Concrete
Pool Deck Resurfacing: Is It Right For Me?
by Jason Stepferd on Oct.12, 2009, under Concrete
When it comes to designing a backyard pool getaway, many people need to choose between their favorite design choice and the one they can afford. In prior years, your choices were limited; in terms of affordability, the best options were concrete or concrete stained for color.
Until recently, the options that looked the best were too expensive for most average homeowners. Due to advancements made within concrete engineering, these limited options have grown.
Thanks to engineered concrete and concrete and polymer mixtures, a thin layer of concrete can be applied to an existing pool deck that transforms a backyard into the getaway the homeowner so desired to have. The pool deck resurfacing products available for sale today are designed for quick drying time and they are affordable; a homeowner can do the upgrade in as little as one day.
A Guide to Decorative Concrete
by Jason Stepferd on Oct.11, 2009, under Concrete
At first, decorative concrete may seem like an oxymoron to you, but I bet you have seen some variation of this product before. Although most known for its strength, concrete can be known for its beauty too with a little bit of simple engineering; in fact, it can mimic materials like marble, stone, and granite. The strength of concrete makes it ideal for roads and bridges, but it can be used for a wide range of purposes inside homes.
In most homes throughout the United States, concrete is poured and used to create the foundation. Usually, the concrete is covered with tile, vinyl, or carpet. With that said, covering is not necessary; you can transform the concrete yourself.
There are companies that sell stains and finishing kits for concrete transforming a dull gray slab into decorative concrete. These stains penetrate the concrete and can transform it into any color or color combination imaginable. Imagine concrete being made to look like one single piece of dyed red marble floor for a dining room; matching perfectly with the wood of the dining table.
How Concrete Resurfacing can Save You Cash
by Greg Handchild on Oct.06, 2009, under Concrete
Most homeowners opt for some type of concrete in their homes. This concrete is usually for a driveway, pathway, or patio. Eventually, most homeowners will see a decrease in appearance, which is usually in the form of cracks or discoloration.
You might just want to improve the overall appearance of your home or are forced to do repairs by a homeowner’s association; either way, it is time to replace or repair the concrete. As you can imagine, completely redoing a concrete surface is time consuming and costly. Instead of an entire redo, opt for concrete resurfacing because you get a better looking area without the time, hassle, and huge costs.
There are many contractors who will give you a much lower quote for resurfacing as opposed to replacing the concrete. But, the added advantage is that you do not need to hire a professional in order to get professional quality concrete resurfacing. Instead, you can do it yourself as a weekend project, allowing you to save even more money and not have to go through the hassle of obtaining quotes and choosing a contractor.
A How-To Guide for Concrete Repair
by Greg Handchild on Oct.06, 2009, under Concrete
Concrete is a great surface for sidewalks, driveways, and patios; however, most homeowners know all to well the issues that surround it. Overtime, everyone is expected to see holes, cracks, chips, and areas of broken concrete. The causes for these problems most commonly include normal wear and tear; however, bad weather may be to blame too. Whatever the problem with a concrete surface, repairs are needed for safety reasons. For most homeowners, the first choice is to hire a professional contractor, but this can be a big and costly hassle. Instead, you can take the time to familiarize yourself with do-it-yourself concrete repair; you might be surprised how much time and money you save.
The process is fairly simple and inexpensive. For a regular sized surface of a driveway, sidewalk or patio, it should only be a weekend?s worth of work. The materials you will need can be purchased at any hardware or home improvement store. The supplies are relatively inexpensive and you will save a lot of money on labor fees by doing it yourself. Depending on the severity of the issue, you may not spend much money at all.
Only a limited number of supplies are needed for small concrete repairs. For small cracks, water and Portland cement will do the trick. To get started with fixing small cracks, moisten the area and then apply grout to that affected area. Next, let the area dry throughout; during this time avoid contact. The end result is an easy repair that eliminated a hassle and saved you money.
