One of the most interesting pathway designs is interlocking stone. You can combine exciting colours and unique designs to make an invitation to your home that is hard to miss. Plus, with proper landscaping and planning, you can genuinely improve the curb appeal of your home. However, the front of your house isn’t the only place for interlocking stone.

Concrete contractors in Calgary would certainly give you different suggestions for how to use interlocking stone. They might suggest a patio area, fire pits, stairways, or even a lovely gazebo. Overall, if you can think of an area that would use concrete or stone, you could probably replace it with your own style of interlocking design. You can find inspiration for some of these unique tacts below.

Calgary Interlocking Concrete Stone Ideas

Patios

One of the best places for you to utilize the wonders of interlocking stone is on your patio. Don’t have a patio? No problem, make one from interlocking stones! Indeed, it is that simple. Plus, one of the best benefits of interlocking stone is that you can choose the exact dimensions of your area. This versatility lets you choose a patio that extends from one side of your home to the other, halfway, or straight out into your backyard.

Fire Pits

Another place where all types of interlocking stone shine is around a fire pit. First, you can make the firepit entirely out of stone, but you can also think bigger. For example, with the help of concrete contractors in Calgary, you could make a lovely border around the pit. Indeed, you may even enjoy extending it further out so that you can have a flat and comfortable sitting area.

Stairways

Stairways are another area vastly improved with interlocking stones. However, it is worth noting that exterior stairs are the better option for rock, as it may seem out of place inside your home. Although that does not diminish the value of them, as they make a fantastic greeting at the front or back of your domicile.

Gazebos

The final entry on our list is also the grandest. Gazebos are a wonderful way to enjoy the beauty of your property in relative comfort. The addition of interlocking stones only serves to better the experience. Plus, with such a large area, you can really get a variety of stones and colours that will entice the eye and ease pleasant conversation.

Get Started on Your Interlocking Stone Project!

Apex Concrete is ready to take your outdoor space to the next level. As a professional concrete company in Calgary, we know how to customize our services to suit your style and taste. All year round, Apex Concrete is here to help you. Call us today at 403-333-6633

Concrete is a fascinating building material. Of course, it is easy to assume that it has been around forever with the frequency of its use. Concrete is everywhere, from concrete driveways to structural pillars and much more. However, concrete is actually a relatively recent innovation. Of course, compared to traditional building materials, concrete far outshines them in terms of cost, longevity, and ease of installation.

Although, certain aspects of concrete must bear consideration, and one of those considerations is how weather and temperature changes can affect it.

How Temperature Affects Concrete Driveways

Perhaps you’ve noticed during a walk, that concrete tends to show cracks, dips, or distortions. Likely, you’ve noticed the correlation in the age of concrete and the likelihood that it will exhibit these symptoms. There is a reason for this.

The reason is chiefly due to the porous nature of concrete. Which functions as both a blessing and a curse. One of the reasons that concrete has become such a mainstay in our lives is because the porousness of the concrete enables a significant amount of compressive strength, which allows it to bear substantial weight without breaking. However, this also means that water and other minute material can penetrate deep into the concrete.

Luckily, the porous nature of concrete is limited after the concrete is sufficiently cured, a process that typically takes upwards of 30 days. However, it will remain slightly porous and malleable, which causes changes in temperature to have an adverse effect on poured concrete. When it is cold, the concrete will shrink as though trying to ward off the cold. Conversely, when it is hot, the concrete will expand and spread out within its confines.

Ordinarily, this expansion and contraction is accounted for during the building phase, and normal temperature changes will not have a damaging effect on the concrete. However, if there are frequent changes in the temperature, such as those characterized by the changing seasons, spring and fall, the concrete may not be able to handle the rapid changes.

This is when you begin to see cracks or changes to the surface of the concrete, and your concrete driveway is not immune to these changes. Unfortunately, it is merely a product of time that causes these changes, but the ease of working with this material makes a fix relatively easy. Therefore, the answer to the question “can hot weather damage your concrete driveway” is yes. Of course, as you’ve just learned, it isn’t solely the responsibility of hot weather, but a rapid change in the overall temperature that will cause the changes.

How to Fix Your Concrete Driveway

If this occurs on your concrete driveway, don’t be concerned. Simply contact a concrete contractor and inform them of the damages, and they will be able to quote you a repair estimate.

Concrete contractors fulfill many needs when you decide to renovate your current home or choose to build a new property. Because their work is set in stone for many years to come, you need to hire one with experience, attention to detail and excellent customer service. Otherwise, you could lose your money and have poorly done projects left to redo. To avoid any problems, consider the five qualities of a good contractor below.

Best Qualities in Your Concrete Contractor

Your Contractor Uses Quality Materials

A good contractor uses materials that get the job done right. This means materials that produce the desired results immediately as well as for long-term stability. Ask your potential contractor whether the quality is a factor in their material use.

