Get matched with top patio pros in Centralia, KS

Yes, concrete steps need rebar to reinforce the structure and ensure it can hold weight over time. Place a lattice of rebar inside the form before pouring concrete to give the steps their maximum strength. Tie each intersection together with rebar ties to hold the structure all together. Without rebar, concrete steps can sink, crumble, and lose their longevity.

It’s technically possible to install your own patio, but we don’t recommend it. Installing a patio is labor- and time-intensive, and getting the end product to look professional demands patience and experience. Not only can mistakes lead to unevenness in your patio and expensive repairs, but not grading the surface properly can cause issues with water management, potentially leading to leaks in your home, foundation damage, and flooding. It’s more expensive to hire a patio company, but it’s usually well worth the investment to avoid costly mistakes.

The average ROI you’ll see from a deck or a concrete patio is 70%, so from a value-add perspective, they’re about the same. However, decks are around double the price of a concrete patio, they require significantly more maintenance, and they have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years, about half of what you’d see from a concrete patio. As such, a concrete patio is a better option in terms of up-front cost, long-term maintenance, and ROI.

Alternative landscaping materials similar to pea gravel include wood chips, decomposed granite, crushed stone, and pebbles. You can also invest in specialty landscape rocks such as quartz, river rock, lava rock, and Mexican beach pebble. While many of these stones will cost more than pea gravel, some are more ideal for designing an attractive garden bed or managing drainage.