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In Canada we get some very cold temperatures in the winter, and this year is no exception. The harsh winter weather can be very harmful to concrete surfaces if they aren’t properly maintained and protected. With the constant repeat freezing and thawing that occurs during the cold winter months, concrete surfaces can begin to flake and crack. If you’re looking to ensure that your concrete survives this winter, and many more to come, you’re at the right place. Below is the complete winter concrete guide with our best concrete care tips to keep your surfaces safe all winter long. 3 Steps To Protecting Concrete from Winter Weather While concrete does have a solid appearance, it’s a very porous material. Without the help of a microscope, it’s difficult for you to…

Concrete seat walls don’t have to be the boring, flat concrete slabs you may have seen in some parks. They can actually be made or worked into a variety of designs and dressed up to fit in perfectly with the overall aesthetic of your property. Below are just a few of the designs concrete seat walls can be worked into. Fire Pit Concrete Seat Walls Fire pits are great for providing a space for guests to sit around, but naturally fire isn’t the safest thing to work with. Instead of bringing seating, seat walls offer a safe, permanent seating option since concrete isn’t flammable. They can also be easily constructed for circular seating to cut down on space in your backyard. Borders for Patios Provide additional seating and complement your garden or…

Concrete is one of the most versatile structural materials out there, but it can also be used to great effect around your home exterior. One of the first choices you’ll need to make will be to decide on choosing stamped concrete vs. pavers. Both use concrete, but they each have their own pros and cons for use in projects.  Stamped Concrete Vs. Pavers: Look and Design  No longer is concrete merely the grey industrial material you know it as. Modern concrete comes in a wide variety of textures and colours including stamped concrete and pavers.   Stamped concrete benefits from the ability to modify its look and texture as it’s made on-site. In fact, the colour can be altered right up until it’s poured. Because pavers and slabs are pre-made, what you see is what you get when purchasing them.  Stamped…

Whether your driveway is made from concrete or asphalt, installing a new driveway once cracks or chips start to show isn’t always the right move. Instead, many people often choose to perform asphalt or concrete driveway restoration by patching or restoring it.   While patches will work in some cases, there are times when you’ll see better results replacing your entire driveway. We go over the right time to perform each action below.  When It’s Worth Doing Concrete Driveway Restoration  Because Canada has a constant freeze-thaw cycle every year, it’s natural for your driveway to slowly form cracks or divots. These minor issues are the best choice for performing restoration and repair on since they aren’t indicative of larger structural issues.  However, if the cracks are larger than a quarter-inch wide they can’t be more permanently fixed by restoration. Filling the cracks will only…

Because fireplaces tend to be situated in most living rooms they are also a central focal point of the room. As such, having a fireplace that best complements your space can improve your entire living room just by making improving your fireplace. One of the most common ways to do that is through resurfacing fireplaces. Resurfaced fireplaces can revitalize a space and it provides an easy way to modernize your home as well.  We break down everything you should know before you resurface your fireplace.  Resurfaced Fireplaces: How Much of an Overhaul Do You Need to Do?  Before you begin pouring that concrete, hold up. Contact your local building authorities for any rules or regulations you will need to adhere to when resurfacing your fireplace. The last thing you want to do is to complete a…

Although often known for its use in more structural applications, concrete is also immensely popular for other kinds of projects. Patios, paths, and driveways often use concrete in their construction. However, concrete tends to look somewhat bland on its own so stamped concrete designs are a natural choice to add some more character. Below, we detail some of the most popular stamped concrete patterns in addition to the many advantages stamped concrete provides.  What Are the Most Popular Stamped Concrete Patterns  Because concrete is so moldable, it can mimic designs so well it can be difficult to tell it apart from actual stone designs.  Some of the most popular stamped concrete patterns include natural stone patterns like:  London cobble Ashlar cut slate Running bond new brick Herringbone new brick Grand ashlar European fan Fractured cyprus slate Stones of athens  Concrete also doesn’t just come in its standard grey…

A concrete patio may conjure images of a solid, grey industrial slab, but there are actually many ways to use concrete in a stylish manner. Using concrete enhancements, you can beautify your backyard, patio, walkways, or other outdoor areas and turn heads. Here are a few ideas for concrete enhancements to impress your guests and relatives the next time they visit you. Create a Stamped Concrete Patio With Concrete Enhancements You don’t have to have concrete look like concrete. Using stamped patterns you can make concrete look like brick, flagstone, or cobblestone. By doing this, you can save money on the cost to actually install any of those other materials as they are typically much more expensive. These concrete patios also take less effort to maintain than an alternative like…

Alongside the recent trend of the industrial look, concrete floors have been making a comeback. Concrete floors are highly versatile making it easy to incorporate many different concrete floor designs that can complement any room.  Below are some of the trendiest designs that can work in both commercial or residential settings.  One of the Most Popular Concrete Floor Designs: Polished Concrete Flooring  Polished concrete floors are often a popular choice due to the customizable nature of them. Often chosen for residential settings, polished concrete floors are often simple and elegant.   Due to their polished nature and reflective surface, they can also add more light to a room.  Commonly chosen for ground floors, polished concrete floors also can make a space feel larger, and look bigger, making them ideal for living or dining room spaces.   Polished concrete can also be acid-stained to have a smart, artistic stain that’s highly customizable to properly work with the…

When you have the choice of building materials, concrete is one that consistently stands above the rest. It’s one of the most common picks for many different projects and is one of the most popular choices to both build and resurface a concrete driveway.  However, especially when it comes to resurfacing, it’s important to know if all that time and effort will end up being worth it.  We address those concerns below. What is Concrete Resurfacing? For starters, there’s no longer just one type of concrete. The widely used building material comes in many varieties including mortars, patchers, and fast-setting concrete mixes.  Concrete resurfacer is one of those varieties. It uses a blend of Portland cement, fine sands, polymer modifiers, and other additives aimed at providing adhesion to effectively a…