When things get warm, nothing beats quality time spent outdoors. This is specifically true if you can do just that in your own home. Of course, the patio should be ready, and if you’re mulling a renovation, there are a few things you have to look into.

Yes, you’ll probably need a professional contractor to ensure great results, but just the same, you must be on top the project. After all, it’s your patio!

The Weather Forecast

First off, plan ahead by reviewing the weather forecast. You’ll need clear skies for 48 hours at least, temperatures over 50 degrees Fahrenheit, even at night, and no just the right amount of moisture. If the weather looks like it will be wild for the next two days, don’t start yet!

Discussing with Your Contractor

There are many things you need to discuss with your contractor. A well-chosen professional would expectedly know what to do, but you yourself should also be aware of the important steps that must be taken. This could be as simple as giving the patio a thorough wash before staining or painting, for example. If you skip this part, you’ll be locking in dirt and other debris under the coating, and that won’t look nice.. When the patio dries, be sure to look out for any loose nails or screws on the structure that may need replacing, rotting pieces of wood or maybe boards. Know more about Charlotte Driveways.

Priming and Painting

Primers really come in handy as they eliminate the need to sand and strip the wood, saving your contractor and you a lot of time. Of course, when the primer paint has dried, the real transformation starts – paint color!

The paint color you select has to complement your deck and all the rest of your house, so as to invite a new charm to the area. For a heavily worn patio, suggest your contractor to use a restoring paint for the horizontal boards (although again, he’ll probably know this already). And make sure they scrape off any excess paint that seeped between the boards.

Staining Process

Some people don’t like to paint natural wood. If you’re one of them, choose a stain that will both enhance the appearance and strengthen the wood. If your wood is new, transparent stains and finishes are just perfect. A semitransparent stain would be great otherwise. The pigment will give added protection against sun damage. One advantage stain has over paint is that the wood absorbs it more easily, and that makes chipping or peeling unlikely.

Of course, there are other options for redoing your patio, such as power washing for stone or Charlotte Stamped Concrete surfaces, or even getting a new set of furniture. You know what’s best. The patio is yours.