Stamped concrete in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh
Squirrel Hill's sloped lots shape what's possible here. Many backyards step up or down from the house, so a stamped patio is often really a terrace, with a wall on one side and a stair on the other.
Homes and yards in Squirrel Hill
- Terraced rear yards
- Stone and block retaining walls
- Long flights of front steps
- Homes from the 1920s and 30s
Areas we cover in Squirrel Hill
We stamp, seal and restore concrete across Squirrel Hill, including these areas.
- Squirrel Hill North
- Squirrel Hill South
- Murray Avenue area
- Forbes Avenue area
- Streets near Frick Park
Building a patio on a slope
A level patio on a hill needs one of two things. You can cut into the slope and put a wall behind the slab, or you can fill and build a wall in front. Cutting is usually better, as new fill needs a lot of compaction, or the slab will settle. Water will also collect at the foot of a cut, so plan for a drain along the back of the wall. Our guide to building a concrete patio explains these basics.
Long flights of steps are common here too. Stamping them is slow, and textured treads matter in winter.
Older retaining walls deserve a close look before you build next to them. A slab poured against a leaning wall can be pushed out of level. Taller walls may also need an engineer and a permit. Access is usually tight, with narrow drives, so concrete often has to be pumped over a house or down a side path. Pick a texture with some bite on anything sloped, and go easy on gloss sealer. If you're near the park, tree shade will keep the slab damp, so choose a color that hides green growth.
Stamped concrete work in Squirrel Hill
These are common stamped concrete jobs in Squirrel Hill.
Getting a quote in Squirrel Hill
Tell us how a concrete truck or pump can reach the yard, and we will bring samples to look at against your house.
Before we visit, read our guide to building a concrete patio.
Stamped concrete questions from Squirrel Hill
Can stamped concrete go on a sloped Squirrel Hill yard?
Yes, once the slope is dealt with. Cutting into the hill with a wall behind the slab is usually better than filling, since new fill needs heavy compaction or the slab will settle, and a drain along the back of the wall handles the water.
How much concrete for a 20x20 slab?
At 4 inches, about 5 cubic yards, plus a little extra for a sloped Squirrel Hill yard.