Pathmate: Which Style (patio desgin)

[StarsFan4Life]

Guys (and gals), I need some opinions here.

For a 10ft x 10ft patio in my backyard, I am going to build it using the Pathmate cement mold. The question is, which design?

Belgian Stone Pathmate - http://www.backyardweb.com/store/product.php?productid=16152&cat=0&page=1

or

Cobblestone Stone Pathmate - http://www.backyardweb.com/store/product.php?productid=16150&cat=0&page=1

I will also be using a concrete stain to color the cement while it is mixing. I live in a 2 year old brick home with dark brick, flagstone work and slate tile flooring on the inside. Which do you think would work best for our home?

 

[PaperclipGod]

Eeeeyyuuhhbbblllaaaaaarrgg!! is my reaction to concrete anything.

You've got a pricey 2 year old brick house but don't want to splurge on using real brick for the patio? Come on! Plus, either of those choices will look chintzy, as the molds are way to small for the finished product to fool anyone into thinking it's not concrete. The pattern is going to repeat too often.

 

[DrPizza]

How tiny is your house that a 10x10 patio seems like an attractive thing to do? My initial reaction is: talk the OP out of this idea.

But, meh, it's your back. You could do this project, then realize in about 2 years that it didn't turn out the way you envisioned it. Then, you get to lift up all those 30 pound hunks of concrete. "30 pounds?" you're thinking, "but it says 60 pounds in each mold." Sure, but unless you have gravel etc. packed underneath, those blocks are probably going to break after a while. If you're going to excavate to do the job right the first time, you may as well get real bricks. They're far more forgiving - make a mistake & you could rip out half the patio & do it again.

 

[StarsFan4Life]

So what type of stone do you guys think I should use? I figure I will be spending money on concrete, might as well do it right like you guys said....

Mind you, this rock patio will be at the back of my backyard. It will have my gas grill, smoker and patio furniture on it.

 

[Cheesetogo]

I've seen some GREAT looking concrete molds. That being said, I'm not sure either of those are really going to do that good of a job.

 

[DrPizza]

10x10 AND hold a gas grill, smoker, and patio furniture??

 

[Leros]

10x10 AND hold a gas grill, smoker, and patio furniture??

If he puts the grill and smoker against one wall and the patio furniture against the other, I think it would be ok.

Its not like he has walls on all 4 sides of the patio. He just needs a hard surface for the chairs. Its ok if the open space is off the patio.

 

[StarsFan4Life]

Guys, I could go 15 x 15, size isn't what I am focused on here. I can go larger if I need to, I just want opinions on what to use....

 

[drnickriviera]

I've tried that cobblestone before. Looked like amateur crap. Unless you want to spend the time to mix multiple colors of concrete, it's all going to look the same.

If it's in your budget, you can use concrete pavers.
http://www.belgard.biz/
Tons of options here

You also have the option of someone pouring a slab and stamping it. But that would be the most costly solution