Concrete Houston, Stamped Concrete, Patio Houston

Concrete Houston, Stamped Concrete, Patio Houston

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What is stamped concrete? Stamped concrete begins with regular concrete. A powdered dye (color) is spread onto the surface of the wet concrete and trowelled in. Then a second color (also known as release) is cast on the surface. Before the concrete hardens a set of rubber molds (stamps) are used to imprint textures into its wet 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, 3500-4500 psi concrete. We match or exceed the normal requirements for a strong finish that withstands years of normal use.

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 described 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 wet. The process for installing this type of concrete is a fairly simple one, perfected by many.

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 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 skills.

When the contractor actually gets to the point where the concrete 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.

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 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, shale mixed with various sediments making our soil some of the most unstable soil in the world. Re-bar is costly but just consider it insurance for your dream project. However, re-bar or fiber reinforcement is not always necessary on every type of project and you should discuss the necessity with your contractor.

What kind of finishes are available? The most common concrete surfaces are broomed concrete, exposed aggregate, stamped concrete and hard-trowel. Broomed concrete is most commonly used for city sidewalks and approaches. Exposed aggregate concrete is created when a cement surface is washed off with water after initial set. Advantage: its pretty. Disadvantage: the concrete has been aged 20-30 years immediately. Stamped concrete imitates natural surfaces such as stone, brick, slate, etc (see below). Hard-trowel concrete is generally used for garage floors and indoor surfaces. It has a smooth, shiny finish.

Is there any chance that my concrete might crack? Concrete, by nature, will crack. However, certain preventive measures can be taken to highly reduce the likelihood. The AAA Affordable Concrete Contractors of Houston installations have achieved a level of crack prevention exceeding almost all others in the industry. Numerous measures are taken to highly reduce cracking. Unlike most of our competitors, AAA Affordable Concrete Contractors of Houston uses wire mesh steel, fiber or rebar reinforcement and polypropylene fiber mesh in nearly all of our decorative installations.

Control joints, named control because they “control” where the crack will occur, are also utilized. These, along with a few other “family secrets” very significantly lower the probability of a crack occurring.

Do all decorative concrete contractors use the same installation methods? Absolutely not. After extensive experimentation and testing, AAA Affordable Concrete Contractors of Houston uses a unique concrete mix designed specifically for decorative concrete in this area. (We also mix in some of our chemical X ..ssshhhhh it's a secret!) The unique concrete mix is much more conducive toward the special needs of decorative concrete than that of a normal everyday mix. Additionally, there are certain installation techniques, which are performed exclusively by the folks at AAA Affordable Concrete Contractors of Houston that dramatically enhance the quality of the decorative concrete.

Should I spray water on the freshly dried cement to keep it cool in hot conditions? No, this was a practice used for many years. What the seasoned artisans at AAA Affordable Concrete Contractors of Houston has found is that frequent wetting of the freshly dried cement causes the cement to become hot then cold, resulting in expanding and contracting. This reaction is not good for the cement and may cause it to crack and weaken. Additionally, applying water too early can wash out color on your decorative concrete.

Will my decorative concrete look the same as the picture or what is shown on the web page? No. No two jobs are exactly the same. Looks vary depending on the ground base, temperature, moisture, mix, brand or color, etc. The folks at AAA Affordable Concrete Contractors of Houston can come very close to matching your existing surface, but no two jobs will ever be exact.

How expensive is decorative concrete? Remarkably, decorative concrete is relatively inexpensive. It’s usually less then pavers, wood decks or flagstone. Decorative concrete can range between $5-8 per square foot. Final estimates will vary depending on site conditions, complexity of the job and total square footage installed. AAA Affordable Concrete Contractors of Houston provides free estimates and will be have to give you a final price quote.

Does decorative concrete fade? Once sealer is applied to your decorative concrete it will take on a clear and shiny look. However, if sealer is applied, you should be aware that over time, the shiny look will fade.

Cleaning and sealing stamped and colored concrete should be done on a regular basis just like any other home maintenance. The frequency will depend on how high a traffic area to cars, foot traffic, water, and any chemicals the concrete is exposed to. The folks at ConcreteForever.com recommends resealing every 2 or 3 years. If you wait longer, you may notice the color fade slightly. But just like waxing a car, reseal your stamped concrete and the color will be as vibrant as the day it was installed.

"Do I have to seal my stamped concrete?" Answer: We use a special formulated Color wax that enhances the color characteristics and we apply it after the job is complete, we recommend a fresh coat every 36 months or 3,000 miles...some folks like the natural look?

Why should I have decorative concrete at my new house? Good question!

“Decorative concrete is the future of concrete." You most likely will not choose outdated carpet, tile or cabinets in your new home. The concrete around your home is no different. Simple natural gray concrete is out. Vibrant colors - stone patterns are in. The best part being that decorative concrete is timeless, yet extremely affordable.”

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