Your Contractor Has Excellent Communication Skills

You need a contractor who communicates clearly and listens to your specific needs. This two-way communication ensures they get the job done right the first time. You must also understand what they say when entering into a contract.

The Contractor You Choose Employs Skilled Workers

Your contractor brings people onto your property during the work. So they must hire people or contract with workers they can trust. This also means using properly trained workers with an eye for quality. Otherwise, you face problems and potential for damage to your property or the work, itself.

He or She Maintains Proper Licensing and Certification

You must ensure your contractor has a valid license and appropriate documentation for your area. You have the right to see these certifications and licenses to review them. By doing so, you can know whether you are working with a registered business you can trust. Only enter into a concrete work contract with one you can rely on to get the job done on time and properly.

The Right Contractor for Your Job Has Proper Work Experience

Quality comes from using the right materials and having the right work experience. Look for a contractor with as many years of experience as possible. This ensures you get your job done properly. A highly experienced project leader like this knows all of the ins and outs of the process and can possibly finish your work ahead of schedule.

Look for these five qualities in your concrete contractor before hiring one. Also, ensure they have the availability you need and provide you with a work guarantee. You need someone who is detail-focused throughout construction and takes pride in their work.

Concrete doesn’t demand a lot; it’s a low-maintenance option that’s ideal for all kinds of applications. Even so, proper care helps maximize the lifespan of concrete. Here’s how to protect your concrete investment for the long haul.

5 Ways To Protecting Your Concrete Investment

Clean Your Concrete

Regular cleaning helps keep concrete looking its best and removes debris from the surface that can cause unnecessary wear. Use a power washer to get rid of build up and debris. Make slow, even passes, and avoid holding the spray in one spot for too long. It’s also important to avoid harsh chemicals which are often unnecessary for cleaning and can damage the concrete.

Remove Stains Promptly

Gasoline, oil, grease, and other spills can leave nasty marks on concrete, so clean spills as quickly as possible. If a stain does set, try using a power washer to remove it or a cleaner designed for concrete. Concrete companies in Calgary can recommend cleaners that are safe for use on concrete.

Get Seal Concrete From Calgary Concrete Contractors

Applying sealer creates a barrier to protect the concrete from spills, chemicals, and the elements. Plan to apply sealer every two to three years. You can seal concrete yourself or have concrete companies in Calgary seal the concrete for you.

Remove Snow from Concrete Properly

Many chemicals for de-icing can break down concrete, even salt is hard on the material. Sand is the safest thing to use when snow hits. Take care when shovelling as well to avoid chipping the surface.

Deal with Cracks with Concrete Contractors

Even with proper care, sometimes cracks occur. Deal with them promptly to avoid further damage. Concrete contractors in Calgary can provide effective crack repair.

Concrete contractors in Calgary can give you a durable surface that requires minimal maintenance, which makes protecting your investment easy.

Finding the right concrete contractor for your project can be challenging. Understandably, most people don’t know a lot about the process of pouring concrete; this makes it difficult to know how to find a good company. With the right questions, it’s easier to get the information you need to make a good decision.

Ask These 5 Questions To Your Calgary Concrete Company

1. How Long Have You Been A Concrete Company in Calgary?

Concrete companies that have been in the business for a while are more likely to know their stuff and do good work. Of course, that’s not always the case, but it’s a good place to start.

2. What Are The Most Important Parts of the Project?

Figuring out the most important parts of your project is a top priority. Ask concrete contractors in Calgary what they consider the most important and then talk about their response. Move on to nonessential things that could help the project to make sure you’re getting exactly what you want and need.

3. What’s Included In The Scope of Work?

Scope of work documents is confusing at times, especially if you aren’t familiar with them. This makes it difficult to compare bids from different concrete contractors. Make sure you understand exactly what’s included from each contractor.

4. Are There Any Additional Fees?

Hidden fees and additional charges can throw your budget off. Make sure the Calgary concrete company is providing all the information upfront so you won’t be surprised by extra charges during the project.

5.Will My Project Present Challenges For The Company?

Each project has certain challenges, and some are more difficult than others. Push concrete contractors in Calgary to thoughtfully consider any potential complications or challenges related to your specific project, and how they would deal with those challenges.

Fresh snow looks beautiful, but it can do serious damage to your driveway. Taking steps to get ready now will help your driveway withstand the harsh winter weather. Follow these six tips for preparing your concrete driveway for winter.

Continue reading “How to Prepare Your Concrete Driveway for Winter”

Concrete Driveway Calgary One of the benefits of concrete driveways is how little maintenance they require. However, even concrete is not maintenance free, so taking a little time to care for your concrete driveway helps it continue to look great year round.

Continue reading “Tips to Keep Your Concrete Driveway in Mint Condition”