How can you tell
if you are hiring an experienced, reputable contractor? Is
your contractor licensed? If so, what is their Construction
Contractors Board (CCB)
number? Usually, the lower the number the longer the contractor
has been in business under that name. Does the contractor
have established vendor accounts? Or do they order supplies
on a “cash-only” basis? Look at their work.
Quality speaks for itself.
How experienced
is the Carlton Company Crew? The Carlton
Concrete Company is proud to have what is probably
the most capable,
professional, competent and experienced crew in the area.
Decorative concrete is not something we just offer on the
side: It’s all we do! The job foreman has many years
of experience in both regular and decorative concrete.
As far as the specialization of decorative concrete, and
the accompanying expertise needed for professional results,
Carlton Concrete is unsurpassed.
What is Stamped
Concrete? Stamped concrete
begins with regular concrete. A powdered dye (color) is
spread onto
the surface of the wet concrete and trowelled in. Then
a second color (also known as release) is cast on the serface.
Before the concrete hardens a set of rubber molds (stamps)
are used to imprint textures into its wet surface. The
result will look like slate, cobblestone, brick, marble,
or many other materials.
Why is the
base so important? Concrete
is a mirror image of what it is poured over. Without an
adequate base (usually
2-4 inches of compacted rock, sand, gravel or road base)
flatwork can settle, separate and develop uneven surfaces.
Will decorative
concrete last as long and as well as regular concrete? Our
product is 4-6" thick,
2500-3500 psi concrete. We match or exceed the normal requirements
for
a strong finish that withstands years of normal use.
Can stamped
concrete (decorative concrete) be found in commercial
settings? Absolutely, stamped concrete
can be
found throughout the world and at many distinguished
hotels, casinos, resorts, etc. A famous example would be
Disneyland
and Disney World.
Why is decorative
concrete (stamped concrete) more expensive than traditional
concrete? While decorative concrete is the most desired
these days it is also the most difficult finish to perfect
and requires much more preparation, finishing, and skills.
After the concrete is poured and finished the job is not
complete. Clean up for this type of finish is more difficult
because of the various colors that are involved. After
seven days the contractor will have to return to the job
site to pressure wash the excess color/release for the
perfect finish and look, then return again in thirty days
to seal the concrete. Simply put decorative concrete is
a much more labor-intensive process but most feel it is
worth the cost because of the unique and elegant look.
How is decorative concrete
colored? The Carlton Concrete Company
uses two methods to color decorative concrete. Using the
first method, color is spread onto the surface by hand
using the “dry shake method,” then worked into
the surface using hand tools. After the color is applied
and worked into the fresh cement, a release/hardener is
applied.
The release/hardener serves a duel purpose. It adds a
tremendous amount of strength and it highlights and acts
as a second
color, which gives the stamped pattern and overall color
a defining and distinguished look. The second method used
is when the color is mixed directly inside the concrete
at the concrete plant and mixed inside the truck. The concrete
is the colored throughout from the top to the bottom instead
of just ¼” into the surface. The release/hardener
is applied using this method as well. The second method
tends to be slightly more expense since the cost of the
material will increase. Both are good methods and not one
is better than the other. Which method is used depends
on the conditions and what look the customer is trying
to accomplish.
I can't afford to do my entire
project all at once. Can I do half now and half later? Decorative
concrete is surprisingly affordable. Best of all, every
project can
be done in stages.
It is not a problem to pick up a pattern from one area
and connect up to another area of your project at a later
time.
When is it necessary to
reinforce concrete? It is always
an advantage in the long term to add re-bar (reinforcement
bar). This guarantees that concrete will settle evenly
and avoids uneven surfaces, and cracks that widen over
time. Re-bar is cheap insurance. However, re-bar in not
always necessary on every type of project and you should
discuss the necessity with your contractor.
What kind of finishes are
available? The most common
concrete surfaces are broomed concrete, exposed aggregate,
stamped
concrete and hard-trowel. Broomed concrete is most commonly
used for city sidewalks and approaches. Exposed aggregate
concrete is created when a cement surface is washed off
with water after initial set. Advantage: its pretty. Disadvantage:
the concrete has been aged 20-30 years immediately. Stamped
concrete imitates natural surfaces such as stone, brick,
slate, etc. Hard-trowel concrete is generally
used for garage floors and indoor surfaces. It has a smooth,
shiny finish.
Is there any chance that
my concrete might crack? Concrete,
by nature, will crack. However, certain preventive measures
can be taken to highly reduce the likelihood. The Carlton
Concrete Company installations achieve a level of crack
prevention exceeding almost all others in the industry. Numerous
measures
are taken to highly reduce cracking. Unlike most of our
competitors, the Carlton Concrete Company uses both wire
mesh steel or rebar reinforcement and polypropylene fiber
mesh
in
nearly all of our decorative installations.
Control joints, named control because they “control” where
the crack will occur, are also utilized. These, along with
a few other “family secrets” very significantly
lower the probability of a crack occurring.
Do all decorative concrete
contractors use the same installation methods? Absolutely
not. After extensive experimentation and testing, the
Carlton Company uses a unique concrete
mix designed specifically for decorative concrete in this
area. The unique concrete mix is much more conducive toward
the special needs of decorative concrete than that of a
normal everyday mix. Additionally, there are certain installation
techniques, which are performed exclusively by the Carlton
Company that dramatically enhance the quality of the decorative
concrete.
Should I spray water on the
freshly dried cement to keep it cool in hot conditions? No,
this was a practice used for many years. What the Carlton
Company has found is that
frequent wetting of the freshly dried cement causes the
cement to become hot then cold, resulting in expanding
and contracting. This reaction is not good for the cement
and may cause it to crack and weaken. Additionally, applying
water too early can wash out color on your decorative concrete.
Will my
decorative concrete look the same as the pictures
shown on this web site? No. No two jobs are exactly
the same. Looks vary depending on the ground base, temperature,
moisture, mix, brand or color, etc. The Carlton Company
can come very close to matching your existing surface,
but no two jobs will ever be exact.
How expensive is decorative
concrete? Remarkably, decorative
concrete is relatively inexpensive. It’s usually
less then pavers, wood decks or flagstone. Decorative concrete
can range between $6-10 per square foot. Final estimates
will vary depending on site conditions, complexity of the
job and total square footage installed. The Carlton Concrete
Company provides free estimates and will be happy to give
you a
final price quote.
Does decorative concrete fade? Once
sealer is applied to your decorative concrete it will take
on a clear and
shiny
look. However, if sealer is applied, you should be aware
that over time, the shiny look will fade.
Cleaning and sealing
stamped and colored concrete should be done on a regular
basis just like any other home maintenance.
The frequency will depend on how high a traffic area
to cars, foot traffic, water, and any chemicals the concrete
is exposed to. The Carlton Company recommends resealing
every 2 or 3 years. If you wait longer, you may notice
the color fade slightly. But just like waxing a car,
reseal
your stamped concrete and the color will be as vibrant
as the day it was installed.
Do I have to seal my stamped
concrete? No, the Carlton
Concrete Company as installed over 300,000 square feet
in the Visalia area alone. Over half
the project have not been sealed. There are pros and cons
to both. One of our experts will be happy to explain the
differences.
Why should I have decorative
concrete at my new house? Good question!
Doug Carlton was quoted in the July issue of Concrete
Construction Magazine saying - “Decorative
concrete is the future of concrete." You most likely
will not choose outdated carpet, tile or cabinets in your
new home. The concrete around your home is no different.
Simple natural gray concrete is out. Vibrant colors - stone
patterns are in. The best part being that decorative concrete
is timeless, yet extremely affordable.”
