Custom Concrete Patios Across the Twin Cities Western Suburbs
That cracked slab behind the house isn't doing your backyard any favors. Jensen Decorative Concrete designs and pours residential patios — stamped, colored, or classic broom finish — for homeowners from Lake Minnetonka to Prior Lake.
How a Concrete Patio Gets Built
A concrete patio is a reinforced slab poured directly on grade over a compacted gravel base. The structural requirements are straightforward — 4 inches thick for foot traffic, compacted subgrade, control joints — but the finishing is where a patio becomes something you actually want to spend time on.
Installation begins with excavation and grading to ensure proper drainage away from the foundation. A compacted gravel base goes down, forms are set to the desired shape, and reinforcement is placed. Concrete is poured, screeded flat, and finished with the selected texture.
- Poured as a single monolithic slab — no individual pieces to shift or settle
- Customizable shape, size, and finish to match the home and yard layout
- Handles Minnesota freeze-thaw when poured with air-entrained concrete
- Integrates with steps, fire pits, outdoor kitchens, and other hardscape elements
Concrete Patio Finish Catalog
The same structural slab can take on completely different personalities based on the surface finish.
Stamped Concrete
Textured patterns pressed into wet concrete. Replicates stone, slate, brick, and wood plank at a fraction of the material cost.
Colored Concrete
Integral pigment or surface-applied hardener. Clean, uniform tone without texture.
Broom Finish
The standard textured surface — cost-effective, slip-resistant, and clean-looking.
Exposed Aggregate
Washed surface revealing natural stone aggregate. A distinctive, durable finish with built-in traction.
Can't Decide on a Finish? Combine Them.
Many homeowners pair a stamped main patio with a broom-finish walkway, or use exposed aggregate with a colored concrete border. Derek helps you mix finishes to get the look and function you want within your budget.
Book Free ConsultationConcrete Patio Applications
A patio is the foundation of your outdoor living space — here's how Twin Cities homeowners put them to use.
Backyard Patios
Sized between 300 and 600 square feet for most homes, a backyard patio provides a flat, stable surface for dining furniture, grilling, and general outdoor living. Proper grading directs water away from the foundation.
Covered Patios & Pergola Bases
A concrete slab under a pergola, gazebo, or roof structure needs precise dimensions to align with post footings and roof lines. Covered patios see less UV exposure, so colors stay vibrant longer.
Fire Pit Pads
A dedicated concrete pad beneath and around a fire pit creates a safe, non-combustible surface and defines the gathering area. Most fire pit pads run 12–14 feet in diameter.
Outdoor Kitchen Bases
Outdoor kitchens with built-in grills, counters, and sinks need a level, stable base. A thickened slab (5–6 inches) under the kitchen structure supports the load.
Walkout & Step-Down Patios
Walkout basements are everywhere in the hilly terrain around Lake Minnetonka. A step-down patio extends your living space and provides direct access to the yard.
Concrete Patios vs. Paver Patios vs. Wood Decks
Concrete patios offer the lowest ongoing maintenance of the three options.
| Feature | Concrete Patio | Paver Patio | Wood Deck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 25–30+ years | 25–50 years | 10–25 years |
| Maintenance | Reseal every 2–3 years | Re-leveling, weed control | Stain/seal annually |
| Install Time | 2–4 days typical | 4–8 days typical | 3–7 days typical |
| Cost | $$ | $$$ | $$–$$$$ |
Patio Maintenance
A concrete patio requires less upkeep than almost any other outdoor surface — here's the short list.
Reseal Decorative Finishes Every 2–3 Years
Stamped and colored patios need their sealer refreshed every 2–3 years to maintain color and UV protection. Plain broom-finish patios can go without sealer, though a penetrating sealer adds moisture protection.
Keep Drainage Clear
Patios are graded to drain water in a specific direction. Check the edges each spring and clear any debris. If you notice standing water that wasn’t there before, the grade may need correction.
Clean Seasonally
A garden hose, soft broom, and mild dish soap handle most surface cleaning. Avoid pressure washing above 1,500 PSI on sealed decorative surfaces.
Furniture Pads Prevent Surface Scratches
Felt or rubber pads on furniture legs protect the sealed surface and are far cheaper than resealing early. Rearrange furniture periodically to prevent UV fade patterns.
Why Jensen Decorative Concrete for Your Patio
A patio is where your family spends the most outdoor time — it should be poured by someone who treats it like it matters.
Layout Designed Around How You Actually Use Your Yard
Derek asks how you plan to use the space — dining, grilling, fire pit, kid play area — and designs the shape, size, and grade around those functions.
Drainage That Protects Your Foundation
Every patio is graded to direct runoff away from the structure, accounting for the existing yard slope, downspout locations, and neighboring grade.
Decorative Expertise on Every Pour
Jensen Decorative Concrete pours 75% decorative work, so stamping, coloring, and finishing are core skills — not occasional experiments.
Respectful of Your Yard and Landscaping
Derek's crew uses plywood paths, protects plantings, and restores disturbed areas before leaving. Your neighbors won't know there was a construction project.
Concrete Patio FAQ
Concrete Patio Installation Across the Twin Cities
We pour patios throughout the western suburbs and greater Minneapolis metro area.
Build the Outdoor Space Your Backyard Has Room For
Derek visits your property, discusses layout and finish options, and provides a written estimate \u2014 all free, all no-pressure. Most consultations take about 30 minutes.
Get Your Free EstimateQuality decorative concrete is just a call away.