Concrete Patios - The Benefits Abound

Durability

In addition to concrete's versatility, concrete is durable and can stand up to a range of weather conditions found across the country. In fact, many companies in colder climates take special measures to ensure the durability of the concrete patios they produce.


Distinctive Concrete of New England

We use a lot of steel and rebar in a two-foot grid that controls cracking. We also apply many coats of sealer.

–Mike Verlennich, Verlennich Masonry and Concrete, Staples, Minn.

In addition, their proprietary mix is 4000 psi and includes fiber and steel, meaning it usually reaches total hardness at 14 days, as opposed to the normal 28 days.

Bill Guthro of Distinctive Concrete in Rowley, Massachusetts, says stamped concrete will last longer than any other type of masonry installation.

Whereas traditional pavers and cobblestone settle unevenly during the freeze/thaw cycle of winter, stamped concrete is reinforced with 3/8-inch steel reinforcing rods placed 24 inches on-center-each-way, right in the middle of the concrete. This steel reinforcement gives the concrete the necessary tensile strength to resist the constant heaving produced by the freezing and thawing of the ground.

Stamped concrete is also better than pavers and cobblestone in spring and summer. Pavers and cobblestones are susceptible to joint deterioration if sand is not constantly brushed into all the joints. This joint deterioration results in ant hills, growth of unsightly grass and weeds and produces dangerous tripping hazards when the individual pavers settle unevenly.

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