Spring has sprung! As the weather warms and the days last a little longer, families are enjoying the chance to spend more time outside. The opportunity to enjoy the backyard is great but it often reminds us that there are many, many things that we would like to change or repair. 

Over the past week we have had the opportunity to bring some life and excitement back to one backyard. This backyard consisted of a small, brick paver, patio. Apart from the patio there was little more than grass. This family wanted a space that would allow them to entertain, relax, and add some beauty as well.

This project had several requirements as well as a few challenges. For this backyard transformation we installed a completely new stamped concrete patio with drainage system, decorative block wall, decorative steps, and a river rock walkway with concrete stepping stones.

Here are a few before and after pictures of the project. 

To view more pictures of our work please see our gallery. If you would like to schedule a no cost estimate on your next project, you can call our office at 828-256-7915 or you can contact us via email here on the website. 

There are several areas around your home that receive continual attention. These areas are easy to see, easy to work on, and they offer some of the biggest changes in your home. 

Yet if you take the time to study your home, you will undoubtedly find a few areas that are routinely neglected. One of the most overlooked areas of a home is the driveway. Some driveways are made of asphalt and others are concrete. Some driveways are made of gravel and still others are simply dirt and grass.

The driveway is one of the most noticeable areas of your home and it is also one of the areas that can add the most curb appeal. If you are looking to add a touch of class or if you just want to improve the overall look of your home, consider remodeling your driveway.

Our most recent project has had us removing and replacing an older driveway. This driveway was made of concrete, it was cracked all over, and it simply looked ragged next to this beautiful home. In order to transform this driveway we had to remove the old concrete and pour a new drive.

The new driveway has 2 distinct characteristics. First, the main drive is plain, regularly finished concrete. However the edges were stamped and colored differently from the main section. Additionally, this border was extended onto the existing walkway. Here are a few pictures:

Have you considered remodeling your driveway or walkways? Have you thought about the many possibilities? We have several options that could radically change the way your home looks. From epoxy stone decking to stamped concrete, you will definitely find something that stands out and makes a difference. 

If you would like to speak with one of our specialists, or if you would like to receive a free estimate on your next project, please call our office at 828-256-7915.

This past weekend saw the annual Home and Garden show at the Hickory Metro Center in Hickory, N.C. We have been a proud member of this group for over 25 years. 

As the weather begins to warm and the days begin to last longer, the time for home improvement is quickly arising. What are your plans for your home this spring? 

The annual project of repainting the porch or the garage floor no longer has to consume your life. Instead of painting your concrete flooring why not cover your existing floor with beautiful epoxy stone or stamp overlay? Epoxy chip flooring is also a great option.

Perhaps you are looking to add a new feature to your yard such as decorative curbing. Curbing is a great option that can really make your home stand out. Curbing can be placed around your flowerbeds, trees, driveway, or you could design your own feature in your yard.

These options were all discussed this past weekend with hundreds of visitors to the Hickory Home and Garden show. For those that were able to make the event, thank you for taking the time to stop by our booth and to share your thoughts. We are as excited for the coming spring as you are. Not only does the weather warm but the opportunity to help homeowners is renewed. 

Whether you choose epoxy stone, epoxy chip flooring, stamp overlay, stamped concrete, or even decorative curbing, you are going to be excited with the outcome of your spring project. So what are you waiting for?

If you are interested in receiving a free quote on your next project, please do not hesitate to call our office at (828) 256-7915. We will be more than willing to explain every option that we offer. 

Decorative concrete is a great option for pool decks, patio’s, porches, driveways, and sidewalks. While we are accustomed to the process involved in installing decorative concrete, many of our customers are very interested in how this installation is achieved.

Our latest project was for the City of Hickory and the Hickory Crawdad’s baseball team. This project consisted of installing two new walkways and then stamping the concrete with an antique brick pattern.

The first step in the installation of new concrete is to properly form the area. The standard pour depth for concrete is 4 inches.

It is important that the surface is smooth and level. Uneven areas in the ground will require more concrete and thus, increase the cost of the installation.

Once the area has been properly formed and graded the installation of new concrete can begin. We used a 3000-psi concrete with pea gravel for this project. Pea gravel is much easier to work with when stamping concrete.

For this pour we are using an integral color called brick red. Integral color is mixed into the concrete at the plant. This process allows for a more even color throughout the concrete.

Concrete must be level. In order to achieve this a screed must be used. Screeding concrete will remove excess concrete from higher areas and help fill in lower areas.

Once the screeding process is completed it is time to begin troweling, floating, and edging the new pour. Floating is the process of smoothing the concrete and helping to remove moisture. As water evaporates from concrete it allows the concrete to firm up and brings us closer to being able to stamp.

Once the concrete has been troweled, floated, and edged, the new concrete will look like this.

It is at this point that standard concrete would be either machine finished or broom finished. Decorative concrete adds several other steps.

In order to properly stamp concrete the concrete must be firm enough to withstand the pressure of the stamps and the individual(s) standing on the new surface. However it must be wet enough for the impression to take into the concrete.

Before the stamping process begins we spray a release agent onto the concrete. This allows the rubber stamps to pull away without sticking to the concrete. This is very similar to spraying a pan with cooking spray prior to cooking.

After the concrete has been prepared with the release agent the stamping process can begin.

The rubber mats fit together to form a pattern. After the mats have been placed they are tamped down with a special tool. The tamping process transfers the pattern from the stamps into the concrete.

Specialty tools can be used to correct imperfections that might occur during mat transfer.

Once the concrete has been stamped we allow it to finish curing over night. Once the concrete has set we move to the finishing stages of the project. These final steps will include color washing and sealing the new concrete.

In order to give the new concrete a more natural look, we use a silicon based coloring agent.

A small amount of this charcoal color is added to 5 gallons of water.

The colored mixture is then placed into a watering can and poured directly onto the stamped concrete surface. This process is called color washing. This will add additional color and it will help to antique the finish.

After the color washing is complete the concrete will look like this...

Stamped concrete is never finished until it has been properly sealed. We use an acrylic concrete sealer for all of our decorative concrete installations. The sealer helps protect the concrete as well as adding a “wet” look to the finish.

Because this is a commercial installation, we added red quartz sand to the surface. This adds traction and will make the concrete much less slippery. The sand is not visible on the finished product.

Here is the completed walkway...

Remember, we have many different style and color options when it comes to stamped concrete designs and decorative concrete. To get a quote on your own decorative concrete project, contact Stone Bond Construction online or call (828) 256-7915.