Planning a patio for South Plains weather
Lubbock averages 12.4 mph of wind, more than almost any other U.S. city, and its July normal high is 93.4°F. Most people who use their patio a lot either put it on the side of the house that blocks the prevailing wind, add a cover, or both. A cover changes the slab: posts need footings, and a roof sheds water onto a line along the patio edge.
- Covered patio. Plan footings for the posts before the pour, and decide where the roof's water lands.
- Outdoor kitchen. Gas and electric lines and any sink drain go in under the slab first.
- Fire pit or hot tub pad. A hot tub full of water is heavy; tell the contractor the model so the pad is designed for it.
Drainage comes first
A patio should slope away from the house so water runs off the far edge, not back toward the foundation. That matters more in this area than the rainfall total suggests: Lubbock gets 18.33 inches a year, but much of it falls in May, June and September storms, sometimes all at once. Water that pools at a slab edge soaks into the ground beside the foundation, and caliche below can keep it from draining down.
Ask the contractor how much fall the patio will have, where the water goes after it leaves the slab, and whether gutters on a patio cover need their own outlet.
Finishes
| Finish | Look and feel | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Broom | Plain, gray, grippy | Least expensive; easy to repair |
| Trowel border, broom field | Clean framed edge | Small upcharge, looks finished |
| Stamped | Slate, flagstone, wood plank | Needs resealing; see stamped concrete |
| Textured or stained | Mottled color, softer texture | Sealer recommended |
Light colors stay cooler underfoot in July. Dark stains and colors look rich but get hot in full sun.
Size and cost
National cost guides put plain concrete patios at about $5 to $8 per square foot installed, simple decorative work at $8 to $11, custom finishes at $11 to $18 and elaborate designs above that. A 14 by 20 foot patio is 280 square feet, so a plain one works out to roughly $1,400 to $2,240 at those national rates. Local quotes set the real price.
Size the patio around what goes on it: a table that seats six needs about 12 by 12 feet clear, plus room to walk around it. Pouring bigger once is cheaper than adding a second slab later and living with the seam.
Permits
A ground-level patio slab inside your lot generally needs no City of Lubbock permit on its own, the same as private flatwork. A roof over it is a structure, and a patio cover can require a building permit, so ask the city before you order one. Patios on lots with deed restrictions, such as Ransom Canyon, may also need committee review. Confirm with your city before work starts.
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