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Create an outdoor living space you will actually use with a custom concrete patio in Memphis, TN. We install standard, brushed, and stamped concrete patios sized to fit your yard and lifestyle. From backyard dining areas to wrap around patios, our team handles design, grading, and finishing for your Memphis concrete patio project.
Memphis Concreters provides professional concrete patio throughout Memphis, TN, Tennessee and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call (901) 422-9085 or request your free quote.
Concrete patios designed for real Memphis backyards
When you picture a concrete patio at your Memphis home, you are probably thinking about where the grill goes, how many chairs you can fit, and whether the surface will stay cool enough in August. At Memphis Concreters, we start by talking through how you actually plan to use the space, not just the size on a sketch.
We look at how the sun hits your yard in summer, where rainwater tends to sit after a storm, and how close the patio will be to doors, trees, fences, and utilities. For example, a patio on a low spot off the back door will need extra drainage planning so you are not stepping into puddles every time it rains. A spot that gets afternoon sun may benefit from a lighter color concrete or a textured finish that stays more comfortable under bare feet.
We also help you think ahead about furniture layouts, fire pits, outdoor kitchens, and future shade structures so the concrete patio can support those loads and anchor points. That might mean thickening the slab under a future pergola or leaving conduit in place for outdoor lighting. Getting those details right at the start usually costs less than trying to modify the patio later.
How Memphis Concreters installs a long lasting concrete patio
A solid concrete patio in Memphis starts with what you do before the truck shows up. Our crew begins by marking the patio footprint and checking elevations with a laser level so that water will run away from your house and not toward it. On most homes in Memphis and the surrounding suburbs, we shoot for at least a 1 to 2 percent slope away from the foundation.
Next, we excavate the area to the proper depth, usually 4 to 6 inches for the slab plus room for a compacted gravel base. Tree roots, old pavers, topsoil, and organic material are removed because they will decay and create voids. We bring in crushed stone or gravel, typically compacted to about 3 to 4 inches, to give the concrete a stable base and help with drainage. On heavy clay soils that are common in parts of Shelby County, this step is critical to reduce long term settling and cracking.
Forms are then set using straight lumber or flexible forms for curves. We stake and brace these so they hold the exact shape and elevation you want. At this stage, we lay out any control joint plan on paper so we know where cuts will go after the pour. For most residential patios we pour a 4 inch thick slab, but if you plan on a heavy outdoor kitchen or hot tub, we may recommend thickening to 5 or 6 inches or adding grade beams.
Reinforcement is placed before the pour. In Memphis, we commonly use welded wire mesh or rebar grids in the slab to help control cracking and keep cracks tight if they occur. On some patios, especially larger or higher end projects, we may recommend fiber reinforced concrete in addition to steel for added durability and impact resistance.
Concrete is then delivered and placed. We typically use a mix in the 3000 to 4000 PSI range for patios. Our crew spreads and screeds the concrete to the correct height, then bull floats it to bring up a bit of paste and smooth the surface. Timing is important in our humid climate. If we close the surface too early, trapped moisture can cause scaling later, so we watch the bleed water carefully instead of following a fixed schedule.
After initial set, we apply your chosen finish, then cut control joints either the same day or the next morning using saws. These joints are planned to control where shrinkage cracks occur so they line up with the design instead of running randomly across your patio. Finally, we clean the surface and apply a penetrating or film forming sealer when the concrete is ready. Sealers help reduce staining from Memphis red clay, barbecue spills, and leaf tannins, and they offer some protection from freeze thaw cycles in our occasional cold snaps.
Finishes, colors, and design options for your concrete patio
One of the benefits of a concrete patio is that it does not have to look like a plain gray slab. Memphis Concreters can walk you through finish and color options that match your home and how you plan to use the space.
For families that want a practical, low maintenance surface, a standard broom finish works very well. We run a broom over the surface after troweling to create a light texture that adds slip resistance, which is useful when the patio gets wet from rain or near a pool. For a slightly more refined look, we can use a swirl or fan pattern with the broom.
