We have been using the old garage slab as a patio for quite a while now, with it's huge cracks, paint, tar, and glue spills, and patches of astroturf. Its ugly, but it is well positioned on the property: not too near any neighbor, nice view, and convenient to the door. But it was also hot hot hot -- too much direct sun, and the slab radiated heat long into the evening, making it uncomfortably warm even then.
Fortuitiously, Leigh's parents did some work on their house, and decided to replace their aging arbor. Its about 20 years old, and all redwood. We dismantled it, replaced a few pieces, then reassembled it over our patio, which we now love. Redwood is truly awesome stuff....
