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5 Popular Concrete Ideas For Your Home

Thinking of home improvement projects this summer? Look no further than concrete as the building material of choice as you can do some amazing things with it. You can improve the aesthetics of both the indoor and outdoor of your home with it. Concrete offers many advantages because of its special properties.

  • It is durable and sustainable.
  • Extremely cheap and very easy to get
  • Concrete is waterproof and it provides anti-oxidation so it is not easy to damage
  • It can be molded for the specific space and shape you want
  • It is available in many forms- dyed, stamped, embossed, and polished

Want to know 4 popular ways homeowners are using concrete to spruce up the look of their home? Continue reading

Photo of concrete floor living room

5 Reasons To Choose Concrete Flooring

People are quick to dismiss concrete flooring as cold and unwelcoming. Others relegate concrete flooring only for the basement or the garage. This attitude is due to longstanding misconceptions about concrete as a building material and concrete flooring. You will be pleasantly surprised by the flexibility and design options concrete offers you for your flooring needs. Whether you are a designer, homeowner or contractor, concrete flooring offers enormous advantages over other materials. Read more about the mind blowing benefits of concrete flooring and you may soon turn to it for future projects. Continue reading

Debunking the Myths of Masonry

Learn the Truth That Will Make You Want to Start Your Project Now

When it comes to using masonry in a landscape project, we would like to share some information while busting some of the masonry myths. Here are some of the myths that contractors and projects managers should be aware of when it comes to masonry work on their outdoor projects.

Talking about masonry, we want to include the uses of brick, block, gravel and stone, especially when landscaping is involved. Florida landscape supply is where you will find a variety of masonry that can used to make a project unique and memorable.

1. Myth: You don’t have to prepare the ground for gravel at all.

If you are thinking of gravel walkways or stream beds, knowing how to prepare ground for gravel is of importance. The path or stream may meander.

The border should be laid out. Then the area should be dug to 2 to 3 inches. The border, which can be masonry or stones, is then fitted. A landscape fabric covers the area to stop weed growth. Gravel is poured into the area and distributed evenly. So Yes, you do have to prepare the ground for gravel.

In other cases the ground may be tamped down to prepare for the gravel. Knowing how to prepare ground for gravel makes all the difference in the success of the project.

2. Myth: There is no way to make concrete more durable than it already is.

Since high humidity and rain affect concrete, keeping moisture away is the best way to make it more durable. Low permeability is common to the best concrete. Knowing how to increase durability of concrete will add to its longevity; employing waterproofing, such as a crystalline waterproofing admixture has proven to be most effective at increasing the durability of concrete.

Proper curing is also a step that allows it to harden and gain maximum strength. Knowing how to increase durability of concrete will help in creating a structure or design element that will last and be enjoyed as time goes by.

3. Myth: Masonry is a relatively recent innovation.

This myth is easily busted; the fact is that masonry has been in use for over 6000 years. It has proved itself by the fact that it does not rot or decay when exposed to mold. Masonry is also environment-friendly but when exposed to fire, it does not burn, melt, twist or warp.

Many of the world’s most significant architectural designs were built with masonry.

4. Myth: Masonry means brick facades.

As seen in Florida landscape supply, masonry comes in abundant shapes and sizes. From stone steps in a garden setting to gravel pathways and stream beds to stone benches for restful relaxation within a garden, masonry can be used as a path or focal point.

Stone has a permanence that can be used in landscape projects. It is easier to care for than the plants that surround it. Powerful designs can be accomplished through the use of masonry in a landscape.

Knowing that what you’ve heard about masonry may just be a myth, it may be time to design a project around the spirit of stone. After all, timeless beauty and drama can be added to any landscape with the addition of masonry.

The experts at Davis Concrete have the tools and know-how to get your project done right. Contact us today to get started.

Pervious Concrete Care and Maintenance

Pervious Concrete Care and Maintenance

Florida has been at the forefront of construction using pervious concrete, especially for pavements, since the 1970s to manage water runoff, flooding and erosion. Numerous pervious concrete pavement projects, as part of carefully designed infiltration system for storm water management, have been successfully finished and is in service statewide, for over a decade now.  Today, homeowners and developers are also following sustainable development practices and using pervious concrete to stop erosion and prevent puddling. These permeable pavement surfaces with an underlying reservoir to store surface runoff, requires specific maintenance procedures for maximum efficiency.

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5 Rules For Maintaining Your Concrete Driveway

concrete driveway leading to a house

Concrete driveways are extremely popular because of their durability, sturdiness and look, which needs very little maintenance over its lifetime. But if you want to keep your concrete driveway looking its best then it will need some maintenance every now and again. Concrete driveways are constantly exposed to harsh sunlight and extreme weather, which may cause cracks from expansion. Besides filling small cracks that may appear you also need to reseal your driveway every two years at least. You can hire expert help for the job if you have a large driveway.  Here are some rules you should follow to preserve your concrete driveway in the best possible condition. Continue reading

Photo of concrete swimming pool deck

5 Factors To Consider When Choosing A Pool Contractor

Who hasn’t imagined how awesome it would be to spend the summer relaxing by the pool in one’s own backyard and what a fun attraction it would be for family and friends? But getting your dream pool designed and built can quickly turn into a nightmare in the wrong hands. After all pool construction is a big project and can take weeks or months and you only get one chance to pick the right pool contractor for the job. Continue reading

Exotic concrete counter top in an outdoor kitchen

How To Choose The Right Concrete Bathroom Countertop

When we mention ‘concrete’ the first image it conjures up is industrial, grey and the familiar concrete slab in the sidewalk. But concrete countertops do not share any of these characteristics. It is luxurious, edgy and modern. In fact concrete is the latest material to be used for designing countertops and it has been gaining momentum for the last decade, thanks to its unique qualities.  Homeowners can opt for rock-solid concrete instead of going the usual granite route, when dealing with the countertop question. Continue reading

Concrete Maintenance Tips: Extend the Life and Look of Your Concrete

Concrete Swimming Pool - Davis

People prefer concrete as building material for home improvement, construction, and landscaping projects as it is durable and versatile. Well-mixed concrete used in driveways, walls, floors results in an easy to maintain finished product. This exceptional building material is constantly under attack from the natural elements. Your valuable asset, concrete can be preserved and protected to last decades with the proper care and maintenance.

