What are the pros and cons of building a poured-concrete patio?

Description: Concrete patios, also called cement patios, usually are connected to the house so the family can walk straight from the doorway to the patio. The material is a favorite patio surface because it can be stamped or colored to mimic anything from limestone to slate to cobblestone—or even wood.

Benefits: This versatile material is less expensive than wood, tile or natural stone.

Drawbacks: Because concrete expands and contracts, it can crack. In fact, small, controlled cracks in concrete are necessary to accommodate the expansion. But if moisture penetrates a hairline crack, the crack will expand. Homeowners can prevent this by filling cracks with epoxy.

Maintenance: Reseal your concrete patio every one to three years to refresh its vibrant color. For regular cleaning, rinse the surface with a garden hose or pressure washer. Then scrub it with a push broom and a mild detergent like dish soap. Thoroughly rinse the soap away.

Performance in heat and sun: Concrete that bakes in the sun and then cools during a rain shower can crack as it cools—but that’s not much of a problem during the hottest Arizona months when rain is sparse. Still, concrete can feel hot to bare feet. Coatings such as Keystone Kool Deck, which textures the cement surface, are reported to significantly lower the temperature of hot concrete.

A tip: If your plan for an outdoor living space includes a kitchen, fireproof concrete is a safe bet for the flooring surface. Before you pour a concrete, slab, check your local building code for requirements.

Cost: About $1.25 per square foot for material only; $4 per square foot professionally installed.