Calgary Concrete Canada has developed a remarkably simple method to achieve a two tone color effect on old or new stamped concrete.

Calgary, AB -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/23/2014 -- Calgary Concrete has just released a fantastic new concrete coloring agent called Tru Tique. Calgary Concrete Tru Tique is an ultra simple water based antiquing color wash solution designed to provide that natural, two-tone mottled effect normally obtained by the use of colored release agents. Tru Tique is unique in that it is perfect for coloring new surfaces or for rejuvenating existing textured surfaces that have faded over time. Using it is as simplistic as mixing a small amount of dry powder into a designated amount of water and liberally applying to the surface and be allowed to dry. Once dry you can safely apply a professional quality decorative concrete sealer. Now you can take that 10yr old, color faded patio, and in a few short hours restore it to the look that it had on day one. The process is simple and requires almost no special skills. Color will provide contrast by running off the high spots and settling in the low areas and being allowed to dry before resealing. Multiple colors may be used for even more effect. When the desired look is achieved, seal the surface with an appropriate sealer such as Tru Impressions Stampsheen. Currently 16 colors, matching the current antique release pallet. Coverage is 1500-3000 square feet. Available direct or at a distributor near you.

If the stamped surface begins to dull or lose its sheen after time, recoating with sealer will usually restore the luster. Ask the installer for recommendations of the best sealer to use.

On stamped interior floors subject to lots of foot traffic, it's especially important to maintain the sealed surface to prevent wear patterns. Application of a sacrificial floor wax or polish can provide extra protection by protecting the sealer from wear and serving as a shock absorber to scuffs, scratches and grime.

About Calgary Concrete
We are a full service concrete company specializing in decorative concrete with over 30 years experience (15 in the Calgary market alone). During our time in Calgary, we have poured literally thousands of driveways, garage pads, patios, and basements. I know how stressful it can be trying to find a contractor that you can trust. With my experience and dedication to customer service, South Island Concrete will help take the stress out of your concrete project. I consider myself to be an honest, reliable, and professional with a commitment to quality workmanship that I stand behind 100 percent. No job is too big or too small. If you only need a broom sidewalk or small stamped patio all the way up to rip out and replace, I am happy to come talk to you and give you a free quote.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Tips and design ideas for using stamps to add texture to a concrete patio

Calgary, AB -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/05/2014 -- A colored and stamped concrete patio is the perfect decorative "flooring" for outdoor entertaining areas, offering all the beauty of an indoor floor along with the superior durability and weather resistance of exterior concrete. More homeowners are also realizing that a stamped concrete patio can give them the high-end look of natural stone, but at a much lower price tag. "We charge around $12 per square foot for stamped concrete, while pavers typically cost around $20 per square foot, and real flagstone or bluestone approaches $30," says C.J. Salzano of Salzano Custom Concrete, Centreville, Va. What's more, the money saved by installing a stamped concrete patio can be set aside for other enhancements to the outdoor space, such as a pergola or concrete fire pit.

Stamped concrete patios gives a vast array of decorative options not possible with other patio materials. The patio can be poured in any shape or size to fit the space, and we can choose from many different stone and brick patterns and even wood-grained textures. Using stains, powdered pigments and antiquing agents, contractors can color the patio to look identical to natural stone or customize the color to complement in the home and landscape. We can also set off the patio with a decorative border in a contrasting color and pattern.

See these stamped concrete patio project examples:

Polished Concrete
Salzano Custom Concrete
Centreville, VA
Tiered Concrete Patio Mimics Grouted Stone
These homeowners wanted the look of a natural stone patio, but didn't want to pay the high price. Concrete stamped in an Old English Slate was the perfect solution. To give the patio the look of natural bluestone, the base concrete was colored with a pale blue color hardener and then accented with custom-mixed highlight colors. Faux grout lines between the stones give the patio a beautiful, hand-laid stone appearance.

