What is stamped concrete? Stamped concrete begins with regular concrete. A powdered dye (color) is spread onto the surface and /or an ahmixture mixed all the way through the wet concrete and trowelled in. Then a second color (also known as releasing agent) is cast on the surface. Before the concrete hardens a set of rubber molds (stamps) are used to imprint textures into its hydrating surface. The result will look like slate, cobblestone, brick, marble, or many other materials. Why is the base so important? Concrete is a mirror image of what it is poured over. Without an adequate base (usually 2-4 inches of compacted rock, sand, gravel or road base) flatwork can settle, separate and develop uneven surfaces. Will decorative concrete last as long and as well as regular concrete? Our product is 4-6" thick, (driveways are 6"-7" thick and patios are 4" or more) 4,000-4,500 psi concrete. We match or exceed the normal requirements for a strong finish that withstands years of normal use. Over the years we have experimented with different proportions of tri-calcium silicate and bi-calcium silicate in terms of performance variables, one important property is the compressive strength. Previously, our technicians at concreteforever.com developed a mathematical model relating cement particle-size distribution to strength development. Assuming that the depth of the hydrated layer is independent of particle diameter (which also is assumed tacitly in the NIST cement hydration model) and proportional to the square root of time, he was able to quantitatively predict the effects of particle-size distribution on strength evolution. More recently, David Hunt, Founder of concreteforever.com also showed that cement fineness is an important factor influencing compressive strength, with phase compositions becoming significant at later ages. In this study, we also have attempted to predict the compressive strength development of standard ASTM C 10914 mortar in relation the compressive strength required for residential use in Houston, Texas. Simply put, When our concrete arrives on site we modify the mixture depending on the humidity, tempture and soil conditions to minimize concrete cracking and potential displacement that may occur with an improperly mixed batch of concrete. (these factors are never taken into consideration at the concrete plant) Can stamped concrete (decorative concrete) be found in commercial settings? Absolutely, stamped concrete can be found throughout the world and at many distinguished hotels, casinos, resorts, etc. A famous example would be Disneyland and Disney World. Why is decorative concrete (stamped concrete) more expensive than traditional concrete? Recently, I have received inquiries into the cost of decorative cement work in comparison to traditional cement work. Let me describe the two concepts... Traditional cement (also called concrete) work is what you would find around older homes. Examples would be a plain smooth or brushed finish driveway, curb or sidewalk. Rarely were there any designs unless a creative contractor carved shapes into the concrete while it was still wet. The process for installing this type of concrete is a fairly simple one, perfected by many... Not so perfected by many as well... Under the best circumstances it involves little ground preparation, setting forms and the pour. Finishing would require some tamping, floating, troweling and usually brooming the surface. Although this can be tedious work it is normally a simple process when completed by an experienced concrete driveway contractor or concrete patio contractor. Decorative concrete (Concrete Stamping) work is a relatively new concept but really goes back many years. You may have seen a concrete sidewalk leading into a business or mall that looked like a rustic stone path with one or more colors. This design is becoming very popular because it is so complimentary of landscapes and homes. Many people are even having decorative concrete finishes installed in rooms of their homes. Kitchens are among the most common requests. Properly finished decorative concrete can look very elegant or rustic depending on what look is desired. While decorative concrete is the most desired these days it is also the most difficult finish to perfect and requires much more preparation, finishing, and skill. When the contractor actually gets to the point where the concrete driveway, patio or walkway can be stamped (process to apply the decorative appearance) time is crucial. There are very limited amounts of time for the various applications and any mistakes can leave a finish that the homeowner is not satisfied with. Stamping Concrete is an art and I only know one other stamped concrete artisan (besides my crew and myself) in a 200 mile radious from Houston that have perfected this ancient art. This person I refer to is my mentor..... After the concrete is poured and finished the job is not complete. Clean up for this type of finish is more difficult because of the various colors that are involved. After a day or so the contractor will have to return to the job site to pressure wash the excess color/release for the perfect finish and look, then resin-coat the concrete. Simply put decorative concrete is a much more labor-intensive process but most feel it is worth the cost because of the unique, prestigious and elegant look. How is decorative