If you want something closer to natural stone, stamped concrete is an option. We press patterns into the concrete while it is still plastic, using mats that mimic slate, flagstone, cobblestone, and more. Color can be introduced with integral color in the mix, a color hardener on top, or a combination of base color and antique release agents to create depth. For example, a tan base with darker brown release can create a warm, weathered stone look that suits many Memphis brick homes.
Exposed aggregate is another choice. In this finish, we wash off the top layer of cement paste to reveal the stone in the mix, creating a textured surface that is both decorative and slip resistant. This can work well around pool decks or in shaded yards where a little sparkle and texture brighten the space.
We can also saw cut decorative borders or add insets that break up a large patio into “rooms” for dining, seating, or a fire pit. Thoughtful joint layouts, border bands in a different texture, and slight changes in color can make one monolithic pour look like several custom pieces without the maintenance of separate stones or pavers.
Costs, timing, and Memphis specific considerations
Homeowners usually want to know what drives the cost of a concrete patio. The main factors are size, thickness, site access, reinforcement, finish type, and any extras like steps, seating walls, or integrated footings for structures.
A straightforward broom finish patio in an open backyard with easy wheelbarrow or truck access will cost less per square foot than a patio that requires concrete to be pumped over a fence or around obstacles. Decorative finishes like stamping, exposed aggregate, or multicolor staining add labor and materials, so they increase the price, but can be more economical than installing separate pavers or natural stone.
Local conditions in Memphis matter too. Heavy clay soils may require more base prep or even removal and replacement of poor soil. If your yard holds water or slopes toward the house, we may need to add drains, swales, or extra grading work so the patio performs well. Tree roots are another common issue. Sometimes we can bridge over minor roots with thicker concrete, but large or aggressive roots may need trimming or barrier solutions so they do not lift the patio in a few years.
Weather and timing are important in our climate. In Memphis, we can install patios most of the year, but we adjust our schedule for summer heat and spring storms. During hot spells, we may pour earlier in the morning, use set controlling admixtures, or add shade and extra curing measures so the concrete does not dry too quickly and crack. During rainy periods, we avoid pouring when thunderstorms are forecast to hit fresh concrete, and we protect new slabs with plastic or curing blankets if needed.
Curing time is another point many homeowners overlook. You can usually walk on your new patio within a day, move light furniture on after several days, and place heavier items once the concrete has had more time to gain strength. We provide specific guidance based on the mix and conditions on your project so you do not damage the surface early on.
What to know before hiring a concrete patio contractor in Memphis
Before you commit to a concrete patio project, it helps to know what to ask and what to watch for. Memphis Concreters encourages homeowners to get clear, written details, not just a total price on a sticky note.
Your estimate should spell out the slab thickness, reinforcement type, base material and depth, finish type, joint spacing, any color or stamping, and whether sealing is included. This level of detail makes it easier to compare quotes fairly and avoid surprises on pour day. If a price seems much lower than others, ask which of those items are being left out.
Ask about permits and local codes. In many parts of the Memphis area, small at grade patios do not require a building permit, but larger structures, patios that are elevated, or those tied into covered roofs or decks may trigger code requirements. A knowledgeable contractor will either handle permits for you or clearly explain what is needed.
You should also ask how the contractor handles common issues like unexpected soft spots in the soil, rain on pour day, or last minute layout tweaks. At Memphis Concreters, we walk the site with you before we dig, confirm measurements, mark any underground utilities with Tennessee 811 when needed, and agree on a clear plan for dealing with unexpected conditions.
Finally, review maintenance expectations. A concrete patio does not need as much care as wood, but it is not completely maintenance free. We generally recommend gentle cleaning a few times a year and resealing decorative surfaces every few years, especially in shady or heavily used areas. When we finish your project, we give you simple, Memphis specific care instructions so you know how to keep your patio looking good in our mix of sun, storms, and seasonal temperature swings.
