Making Your Patio Look Amazing with Stamped Concrete

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IMG_20131018_111929If you have a patio in your home, you may be tired of its look. Too many people do not use their outside spaces because those spaces are dull and uninspired. You want to make the most of your outdoor living areas, treating them as extensions of your house that reflect your personality and that look beautiful. You can do this with help from Stamped Artistry. Stamped Artistry can work with you to create a patio design that will form the background for a wonderful outdoor living space. With our help, you can make a patio in the colors and styles that you want. Finish off your beautiful concrete patio with some comfortable patio furniture that matches your new beautiful patio floor, and you will have a nice outdoor space where you and your family can enjoy spending quality time together. Contact Stamped Artistry today to find out more about the different ways in which we can help you to make your patio nicer than you ever dreamed.

Interlocking Pavers and Solving Problems

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paver-thumbInterlocking pavers are an interesting way to add classic look to your patios and walkways, or any other appropriate paving. They have been used at homes and in streets for centuries, and can create a lovely European-style setting. The style works with various stones, bricks, more modern tiles, and more. They are lasting and more interesting than standard concrete paving. Prior selecting and installing pavers, it’s important to be aware of some things that may help you decide whether pavers are best for your project goals, and avoid potential problems if you choose them. Uneven or unstable ground may cause uneven pavers. Even if they seem even at first, over time you may find that pavers become uneven.

This usually happens because the base or soil is not even. Soft soils such as clay or sand may shift, contract, or expand depending upon water levels. These are difficult problems to clean up, so it’s important to take these things into consideration prior to choosing pavers. Edges of the path may sink or seem to disappear. This happens when the gravel or soil beneath the pavers’ edge washes away. This can be patched, but it can also be prevented with filter fabric. Also, if the border looks like it is falling away, that may be because the pattern was not held together well enough, or did not have edge restraints. Water puddles can appear after rain. This may not necessarily be a flaw; some materials, such as natural stone, have natural dips that mat gather water. However, some large puddles are caused by a dip beneath the pavers. Perhaps the soil was not compact enough in the beginning, or the base was not installed properly. The area can be lifted, more soil added if necessary, and the issue fixed. We offer an interesting variety of pavers and can create almost any pattern you want—from modern to Roman. We also know the ins and outs of installation, and how to prevent the problems. Call us and let’s start designing your new interlocking pavers.

Benefits of an Outdoor Patio with Concrete Floors

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IMG_20120516_111622An outdoor patio can make your living space seem much bigger. With a beautiful outdoor patio, you do not have to be stuck inside your house during the spring, summer, and fall. You can create an outdoor living room and an outdoor kitchen that are extensions of your home, where you truly love to spend your time while enjoying nature. If you are hoping to create an outdoor oasis by putting in a patio or fixing up the deck space you have, you are going to need to decide on materials. Concrete is often the best choice because it is durable and affordable. Concrete does not have to be boring, either–you can have stamped or stained concrete that is one-of-a-kind and that becomes the centerpiece of your outdoor living arrangement.  Find out from Stamped Artistry what the different options are for designing a beautiful outdoor space with concrete in your back yard.

Consider Concrete Steps Instead of Wood

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If you’re planning to add a new level to your home, such as a deck, or even a whole new floor,  then you will need steps. You could choose wood steps, which would be beautiful, initially. However, wood has some disadvantages of which you may be aware, but you also may not know that you have other choices, like concrete. Concrete steps can be just as beautiful, with fewer disadvantages than wood.

Wood and Concrete

Wood steps can be beautiful. They come in many styles, types, and colors. Of course, they also need a lot of care over the years. They need staining every few, for example. Eventually, no matter what you do, they will decay, and even splinter, sometimes. You will have to manage those possibilities. They’re also at risk of pests like termites. While they’re beautiful, are they worth all that work?

Concrete steps are sturdy; you probably know this. Do you know that they don’t have to be grey and boring? They can be absolutely beautiful. They have many colors, styles and patterns, and they can even be made to look like other types of materials. If you like the look of marble, you can do that with concrete. Or, if you like brick, concrete can resemble that, too.

Stamped concrete is very easy to care for. Even if you don’t give it the care you should, it will still last much longer than wood. Keep it clean easily, seal it far less often, and never worry about splintering. Plus, it’s much, much harder to damage concrete steps with falling objects, or other potentially damaging things.

Add that amazing upper level to your structure and get beautiful steps for it. Call Stamped Artistry today and find out what concrete can do for you, your steps, and your home in general.

