Concrete is a great material for patios and it can be used as a base for structures like sheds or hot tubs. The question is, how thick should it be? This all depends on what you are using it for and how much weight it needs to be able to hold. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know so you can get the right thickness.
Your concrete patio should be at least 4 inches thick at the very minimum, if you want to place a heavier structure such as a hot tub, swim spa, or a gazebo, you can pour a thicker slab at 6-8 inches or you can just reinforce your 4 inch slab. Reinforced concrete is much stronger and can handle extra weight from a structure.
There are a number of factors to consider before choosing a thickness of your concrete slab. The way it is built is very important, a 4 inch slab can be stronger than a 6-inch slab. Is it reinforced? Is there a slope in your yard? Does soil type matter? If you are seeking the best possible information about concrete thickness I recommend you watch this video by Texas Barndominiums before anything. Eric explains things in great details, here is the video:
What is Reinforced Concrete?
In simple terms, reinforced concrete is what we call concrete that is poured and another material is added to increase the strength of the concrete. We might add rebar, which are steel bars, these are inserted in the concrete and it essentially helps hold the concrete together to hold more weight and reduce the chances it cracks. Other materials can be used to reinforce concrete such as various fibers, wire mesh, and more.
Concrete poured without reinforced materials is simple called plain concrete. It can handle weight and last a long time, but plain concrete is always at a higher risk of cracking because it just doesn’t have the correct reinforcement it needs.
How Thick Should a Concrete Patio Be for a Hot Tub?
If you are installing a hot tub in your yard, you need a solid base for it to sit on without it causing damage. It can’t go straight on the grass because it will rot quickly and it will sink into the ground. A concrete patio is ideal for a hot tub, but getting the right thickness and strength is crucial. At the very least, your concrete patio should be reinforced and the most popular option would be to use rebar.
A concrete patio for a hot tub should be 4 to 6 inches thick of reinforced concrete. Simply add a rebar/wire mesh layer to ensure your hot tub will not crack the foundation. Thickness is important but choosing reinforced concrete is crucial.
You should also make the patio slightly sloped so water runs off. A slight slope of 1.5cm for each 3.5m is enough to stop water from pooling. If you make the concrete slab only slightly larger than the hot tub, you can hide it easily.
How Thick Should a Concrete Slab Be for a Shed?
A concrete slab will protect the base of your shed and stop moisture from the ground seeping into the bottom. It also gives it more stability. A shed isn’t as heavy as a hot tub, so your concrete slab doesnt need the same requirements if it is a lightweight shed. The type of soil makes a difference too. The shed is more likely to sink if you have soft clay so you need a slightly thicker base with 2 inches of hard core to support it, such as crushed stone.
A concrete slab for a shed should be 3 inches up to 4 inches thick. If your shed is plastic and/or lightweight you can get away with a 3-4 inch thick slab, if your shed is heavy and will include a lot of tools you should build a 4 inch reinforced concrete slab.
When placing the shed on the concrete slab, you should raise it slightly so it does not sit in water. The size of the slab needs to be right too. If it is too larger, water will deflect from the concrete and soak the bottom of the shed, causing it to decay faster. You need a small lip around the shed but only a few inches at most.
How Thick Should a Concrete Be for a Driveway?
A driveway needs to be robust enough to withstand the weight of a car. A vehicle is often heavier than a hot tub and a shed, so choopsing the correct thickness and concrete is very important or your concrete driveway will not last long.
To ensure your concrete lasts as a driveway or parking space it’s recommended to choose 4 to 8 inches of reinforced concrete. Smaller standard size vehicles can park on 4 inches of reinforced concrete but heavier vehicles require thicker reinforced concrete at 6 inches, while extremely heavy vehicles may require 8 inches of reinforced concrete.
Increasing the thickness and overall materials will also increase labor, you will pay much more for thicker reinforced concrete slabs but you also get what you pay for. Have a discussion with the contractor you plan to work with about prices and what your needs are.
How Much Weight Can a Concrete Patio Hold?
The weight that your concrete patio can hold depends on the thickness, if its reinforced, and any additions you make.
The strength of concrete varies and the weight it can hold can be calculated as pounds per square inch. The higher the psi, the more weight it can hold. A typical psi for concrete used on pavements or patio is usually around 4,000 to 5,000 but it can be lower. This psi can then be used to calculate how much weight a concrete patio of a certain thickness can hold.
For example, a typical 4 inch thick patio with a psi of 3,000 can hold around 9,000 pounds. If you have a stronger concrete slab with a psi of 5,000, the patio can hold around 12,500 pounds.
Reinforcing the patio with mesh or rebar will also increase the weight it can hold by around 50%. So, if you have a patio that is 10 inches thick with mesh reinforcement, it can hold around 22,500 pounds.
The weight limit of the patio always needs to be taken into account if you are putting a structure like a shed or a hot tub on it. Keep in mind that where you live changes how strong your concrete is. The soil beneath matters, the weather matters, and overall the concrete slabs surroundings matter as a number of things can cause damage to concrete.
Is a Concrete Patio Different than a Concrete Slab?
Yes, there is a difference between a concrete patio and a concrete slab. A concrete patio is an area that is filled with poured concrete. A concrete slab, on the other hand is a rectangular piece of concrete that is used to create a foundation or a floor. Slabs can be used to create patios or as a foundation for your shed or hot tubs. You can get slabs in different thicknesses depending on your needs.
Final Thoughts
Deciding on the right thickness for your concrete patio is about balancing strength with cost. There is no sense going for a thicker patio if you don’t need it, but if you are putting something like a hot tub on it, make sure that you have the right thickness.
Adding an extra inch or two won’t increase the cost by too much, but it does make a big difference to the strength of the patio, so it’s worth overestimating the thickness slightly to be safe.
Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. Jamie loves backyard projects, refinishing furniture, and enjoys sharing his knowledge online.