It's a great time to look back at how your backyard patio handled the months of sun and fun.

• Is the concrete stained or cracked?
• Is this the end of patio furniture that is sun damaged and worn?
• Is it time to put the patio down until next summer?

There are many ways you can transform your patio into a spot that is perfect for hosting extraordinary weather events throughout the fall and winter.

Start with an indestructible, durable floor.

A gray cement patio can become a rustic-looking cobblestone or flagstone with a custom-colored decorative finish. With realistic reclaimed or wide plank wood designs, a stamped concrete hardwood pattern can create a rustic and country atmosphere in your outdoor spaces. You can use decorative concrete finishes, such as stamped concrete, stained concrete, or hand-cut designs, to cover cracks, stains, and imperfections in your slab. You have a variety of colors to choose from, such as simple concrete stains or restorative overlays. Your patio will surely last for years and is resistant to weather changes.

Sit walls allow for accessible seating.

To make your patio more inviting, seat walls can be added to enhance the seating capacity or add dimension to open spaces. You can make your patio more intimate by encasing a portion or all of it with seat walls. This will create an inviting space and add style and texture. Whether you want to crowd your patio with furniture or bring in folding chairs, you can add beauty and function year-round to your patio by installing a permanent seating option. Faux stone seat walls can be used in conjunction with rock fireplaces or fire pits. This creates functional seating and serves as a serving area. All-weather cushions available in fall colors such as pumpkin, rust brown, dusky and brown can brighten the patio and provide protection against the cold.

It's best to replace an old fireplace with something new.

In cooler temperatures, a warm fire can bring people together. Outdoor fireplaces are popular hangouts when it is cold outside. Vertical concrete resurfacing can transform an outdoor fireplace, barbeque, or pizza oven that is past its prime with faux stone finishes such as Mountain Drystack (hand-scored limestone), flagstone, and many more. A vertical concrete resurfacing system can be applied to brick, plaster, concrete, wood, and other materials. This gives a fireplace that has been suffering a lot a new look with the authentic look of stone, rock, or wood. You will only be able to show your guests the new beauty of this fireplace. You can double the fireplace as a barbeque. The fireplace can be used to grill hot dogs, chicken kabobs, and burgers. Also, you can pop popcorn while leaving the mess outside.