlike painted surfaces, which can fade over time, especially when shoveling snow, integral colors mix the pigment into the cement prior to pouring. By doing so, the color is distributed throughout the slab and will remain rich even when some minor surface wear takes place. Earth tones and slate gray are two of the most popular color options, as they blend easily with the surrounding environment. As an additional benefit, by incorporating the color into the mix, you’ll never have to worry about your outdoor space looking inconsistent or faded year-round.

Foundation and Base Preparation/Reinforcement

As previously stated, a patio is only as good as the ground that it sits on. Many areas of our community are comprised of clay-heavy soils that retain water. This creates issues during the winter months. In order to ensure proper drainage, we excavate to the correct depth and install a compacted gravel base. We add structural reinforcement to the slab by adding steel rebar or wire mesh to increase the slab’s tensile strength and prevent separation. The steel frame provides support to the slab against the shifting forces of the earth.

Drainage Considerations During the Winter Months

In addition to having a properly graded surface to prevent ice from forming next to your back door, it is also important to have the surface sloped slightly to allow the melting snow to run away from the foundation. We calculate the pitch of the surface to allow for sufficient runoff, while still allowing users of the space to use the area without noticing the slight slope. Installing a channel drain or drywell can also help to manage large amounts of water that accumulate during rapid thaw periods. Managing water flow away from the concrete is key to avoiding frost damage.

Why Stamped Solid Surfaces Are Better Than Pavers

Many of the older patios in our area were constructed with either brick or stone pavers, laid in sand. As time passes, weeds begin to sprout in the joints, and the stones become displaced, creating tripping hazards. A stamped solid surface does not allow for the possibility of weeds growing in the joints, nor does it allow for the stones to shift and create uneven surfaces. The smooth surface provides a clear path for shovels to glide across when removing snow and ice, and maintains a level surface regardless of ground movement.

Weather Conditions Affect Installation Schedule/Cure Time

When planning your project, it is necessary to consider the effects of weather on the timing of your pour and stamping schedule. Pouring cannot occur when temperatures are too cold, as it affects the chemical curing process. Typically, the best times for installation in our area are during the spring, summer, and fall months. Allowing the concrete to cure slowly and properly will result in the highest strength possible before the first freeze. We carefully watch the weather to select the best days for both pouring and stamping.

Increased Square Footage with an Outdoor Space

A well-designed patio provides homeowners with the opportunity to increase their homes’ square footage during the warmer months. The patio serves as a central location for family gatherings, coffee mornings, and relaxing evenings. Adding features such as a fire pit or built-in seating walls will enable homeowners to utilize their outdoor space, even on cooler evenings in the fall. The thermal mass of the stone absorbs heat, allowing the space to stay warm long after the sun sets. The patio provides a seamless transition from your indoor living room to your own private outdoor sanctuary.

Experience and Precision

Somerville Concrete Masters understands the unique challenges posed by the local climate and has developed methods and techniques that allow us to build projects that withstand the extreme cold and wet weather conditions that exist in Massachusetts. We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality construction and services that will stand the test of time. We’re proud to help our fellow residents of Somerville beautify their properties with functional, durable hardscapes. Contact us today to start designing your outdoor space to last for generations to come.