Strengthening Products in Concrete

Rebar Grid in new DrivewayReinforcement Bar (Rebar) and WWM (Wire Mesh) as-well-as Fiber and Admixtures

Compressive Strength

Concrete has exceptional compressive strength, the capacity to support tremendous sums of weight. Compressive strength is the amount of pressure required to crush concrete. As a simple rule of thumb, the greater the sum of aggregate in a concrete mix, the greater the compressive strength.

Tensile Strength

Relative to the compressive strength, the tensile strength of concrete is significantly less. Tensile strength is a measure of the chemical bond strength between the cement, aggregate and sand in a concrete mix, the amount of force required to pull concrete apart.

Concrete tensile strength is a measure of how well concrete stays glued together under torqueing, bending and twisting pressure.

It is because of concrete’s weak tensile strength that it must be reinforced with reinforcement bar (rebar) or wire mesh. Weak tensile strength is also the reason concrete additives like fiber and potash are used to supplement concrete mixes.

As such, it is as important to understand reinforcing materials as it is to understand concrete mix ratios.

Essentials of Rebar

Rebar is the most common reinforcing material and provides the most strength in concrete. The reinforcement potential of rebar is determined by the size of the rebar; the type of rebar; and the spacing of the rebar.

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Acid Staining Concrete Not Just for Interior Floors

Acid Stained ConcreteStaining concrete is becoming one of the most popular applications for interior floors in homes, offices, restaurants and other public buildings.  Acid stained concrete is an affordable application that requires very little maintenance so it is easy to understand why more and more people are starting to stain concrete outdoors.  It is affordable, low maintenance, you can stain an exisiting slab and the color scheme is endless.  

Our company has started to stain patios, garage floors, outdoor kitchen areas and even some driveways.  We are seeing more and more people wanting to put added detail into their outdoor living space and acid staining is a great way to do it. 

What is Acid Staining?

Acid staining uses a chemical stain mixture of hydrochloric acid, acid soluble metallic salts and water.

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Should I Tear out My Own Concrete or Hire A Professional?

concrete removal services(Clements) driveway project; concrete removal and new pour in Parker, COWhen we are on our concrete appointments, we get asked all the time - "would it save us money if I tore out the exisiting concrete or asphalt myself?"

The answer is short is yes, it would save you money on your project.  What it wont save you is time. 

Most concrete companies charge very little to do the concrete removal to earn your business.  We are able to tear-out, haul away and dispose in a fraction of the time a home owner typically can.  We have all of the equipment needed and we know exactly what needs to be removed so we can set the forms and pour your new concrete.  Often times a homeowner will remove the concrete and we will still need to go in and remove dirt, regrade or other prep work to get the area ready. 

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Stamped Concrete vs Paver Patios

Stamped Textured ConcreteStamped concrete is created to mimic the appearance of many patio paving materials such as bricks, tiles, and stone. The patterns, colors and textures available in this option make it suitable for various applications from concrete driveways, to porches, patios and even walls.

How is stamped concrete created?
The stamping technique is done before freshly poured concrete starts to harden. The large aggregate particles of the concrete are worked down into the concrete while it is still wet. Then, large rubber mats are stamped into the concrete's surface, leaving a pattern or texture behind when the stamps are lifted. Typically, before the concrete is stamped, the surface is dusted with coloring or the color is added to mix. Also, a release powder is distributed across the concrete surface to prevent the stamps from adhering to the concrete. This powder produces an antique effect on the surface further enhancing its look.

The Pros

One of the biggest advantages of stamped concrete is its price!  Typically, stamped concrete costs less than pavers do. Stamped concrete is also less labor intensive unlike installing other pavers that can really take up much time. The best thing about stamped concrete is its extremely versatility. Aside from the wide range of designs that can be done with it, other techniques such as staining and scoring can also be used to enhance its look.

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