Hudecek Cement Inc
North Royalton, OH
A Stamped Concrete Patio and Pergola Transform a Boring Backyard
When this home was newly constructed, the backyard was nothing but a colorless, flat expanse of dirt. On this barren canvas, the homeowners created an inviting outdoor space for entertaining by installing a stamped concrete patio with separate zones for a large pergola and a stone-faced fireplace. The warm terra-cotta coloring of the concrete patio was achieved by using integrally colored concrete in a canvas shade and enhancing it with a dry-shake color hardener in a sun-baked clay hue. The surface was then stamped with texture skins in a Roman slate pattern.

Concrete Patios
John's Cement
Milford, MI
Colored Borders Add a Decorative Touch
A decorative border is a great way to set off and frame a stamped concrete patio, especially free-form designs. This new patio and set of steps is colored in beige with walnut accent coloring, and the borders are stained with a darker ebony acid stain. An ashlar slate stamp was used for the pattern and texture.

Pergola
Greystone Masonry Inc
Stafford, VA
Concrete Patio Is Designed for Outdoor Entertaining
Equipped with an outdoor kitchen and bar, a pergola, and multiple areas for dining and conversation, this two-part stamped concrete patio is ideal for outdoor entertaining. A concrete walkway, stamped with the same ashlar slate pattern used for the patio, leads down to a second more-secluded patio with an outdoor fire pit. Seat walls made from concrete pavers retain the yard's sloped terrain and create an attractive patio border.

Concrete Patio And Fire Pit
Allen Decorative Concrete
Escondido, CA
Concrete Patio Replicates Travertine
For this beautiful 1,200-square-foot patio and outdoor entertaining area, travertine stamps and stone-textured form liners were used to replicate real stone, creating a high-end look for a reasonable cost. An ashlar travertine stamp was used for the main surface and a hammered-edge form liner was used to impart a stone-like texture along the edges. The realistic coloring effects were achieved with a buff-toned dry-shake hardener accented with a combination of sandstone, charcoal and sandalwood water-based stains. A walnut antiquing wash gives the surface a weathered look.

About Calgary Concrete
We are a full service concrete company specializing in decorative concrete with over 30 years experience (15 in the Calgary market alone). During this time in Calgary, we have poured literally thousands of driveways, garage pads, patios, and basements. I know how stressful it can be trying to find a contractor that one can trust. With my experience and dedication to customer service, South Island Concrete will help take the stress out of the concrete project. I consider myself to be an honest, reliable, and professional with a commitment to quality workmanship that I stand behind 100 percent. No job is too big or too small. If one only need a broom sidewalk or small stamped patio all the way up to rip out and replace, I am happy to come talk and give a free quote.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

What It Takes for a Successful Job

Calgary, AB -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/05/2014 -- Although stamped concrete is often faster and more convenient to install than brick or stone, it's still a complicated process requiring the right tools, materials, expertise and jobsite conditions to ensure a successful outcome. A lot of steps are involved in stamping concrete, and crews only have a short window of time to complete them before the fresh concrete begins to harden. In addition to placing and impressing each stamp, they must broadcast color hardener over the surface and apply a release agent to the stamps so they won't stick. After the concrete sets, more work must be done, including installing joints, doing detail work, and applying a sealer. (See this step-by-step overview of the stamping process.)

Even before the work begins, good planning and preparation are necessary to make sure everything goes smoothly. This is particularly important on large stamped concrete projects. Here are some important dos and don'ts to adhere to on every job:

Installation Do's and Don'ts

Don't overlook proper subgrade preparation. A well-compacted subgrade is essential to the structural integrity of the concrete slab. It also helps drainage and can prevent soil erosion under the concrete.

Do make sure stamped concrete pavements are properly jointed to control cracking. To be effective, joints must be cut to a depth of at least one-quarter the slab thickness. (For more details, read Be Active in Deciding Where Control Joints Will Be Placed.) If you're worried that the joints will detract from the appearance of the stamped surface, ask the contractor to hide the joints by integrating them into the pattern lines wherever possible.

