Expert Concrete Repair, Replacement & Resurfacing Contractors in Loyalist, ON

Impressed concrete is integrally coloured concrete impressed with special tools, materials and techniques to create decorative surfaces such as brick, fieldstone, cobblestone, etc. It is then sealed to prevent staining, fading and enhance the finish.

Textured concrete is integrally coloured concrete impressed with special tools, materials, and techniques similar to the impressed concrete system. Unlike the impressed concrete system, textured concrete has a more level surface allowing for a smoother finish where wheel chair use is required, for playing basketball, or any other area where a flatter surface is desired. The finished surface can be further enhanced through the use of coloured etching stains to give a marbleized appearance and by the use of a concrete saw to create diamonds, circles, borders, and other shapes. It is then sealed to prevent staining, fading, and further enhance the finish.

The system for making impressed concrete is more than 40 years old, the chemistry having been proven in installations throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, in both hot and cold climates. However, installations made prior to approximately 30 years ago were single colour, with no texture. They used now obsolete tools which only stamped in the joint lines but could not control their depth. Joint lines that were too deep posed a risk in northern climates due to pressure from water freezing in the joints and cracking off portions of the concrete surface. The impressed concrete system now uses a rubber type mat which controls the depths of the joints, gives texture and allows two colour systems to be used. With the improvements made to the tools, impressed concrete is now a reliable product for flat work and is a popular choice.

Impressed and Textured concrete is durable as all concrete is. It will last for many, many years. If there is extensive wear on the concrete, you may want to give it the 'just like new' look by having it resealed.

Salt increases the occurrence of freeze/thaw cycles during the course of a winter season. Therefore there is an increased opportunity for it to cause damage to the surface. To alleviate this problem, impressed and Textured concrete is poured using a high strength concrete complete with air entrainment, suitable or superior to Ministry of Transportation specifications. The high cement content and air entrained concrete almost entirely reduces the ability for salt to do damage. To avoid potential surface damage, we suggest salt alternatives to aid in ice/snow traction problems that occur. Sand is the best, with ashes being equally as effective but far more dirty. For further protection, an acrylic sealer is applied directly to the surface of the concrete making snow and ice easier to remove.