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Expert: - 4/25/2004


Question
Hi Richard, Thanks in advance for your help.

Finally I decided to remodel my backyard and I am trying to decide what kind of floor surface will be the best for my bucks, and easy to handle because I am planning to do it myself ( I am handyman, sort of)

I want something stuninng with texture and color, and my first choice so far is pavers,which I found in nice yelowish color, but somebody told me that you can do all of that with cement at a fraction of the cost.

And I have the same dilemma with the pool, wich need resurfacing, is marcite the most affordable way to go?.

Thanks again for your time.

Bruno.

Answer
Bruno:

Thanks for your question!

You can do textured concrete, but by the time you hire the specialty contractor to do it, you'll spend more than you will on pavers.  Since you're doing the work yourself, the pavers will be cheaper.

Depending upon the size of the patio, pavers will allow you the freedom to make changes, and to work on the project over time.  The textured concrete is an all-at-once project.

Marcite's a good choice if your pool is already shotcrete or gunite.  Again, you're talking about a specialty contractor, but you have a better chance of getting it done right.  It's really not something a "sort of" handyman should consider tackling!

I'd go with the pavers if I were you.  You'll have more design options, you can do the work yourself, you can take your time, and you can change your mind.

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
Richard Taylor Architects, LLC
www.rtaylorarchitects.com

Architecture

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Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

Experience

I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

Publications
Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Sense Of Place and join the conversation on our Facebook Page.

Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

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