Make the Waiting Room of Your Business a Place Your Clients Want to Be

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Stamped and stained concrete have the ability to transform a room. Where you once had a space that was little different from any other in your space, such as your office, you could have a touch of of something extra attractive to make it the place to be. When clients come into your business and have to wait, you want them to be comfortable. While a clean space, with comfortable seating and interesting things to keep them occupied as they wait, is a common, important element, imagine how much nicer it would be for them if the waiting room was even more beautiful with colorful stained concrete.

The Place to Be is Your Office

Beautiful, well-made stamped concrete can transform any area in to a place in which people want to be. Make a pool deck the summertime hot-spot. Make a driveway beautiful. Stylize any area, including the waiting area. When you’re forced to leave your clients for a time in the waiting area, leave them in a nice, comfortable place. Give them interesting colors and styles. You might think that a floor couldn’t make that much more of a difference, but it truly can.

Colors can add to the serenity of a place; with the right color choices, you keep your clients in a serene setting. The designs can be pleasing to the eye, and not only keep clients happy, but have them asking who designed your floors. The more your clients notice how nice your office is, the more likely it is that their experiences will be pleasant.

Plus, stamped and stained concrete is strong. Your clients and their children can run around in your waiting room all day, and they will never do enough damage to wear it down anytime soon. You can clean it easily, care for it easily, and you’ll have beautiful floors in your office for many, many years.

Make your office waiting room the place to be with concrete from Stamped Artistry.

A Concrete Floor for Your Restaurant

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The restaurant business is a bustling one. None of the jobs available in the food business are easy; they’re rough on everyone, and on the floors. Restaurant floors see more foot traffic than many businesses–from patrons in the dining areas, to staff there and in other rooms, and the kitchen staff, of course. Where food is prepared, the floors experience too many spills and utensil crashes to count. It stand to reason that the floors should be more than attractive; they should be tough. A concrete floor for your restaurant could be perfect.

The Look

Concrete is not the grey and bland material you see outside. Your restaurant can have lasting concrete floors and still have the look you want. You can have any number of color combinations and styles that won’t wear down with time and extreme foot traffic like other flooring will. If your restaurant would look best with a natural stone appearance, you can have stamped concrete for that, too.

The Resilience

To keep this stained and stamped concrete floor beautiful despite all the traffic it will see, you need to maintain it, but not too much. Concrete is strong and easy to clean. You need only basic cleaning and maintenance to keep it looking its best, even after many busy lunch and dinner shifts. After years of serving you as well as you serve your customers, it will still be as beautiful as you want it to be.

All the business of a restaurant means many, many accidents. All those inevitable spills and utensil crashes, whether they happen in the dining area or the kitchen, won’t damage the floor either. As long as it’s maintained, cleaned, and spills are managed as soon as possible, your concrete floor can handle it.

Make your restaurant floor the best is can be. Call Stamped Artistry today.

When You Need a Retaining Wall

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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.

Concrete Floors for Your Office

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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.

 

The Importance of a Seal on Your Concrete Pool Deck

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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.

Avoiding Potential Disadvantages of Concrete Floors

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While stamped and stained concrete can be the perfect choice for your next floors, countertops, and more, that does not mean it won’t need care over the years. All materials have their drawbacks, but you can avoid them. Whatever negative there may be to having concrete floors, there is a solution for it.

The Floor is Cold

This is true of most, if not all hard floors. This is one of the common reasons people choose carpet over hard floors of any kind; they don’t want to set bare feet on cold floors, particularly in the morning, or after a warm bath. Of course, this isn’t always a bad thing in hot climates.

That is where area rugs come in handy. Find some that suit your décor and place them in the right spots. You can avoid getting cold feet often. Don’t forget your socks, too.

The Floor is Slippery

Truthfully, concrete floors are not as slippery as you might think. Rather, it will be slippery if it is wet, and might be so if you wear socks. However, it is no more slick than any other hard floor. Plus, texturizing and applying certain seals help prevent slipping. That is why concrete is so suitable even for pool decks. It also never hurts to have rules about running in the house when you have children who might spill liquids.

The Floor is Hard

This is another common reason people choose carpet. Of course, this negative is usually true of any hard floor. For those who want concrete flooring but have concerns about how hard it is, soft area rugs are, again, great for helping with that issue. You can place enough of them to help, but not so many that they are a décor problem. If you worry over the children’s room being hard, there are excellent, colorful play pads, usually in the shapes of puzzle pieces, to help with that.

Ultimately, there is an answer to every potential negative when it comes to concrete floors. That makes them near perfect for your home. Find out more from Stamped Artistry today.