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Serving Somerville, MA and surrounding areas. (617) 634-5990
Plain gray concrete is not your only option. We install stamped, stained, and polished concrete surfaces built for Somerville's winters, properly sealed against road salt, and finished to make small outdoor spaces feel intentional.
Decorative concrete in Somerville is standard concrete that has been colored, textured, stamped, or polished to look like stone, brick, tile, or other materials — most residential patios and walkways take one to two days on-site, with foot traffic possible after 24 to 48 hours and the full surface ready for use within a week.
Somerville homeowners choose decorative concrete because the city has very little yard space per household, and a finished surface makes even a small patio or front stoop feel like it was designed, not just paved. The material is fundamentally the same durable concrete used everywhere, with the added advantage of looking far better for a fraction of the cost of natural stone or pavers.
If your project calls for a specific pattern pressed into the surface, our stamped concrete services page goes deeper on pattern options, color selection, and what to expect from that specific type of decorative work.
If your patio, walkway, or driveway has started to look rough and pitted after a few hard winters, the surface has taken freeze-thaw damage. In Somerville, this kind of wear is common on concrete that is more than 15 to 20 years old and has never been resealed. Decorative concrete with a proper sealer is a way to start fresh with a surface built to handle what New England winters deliver.
If your backyard or front stoop is a patchwork of old concrete, crumbling brick, and bare dirt, it is hard to enjoy the space, and it affects your home's curb appeal. Somerville homes sit close together and close to the street, so what your outdoor surfaces look like is very visible. A stamped or stained surface can pull the whole area together and make even a small space feel intentional.
Sections of walkway or stoop that have shifted, tilted, or cracked unevenly are not just eyesores. They are a liability, especially on steps and main entry paths. Replacing the surface with new decorative concrete gives you a level, safe walkway that also improves the look of your property.
Bare concrete floors absorb oil, grease, and moisture and are difficult to clean. A polished or stained concrete floor is sealed, which means spills wipe up easily and the surface does not shed dust. If you are finishing a basement or converting a garage in one of Somerville's older homes, this is one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make.
We install the three main types of decorative concrete: stamped concrete with pressed patterns and integral or release color, stained concrete using acid or water-based stains applied after curing, and polished concrete ground to a smooth, glossy finish. Each option looks different and suits different spaces. We walk you through the choices during the estimate visit based on where the surface will be, how much foot traffic it gets, and what aesthetic you are after.
Every decorative surface we install is sealed before we leave the job. In Somerville's climate, the sealer is not optional maintenance; it is the primary thing standing between your surface and premature cracking or color fade from road salt and freeze-thaw cycles. We use sealers rated for salt resistance and cold climates. For homeowners updating a structural landscape element at the same time, our concrete retaining walls service can be coordinated with a decorative flatwork project to reduce mobilization costs.
We handle permitting through Somerville's Inspectional Services Department for any project that requires it. You do not call the city, fill out a form, or chase down an inspector. When the project is complete, you have a permit file on record and a care guide in hand.
Suits patios, walkways, and driveway aprons where a decorative pattern and color are the priority.
Suits existing slabs in good structural condition that need a color upgrade without full replacement.
Suits basements, garages, and interior utility spaces where a smooth, easy-to-clean floor is needed.
Suits new flatwork where durability and salt resistance matter more than decorative finish.
Somerville sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b, where temperatures regularly swing from well below freezing in January to the high 80s in summer. Concrete expands and contracts with every one of those swings, and decorative surfaces that are not properly sealed or have thin coatings will crack and flake within a few winters. The American Concrete Institute identifies freeze-thaw deterioration as one of the leading causes of premature concrete failure in cold climates. When you are getting quotes, ask specifically how the contractor handles freeze-thaw protection; it is not optional here the way it might be in a warmer market.
Somerville streets are heavily salted every winter, and that salt migrates onto adjacent concrete surfaces within days. Chloride-based deicers are particularly damaging to colored and stamped concrete, accelerating surface flaking and bleaching color over time. We use salt-resistant sealers rated for this specific exposure and advise every customer on what to use and what to avoid on their own surface during winter maintenance.
Most homes here were built before 1950, and many lots are under 3,000 square feet with tight access between buildings. Small spaces are actually where decorative concrete makes the biggest visual impact. Whether you are in Somerville, Cambridge, or nearby Medford, we plan truck access during the estimate visit so there are no surprises on installation day.
We schedule a visit, usually within one to two business days of your call. We measure the space, check access for equipment, and walk you through pattern, color, and finish options before giving you a written quote. You will know exactly what is included before committing to anything.
If your project requires a permit, we apply through Somerville's Inspectional Services Department before work begins. Permit processing typically adds one to two weeks. We confirm your schedule and give you a clear start date once the permit is approved.
The crew sets up forms, pours the concrete, and applies the decorative finish, whether stamping, staining, or polishing. For stamped work, timing is critical: the pattern is pressed while the concrete is still workable, so the crew moves efficiently. Most residential projects finish in one to two days.
Foot traffic can resume after 24 to 48 hours. Once the surface has cured, we apply the sealer and do a final walkthrough with you. You receive care instructions in writing, including the resealing schedule and what to avoid during Somerville winters.
We reply within one business day, handle every permit, and give you a written estimate before any work begins. Spring slots go fast in Somerville.
(617) 634-5990We specify sealers rated for chloride resistance on every decorative project. That is not a standard practice in every market, but in Somerville, where streets get heavily salted from November through March, it is the difference between a surface that holds its color for a decade and one that starts fading after the first hard winter.
We pull permits through Somerville's Inspectional Services Department for every project that requires one. The permit protects you with a documented city inspection on record, which matters when you sell your home. You do not make a single call to the city.
We work across Somerville, Cambridge, Medford, and nine other Greater Boston communities. Tight lots, shared driveways, and narrow truck access are things we plan for on every job, not things that surprise us on installation day. Verify our license through the American Society of Concrete Contractors before you sign.
Our estimates break out demolition, permitting, materials, labor, and sealing separately. There is no lump sum that hides what you are actually paying for. If site conditions during demo reveal anything unexpected, we tell you in writing before adding a dollar to the number.
Good decorative concrete work looks the same five years after installation as it did on day one. We build that durability into every project with the right mix spec, the right sealer, and a care guide that tells you exactly how to maintain the surface through Somerville winters.
Add structural definition to a slope or grade change while matching the aesthetic of your decorative surfaces.
Learn moreFocus specifically on stamped patterns and colors for patios, walkways, and driveway aprons.
Learn moreSpring contractor schedules fill quickly. Contact us now and we will get your on-site visit on the calendar within one to two business days.