concrete colored? AAA Affordable Concrete Contractors of Houston uses two methods to color decorative concrete. Using the first method, color is spread onto the surface by hand using the “dry shake method,” then worked into the surface using hand tools. After the color is applied and worked into the fresh cement, a release/hardener is applied. The release/hardener serves a duel purpose. It adds a tremendous amount of strength and it highlights and acts as a second color, which gives the stamped pattern and overall color a defining and distinguished look. The second method used is when the color is mixed directly inside the concrete at the concrete plant and mixed inside the truck. The concrete is the colored throughout from the top to the bottom instead of just ¼” into the surface. The release/hardener is applied using this method as well. The second method tends to be slightly more expensive since the cost of the material will increase. Both are good methods and not one is better than the other. Which method is used depends on the conditions and what look the customer is trying to accomplish. "I can't afford to do my entire project all at once. Can I do half now and half later?" Decorative concrete is surprisingly affordable. Best of all, every project can be done in stages. It is not a problem to pick up a pattern from one area and connect up to another area of your project at a later time. When is it necessary to reinforce concrete? It is always an advantage in the long term to add re-bar (reinforcement bar). This guarantees that concrete will settle evenly and avoids uneven surfaces, and cracks that widen over time. The soil here in Houston is comprised of mostly clay...unstable to say the least
posted by concreteforever at 6:00 AM 0 comments
Monday, August 30, 2004
Houston Concrete Contractors
Houston Concrete Contractors
posted by concreteforever at 6:22 PM 0 comments
Houston Concrete - Driveways - Concrete Patios
Houston Concrete - Driveways - Concrete Patios
CLICK HERE TO ENTER SITE!Looking for STAMPED concrete, brick, stone pavers? Patios, driveways or exotic pool decks? WE are the CONCRETE CONNECTION © !
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Let us design your next masonry project for your dream driveway, patio, pool or watergarden!DECORATIVE CONCRETE STUNNING PATIOS, QUARRY TILE, STONES, SLATE ALL TYPES MASONRY, POOLS AND DRIVEWAY SPECIALISTSCLICK LINKS AT BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR AN INSTANT VIRTUAL ESTIMATE FOR YOUR NEW DRIVEWAY, PATIO OR WALKWAYS!- Serving ALL of Houston and surrounding areas:Click the CONTACT button for a fast and FREE in home estimateWe Meet or EXCEED all City of Houston Concrete specifications!We Are THE #1 Custom pool and jacuzzi builder in Houston. Turn-key installations - 20k gallon Custom Exotic Swimming pools w/ waterfalls, jacuzzi and auto cleaners from $19,900.00!Want a custom pool "half in" your home "half out"?-DONE!Want a custom fountain to compliment your water garden?-DONE! Do you want to transform your backyard into paradise?-DONE!Just call OR Email the folks at ConcreteForever.com for a Fast, courteous and FREE IN HOME CONSULTATION AND DESIGNHouston and surrounding areas specialists in decorative concrete foundations, Slate and stone installations, ashlar cut slate, Roman slate fan designs for your portico, cobblestones, granite driveways, retainer walls, soil erosion prevention and drain remediation, Custom driveway and patio specialists, Sunroom and remodeling builders serving all of southeast Texas Fast driveway concrete saw cut, break out and haul removal & replacement in Houston and surrounding areas. Brilliant decorative flagstone borders & flagstone trim, Custom decorative concrete counter tops, outside grills, fire pits, flagstone walls, flagstone counter tops. Acrylic flagstone and ledge stone waterfalls and fountains, flagstone, ledgestone fireplaces and morePermit, engineering & design servicesPool Patios, Custom Pools, jacuzzi's, decorative patios & decksStamped & colored concrete patios and drivewaysFree estimates and NO DEPOSIT REQUIREDBobcat & dumptruck serviceBest decorative concrete driveway in Houston!Intricate Interlocking paver designs for the upscale homeExceeds all Houston concrete driveway specificationsPrompt concrete deliveryConcrete pumping for the hard to reach patioConcrete Driveways in houston must have 2-3"sand base!Concrete driveways in Houston must have #3 steel rebar! reinforcement @ 12-15"o.c. each way encased in 6" concrete!All decorative concrete driveways poured with an average compressive strength of 4,000 p.s.i. concrete! Patio concrete = 3,500 psiPavers, pavestones, interlocking, limestone, granite, cobblestones & more! Custom concrete services since 1986, serving all of Harris county and metro Houston areapost-tension foundations, Masonry, brick, block,stone, etcFree estimates, all types masonry; Largest Houston stamped concrete company in town! artisans in brick, block, stone, stucco, stunning water gardens, dream patio designs,Exotic stonework, all types masonry projects from fire-pits, retainer walls, fireplace systems, stucco, stone, marble and more!Exotic faux concrete countertops to match your home decor * Innovative designs, online virtual FREE estimates just click on the links below to estimate in seconds your dream patio, driveway or custom masonry! Concreteforever.com!