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elegant modern white couch in a blue interior with concrete floor

Concrete Flooring Ideas for Home

Concrete has been the most popular flooring material for centuries because it is strong, durable and long lasting. The strong performance of concrete has ably supported the grandest structural creations in both ancient Egyptian and Roman civilization.

The success of concrete as a building material is still built on its fundamentals. Concrete flooring has long been considered simple and utilitarian but modern advances have ensured that there are a wide variety of design options for concrete builders and homeowners to reinvent this old building material workhorse.

Concrete floors can be designed for different functionality and use. It can now be polished smooth, stained in different colors, or textured for traction. In fact you can even reproduce the look of natural materials, or use complex printed designs for your flooring. Continue reading

Photo of concrete swimming pool deck

Concrete Pool Deck Ideas

Dreaming of a summer oasis in your own back yard?  Concrete makes a great material choice for pools and pool decks, no matter whether you are going for the modern exterior style or one a more traditional one. The versatility of concrete and the variety of color and texture choices, make it the perfect building material for all kinds of exterior home projects like pool, paving, outdoor kitchen counters, fire pits and more. The construction of the pool requires precise measurements and surface analysis, so it is important for experts to do the job.  Getting a good foundation for the pool is vital. And for the pool deck, there are so many options to make it look attractive, even with concrete.

According to the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals, only 24% of people out of the 7.5 million pool owners in the U.S. use it primarily for swimming. This makes the pool deck even more integral to a good swimming pool design. Designing a one-of-a-kind, functional, and affordable pool deck with concrete is now easy for home owners. And the benefits are many. Not only do you gain a durable surface, it also resists excessive heat absorption, as compared to a wooden or stone deck. Concrete pool decks are slip resistant and do not become slippery when wet. Moreover, it is easy on the bare feet. With concrete pool deck you get a beautiful inviting area for sunbathing and barbecuing. A concrete pool deck is more affordable than using tile or stone too. No wonder then that concrete pools decks have been a popular choice for many years now.

Concrete Pool Deck Styles

Some of the biggest trends in outdoor design today involve concrete in various forms. With new techniques for stamping and decorative concrete application, you do not have to sacrifice look for function. You can choose from traditional poured concrete deck, stamped and decorative concrete, tinted concrete; exposed aggregate, stained concrete or concrete for edging too. You will be spoilt for choice.

Stained Concrete Pool Deck

When it comes to pool decks, you want it to be an extension of the style of your home.  If you want to focus on styling then you need look no further than stained concrete. Jazz things up in your pool deck by adding a splash of color to your concrete. Look up staining options for concrete pool decks. You can select a single color or pick a combination of colors for your deck. The stains soak right into the concrete to give you exclusive designs and colors. Homeowners and designers can express their creative side with the stained concrete pool deck. With stained concrete, you can even get stone, brick or wood finish. White on white decks are really trending now. They are built using uncolored concrete mix, which is then covered with white stain to create for a cooling effect. White does not absorb as much heat and is in fact 20 degrees cooler than the surface surrounding the deck, which is just right for a pool deck.

Stamped Concrete Pool Deck

Stamped concrete pool decks do not just provide a stunning look, they give you flexibility to work any look or design you can imagine. Moreover stamped concrete pool decks are relatively inexpensive than using stone or tile. Work in the labor costs and even that will be much less expensive. You can get your dream pool and pool deck without having to invest a large amount of money. The pool deck is where your friends and family gather around to enjoy food and drinks. You do not have to worry about staining with concrete nor do you have to think about concrete chipping when the chairs or tables around the deck get moved around.  Stamped concrete pool decks are also much easier to clean and maintain than any other type of pool deck surface. No worries about grout lines or filling in gaps between materials. The big concrete slabs are easy to seal and clean. All you need from time to time is a power washer to deep clean the concrete.

Decorative Concrete Pool Deck

Pools and decks are becoming more important with smaller backyards forcing the trend towards smaller swimming pools with leisure areas that flow from the indoor living space. Having a colored, textured and inviting area surrounding the pool is equally important. Pool decks now get as much attention as the exterior design of your home as both should complement each other. With decorative concrete, you can select any size, shape, color and surface treatment for your pool deck to get the look of any material you may fancy such as slate, stone or even wood. Use a combination of decorative treatments to get the look you are after. If you need to give your existing concrete pool deck a new look, you can consider refinishing it with maybe exposed aggregate or getting decorative curbing. Little designer touches with decorative concrete can improve the entire look of your pool deck.

Davis Concrete has professionals that work fast and efficiently every step of the way in creating a customized pool or pool deck for you. We have the right equipment and over sixty years experience with concrete jobs to provide the best results.  Whether you want a decorative, stamped, colored, stained, and/or sealed concrete pool deck, we can design a concrete pool deck that suits almost any setting, budget and lifestyle,

If you are interested in a concrete pool deck or have any questions, please call Davis Concrete at (800) 910-6928. It is the number one choice of contractors and concrete experts in the Tampa Bay area.