Calgary concrete

Calgary Concrete Tired of being let down by your regular guy? I want to be your finisher, I always do what I say and won't let you down.

Whatever the situation may be, old, spalding, heaved driveway, or you just need a patio and sidewalk, you want the best possible job. Not only does it have to be functional but it's an investment that should raise the curb appeal quotient of your house.

We are careful to never start a job that we can't finish. Which means, we will never rip up your driveway or start gravelling your patio, and then leave it for a month. When we start something we finish it. You have our attention. That being said, sometimes the Calgary weather has other ideas, so I constantly monitor the weather to avoid starting a job if it's calling for rain. Same g oes for thunder shower season, I am very careful and take very few risks with all jobs.

Calgary Concrete • HOW TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN STAMPED CONCRETE • Adding to the value of decorative stamped concrete is the material's inherent strength and endurance. Like conventional concrete, stamped concrete will provide decades of service when properly installed and maintained, even when exposed to harsh winter weather conditions.

• In some cases, stamped concrete can be even more durable than standard concrete, especially if a color hardener has been applied to the surface. The hardener does more than simply impart color. It also makes the surface stronger and more resistant to abrasion and water penetration. Most contractors will also apply several coats of protective sealer to stamped concrete to block the penetration of dirt, deicing chemicals, oil and grease stains, and other substances. A good-quality sealer not only makes the concrete easier to clean, it offers other benefits, such as enhancing the color and preventing fading from UV exposure. (See An Introduction to Sealers and Sealers for Stamped Concrete.)

• But even properly sealed stamped concrete will require some routine maintenance, depending on exposure conditions and the type and amount of traffic it receives. Here are tips for cleaning and treating your stamped concrete to preserve its beauty and extend its service life.

Stamped concrete maintenance tips: • Although a sealer will inhibit stains, you should still sweep and wash the surface occasionally to avoid dirt buildup. Exterior surfaces can be pressure washed or scrubbed with a mild detergent. For interior surfaces, wet mopping or dry dust mopping of the floor is typically the only routine upkeep needed. (See Choosing a Concrete Cleaner or Degreaser.)

• On outdoor stamped concrete, avoid using deicing salts, especially during the first winter after the pavement is installed. Sealers for decorative concrete often fail in areas where deicing salts are applied or that receive drip-off from parked cars. (Read The Effects of Deicing Salts on Sealer Performance.

• If the stamped surface begins to dull or lose its sheen after time, recoating with sealer will usually restore the luster. Ask the installer for recommendations of the best sealer to use.

• On stamped interior floors subject to lots of foot traffic, it’s especially important to maintain the sealed surface to prevent wear patterns. Application of a sacrificial floor wax or polish can provide extra protection by protecting the sealer from wear and serving as a shock absorber to scuffs, scratches and grime

DESIGN IDEAS FOR STAMPING CONCRETE • Behind-the-Scenes Info and Photos of Outrageous Concrete Creations • With the multitude of design options possible with stamped concrete, zeroing in on a specific pattern and color scheme can be quite a challenge, but well worth your time and effort. Remember, stamped concrete will last a long time and be a highly visible architectural element of your home or business, so it's important to choose a design that harmonizes with the setting and will still appeal to you 10 years from now and beyond (or to a potential buyer when you sell your property).

STAMPED CONCRETE PATIOS • A colored and stamped concrete patio is the perfect decorative "flooring" for outdoor entertaining areas, offering all the beauty of an indoor floor along with the superior durability and weather resistance of exterior concrete. More homeowners are also realizing that a stamped concrete patio can give them the high-end look of natural stone, but at a much lower price tag.

“We charge around $12 per square foot for stamped concrete, while pavers typically cost around $20 per square foot, and real flagstone or bluestone approaches $30,” says C.J. Salzano of Salzano Custom Concrete, Centreville, Va. What’s more, the money you save by installing a stamped concrete patio can be set aside for other enhancements to your outdoor space, such as a pergola or concrete fire pit.

• Stamped concrete patios give you a vast array of decorative options not possible with other patio materials. The patio can be poured in any shape or size to fit the space, and you can choose from many different stone and brick patterns and even wood-grained textures. Using stains, powdered pigments and antiquing agents, contractors can color your patio to look identical to natural stone or customize the color to complement your home and landscape. You can also set off your patio with a decorative border in a contrasting color and pattern.

FROM BARREN TO BEAUTIFUL: A STAMPED CONCRETE PATIO AND PERGOLA TRANSFORM A BORING BACKYARD •

The challenge

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When this home was newly constructed, the backyard was nothing but a colorless, flat expanse of dirt. On this barren canvas, the homeowners wanted to create an inviting outdoor space for entertaining, but had a limited budget to work with. They also wanted an unobstructed view of their backyard through the rear windows of the home.

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Design goals

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The overall design of the patio was a collaborative effort of the homeowners and Mark and Julie Hudecek of Hudecek Cement, a family owned and operated business specializing in residential decorative concrete. "The homeowner selected stamped concrete because it was more economical than pavers and could stretch their budget to include a pergola as well as a stone fireplace," says Julie. "The goals were to have two main, but separate, gathering areas. The pergola was set in a specific location off to the side so as not obstruct the view."

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Secrets to success

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The warm terra-cotta coloring of the concrete patio was achieved by using integrally colored concrete in a canvas shade and enhancing it with a dry-shake color hardener in a sun-baked clay hue. The surface was then stamped with texture skins in a Roman slate pattern. To preserve the color, the patio was seal ed with a silane acrylic.

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The fireplace was faced with cultured stone and features two nooks on either side for storing wood and a large hearth spacious enough to sit on. The same stone was used around the base of the pergola's columns to create continuity.

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"Many homeowners are asking for added structures, such as retaining walls, firepits, fireplaces and outdoor kitchens," says Julie. "Many of our clients will have their patio completed one year and have us come back the second year to add another feature."

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Material suppliers

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Dry-shake color hardener: Solomon Colors

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Concrete sealer: Surface 519

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Cultured stone: Southern Ledgestone, from Owens Corning

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Contractor

Calgary Concrete • Until wood decks became so trendy a decade or so ago, most patios were made of hard materials like concrete, brick or stone.

Today, many homeowners who installed those wood decks need to replace them because of rotting or warped wood, or because they are simply fed up with the hassle of staining and sealing them every few years. Patios made of concrete or concrete pavers are making a big comeback as homeowners now realize all the benefits they were missing out on by installing wood or wood composite decking. Here are some of the reasons why people are making the switch:

• Versatility • Thanks to the design versatility of concrete, your patio will never look just like your neighbor's. And with recent advances in coloring techniques and stamping tools, patios made of poured-in-place concrete are more versatile than ever before. Concrete is easily formed into any shape, allowing you to accommodate backyard space restrictions or incorporate attractive curves. With the use of stains and other coloring methods, you can also achieve just about any hue imaginable, whether you want to match the stone facade of your house or blend in with the natural landscape.

• You can also choose from a vast array of pattern and design options, including stamped patterns, stenciling, engraving, expos ed aggregate and more (see Concrete Patio Surfaces). While many concrete patios are designed to complement the outdoor landscape, some homeowners choose a concrete patio style that complements their indoor living space to create a surface that blends in seamlessly with the interior decor. Concrete can also be made to resemble other popular patio materials, including brick, natural stone and even wood.