Stamping Your Decorative Concrete Driveway Or Patio In Milwaukee, the Do – it – yourself Way

A decorative concrete driveway or patio can be just thing a new homeowner needs to add that unique sense of style a flair to the outdoor area of their Milwaukee homes. Stamping concrete (also known as imprinting, or texturing concrete) is a style of laying cement and applying texture or designs before the mixture has fully set. There are numerous amounts of imprints that should be taken into consideration when planning out a design for your driveway or patio. This article is meant to highlight some of the most popular stamps used by everyone from large concrete companies, to at home do-it-yourselfers. Though stamping concrete is simple, it can be physically tolling, especially if you are thinking about not only installing the imprint yourself but laying the concrete as well.

To get started, you’ll need to do some research about companies that can lay the concrete for you. In Milwaukee, there are many options for finding the right company for your installation. Running a Google search for Milwaukee decorative concrete driveway-or just Milwaukee concrete should be fine-you will find yourself with a plethora of businesses that service the Milwaukee area. Be sure to research a few different companies before deciding on the one you think is or you. By choosing to stamp the cement on your patio or driveway yourself, you could be saving anywhere from four to ten dollars per square foot. Taking the time to peruse a few concrete company websites, and even giving a couple of them calls and speaking with a sales representative will ensure that you get the best deal per square foot.

Once you have decided on a local Milwaukee company to install your concrete driveway or patio, it’s time to let your creative, decorative juices flow. Stamping your new driveway or patio can be as tricky or as easy as you want. One of the many benefits to stamped concrete, is being able to achieve the look and feel of something else (for example, wood, cobblestone, brick, etc.) while maintained a much more durable surface than any of the above-mentioned mediums. However, many people decide to take it further than just concrete mimicry and add designs and even color when stamping. One thing to keep in mind when choosing the design that fits your home is if you plan on stamping the concrete yourself, keep it relatively simple. If the idea you have is for an elaborate concrete patio depicting a jungle scene through stamped concrete, my advice to you is hire a specialist. But, if what you are planning is a simple texture stamp (like brick or cobblestone) head down to your local hardware store (or Home Depot) and ask to be pointed in the direction of the concrete imprints.

As stated earlier, stamping concrete if a fairly straightforward process, but can be very time-consuming and physically straining. There are many videos on YouTube concerning the subject of imprinting concrete, watch a couple of these before you get going to get an idea of the process. A good way to practice for new concrete imprinters is to take your stamp somewhere with a lot of sand and practice using it there first. Make sure you are checking the alignment of your stamps every few rows, especially if there is any sort of slope to the surface, to make sure nothing is sliding out of place. Be sure anyone who is walking on your imprints to apply pressure is wearing clean shoes free of anything that could fall into your freshly printed stone when removing the stamp. Finally, make sure you are having a good time, part of doing-it-yourself is having fun.

This article is just the tip of the concrete stamping iceberg and to effectively stamp your driveway or patio much more research will be necessary. However, using the ideas listed above should point in the right direction for making the Milwaukee decorative concrete driveway or patio of your dream. So don’t wait, get your concrete and get stamping today.

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How to Install and Stamp Your Milwaukee Decorative Concrete Floor

There are many ways to install and stamp your own concrete floor to add a unique sense of style to your home or business in Milwaukee. Many people choose to hire a local company to do the heavy lifting for them, which in many cases is the best option. However, for those do-it-yourselfers out there, this article will highlight the benefits, and tips for installing and stamping your very own concrete floor. One of the main benefits is the sense of accomplishment and creative freedom stamping your own concrete allows. But, what is stamped concrete (also known as imprinted or textured concrete)? It’s a style of laying concrete to look like something else (brick, wood, etc.), or imprinting designs directly into the stone.

As with anything else, if you or someone you know has any construction experience—or even better, any experience laying concrete—ask them for help. Otherwise, YouTube is a great place to start, it offers tons of videos from home improvement specialists and amateur alike. Be sure not only to watch a few including amateur videos, it is equally as helpful to see how someone failed, as it is to see how they succeeded. Once you’ve been introduced to the art of installing concrete floors, you’ll need to do some research to find the proper materials, as well as where in Milwaukee you can get all the supplies you’ll need. When thinking of an idea for the style of stamp you plan to use on your floor, keep in mind that the more complicated the stamp, the harder it will be to imprint. Many people choose to use a rustic wood or brick stamp, but with the right idea and proper skillset, artists have been able to create some very impressive imprint art.

