A patio built for Sylvan Lake summers.

For a table and 6 chairs plus room to move around, plan on roughly 12x14 feet minimum (168 sq ft). For a table, seating area, and a BBQ zone, we usually recommend 16x20 feet or larger (320+ sq ft). Lake-home patios that host groups often run 400-600 sq ft or more, sometimes wrapping around the house. We measure the space, ask how you'll use it, and spec a size that actually works.

Standard is 1/4 inch of drop per foot, sloped away from the house — that's the Alberta building-code minimum for concrete flatwork next to a foundation. On larger patios we sometimes crown the slab slightly toward two edges so water sheets off in multiple directions. The wrong slope pools meltwater against the foundation and freeze-thaw destroys the joint. We shoot every patio with a laser before we pour.

Broom finish is what most driveways and utility patios get — clean, safe, low-cost, holds up well. Stamped concrete uses rubber mats pressed into the wet slab to create the look of flagstone, slate, brick, or wood plank, then coloured with integral and release colours. Stamped costs roughly 30-70% more per square foot but transforms a plain slab into a real design feature. For a Sylvan Lake entertaining patio, stamped or exposed aggregate is usually the right call.

Exposed aggregate is a poured patio where the top layer of cement paste is washed off shortly after pour, exposing the decorative stone in the concrete mix. You end up with a textured, slip-resistant finish that shows off river rock, granite, or coloured aggregate. Very popular on Sylvan Lake decks and pool surrounds because it looks natural, drains well, and doesn't get slippery. We spec the aggregate with the ready-mix supplier and time the wash carefully — too early or too late and it doesn't come out right.

Depends on your goals. Concrete costs less over a 20-year window (no annual staining, no board replacement), is fireproof, works with hot tubs and heavy patio furniture without bounce, and doesn't attract wasps under it. Wood decks can be raised higher, look warmer, and are easier to run under-deck utilities through. For ground-level entertaining spaces at lake homes, concrete usually wins. For elevated walk-outs, wood or composite is often the better answer. We'll tell you honestly which fits your situation.

Yes, but we usually recommend moving the hot tub off temporarily so we can pour the pad continuously without a cold joint under the tub. For firepits and permanent features, we form around them and detail the joint so water doesn't sit against the feature. On new hot tub pads specifically, we pour 6 inches with heavier rebar because a full hot tub is heavier than most people think.

Foot traffic after 24-48 hours. Regular patio furniture after 7 days. Heavy features (large stone planters, filled hot tubs) after 28 days when the concrete has reached full design strength. We stake the patio and post a sign so guests and pets don't walk on it during the critical first day or two.