Next up, the patio, as we continue to create “The Cabin at Many Moons” on Huron Bay.
Wood or concrete? Wood requires maintenance but concrete is boring…unless you “dress it up!” So we did. And now, we have the best of both: a concrete patio with the look of wood. At least I think it was the best choice. It’s not done curing and needs some vigorous scrubbing to remove the leftover secondary color, so it doesn’t quite look as I hoped. Yet. I’m optimistic that it will. Waiting may be the hardest part of DIY building.
It took a lot of energy to research the options, choose products and colors, and find the right people. Designer concrete might be a growing trend, and stamping has become more popular, but the specialists are hard to find in small-town America and harder yet to schedule in the busy season. This project required three-point coordination: concrete company, stamping crew, and Jeff. Once I chose the dye color (and “antiquing” color also), I picked it up myself and drove it 30 miles to the concrete plant while Jeff finished preparing the site. The stamping crew arrived. We all waited for the concrete. Then, Jeff and I tried to stay out of the way while the stampers did their magic. Now, on “the day after,” we keep eyeing our new patio as if the final look will emerge as we stand there. But it will take a few days to see a final result. Like I said, waiting…
In the end, it’s always a risk. With concrete, you never know exactly how it will turn out. As the head of the stamping crew said, “You can’t replicate any job you do.” Each one is unique. Photos and captions below of our own unique project, as it evolves…
As we awaited arrival of concrete trucks and stamping crew, Roscoe took a nap on the cleared-and-leveled ground around the patio. We’ve taken down a lot more trees lately…
Jeff put in this metal grid to add strength, and the Styrofoam to add resilience. He also created the forms out of wood boards he had on hand, to create the right shape for the concrete.
The stamping crew awaits the arrival of the concrete. They’ll be getting very messy soon.
Crew chief Chad shows an example of his concrete lumber stamp to Jeff. It’s wider than most I’ve seen advertised (they’re available on Amazon) and we like that.
Truck #1 arrives. I’m glad my neighbors are gone, as we are making a racket here! (Again.)
Baraga County Concrete was also here in June to pour our foundation.
And “pour #2” begins. As with the foundation, I’m curious to see what color comes out. Brown, not gray…as I wanted. Yay. (I chose black dye for the foundation cement. This time, brown.)
Ethan and Lane spread the brown-colored concrete into the first square.
Using rakes and floats, the crew spreads the concrete around the two-sided patio as the concrete truck operator moves the chute from one location to the next.
Crew boss Chad and crew member Ethan rake the concrete into place.
Ethan #2 smooths it with a trowel.
Ethan and LP help move the concrete through the chute. The mix that Jeff chose (i.e., amount of water included) was apparently dryer than most, therefore a bit harder to move.
Truck #2 arrives, as seen through the future mudroom window. (A mudroom is necessary in northern climates. It’s where you remove your muddy boots. Or snowy ones.)
LP screeds the concrete with a vibrating machine, which helps level and smooth it.
After it’s poured and smoothed, it looks great already! Just the color I wanted. I’m calling this a cabin (vs. a house) because I want to evoke nature. Doesn’t this look like sand?
Ethan hangs out a window frame to do final touches before stamping begins.
LP starts to lay out the thick rubber stamps of various lengths. If all goes well, these will add the look of wood to the concrete. Notice that it’s gray here. That’s because the secondary color has been added on top in the form of fine powder. (This is also called “antique release” because the powder releases the stamps from the concrete and also gives an antique look to the concrete.) I ordered walnut for this, but it looked gray in the pail and it looks gray on the concrete, too.
Chad lays the stamps by using his feet. The concrete looks brown here. It changes with the light and camera angle. I find it a bit unnerving, since I want brown, but know it’s still evolving.
After the stamping and powder release, the stamps had to be cleaned. It’s a messy business…
…as LP can attest!
While the crew took advantage of our dock for a cleansing swim, I stole a look…
…and yes, it looks like wood! Nice! But a half-hour after this photo, it looked mostly gray again. (Have I mentioned that I dislike gray? It may be a favorite neutral but I find it cold.) Like the house foundation/floor, we’ll have to wait for the final result. We’ll help it get there by washing and scrubbing over the next few days.
Today, Jeff took the next step by cutting “relief cuts” into the cement….which seemed a shame, because they interrupt the beautiful pattern of the wood stamps. Relief cuts help to reduce cracks in the concrete, I’m told. We also need to add a sealer on top, and every two years. Concrete may require less maintenance than wood, but it isn’t maintenance-free!
To read about the foundation pour, click here. To read about the grinding and polishing of the foundation/floor, which is another way to treat concrete, click here.
Concrete was a great choice you will never regret — says me who just completed repainting my wood deck floor. Composite wood is very expensive and the look doesn’t last forever… . .
Great narrative and pictures as usual. I was on the edge of my seat reading! It will surely be interesting if the brown or gray hues win out but you know what, it will be what it will be in the end! I’ve found many times that the things I obsessed about we’re rarely important in the final analysis.
I know you are right about that. I just bought shingles today and that was a tough one too. ( But not as tough as windows.) Thanks for the reminder to keep it light.
For Many Moons 
WOW!!! Just WOW!!! That patio is going to be gorgeous!!! I heard you met my grandson the other day. 🙂
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Yes we did, on the water!
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Concrete was a great choice you will never regret — says me who just completed repainting my wood deck floor. Composite wood is very expensive and the look doesn’t last forever… . .
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Will probably go with an engineered wood shingle. Which is basically a composite.
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Great narrative and pictures as usual. I was on the edge of my seat reading! It will surely be interesting if the brown or gray hues win out but you know what, it will be what it will be in the end! I’ve found many times that the things I obsessed about we’re rarely important in the final analysis.
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I know you are right about that. I just bought shingles today and that was a tough one too. ( But not as tough as windows.) Thanks for the reminder to keep it light.
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And shingles area big decision too but will only be seen by God and the birds!
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Very cool!
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