Laying and stamping concrete is fairly simple though it can be physically tolling, especially without the right tools. Once you’ve done all the necessary research and measurements, Milwaukee has plenty of places to purchase the things you need to prep, pour, smooth, and design your personal concrete floor. Schmitzmix.com is a valuable online resource servicing Milwaukee and the surrounding areas. Here you can find everything from contractors and supplies, to informational links. If you prefer shopping for materials in a physical storefront Home Depot should have everything you need to make your ideal floor. The benefit of going to Home Depot or your local hardware/construction store is being able to get input from its employees. A lot of hardware store clerks are knowledgeable on many aspects of home improvement, as well as being fellow do-it-yourselfers. Find someone who has had hands-on experience laying concrete if they are available, otherwise find the most experienced clerk you can to guide you and ensure you get all the supplies you’ll need to lay your floor.

Now that you’ve got your design, finished all the research, gotten all the necessary materials and supplies, you’re ready to install your floor. It may help to review some YouTube videos, or even choose one tutorial to follow while you lay your concrete. Ensure that you’ve prepared everything necessary for your imprint before beginning to pour the wet mix. After the cement has been placed, apply any final touched to the moist mixture before it sets. Use your tools to apply the texture you are interested in achieving or to smooth away unnecessary rough patches.

Finally, after all the research and heavy lifting, gaze down upon your sleek new floor with pride. For many, the thought of installing and stamping a concrete floor in their own house (or anywhere else for that matter) can be daunting. As stated in this article earlier, for many home and business owners, hiring a company or contractor may be more costly in the long run, but will save the time and labor necessary for those hardcore do-it-yourselfers out here. With so many options for installing your Milwaukee decorative concrete floors, what are you waiting for? Before you know you can be walking on art in your own home.

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Finding the right Milwaukee Commercial Concrete Contractor for your Business

As a business owner, you will regularly find yourself in need of contractors as you expand. When searching for the right company to assist you with your contracting needs there are a few important things to keep in mind.

Whether you are building a new structure from the ground up, remodeling or upgrading the stonework on the exterior of an existing one, or installing a new cement interior floor for more support, finding the right team for the job can make all the difference. Ideally the company or contractor you hire will be someone you can build a relationship with and go to for all your future needs.

When deciding on somebody to install something as permanent as stone, you do not want to take any chances with shoddy masonry experience. Below are some tips to help set you out on the right path to finding your perfect team.

•    Know your needs and do the research – Don’t let the lowest price you see grab your eye and distract you from fully researching the industry competitors. There may be a reason that specific company is offering the lowest price around. Ask for references and pictures of former work completed by the candidate. Angie’s List is a good place to search for verified and reviewed concrete layers in your area.

•    Fully check all credentials – Going hand in hand with asking for references, be sure to ensure they have the proper licenses as well as any necessary insurance. Other things you can do to ensure the credibility of the candidate is asking for a business credit report. This will allow you to find out if the company pays their bills on time and is in good standing with the bank. Finally, be wary of any companies that have an immense amount of lawsuits or have received and disciplinary action.

•    Interview your candidate – When hiring the proper company for your building needs, it is important to conduct a thorough interview. Just as if you were hiring an employee, this person or team is going to have access to your building, as well as being around you and your business regularly (if yours is a business that requires frequent construction). Look for many of the same traits you would if you were hiring someone to work in the same office as you, trustworthiness, solid work ethic, able to meet deadlines (this one is very important, especially if you are paying by the hour), and overall positive attitude. Having a slack construction team can be a waste of time, money, and just an unnecessary headache.

There are many other tips and helpful articles online that are recommended when starting your search for the perfect Milwaukee commercial concrete contractors. With a little more research you’ll be ready to start a relationship with a company that is going to fit your business model like a well-tailored suit.

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