Building Blocks for a Perfect Patio

Whether poured or assembled from precast modular slabs, a concrete patio can be smooth and plain-Jane gray or tinted and textured to resemble one made from brick or stone. Precast concrete is DIY-friendly. But pouring a pad is typically a pro job because there's no learning as you go—concrete begins to harden as soon as water is added. For an existing pad in need of a face-lift, a thin concrete overlay with a deep-relief pattern can jazz up the surface without the expense of replacing the patio.