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Preparing Your Home for Aggregate Concrete Installation

Whether it’s installed as a walkway, a driveway, or a patio, you are certain to impress all of your guests with aggregate concrete's beauty.

Aggregate concrete is a striking addition to any home (browse our portfolio for some great examples). Homeowners who choose aggregate concrete over standard concrete are uniformly impressed and remain pleased for years with the look and durability of their aggregate walkways, patios, and driveways.

Before you have aggregate concrete installed at your home, there are a few things to consider to ensure that you are absolutely as thrilled as possible with the new concrete. Here are three ways you can prepare your home for an aggregate concrete installation.

Pouring exposed aggregate concrete patio

Design

At GWC Decorative Concrete, we specialize in several different aggregate styles. You might be an ocean lover and want to have seashells. Colored glass might be your thing, or maybe you prefer small river stones for a classic look. Of course, you don’t have to pick just one. You can opt for a unique design that alternates the sorts of aggregate.If for instance, you are a University of Oregon fan, you might alternate panels in your walkway with yellow and green colored glass. If you have a large parking area at the end of your driveway, you might have concentric circles with

If for instance, you are a University of Oregon fan, you might alternate panels in your walkway with yellow and green colored glass. If you have a large parking area at the end of your driveway, you might have concentric circles with alternating colored glass, or alternating stones. Play around with the design possibilities and explore your creativity.

Demolition

One key element of a concrete installation is the demolition. Make sure that the work area is clear and take note of anything that may be under the surface. For instance, if there are subterranean electrical conduits, those must be marked and taken into consideration. If you are replacing a driveway or walkway, it is likely that we will need to jackhammer the area. With that in mind, be attentive to any pets who may be sensitive to noise, or older neighbors who may need to be alerted prior to the commencement of all that racket.

Density and Moisture

When the job commences, there may be a short period where your contractor has to prepare the soil to take the weight of your new aggregate concrete. Workers will need to make sure the soil has the right moisture content and density. For this job they will excavate the topsoil from the area to reveal the undisturbed soil beneath. Then, they can lay down a bed of gravel, which will be compacted for maximum density.Next they will install rebar placing on concrete spacers to keep the rebar off the gravel, insure rebar is in the middle of

Next they will install rebar placing on concrete spacers to keep the rebar off the gravel, insure rebar is in the middle of slab, and then will pour your concrete. Soon you will have the most beautiful expanse of aggregate concrete you can imagine.

GWC Decorative is Portland Oregon’s very own specialist for all residential concrete services; exposed aggregate, stamped concrete, pressure washing and sealing, and more! Call us today at (503) 849-0901 to learn how we can transform your home into new.