Patio renovation question your opinion please

[Flyfish1]

Opinions wanted: We are renovating this sunken patio. Replacing the pavers, the lights, and the bamboo covering the walls. It is faded and not good looking.
On the walls were are considering an artificial stone product like Genstone or going with shiplap or tongue and groove cedar. I'm leaning towards the cedar in part because I'm a wood guy and insects don't like it. There will be a small dead space behind whatever we install as there is now and I don't want to create a nice nesting spot for bugs. If I used cedar would it look better in a vertical placement or horizontal like siding? Of course, my wife like the Genstone approach. Other ideas are welcome. Thx.

 

[Ronstar]

I would go vertical. Horizontal would have seams that may become ugly over time. But I would seal the bottom ends of the boards with epoxy to avoid water wicking up into the cedar.

 

[Surewhitey]

I personally like the pavers you have. A good power washing and you could stain it if you want a fresh, different look.

+1 on vertical cedar and the sealing of the bottom is a great call. I wonder what the bamboo looks like if stained too...

 

[Aerides]

I'd go with stone walls that match the new pavers, or as close as possible. It's hard to tell otherwise, as your floor is going to change, so the walls should coordinate with it.

That's what I'd do anyway, so that the floor and walls are all the same.

 

[engineernerd]

If you choose the Genstone would there still be a small dead space behind it, and if so why?

Assuming the wall itself is concrete and not prone to rotting away like wood, and that the Genstone can be installed without the use of any wood, I vote for that.

I think the cedar would look nicer vertical than horizontal, but in that orientation there would be cut ends at the bottom, which is bad from a rot point of view. Our house has vertical cedar shiplap siding and the only section along the bottom that gets wet regularly (the rest is protected by large roof overhangs) is punky even though I re-stain that part at least twice as often as the rest of the house.

One other observation about wood products these days: quality has gone down a lot. We re-sided the south side of the house a few years ago (had both sun-caused weathering and some rot at the bottom), and our installer complained about how bowed and twisted a lot of the new siding pieces were.

 

[djsander]

The smart answer is go with what the wife wants.

 

[pb4uski]

What is the structure behind the bamboo? Stone or poured concrete? Wood framing?

If stone or poured concrete then I would go with stone facing on the walls since it lasts longer and is less maintenance than cedar. If you do go with cedar then I would prefer vertical like the bamboo is oriented rather than horizontal and go with tongue and groove with multiple coats of protectant like Thompson's Water Seal or similar product.

 

[2HOTinPHX]

Have you considered something like Hardie cement products? Seems like you could get a wood look without the real wood maintenance and issues. Less flammable issues the better IMO.
I would leave the pavers unless they are failing.

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[Flyfish1]

So, the walls are poured concrete, then the prior owner put pressure treated 2x6 wood horizontally and it looks like he sprayed it or painted it black with some sealant. Seems super solid as I took some of the bamboo off to check it out. The 2x6's are not butted up horizontally leaving a gap. Now I could certainly add more 2x6 pressure treated to close most of that gap. More work..

I forgot about Hardie - thanks I'll take a look. I am finishing an outdoor shower adjacent to the patio with 2 walls of Genstone, it looks nice and the wife wants to keep the look going. I'm pushing back....lol

 

[COcheesehead]

There’s a lot of “hardness “ and monochromatic colors in that setting. I would lay something like Trex down to soften the floor, elevate it off the pavers. I would also stucco the walls in a contrasting color and brighten the whole space up.

 

[Flyfish1]

Agreed on the lighter colors - I have nothing against the "Coastal Grey" concept , but it needs something lighter. The house has a lot of that Nantuckety look going on inside and outside.
I hadn't considered stucco - would take a bit of work considering the existing 2x6's behind the bamboo - but could be done.

 

[YellowSubmarine]

Opinions wanted: We are renovating this sunken patio. Replacing the pavers, the lights, and the bamboo covering the walls. It is faded and not good looking.
On the walls were are considering an artificial stone product like Genstone or going with shiplap or tongue and groove cedar. I'm leaning towards the cedar in part because I'm a wood guy and insects don't like it. There will be a small dead space behind whatever we install as there is now and I don't want to create a nice nesting spot for bugs. If I used cedar would it look better in a vertical placement or horizontal like siding? Of course, my wife like the Genstone approach. Other ideas are welcome. Thx.
View attachment 55527

I would spend the $200 or so and power wash the whole area; then sit back and consider. What you got is decent.

 

[street]

There is a home where I helped an elderly lady when I first retired. The area is very much like yours except everything stair stepped out.
From that corner there was actually steps leading out to that upper level. The other sides had two flat benches with low growing plants. A row of pavers then a couple feet of flat ground with greenery than another row of pavers and greenery. Maybe you get that picture.
Then to the top level and it was very nice and appealing. Good luck in your decision.

 

[COcheesehead]

Agreed on the lighter colors - I have nothing against the "Coastal Grey" concept , but it needs something lighter. The house has a lot of that Nantuckety look going on inside and outside.
I hadn't considered stucco - would take a bit of work considering the existing 2x6's behind the bamboo - but could be done.

I have a number of stucco walls including our patio. We have down lights embedded in them. They contrast to the rest of the patio. Very durable.

 

[pacergal]

I agree, the pavers look like they are in good condition, unless there are irregular spots we can't see.
Would you consider a good power wash and stain the pavers?
I would continue the Gemstone if that is what you have started nearby. But if you choose cedar, then vertical.

 

[pb4uski]

Agreed on the lighter colors - I have nothing against the "Coastal Grey" concept , but it needs something lighter. The house has a lot of that Nantuckety look going on inside and outside.
I hadn't considered stucco - would take a bit of work considering the existing 2x6's behind the bamboo - but could be done.

Could you strip off the bamboo and fasten cement board to the framing and then stucco over the cement board? Or then attach tile or stone facing to the cement board?

 

[LTSTRYAGIN]

Well you got a lot of good suggestions
have to chime in cause was in the patio business for a bit
If you doing yourself
I am all about maintenance free but also a wood guy especially if that's the vibe of house and yard
My 2 cents vertical cedar ,raise off pavers 1 " allow moisture to drain out of wood (not seal endgrain)
Seal cedar with HIGHEST QUALITY OIL BASE STAIN repeat for 2-3 times first couple years
I would install cedar like community fence for seams remove 2x6 so you keep good overhang edge from top cap of wall
down lights easily installed would be cool
It will look great !!!
power wash pavers again good sealer
sorry not keeping it short hope it helps appreciatte you guys
Lastly only if you GET her buy in ,otherwise follow hers

 

[stevenr]

Have you considered transforming the walls with board formed concrete? Ours was new construction, but it has become one of our favorite features. It has a fountain at the end too, so it is bird central.

 

[DrRoy]

I agree that vertical cedar would look good. Be aware that it will not be as low maintenance as a stone product.

 

[indiajust]

I prefer living barriers. My go to fix is monkeygrass. It can stabilize 2 feet easily. I have buried open grid concrete and planted stuff like moss and similar that grew out laterally. Living barriers never wear out, never require repair. Much easier to change. You just need to manage water.

 

[wrigley]

Do what your wife likes!