Concrete patios and sidewalks in Cheyenne
Back patios, front walks and side paths that drain away from the house and stand up to the winter.
Concrete patios and sidewalks are flatwork slabs like a driveway, just thinner and built for foot traffic. If you're in Cheyenne or Laramie County and want a new patio, a front walk, a path to the back gate or a replacement for a cracked public sidewalk, we connect you with an independent concrete contractor who does residential flatwork.
Patios: drainage first
A patio should slope away from the house so snowmelt and rain don't run toward the foundation. If the yard slopes toward the house, the contractor may need to regrade or add drainage before forming. Patios beside the house also benefit from an isolation joint at the foundation so the slab can move without cracking against it.
Walks and side paths
Front walks and side paths take shovels and deicers all winter. The Concrete in Practice sheet on scaling recommends air-entrained concrete in severe freeze-thaw exposures and advises against calcium or sodium chloride deicers in the first year. Broom finishes give better grip than smooth or sealed finishes on walks that ice up.
Public sidewalks
Sidewalks in the public right-of-way are covered by the City of Cheyenne's right-of-way encroachment permit and must meet the City and Board of Public Utilities construction specifications and standard drawings. The city's contractor rules list sidewalks, driveways, curb cuts, and curb and gutter under the concrete flatwork license, so this work generally requires a contractor with that city license.
Wind and patios
A patio is only pleasant if you can sit on it. In a city where wind averages close to 13 mph, many homeowners put patios on the east or south side of the house, out of the prevailing westerlies, or plan a fence or wall for shelter. Wind also matters on pour day, when it can dry the surface too fast; ask how the contractor protects the slab.
Ideas worth adding
- A larger patio pad for a grill and seating area
- Stamped or colored borders (see stamped and decorative concrete)
- Conduit under the slab for future lighting
- A wider walk or a landing at the front door
What drives the cost?
- Area, thickness and excavation
- Removal of an old slab, pavers or sod
- Steps, landings and edges
- Finish and color
- Right-of-way permit work for public sidewalks
Areas we cover
Common questions
Do I need a permit to replace the public sidewalk in front of my house?
Work in the City of Cheyenne right-of-way needs a right-of-way encroachment permit, and the work must follow city and Board of Public Utilities specifications.
Which direction should a patio slope?
Away from the house, so water drains toward the yard instead of the foundation.
What finish is best for a front walk?
A broom finish gives the best traction when wet or icy. Stamped or sealed finishes can be more slippery.
Related services
- New concrete driveways
- Driveway replacement
- Stamped and decorative concrete
- Driveway extensions and approaches
More background: Cheyenne concrete driveway guide.
Driveway cracked, scaling or too small?
Call and we will connect you with an independent concrete contractor in the Cheyenne area.