Do insist on the use of a concrete mix that can stand up to the anticipated exposure conditions, such as freezing and thawing and deicing chemicals in northern climates and wear and tear from foot or vehicle traffic. Pay special attention to the water-cement ratio, or the amount of water in proportion to the cement. Adding too much water dilutes and weakens the cement paste, making it less durable and more porous. (For more information on water-cement ratio and concrete performance, read Primary Issue Affecting Concrete Quality.)

Don't skimp on reinforcement. For many slabs on grade, reinforcement (in the form of steel bars or welded wire mesh) is necessary to augment strength and help to control cracking. This is especially true for driveways and other surfaces that will support vehicle traffic.

Do use a dry-shake color hardener, which will produce a denser, more impermeable surface.

About Calgary Concrete
We are a full service concrete company specializing in decorative concrete with over 30 years experience (15 in the Calgary market alone). During this time in Calgary, we have poured literally thousands of driveways, garage pads, patios, and basements. I know how stressful it can be trying to find a contractor that you can trust. With my experience and dedication to customer service, South Island Concrete will help take the stress out of the concrete project. I consider myself to be an honest, reliable, and professional with a commitment to quality workmanship that I stand behind 100 percent. No job is too big or too small. If you only need a broom sidewalk or small stamped patio all the way up to rip out and replace, I am happy to come talk to you and give you a free quote.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Calgary, Alberta -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/05/2014 -- Adding to the value of decorative stamped concrete is the material's inherent strength and endurance. Like conventional concrete, stamped concrete will provide decades of service when properly installed and maintained, even when exposed to harsh winter weather conditions.

In some cases, stamped concrete can be even more durable than standard concrete, especially if a color hardener has been applied to the surface. The hardener does more than simply impart color. It also makes the surface stronger and more resistant to abrasion and water penetration. Most contractors will also apply several coats of protective sealer to stamped concrete to block the penetration of dirt, deicing chemicals, oil and grease stains, and other substances. A good-quality sealer not only makes the concrete easier to clean, it offers other benefits, such as enhancing the color and preventing fading from UV exposure. (See An Introduction to Sealers and Sealers for Stamped Concrete.)

But even properly sealed stamped concrete will require some routine maintenance, depending on exposure conditions and the type and amount of traffic it receives. Here are tips for cleaning and treating your stamped concrete to preserve its beauty and extend its service life.

Stamped concrete maintenance tips:

Although a sealer will inhibit stains, you should still sweep and wash the surface occasionally to avoid dirt buildup. Exterior surfaces can be pressure washed or scrubbed with a mild detergent. For interior surfaces, wet mopping or dry dust mopping of the floor is typically the only routine upkeep needed. (See Choosing a Concrete Cleaner or Degreaser.)

On outdoor stamped concrete, avoid using deicing salts, especially during the first winter after the pavement is installed. Sealers for decorative concrete often fail in areas where deicing salts are applied or that receive drip-off from parked cars. (Read The Effects of Deicing Salts on Sealer Performance.

If the stamped surface begins to dull or lose its sheen after time, recoating with sealer will usually restore the luster. Ask the installer for recommendations of the best sealer to use.

On stamped interior floors subject to lots of foot traffic, it's especially important to maintain the sealed surface to prevent wear patterns. Application of a sacrificial floor wax or polish can provide extra protection by protecting the sealer from wear and serving as a shock absorber to scuffs, scratches and grime.

About Calgary Concrete
We are a full service concrete company specializing in decorative concrete with over 30 years experience (15 in the Calgary market alone). During our time in Calgary, we have poured literally thousands of driveways, garage pads, patios, and basements. I know how stressful it can be trying to find a contractor that you can trust. With my experience and dedication to customer service, South Island Concrete will help take the stress out of your concrete project. I consider myself to be an honest, reliable, and professional with a commitment to quality workmanship that I stand behind 100 percent. No job is too big or too small. If you only need a broom sidewalk or small stamped patio all the way up to rip out and replace, I am happy to come talk to you and give you a free quote.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm