Some projects are straightforward replacements. The Sorensen project in Longmont was something more: a complete rethinking of how a family used their backyard.
The Starting Point
The Sorensens had a large, relatively flat backyard with an aging pressure-treated wood deck attached to the back of the house. The deck had served its purpose but was showing its years. Boards were uneven, railings were loose, and the surface had grayed and splintered to the point where bare feet were a problem. Beyond the deck, the backyard was grass with no defined gathering space or outdoor seating area.
The family wanted to remove the deck entirely and replace it with a low-maintenance, durable patio that extended their usable outdoor living space significantly. They also wanted a fire feature the kids could gather around, and a design that felt finished rather than like a bare slab dropped in the yard.
The Design
After a site consultation and design conversation, we landed on a plan that included:
- A stamped concrete patio extending the full width of the back of the house - A slate texture stamp pattern in a warm charcoal tone with a contrasting border band - A circular landing area centered on the primary sliding door, with a slightly different pattern to define the zone - An integrated gas fire pit built into a seat wall at the far edge of the patio - A low seat wall along two sides of the patio perimeter to define the space and provide casual seating
The stamped concrete choice made sense for this project. The covered portion of the patio, directly adjacent to the house roofline, protects the surface from Colorado's UV intensity in the areas most visible from inside. The design also called for clean, continuous lines that a paver system with visible joints would have complicated.
The Installation
We began with full demolition of the existing deck structure, including the footings. The site was graded to direct drainage away from the house foundation before any concrete work began.
For the base, we removed the existing topsoil and installed a properly compacted aggregate sub-base before pouring. Expansion joints were planned and cut at structurally appropriate intervals, with joint placement coordinated with the stamp pattern to minimize visual interruption.
The pour was timed for optimal conditions, avoiding direct high-sun periods to allow proper surface working time for the stamping crew. Color was applied as an integral pigment in the mix, not a surface stain, for longer-lasting color stability.
The seat wall and fire pit structure were formed and poured as part of the same project, using a complementary exposed aggregate finish on the wall caps that tied into the overall palette without exactly matching the patio surface.
The gas fire pit was connected to the home's natural gas line by a licensed plumber, with a push-button ignition system integrated into the seat wall cap.
The Result
The finished space transformed how the Sorensen family uses their backyard. What had been an underused area beyond a tired deck became the primary gathering space for the household. The defined patio perimeter with seat walls gave the yard a sense of structure it had never had. The fire feature became the center of weekend evenings from spring through fall.
The total project came in at approximately $28,000 including demolition, full patio installation, seat wall, fire pit, and gas connection. For a backyard that went from marginal to exceptional, the family considered it well-spent.
Thinking About Your Own Backyard?
Every project starts with a conversation. If you have a space that is not working the way you want it to, contact Rock N Roll Stoneworks for a free on-site estimate. We will walk the space with you, talk through what is possible, and put together a plan that fits your goals and your budget.
Curious about materials? Read our breakdown of pavers vs. stamped concrete, or browse completed projects in our gallery. We also offer fire pit and fireplace installations and outdoor kitchens to complete the space.
