Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Style

Concrete stained to look like wood is super trendy — but Reddit has thoughts

Nicole Carlino
By

Are you feeling uninspired by your concrete patio this summer season, wishing you could update the look? Concrete is a super functional option for patios — affordable and easy to maintain, too — but wouldn’t it be nice if your patio furniture, barbecue, and fire pit sat on another material… say, wood?

Well, what about concrete stained to look like wood? In a recent Reddit post, user Thick_Number5077 posted concrete flooring that’s made to look like wood and the results were stunning.

Related Videos
Reddit

Redditor whogivesahart noted, “I’m not usually a fan of materials pretending to be something other than what they are, but this looks amazing.”

Others agreed, calling the project gorgeous and incredible. User Captcha_Imagination pointed out that the work being done with concrete these days is impressive. “Instead of paving stones, I did a hard landscaping job where they used stamps to create a stone look and it looks amazing,” they said.

Pros of concrete stained to look like wood

While there are a few different methods for achieving a wood-look patio, stamped concrete is one of the most popular. (You can also stamp your concrete to look like natural stone or brick, among others.) There are plenty of advantages to wood-stamped concrete:

  • Concrete is an affordable option (and even more so if you have an existing concrete patio)
  • Stamped concrete increases your curb appeal, adding visual interest to your landscape design
  • There’s a variety of options and patterns out there for you to choose from
  • It’s easy to maintain when sealed

Cons of concrete stained to look like wood

Redditors were quick to point out some of the cons of this type of concrete.

It’s slippery

Wudrow noted, “You have to put sand in the sealer because it becomes like ice when it’s wet so in high-traffic areas when the grit gets worn off it’s insanely slick.”

According to The Concrete Network, stamped concrete can be slip-resistant if it’s treated with a non-skid additive. If you choose to update your patio, walkways, or porch with wood-stamped concrete, this is definitely a must-have.

It’s not DIY friendly

Redditor Competitive_Travel16 noted that achieving this sort of look requires staining. “The staining is difficult, requires some artistic talent, and can look terrible if done poorly,” they noted.

If you do plan to invest in concrete stained to look like wood, it’s best to consult a professional who can make sure the job is done right.

There are several other cons to wood-stamped concrete:

  • Stamped concrete, like all concrete projects, can sometimes crack. If you’re lucky, the wood-grain pattern you choose could hide some of these cracks, however.
  • Stamped concrete needs to be resealed. SealGreen, a concrete resealing company, says you should anticipate resealing every 18 to 24 months.
  • If you live in a cold climate, you need to think about how to deice your walkways. Salt can damage concrete, so you’re better off using something like sand.
  • Repairs can be difficult.

Make sure you choose the right contractor for your wood-stamped concrete

Wood-stamped concrete is an investment for years to come, and one that’s not terribly DIY friendly. It’s important to choose the right contractor for this project.

Shop around

Get estimates and make sure to check their references. If you have a friend or neighbor who can recommend someone, even better.

Make sure the company specializes in stamped concrete

You want to make sure anyone you choose is comfortable with this method. Ask for a portfolio of their prior work as well as samples. (They might also have a showroom with decorative concrete on display or the ability to let you check out a previous install.)

Other wood-stamped concrete options: The wall

Many of the potential issues with wood-look concrete have to do with high-traffic areas — so why not take foot traffic out of it?

Redditor Competitive_Travel16 believes “the texture won’t last, and will wear off along footpaths and below water runoff. The wear will take the stain and sealant with it, and look even worse than a bad stain job.”

PCCoatings’ suggestion? “It’s better to do this on a wall.”

We definitely think that could look pretty gorgeous, too.

Concrete stained to look like wood can be stunning — but there are also downsides. If you’re considering the investment, do your research and make sure it fits your lifestyle. (While stamped concrete could work on your patio, you might not want it surrounding your pool.) Talk to specialists in your area and do your due diligence to ensure you’re hiring the right team for the job.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
This cheap, easy hack for fruit and vegetable gardens will save your harvest
Keep birds away from your strawberry bush (and other plants) with this tip
vegetable garden ideas for apartment balcony strawberry plants resized

Your fruit and vegetable garden is the pride and joy of your yard. Whether you’re planting tomatoes, squash, or berries, you want your garden to thrive. Of course, pests and critters have other plans. Certainly, there are ways you can detract insects and other creepy crawlies, but what about birds? If you’ve ever tended to your garden to discover your newly ripened strawberry bush had been ravaged by an invading flock, this garden hack is for you.

How to save your strawberry bush
Posted to the r/interesting and r/LifeHacks subreddit, this particular hack originally came from Facebook. The original poster explained that while everyone had laughed at them, they’d painted rocks to look like strawberries and placed them around the berry plants and bushes before the fruit appeared.

Read more
This low-maintenance, attractive ornamental grass adds instant curb appeal
Blue oat grass is a gorgeous addition to your landscaping
Blue oat grass

If you're looking for something to add to your front or backyard landscaping, look no further than blue oat grass. Ornamental blue oat grass is a perennial that offers gorgeous blue-green colors to any yard. It resembles blue fescue grass, but is just a bit larger (it grows about 18-30 inches tall). The blue and gold hues look stunning against green grass, river rock, and mulch, and the hardy grass is ideal for use in most areas because it grows in the sun, partial sun, and in various substrates like soil, clay, and sand.

Prices range depending on how you plan to plant the grass. If you buy, plan on spending around $15-$25 per plant, depending on the size. If you're buying just the seeds, it can be as cheap as $4 for 100 seeds. Whether you're looking to grow or plant blue oat grass, here are a few things to keep in mind so it stays looking healthy.

Read more
DIY advice: Should you build a raised patio on your own?
What you need to know about building a raised patio yourself
woman smiling while seated outdoors

A DIY raised patio is a highly customizable home improvement project that you can use year-round. You can host family lunches, enjoy outdoor nighttime movie screenings, and bask in your yard’s natural beauty throughout the year when you have your own patio. This renovation is absolutely doable on your own, but there are some important things to think through, like projected costs, permits, and safety.

Allan Block suggests building a raised patio with a retaining wall stating, "You can incorporate curves, corners or even stairs into your patio design. Building a raised patio is easy and can add more usable living space and lasting value to your landscape." Here's what you need to know before you begin.

Read more