At AAA Affordable Contractors our modified stamped concrete mix is comprised of 564 lbs of
pure portland cement per cubic yard, which translates into the highest strength concrete mix for
residential use in Texas.The concrete (or specifically, the cement in it) needs moisture to hydrate
and cure (harden). When concrete dries, it actually stops getting stronger. Concrete with too little
water may be dry but is not fully reacted. The properties of such a concrete would be less than that
of a wet concrete. The reaction of water with the cement in concrete is extremely important to its
properties and reactions may continue for many years.
How do you color the Concrete? Once we've perfected our custom mix, we then pour the
concrete, a powdered dye (color) is spread onto the surface and/or an admixture 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.
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 radius from Houston that have
perfected this ancient art. ( We trained at the same institute)
ConcreteForever.Com © - Houston - Texas Call Today-(713)696-9400
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AAA Affordable Contractors
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* CLICK LINKS AT BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR AN INSTANT VIRTUAL ESTIMATE FOR YOUR NEW DRIVEWAY, PATIO OR WALKWAYS!***
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We Meet or EXCEED all City of Houston Concrete specifications!
We Are THE #1 stamped concrete contractors for Custom pools, patios and jacuzzi in Houston. Why? Because we are the leaders in research and development of cutting edge scientific concrete applications. Few concrete contractors in North America utilize the science of air entraining admixtures, tri-calcium silicates and other scientific techniques that substantially and dramatically improve the durability, compressive strength and longevity of our "ConcreteForever" custom concrete mixtures that also conform to ACI-301-99, ASTM-C-94 and ACI 212.3R-91.
In Europe, many of these basic scientific principles have been used since 300 BC - 476 AD; Romans Used pozzolana cement from Pozzuoli, Italy near Mt. Vesuvius to build the Appian Way, Roman baths, the Coliseum and Pantheon in Rome, and the Pont du Gard aqueduct in south France. They used lime as a cementitious material. Pliny reported a mortar mixture of 1 part lime to 4 parts sand. Vitruvius reported a 2 parts pozzolana to 1 part lime. Animal fat, milk, and blood were used as admixtures (substances added to cement to increase the properties.) These structures still exist today! Serving the Houston and surrounding areas specialists in decorative concrete, Covered patios, Custom patio shades, pergola's, scrolled trellis, screen rooms, foundations, Screen rooms, concrete contractors, cement contractors, concrete contractors, concrete contractor, houston concrete contractors, trellis scrolled trellis and pergola, Slate and stone installations, ashlar cut slate, Roman slate fan designs for your portico, cobblestones, driveway paving, patio paving, paving, pave, exposed aggregate, exposed aggregate patios, exposed aggregate driveways, exposed aggregate designs, granite driveways, concrete patio designs, concrete driveway designs, stamped concrete designs, retainer walls, concrete resurfacing, soil erosion prevention and drain remediation, Custom driveway and patio specialists, concrete repair and replacement, We are a Christian owned business and dedicate this website to Our Lord, Jesus Christ, please click on the "are you ready" link below, Custom home builders in houston and remodeling builders serving all of southeast Texas. check out our home building website here HoustonHomeBuilding.com
Permit, engineering & design services
Pool Patios, Custom Pools, jacuzzi's, decorative patios & decks
Stamped & colored concrete patios and driveways
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Best decorative concrete driveway in Houston!
Intricate Interlocking paver designs for the upscale home
Exceeds all Houston concrete driveway specifications
Prompt concrete delivery, check out our great custom concrete prices, pricing custom concrete since 1986, stamped concrete prices given instantly. Affordable Concrete pumping for the hard to reach patio, pool or driveway. Contact us for our stamped concrete seminars and classes we teach nationwide.
Concrete 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!
the price of concrete, driveway, entrances, All houston concrete driveways, houston driveway and houston patio houston patios poured with an average compressive strength of 4,000 p.s.i. concrete! 564 lbs of pure portland cement per cubic yard is critical (six sack concrete)Patio concrete = 3,500 psi. Estimating the cost of a concrete slab, driveway or patio 4" thick (we recommend 6" thick) generally costs about $4.00 per square foot @4" thick and $4.52 per square foot @ 6" thick when you figure the cost of steel reinforcement, cement, forms and labor. Removal of concrete costs about $1.25 per square foot depending on the job size, Pavers, pavestones, interlocking, limestone, granite, houston concrete staining, acid staining acid stain, concrete engraving, cobblestones & more! Custom concrete services since 1986, serving all of Harris county and metro Houston area, Post-tension foundations, Pier and Beam concrete foundations, Masonry, brick, block,stone, Free estimates, all types masonry; Largest Houston stamped concrete company in town! artisans in brick, block, stone, concrete patio designs, concrete driveway designs, stamped concrete designs, Patio contractors, patio contractor, patio construction, patio builders, patio building information, houston redi-mix, houston ready mix concrete, ready mix concrete houston, houston ready mix concrete, concrete delivery, concrete pumping, stucco, water gardens, patio designs, flagstone patios, stonework, all types masonry projects from fire-pits, pattern concrete, pattern cement, patterned colored cement, hardscape architects, hardscape design, patterned concrete,
* Innovative concrete designs The price of concrete or the price of stamped concrete is much less than you may think when compaTips for Good Looks
Disguise the stalls. Pavers hidden in the grass can mask a parking spot as lawn, or you can plant special-made concrete forms or screens that allow grass to grow through them. This allows you to drive on the grass without killing it or compacting the soil.
Change the materials. Shop for interesting paving options. You can stain concrete or asphalt almost any hue. You can choose pavers in various colors and in rectangles, hexagons, scallops, and even freeform shapes. You can place a ribbon of bricks through the asphalt, as shown above, or edge the driveway with a contrasting element.
Screen cars. Build low fencing or place plants so they cloak areas where cars will be parked. For security, keep an unobstructed path from parking spot to house, and don't shield cars entirely.
Add plants. Create undulating flowerbeds along the driveway to soften the rigid lines. Pack some annuals for base color and use small shrubs or trees to vary the height.
Change direction. A subtle curve adds powerful interest.
Add an apron.
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This site was updated on Monday December 6, 2004 at 5:54 am GMT
"Home of Scientific Concrete applications©"
AAA Affordable Contractors
Office hours 9-5 Monday thru Friday
Check out our GALLERY and click on "slideshow" for Extreme Digital photos of our Concrete Craftsmanship!
* CLICK LINKS AT BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR AN INSTANT VIRTUAL ESTIMATE FOR YOUR NEW DRIVEWAY, PATIO OR WALKWAYS!***
Office hours 9-5 Monday thru Friday
Check out our GALLERY and click on "slideshow" for Extreme Digital photos of our Concrete Craftsmanship!
* CLICK LINKS AT BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR AN INSTANT VIRTUAL ESTIMATE FOR YOUR NEW DRIVEWAY, PATIO OR WALKWAYS!***
Click on the "GALLERY" button above to view our PHOTO GALLERY and feel free to click on the below informative tutorials;
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