Concrete Patios in Tucson, AZ

Concrete patios in Tucson get used in months when much of the country is indoors. Wikipedia's climate table gives a January average low of 40.8 degrees, and snow is close to nonexistent, so a patio here works as an outdoor room from fall through spring and on summer mornings and evenings. Many older homes have only a small slab outside the back door, or a gravel area that turns to mud in a storm, and owners want room for a table, a grill and some shade.

Planning the size

Start with what you want to do out there. A table for six with chairs pulled back needs roughly a 12 by 12 foot area. Add a grill station or a seating group and the slab grows quickly. If you plan a ramada, pergola or shade sail, tell us before the pour so we can thicken the slab or set footings where the posts will go. In Tucson, the City's Planning and Development Services lists porches among the projects that need a permit, so a covered structure may need its own review; we check what applies to your plans.

Drainage comes first

A patio is a large hard surface right next to the house, and in a monsoon downpour it collects a lot of water fast. We set the slab with a gentle fall away from the foundation and plan where the water goes next: the yard, a gravel strip, or a basin. If the roof drains onto the patio area, we plan around the downspouts or scuppers instead of letting them dump onto the slab edge.

Under the slab

We strip out roots, soft soil and loose fill, break through caliche where the depth requires it, and compact a base before pouring. Patio slabs are typically 4 inches thick, with thickened edges or footings where posts or a heavy outdoor kitchen will sit. Joints are cut on a layout that fits the shape of the patio, so cracks follow straight lines.

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Finishes that suit the desert

• Broom finish: plain, durable and easy to keep clean.
• Exposed aggregate: shows the stone and hides dust and stains.
• Stained or integrally colored: lighter tans and earth tones that fit desert landscaping.
• Stamped: patterns that look like stone, slate or tile (see our stamped concrete page).

Darker colors hold more heat in direct sun. If the patio will not be shaded, a lighter finish is more comfortable on bare feet.

Extending an existing patio

An existing slab in good shape can be extended rather than replaced. HomeGuide notes an extension costs about the same per square foot as a new patio, since the new area still needs grading and a base. The new section is tied to the old one, and the joint between them is planned so it looks intentional. Color will not match exactly at first, which is one reason some owners add a stain or overlay across both.