A concrete patio turns your backyard into space your family actually uses - cookouts, birthday parties, quiet evenings outside. In Louisiana you can use a patio almost all year. It becomes an extra room - for grilling, dinner outside, or just the evening air. Venture Concrete & Fencing designs and installs custom concrete patios for homeowners in Slidell, Covington, Mandeville, Madisonville, Abita Springs, Pearl River, Lacombe, and Ponchatoula. Many of our most detailed patio projects have been built for Mandeville homeowners, where outdoor living is a cornerstone of the lakefront lifestyle.
Why Concrete Is the Best Patio Material
Homeowners often debate between concrete, pavers, and wood decking. Here is why concrete consistently comes out ahead for Northshore properties:
- Continuous surface: Concrete avoids individual pavers to reset and sand-filled joints to maintain. Proper base preparation and drainage matter for either material; neither is immune to movement.
- Lower cost than pavers: Concrete patios typically cost 30-40% less than comparable paver installations while delivering equal or better longevity.
- Better than wood: Wood decks rot, warp, and require annual treatment in Louisiana's humid climate. Concrete does not deteriorate from moisture exposure and never needs refinishing.
- Finish options: Concrete can be finished broom or smooth trowel and shaped into curves, borders, and multi-level layouts to suit your yard and home.
- Minimal maintenance: An occasional pressure wash and sealer application every 3-5 years keeps a concrete patio looking sharp.
Patio Design Options
Your patio should reflect your personal style and how you use your outdoor space. We offer several finish and design options:
Standard Broom Finish
A clean, textured surface that provides good traction and a classic look. The most affordable option and works well for any backyard setting.
Smooth Trowel Finish
A hand-troweled surface produces a sleek, polished look that works well for modern patios and covered outdoor areas. This clean finish pairs nicely with contemporary home designs.
Our Installation Process
- Design consultation: We measure the space and help you pick the size, shape, and finish that fit your budget.
- Site preparation: The patio area is excavated, graded for proper drainage away from your foundation, and compacted with a gravel base.
- Forming: Forms are set to define the patio's shape - straight edges, gentle curves, or custom configurations to work around landscaping or pool areas.
- Reinforcement and pour: Wire mesh or rebar provides structural support. Fresh concrete is placed, leveled, and screeded flat.
- Finishing touches: Control joints are cut, edges are rounded, and a clean broom finish is applied before the concrete sets.
- Curing: We protect the fresh surface and provide curing and care instructions. Your patio is ready for furniture after 3-5 days.
Enhance Your Outdoor Living
Consider these additions when planning your concrete patio project:
- Integrated seating walls for built-in entertaining space
- Step-down areas to create multi-level outdoor rooms
- Fire pit pads with proper clearance and heat-resistant finishing
- Connected walkways from the patio to other areas of your yard
- Pergola or covered patio footings poured as part of the slab
Design Your Perfect Outdoor Space
Let us help you plan and build a concrete patio that fits your lifestyle. Free estimates for homeowners in Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, and across the Northshore.