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We build concrete patios in St Louis, MO that create comfortable, attractive outdoor living spaces. From simple broom finished slabs to decorative and stamped concrete patio designs, we pour patios that resist cracking and are easy to maintain. Let us design a backyard concrete patio that fits your home and lifestyle.
St. Louis Concreters provides professional concrete patio throughout St Louis, MO, Missouri and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call (314) 207-8572 or request your free quote.
Concrete patios designed for St. Louis backyards
A good concrete patio should feel like a natural extension of your home, not an afterthought. At St. Louis Concreters, we start every concrete patio project with a walk-through of your yard in person. We look at how the sun hits your space at different times of day, how water drains after a typical St. Louis thunderstorm, and how you actually plan to use the patio. Do you want a grilling zone, a fire pit, a shady sitting area, or space for a future hot tub? These details drive where we place the patio, how thick we pour the slab, and what finishes will hold up best.
During the planning stage, we measure existing doorsills, basement windows, and siding lines to make sure the new patio will not trap water against your foundation or block access. St. Louis homes often sit on clay-heavy soil, so we pay close attention to existing cracks or settling around your house as a clue to what the new patio will need for support. Before we ever bring in a skid steer, you will see a clear sketch of the patio layout, steps, and any transitions to grass, mulch, or existing decks.
We also talk through practical details many contractors gloss over, like where snow will be shoveled in winter, how you will route your grill gas line or power for string lights, and whether you want a future pergola or screened enclosure. Planning for these items early lets us place footings, conduit, or thicker sections of concrete exactly where you need them instead of having to cut and patch later.
How we install a long lasting concrete patio in St. Louis
Concrete patio installation is more than just pouring gray mud and walking away. Our crews at St. Louis Concreters follow a step by step process that is tailored to our local soil and freeze thaw cycles.
First, we remove grass, roots, and soft topsoil to reach stable ground, usually 6 to 10 inches below the final patio surface. On many St. Louis properties, we then install a compacted base of crushed limestone. This is essential in our area because clay soil swells when wet and shrinks when dry. A properly compacted gravel base helps spread loads and reduce movement that leads to cracks.
Next, we set solid edge forms with staked lumber or specialty form boards. We set accurate slopes, typically 1/8 to 1/4 inch per foot away from the house, so rainwater flows off the patio instead of toward your foundation. Where needed, we integrate channel drains or tie the patio elevation into existing downspout extensions or yard drains.
Reinforcement is a critical step. For most patios we install 3/8 or 1/2 inch rebar in a grid pattern or use welded wire mesh, supported on chairs so it sits in the middle of the slab instead of on the bottom. For heavier uses, like hot tubs or outdoor kitchens with masonry counters, we thicken the slab and add more reinforcement in those zones.
We then place the concrete, typically a 4 inch slab minimum, and often 5 inches for high traffic or heavy use areas. We choose specific mix designs suited to Missouri weather, usually 3500 to 4000 psi concrete with air entrainment to handle freeze thaw cycles. Our crews use screeds, floats, and edging tools to create a smooth, even surface and crisp edges before applying the final finish you select.
Before the concrete sets, we cut or tool control joints at planned intervals and depths to help control where cracks form as the slab cures and moves seasonally. These joints are especially important in larger patios or irregular shapes common in St. Louis city and county lots.
Finish, color, and design options for your concrete patio
A concrete patio does not have to look plain or industrial. St. Louis Concreters offers multiple finishes, colors, and layout options so your patio fits the style of your home and neighborhood.
For a simple, clean look that is easy to shovel in winter, many homeowners choose broom finished concrete. We run a special broom over the surface at just the right time in the curing process to create a slip resistant texture that still looks neat and uniform. This is ideal around pools and in shady yards that stay damp longer after rain.
If you want something more decorative, we can apply stamped concrete patterns that mimic flagstone, brick, or slate. Stamping requires careful timing because we imprint the pattern when the concrete is still plastic but firm enough to hold detail. We use release agents and color hardeners to create multi tone surfaces, then seal the patio to protect it from deicing salts and leaf stains from St. Louis maple and oak trees.
Exposed aggregate is another option, especially popular on mid century homes around neighborhoods like Affton or Bridgeton. We wash away the top layer of cement paste to reveal decorative stone in the surface. This finish offers great traction and hides minor dirt and wear very well.