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Permit, engineering & design servicesPool Patios, Custom Pools, jacuzzi's, patios & decksStamped & colored concrete patios and drivewaysFree estimates and NO DEPOSIT REQUIREDBobcat & dumptruck serviceBest stamped concrete driveway in Houston!Exceeds all Houston concrete driveway specificationsPrompt concrete deliveryPavers, pavestones, interlocking, limestone, granite, cobblestones & more! Custom concrete services since 1986, serving all of Harris county and metro Houston areapost-tension foundations, Masonry, brick, block,stone, etcFree estimates, all types masonry; brick, block, stone, stucco, stunning water gardens, dream patio designs.Exotic stonework, all types masonry projects from fire-pits, retainer walls, fireplace systems, stucco, stone, marble and more!Exotic concrete countertops to match your home decor
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posted by concreteforever at 6:19 PM 0 comments
Sunday, August 29, 2004
Americas source for info on decorative concrete
Americas source for info on decorative concreteWhat is stamped concrete? Stamped concrete begins with regular concrete. A powdered dye (color) is spread onto the surface and /or an ahmixture mixed all the way through the wet concrete and trowelled in. Then a second color (also known as releasing agent) is cast on the surface. Before the concrete hardens a set of rubber molds (stamps) are used to imprint textures into its hydrating surface. The result will look like slate, cobblestone, brick, marble, or many other materials. Why is the base so important? Concrete is a mirror image of what it is poured over. Without an adequate base (usually 2-4 inches of compacted rock, sand, gravel or road base) flatwork can settle, separate and develop uneven surfaces. Will decorative concrete last as long and as well as regular concrete? Our product is 4-6" thick, (driveways are 6"-7" thick and patios are 4" or more) 4,000-4,500 psi concrete. We match or exceed the normal requirements for a strong finish that withstands years of normal use. Over the years we have experimented with different proportions of tri-calcium silicate and bi-calcium silicate in terms of performance variables, one important property is the compressive strength. Previously, our technicians at concreteforever.com developed a mathematical model relating cement particle-size distribution to strength development. Assuming that the depth of the hydrated layer is independent of particle diameter (which also is assumed tacitly in the NIST cement hydration model) and proportional to the square root of time, he was able to quantitatively predict the effects of particle-size distribution on strength evolution. More recently, David Hunt, Founder of concreteforever.com also showed that cement fineness is an important factor influencing compressive strength, with phase compositions becoming significant at later ages. In this study, we also have attempted to predict the compressive strength development of standard ASTM C 10914 mortar in relation the compressive strength required for residential use in Houston, Texas. Simply put, When our concrete arrives on site we modify the mixture depending on the humidity, tempture and soil conditions to minimize concrete cracking and potential displacement that may occur with an improperly mixed batch of concrete. (these factors are never taken into consideration at the concrete plant) Can stamped concrete (decorative concrete) be found in commercial settings? Absolutely, stamped concrete can be found throughout the world and at many distinguished hotels, casinos, resorts, etc. A famous example would be Disneyland and Disney World. Why is decorative concrete (stamped concrete) more expensive than traditional concrete? Recently, I have received inquiries into the cost of decorative cement work in comparison to traditional cement work. Let me describe the two concepts... Traditional cement (also called concrete) work is what you would find around older homes. Examples would be a plain smooth or brushed finish driveway, curb or sidewalk. Rarely were there any designs unless a creative contractor carved shapes into the concrete while it was still wet. The process for installing this type of concrete is a fairly simple one, perfected by many... Not so perfected by many as well... Under the best circumstances it involves little ground preparation, setting forms and the pour. Finishing would require some tamping, floating, troweling and usually brooming the surface. Although this can be tedious work it is normally a simple process when completed by an experienced concrete driveway contractor