Ditch The Wood Deck And Patio: The Stylish Alternative Chip And Joanna Gaines Used Instead

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Wooden decks and patios are a suburban staple, great for backyard barbecues and summer dinner parties. It's also a way to expand your home's floor plan without extensive construction. However, hardwood decking can be expensive to install and maintain, and will warp with time, humidity, and water damage. In Season 5, Episode 3 of "Fixer Upper," Chip and Joanna Gaines avoid the disadvantages of wood by introducing a stylish alternative, using a rubber stamp to recreate the effect of wood grain on a slab of poured concrete.

"It's less expensive to take this slab of concrete and stamp it to look like it's beautiful, reclaimed hardwood than it would be for us to pour the slab and then install reclaimed hardwood on top of it," Chip explained on the episode. Not to mention the concrete will last far longer than the timber it's designed to emulate. Better still, you don't need to call in a professional like Chip Gaines to apply this technique, as you can easily do it yourself.

While a concrete patio might seem out of place with Chip and Joanna's patented modern farmhouse aesthetic, this particular project was tailored to suit clients who described their own style as "rustic coastal." So, not only was a concrete patio a cost-effective and long-lasting alternative to a wooden deck, it also captured the beach resort vibe the couple was aiming for. 

To recreate Chip's tropical terrace-inspired space, you'll need to start preparing the ground before pouring your concrete slab. Once the patio has been poured, you'll want to make sure you have the stamp ready to go so you can apply it before the concrete has time to cure. There are plenty of stamp options on the market with different plank sizes and types of wood grain. We'd recommend picking one with an easy-to-use handle fitting, like this Gisafai Wood Grain Concrete Stamp Mat from Amazon.

There are other ways you can customize your pour-and-stamp patio, too. Choose a concrete dye in a color that will complement your home — Chip opted for a pale coffee color to help increase the tropical terrace vibes. Once the deck has set and dried, finish it off with an anti-slip or waterproof sealant for a safer, more durable finish.