Uncategorized Archives - Stamped Artistry

Retaining walls are everywhere, though you don’t hear the term often. But, you can see evidence of all the things they can be and do for a landscape. They sit at the bottom of soil slopes. They divide gardens from yards. They add décor and seating to patios, poolsides, and more.

When do you know if you need a retaining wall, however?

The primary purpose of a retaining wall is to provide extra support against soil that may erode downhill; it resists gravity for the sake of the slope. If you have a steeply sloping landscape, then you could probably use a retaining wall to protecting against erosion. It’s also helpful for growing plants on those slopes.

Retaining walls help keep sloping land usable, overall. You may have seen images of farmland on steep slopes lined with short walls, creating a step-like pattern, almost like an arena made in the landscape. That is how those farmers use retaining walls to successfully grow their crops on difficult landscapes. They’re often called agricultural terraces. This has worked for many centuries, even millennia, because it helps the farmers manage water runoff and make better use of water. If you have a sloping garden, or you want to add another level to your garden, rather than relying on potted plants, a retaining wall could contain that secondary garden level.

Of course, retaining walls can be great aesthetically, too. They can add to your outdoor landscape. They’re great decor, lasting, and even provide extra seating for your patio visitors. Even if you don’t have to retain soil, and manage water and erosion, you could still benefit from a retaining wall. Just ask a professional.

If you want to know more about retaining walls and determine if you could benefit from one, or you would like one, then call Stamped Artistry. We can give you a beautiful, natural-looking retaining wall to last you many, many years.

Offices are busy places; not only do employees come and go, but clients do, as well. The larger the business, the more people there will be walking around. This can take a toll on the flooring, and you want the floors to be maintained because they’re part of the impression your office gives, overall. However, in the midst of the important business you conduct, the floor care can take a backseat. That is merely one of the reasons that concrete floors for your office could be perfect; they’re strong enough to handle strenuous traffic, even with a little less maintenance.

If you don’t have concrete floors already, installing them may not be the huge project it seems to be at first. Sometimes, there are already concrete floors beneath your current ones; all that needs to be done is to pull up the carpet, or other flooring, and start the process of finishing. The only way to know is to look.

Even if there is not concrete there, you can still have it. The professionals at Stamped Artistry can give you concrete floors that greatly enhance the visual appeal of your office, while being strong enough to withstand the years with easy care. In fact, those floors could have many more pros than your current ones.

Spills and Cleaning

Concrete is solid and strong. It’s also less porous than other materials, which makes it more resistant to spills. Add strong sealers, and you have a very easy time cleaning. Just quickly wipe and dry up any spills. It’s also easy to dust and mop; gentle cleaners will work very well. You can perform deeper, steam cleans once or twice per year to keep things even more well-maintained. It is also easy to prevent the accumulation of dust and allergens. Overall, you can spend more time on business, and less on keeping the floors clean.

Strength

Hopefully, you will be in business for many years. If so, your floors will need to stay strong all that time. Well-made concrete floors—with strong sealing, cleaning, and maintenance—can withstand all your business traffic through the years. You may never have to replace them, unless you want to opt for a different look.

Trust concrete floors for your office. Call Stamped Artistry today to get started on your business’ new flooring project.

Concrete pool decks can be both beautiful and functional. To remain that way, they need help. That concrete is tough, but sitting in the sun and being subjected to other elements throughout the year will take a toll even on the toughest materials. A seal on your concrete pool deck will make the deck look better, prevent fading in the sun, and protect it from pool chemicals.

Protection for the Concrete and You

Whatever type of concrete you have around your pool—stamped, stained, textures, and more—a seal is always recommended to preserve the beauty and life of your floor or deck. That concrete sealant can give your deck improved color and a glossy look, if you want. There are many different levels of gloss and a tinted sealer can boost the color of your deck.

Stains are also risks of having concrete around the pool. Sealing the deck helps prevent this. Over the years, your concrete deck will be subject to all sorts of chemicals in the pool, as well as debris from the environment. A good sealer protects your concrete pool deck from all this. If things freeze over winter, your concrete will also be protected from ice and thawing damage.

If you’re concerned about slipping risks, you needn’t be worried. There are slip-resistant sealers that are perfect for use around the pool. You can have both the protection and sheen, while still keeping your children safe as they play around the pool. This type of seal can help prevent accidents, even when water is splashed onto the concrete.

When your concrete pool deck is well-sealed, you help maintain it’s beauty over the years. You save yourself money on repairs, and may even need less maintenance. Of course, with slip-resistant sealers, you keep yourself safe, too.

Whether you get a new concrete pool deck, or you have one already, have it sealed to preserve it. Call Stamped Artistry today for all your concrete needs.

Your patio plays an important part in your home’s appearance if you use it often. If you don’t, you may often wish that you had a nicer space that makes you want to spend more time there. Your patio could play a major part in your home’s welcoming landscape and new concrete flooring could be the way to make that happen. If so, there’s still the question of what sort of patio flooring would be better: stamped concrete or concrete pavers?

Stamps vs. Pavers

You have plenty of choices when it comes designing your patio, and those choices aren’t necessarily limited when you settle on a material. Either concrete pavers or stamped concrete can be laid to create beautiful patterns. And, both of these floors could last a lifetime with the proper care. They are also potentially affordable, if your budget is a concern.

Concrete pavers are generally easy to install. They don’t require a lot of maintenance and your options for design are basically unlimited. They work for patios, walkways, decks, gardens, and more. Pavers are installed one-by-one, and so the process can be a little time consuming. It’s relatively easy process however, and none of that affects the long-life they can have. Plus, if you ever need repairs, it’s usually easy to replace the pavers.

Stamped concrete is poured concrete that is stamped and stained to look the way you want it. Primary colors and accent colors give it beauty, and seals give it shine. Your design options are many with this type of patio flooring, too. These floors may require more care than pavers. However, many people find they’re worth it. Plus, installing is a less slow process. Repairing this floor may cost more, too.

In the end, your patio needs to have the look you want, at the price you want. Put the details that mean most to you in a hierarchical list—cost, look, maintenance, time to install, repairs, etc. That will help you decide between stamped concrete or concrete pavers. We can help at Stamped Concrete, too. We’ll help you choose, and we’ll install. Just call us.