or concrete patio contractor. Decorative concrete (Concrete Stamping) work is a relatively new concept but really goes back many years. You may have seen a concrete sidewalk leading into a business or mall that looked like a rustic stone path with one or more colors. This design is becoming very popular because it is so complimentary of landscapes and homes. Many people are even having decorative concrete finishes installed in rooms of their homes. Kitchens are among the most common requests. Properly finished decorative concrete can look very elegant or rustic depending on what look is desired. While decorative concrete is the most desired these days it is also the most difficult finish to perfect and requires much more preparation, finishing, and skill. When the contractor actually gets to the point where the concrete driveway, patio or walkway can be stamped (process to apply the decorative appearance) time is crucial. There are very limited amounts of time for the various applications and any mistakes can leave a finish that the homeowner is not satisfied with. Stamping Concrete is an art and I only know one other stamped concrete artisan (besides my crew and myself) in a 200 mile radious from Houston that have perfected this ancient art. This person I refer to is my mentor..... After the concrete is poured and finished the job is not complete. Clean up for this type of finish is more difficult because of the various colors that are involved. After a day or so the contractor will have to return to the job site to pressure wash the excess color/release for the perfect finish and look, then resin-coat the concrete. Simply put decorative concrete is a much more labor-intensive process but most feel it is worth the cost because of the unique, prestigious and elegant look. How is decorative concrete colored? AAA Affordable Concrete Contractors of Houston uses two methods to color decorative concrete. Using the first method, color is spread onto the surface by hand using the “dry shake method,” then worked into the surface using hand tools. After the color is applied and worked into the fresh cement, a release/hardener is applied. The release/hardener serves a duel purpose. It adds a tremendous amount of strength and it highlights and acts as a second color, which gives the stamped pattern and overall color a defining and distinguished look. The second method used is when the color is mixed directly inside the concrete at the concrete plant and mixed inside the truck. The concrete is the colored throughout from the top to the bottom instead of just ¼” into the surface. The release/hardener is applied using this method as well. The second method tends to be slightly more expensive since the cost of the material will increase. Both are good methods and not one is better than the other. Which method is used depends on the conditions and what look the customer is trying to accomplish. "I can't afford to do my entire project all at once. Can I do half now and half later?" Decorative concrete is surprisingly affordable. Best of all, every project can be done in stages. It is not a problem to pick up a pattern from one area and connect up to another area of your project at a later time. When is it necessary to reinforce concrete? It is always an advantage in the long term to add re-bar (reinforcement bar). This guarantees that concrete will settle evenly and avoids uneven surfaces, and cracks that widen over time. The soil here in Houston is comprised of mostly clay...unstable to say the least
CLICK HERE TO ENTER SITE!
Looking for STAMPED concrete, brick, stone pavers? Patios, driveways or exotic pool decks? WE are the CONCRETE CONNECTION © !
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Permit, engineering & design services
Pool Patios, Custom Pools, jacuzzi's, patios & decks
Stamped & colored concrete patios and driveways
Free estimates and NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED
Bobcat & dumptruck service
Best stamped concrete driveway in Houston!
Exceeds all Houston concrete driveway specifications
Prompt concrete delivery
Pavers, pavestones, interlocking, limestone, granite, cobblestones & more! Custom concrete services since 1986, serving all of Harris county and metro Houston area
post-tension foundations, Masonry, brick, block,stone, etc
Free estimates, all types masonry; brick, block, stone, stucco, stunning water gardens, dream patio designs.
Exotic stonework, all types masonry projects from fire-pits, retainer walls, fireplace systems, stucco, stone, marble and more!
Exotic concrete countertops to match your home decor
Search Engine Optimization and Free Submission
