Lubbock, TX · Concrete Patios
Concrete Patios in Lubbock
Concrete patios in Lubbock, from new back patios and extensions to slabs for covered patios, windbreaks and outdoor kitchens, laid out for sun, wind and drainage.
01 — What this covers
The work itself
- New back patios
- Patio extensions
- Slabs for covered patios and pergolas
- Outdoor kitchens and fire pit areas
- Windbreak walls and seating
- Broom, exposed aggregate, stained or stamped finishes
- Walkways to gates, alleys and sheds
- Patio replacement and leveling
02 — Detail
Planning for sun and wind
The weather decides how much a Lubbock patio gets used. The prevailing wind comes from the south and southwest much of the year, and the afternoon sun in summer is intense. A patio placed in the lee of the house, or one that will get a cover or a windbreak wall, is far more pleasant than one fully exposed.
Think about where you will sit at the times you are most likely to be outside: evenings in summer, sunny afternoons in fall and spring. Placing the patio for those moments matters more than its size.
If you plan a cover, pergola or wall later, the slab can be built now with footings or thickened edges where posts and walls will go, which avoids breaking concrete in the future.
Dust is the other factor. A patio protected by the house or a wall on the windward side stays cleaner and needs less sweeping after a windy day.
03 — Detail
Drainage on flat lots
Lubbock is famously flat, and many lots have very little natural fall. A patio is a large surface, and the rain from a heavy storm has to go somewhere. It should slope away from the house and send water toward a part of the yard where it can soak in or flow to the alley or street.
Water pooling against the house foundation softens the soil and can make clay pockets swell. A patio that drains toward the house can contribute to foundation problems that only show up years later.
Where the yard has no fall, a channel drain along the patio edge, a gravel border or regrading part of the yard can be included in the job.
04 — Detail
The ground under a new patio
Back yards often have softer topsoil, old garden beds or buried debris, with caliche at varying depths. The crew removes organic and loose material and builds a compacted base so the patio has even support across its area.
Where caliche is close to the surface, excavating for the base may be slower and harder, which can affect the price. Where clay pockets are present, steel and properly placed joints help the slab tolerate movement.
A new patio should be separated from the house foundation and any existing slab with an expansion joint, so each can move on its own.
05 — Detail
Covered patios and outdoor kitchens
Covered patios are popular in Lubbock for both shade and hail protection. The slab needs footings or thickened areas under the posts, and structures attached to the house or above a certain size usually need a building permit.
Outdoor kitchens need gas, water and electrical lines placed before the pour. Planning them with the contractor and whoever builds the kitchen keeps everything in the right spot.
For cooking areas, a sealed finish that resists grease stains, such as exposed aggregate or a sealed broom finish, is easier to keep clean.
06 — Detail
Finishes
Broom finish is the most economical and gives good grip. Exposed aggregate shows the stones in the mix and hides dust and dirt well, which is a practical advantage on windy days. Stained concrete adds color at modest cost, and stamped concrete gives the look of stone.
Lighter colors stay cooler in summer sun. Very light finishes, however, show the red dust that blows in, so mid-tones are often the best compromise.
Whatever the finish, sealing protects the surface from stains, sun and freeze-thaw damage.
07 — Detail
Extending or replacing an old patio
Many older Lubbock homes have small patios that have cracked or tilted. Extending them is possible when the old slab is sound and level; when it is not, replacing it as part of a larger new patio gives a better result.
Matching new concrete to an old slab is never perfect, so a contrasting border or a different finish on the new area often looks more intentional.
The contractor will look at the old patio and tell you whether it is worth keeping.
If you are building a covered patio partly for hail protection, ask about the slab's slope under the cover too; rain blown in sideways by the wind still needs to drain away from the house.
How we work
Step by step
- 01
Call to discuss size, use, shade and wind protection.
- 02
Site visit: ground, drainage, utilities and access.
- 03
Written estimate with layout, finish and any permits.
- 04
Excavation, base, steel and footings, then the pour and finish.
- 05
Joint cutting, curing, sealing and care advice.
What it costs
Patio pricing depends on size, finish, removal, base work and caliche excavation, footings for structures, utilities and drainage work.
Questions
Concrete Patios — asked and answered
Where should I put my patio?
Somewhere sheltered from the southwest wind and afternoon sun, or plan a cover or windbreak.
Can you extend my existing patio?
Yes, if it is sound and level, with an expansion joint between old and new.
Do I need a permit for a patio in Lubbock?
Residential flatwork is permitted through Building Safety, and covered structures may need a building permit.
Which finish hides dust best?
Exposed aggregate and mid-tone stained or stamped finishes.
How long before I can use it?
Light use after a day or two, furniture after about a week.
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