Patios and Houston - a Houstonians point of view - by Richard Keelin, PE

Patios and Houston - a Houstonians point of view - by Richard Keelin, PE
Patios and Houston is as cup is to tea....

Thats what architect Phillip Ewald says about the Houston Concrete Patio company crave thats sweeping across this bustling community.

When ConcreteForever.com opened up its new residential division and starting
offering their exotic architectural cast in place stamped concrete patios, driveways
and sidewalks to the residential clients in Houston rather than just Malls, Schools
and commercial facilities it literally took Houston by storm with the exotic concrete
patio fad spreading like wild fire, says staff engineer Richard Keelin.

The costs of turn-key installations associated with a Decorative Concrete Patio
that is colored, stained, engraved, molded, patterned, stamped and integrated
with the latest technology in engineered concrete composite technology are
calculated at an average rate of between $8.00 and $12.00 per sq ft (square foot)
for a nominal slab thickness of 5" to 6" depending on quantity, design and other
project variables that contribute to the construction budget.

A stamped concrete driveway with a nominal slab thickness of 6" to 8", dual
reinforcement, stained, colored, integral molecular fiber reinforcement, molding,
engraving, concrete demolition and site excavation, patterned, texturing and
sealing usually costs between $8.00 to 15.00 per sq ft for a turn key installation.

The structural integrity of a Decorative slate Stamped Concrete Patio in Houston
installed versus a natural slate installation is generally about 110% greater than
it's natural stone counterpart.

By nature stone, slate and other natural materials have relative low strength
properties and are unable to sustain under loads. So a Decorative ECC Stamped
Concrete Patio or Stamped Concrete Driveway is a viable, smart alternative to
installing natural stone or slate versus a structurally engineered concrete
composite Patio or Drive way.

Houston Patios used to be just a plain concrete slab with a broom finish or if the
builder got fancy an exposed aggregate (pebble) finish.

Now, if you stroll through many of the upscale residential neighborhoods you'll
see that Patios in Houston have taken on a whole new meaning as the stamped
concrete patios embrace not only feng shui design but also integrating colors,
stamped slate, stamped stone and cast in place decorative concrete benches that
add splendor to any Houston residence.

Houston Patio Builder and supervisor at ConcreteForever.com, Juan Diago says,
"Homeowners are embracing our hi-tech Patios and Houston is beginning to get
thirsty for the "I want That" fever that is catching on all over Houston Texas.

Utilizing the latest in Engineered Concrete Composites that offer a decorative
concrete patio that looks like stone, slate and even wood but has the structural
flexibility that has been intergrated in concrete bridges and overpasses for years.

"Our extensive commercial background has given us an opportunity to utilize the
best technology available today into Houstons Residential market offering
superior houston patio installations that you couldn't get five years ago", says
Jaime Gonzales, Supervisor for ConcreteForever.com

If your searching for a custom installation for a concrete patio and Houston is your home, than find it here at Affordable Concrete Contractors of Houston

Houston Concrete Contractors

Find Concrete Contractors in Houston For the most comprehensive information on Repuatble concrete contractors serving the Houston texas area check out the Houston Concrete Network to tap into the largest portal of concrete contractor information in Houston Texas including iformation on concrete market trends and Cement Consumption Levels
By David Hunt, chief engineer & president of Houston Portland Cement Research Association

Houston Housing drop contributes to lower forecast for cement

When forecasting the Houston economic outlook for the industry, the Houston Portland Cement Research Association does not expect the relatively robust growth of the past three years to continue.

Houston Oil prices are expected to retreat slowly while inflation is to remain stubbornly high. Interest rates are expected to rise at a faster pace than previously thought -- both short and long term. Job growth will moderate under the dual pressures of higher oil prices and higher interest rates. Real consumer spending, accounting for more than two out every three dollars of U.S. total economic activity, will grow at a sub-3 percent rate during 2007 and beyond. These combined factors lead PCA to expect real GDP will grow 3.1 percent in 2006 followed by a sub-3 percent growth pace for 2007 and beyond.

Houston Concrete Construction outlook

Overall construction spending in Houston Tx is expected to record a 1 to 1.5 percent gain in 2007, followed by a 2 percent gain in 2008 and modest growth in 2009 and beyond. The construction outlook reflects sustained declines in residential construction offset by gains in nonresidential and public sector activity. For more information on Houston Concrete Contractors click here