By admin Asphalt Paving • • • 0 Comments

Concrete Patio Pavers vs. Solid Concrete

If you are looking for a way to improve the appearance of your home or office’s exterior, then you are probably thinking about using pavers or concrete. With so many options from which to choose, you want to make sure that you go with the right one to meet your needs. That is why it is important to compare pavers and concrete, looking at the pros and cons of each.

Pavers vs. Concrete: Appearance

First, it is important to take a look at the appearance. Most people consider pavers to be more visually appealing than concrete. This is because there is more flexibility in the appearance of pavers. You can tailor the designs and colors to meet their needs. While concrete also comes in a range of shades, the diversity is not as significant. While you can go with stamped or decorative concrete, the color tends to fade quickly. Therefore, most people like the appearance of pavers just a little bit more.

Pavers vs. Concrete: Installation

On the other hand, pavers are also more difficult to install than concrete. A concrete slab is almost always poured. This means that the installation process tends to move a bit more quickly. On the other hand, pavers need to be laid by hand one at a time. Therefore, it is advisable to have a professional to install both pavers and concrete. While it is possible to handle pavers as a DIY project, it is always better to hire professionals to make sure the appearance is as beautiful as possible. If the pavers have to be removed and laid a second time, this will add to the cost.

Pavers vs. Concrete: Costs

With both pavers and concrete, the cost is going to depend on the surface area that has to be covered, the materials, whether previous pavers and concrete have to be removed, and the cost of labor. In general, the cost to cover a 120 square foot area with pavers is going to fall somewhere between $1,300 and $1,700. On the other hand, the cost to cover the same area with concrete is going to fall somewhere between $800 and $1,100. The exact price is going to vary, which is why it is always a good idea to get a quote ahead of time.

Pavers vs. Concrete: Maintenance

In general, concrete is easier to maintain than pavers; however, pavers are more durable. Concrete tends to crack and stain over time. Eventually, the concrete slab will have to be replaced. Concrete needs to be brushed and rinsed off from time to time. So the maintenance is pretty easy. When pavers are placed, the pieces are usually covered with a polymer that helps to interlock the pavers and keep them durable. This allows them to last longer.

Find the Right Option for Your Landscaping Needs

This is a brief overview of the differences between pavers and concrete patio options. While concrete is cheaper and easier to install, it doesn’t last as long. Furthermore, pavers provide more customizability for projects. If you are looking for a way to improve the appearance of your outdoor landscape, think about reaching out to a local concrete company to talk about concrete and paver options for your property! The possibilities are nearly endless with the right concrete company!

By admin Construction • • 0 Comments

6 Must-know Tips for Preparing Your Concrete for a Long Life

Pouring a new slab of concrete may look simple, but in all actuality, it takes a lot of finesse and a lot of attention to detail. The final outcome can look absolutely amazing, and this is why you will want to do all you can to make sure the concrete slab looks new for as long as possible. Fortunately, taking care of concrete isn’t as difficult as many people make it out to be. For now, let’s take a quick look at six tips for preparing your concrete for a long life.

1) Make Sure It Is Poured By Professionals

The first step you will want to follow to make sure your commercial concrete lasts as long as possible is to have it poured by professionals. And not only do you want it poured by professionals, but you want it to be mixed by professionals too. In fact, the mixture of the concrete is the number one determining factor in how well the concrete will set up.

2) Use a Microfiber Pad

When cleaning concrete floors, it is best to use a microfiber pad as this helps remove dirt particles without scratching the concrete. And since concrete has a soil as an ingredient, it is not uncommon for the dust to be quite thick on concrete floors, meaning they should be cleaned at least three to four times a week.

3) Use a Neutral Floor Cleaner

Using plain water to mop your concrete floors is a great idea because it doesn’t mess with the chemicals in the concrete. Unfortunately, though, using plain water won’t always remove all of the dust and dirt that has been attracted to the concrete floors. With this in mind, you will need to add a neutral floor cleaner to the mop water at least twice a week when cleaning the floors.

4) Clean All Concrete Floors

Some people think that the only concrete floors that need cleaning are the ones inside. The truth is, though, whether it be concrete sidewalks, concrete garage floors or concrete driveways, all of these areas need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Driveways should be cleaned at least twice a season, while garage floors should be cleaned at least once a month. And if possible, concrete sidewalks should be cleaned at least once a week.

5) Clean Stains As Soon As Possible

If you spill something on the concrete, you will want to clean it up as quickly as possible before it sets into the concrete and stains it. If spills and stains absorb into the concrete, it can lead to decay and you want to avoid this.

6) Always Dry Mop the Wet Floor Cleaner

You don’t ever want your cleaning agent to become dry on the concrete floors. Instead, you want to clean the floors and dry mop them before the cleaning agent dries. If the cleaning agent dries on the floor, it can lead to cracks and decay.

The Takeaway

Regardless of the concrete project,, you will want to take advantage of commercial concrete installation. Concrete companies that have prior experience in pouring concrete and can make sure the job is done right the first time around as well as provide you with lots of helpful tips for extending the life of your concrete floors.