We also pay attention to transitions. Where your new patio meets an older walk or stoop, we can saw cut, color blend, or add a decorative border so the connection looks intentional. If you plan to add a pergola or shade sail, we can pour embedded post footings flush within the patio so you do not have trip hazards or separate piers later.
What affects the cost of a concrete patio in St. Louis
Homeowners often ask why quotes for a concrete patio can vary so much. At St. Louis Concreters, we explain the cost drivers up front so you can make informed choices.
The first big factor is access. Backyards in older St. Louis neighborhoods sometimes have tight side yards, fences, or garages that limit equipment. If we cannot get a concrete truck close, we may need to use a pump truck or more labor to move concrete by buggy or wheelbarrow, which affects price.
Size, shape, and thickness are next. A small rectangular patio with standard 4 inch thickness and basic broom finish will cost less per square foot than a large, curved patio with multiple levels, steps, and a decorative finish. Heavier use areas, like under hot tubs or masonry fireplaces, often require thicker slabs, extra base rock, and more rebar.
Soil conditions also matter. If we discover soft or saturated soil, sometimes common near downspouts or at the bottom of hills in areas like South County, we may need to over excavate and replace with compacted rock. This adds stability but also material and labor costs.
Finish choices affect both material and labor. Stamped and colored concrete require additional products, more crew members on pour day, and often longer finishing time. Sealing is usually included with decorative work and recommended for all patios to protect against freeze thaw damage and road salt tracked in from St. Louis streets.
Finally, timing can influence cost. Pouring in the most popular months, usually April through early June and September through October, means crews and plants are busier. Booking early for those windows or being flexible enough to pour in late spring or early fall can help secure your ideal date and sometimes avoid seasonal surcharges from suppliers.
Dealing with St. Louis weather, drainage, and common patio problems
Concrete patios in Missouri deal with a lot of temperature swings, from summer heat over 90 degrees to winter freezes. At St. Louis Concreters, we plan for this from the start.
Drainage is one of the biggest long term issues we see. A patio that is too flat or pitched toward the house can cause water to pond or seep into basements, something many St. Louis homeowners already struggle with. We design slopes and, when needed, surface drains or French drains beside the patio so water flows toward safe discharge areas. We also keep the top of the patio a safe distance below door thresholds to avoid water intrusion during heavy storms.
Cracking is another concern. All concrete will crack at some point, but the goal is to control where and how it cracks. We set joint spacing based on slab size, shape, and thickness, and we often saw cut joints within 6 to 24 hours after pouring for clean lines. For decorative patios, we incorporate joints into the pattern so they are less noticeable.
In winter, deicing salts used on nearby driveways and streets can damage unsealed concrete. We recommend a high quality sealer and suggest avoiding harsh salts on the patio for at least the first winter. Instead, use sand or non chloride ice melt. Our team can return for periodic resealing and inspection so you catch small issues early.
For homes with existing patios that have settled or spalled, we can often integrate the new work in a way that improves drainage and appearance. In some cases, we recommend removing and replacing failing sections instead of just adding on, so you do not inherit ongoing problems. We explain the pros and cons of each option in plain language before you decide.
Our process and what to expect when you work with us
St. Louis Concreters aims to make the concrete patio installation process straightforward, especially if this is your first time hiring a concrete contractor.
It begins with a site visit and conversation about how you want to use the space and what budget range you are comfortable with. After measuring and checking grades, we provide a written proposal that spells out base depth, slab thickness, reinforcement type, finish, and any extras like steps, seat walls, or drains.
Once you approve the plan, we schedule your project around weather and concrete plant availability. For St. Louis, we generally avoid pouring on days with extreme heat, all day rain, or freezing temperatures. In summer, we often pour early in the morning to avoid rapid surface drying and to give the crew time to finish before storms that often roll in later in the day.
During installation, you can expect some noise and equipment in the yard, but we protect nearby landscaping as best we can and clean up at the end of each day. After the pour, we will let you know exactly how long to stay off the new patio. Typically, foot traffic is fine after about 24 hours, grills and light furniture after 3 to 5 days, and heavy loads after about a week, depending on conditions.
Before we consider the job complete, we walk the patio with you, review the location of joints, any embedded conduits or footings, and explain basic maintenance like when to reseal and how to handle snow and ice. Our goal is that you not only end up with a patio you enjoy using, but that you also understand how it was built and how to keep it in good condition for many St. Louis seasons.
