Cableatierra – Construction Blog

Posts Tagged ‘quality’

A concrete contractor doesn’t just pour concrete level it and then leave.  A concrete contractor can be responsible for the proper grading, leveling , site prep, form work, ordering, placing, finishing, and perhaps decorating and sealing the concrete.  A concrete contractor is a valuable asset to have when you are using concrete for your building or structure.  Their experience can save you thousands from making a mistake on your own.  If you think its easy work and you can do it yourself you have probably never poured, placed and finished concrete.  Not only do you need the proper tools including, a wheelbarrow, bull float, extensions, mag trowel, steel trowel, power trowel, rubber boots, rebar ties, screeds, edger trowels, forming equipment, forms, and on and on.  Also when the concrete arrives you have better secured your forms and be ready for quick placement and finishing if not you have a big heavy, solid mistake thats not easy to fix.  If you have ever had to push multiple wheelbarrows to the pour site you will understand how backbreaking and how hard the work really is.

A concrete contractor understands mix design, how to calculate the amount needed, and how to place the right finish on the concrete depending on its ultimate use.

On the other hand a Decorative Concrete Contractor has a different but equal value when decorating your concrete.  They understand cure times, surface finishes, colors, sealers, coatings, surface preparation, color application methods and techniques.  They are expert problem solvers and great at troubleshooting because no concrete slab or environment is ever perfect..  They have an arsenal of handy and required specialty tools including, stamp mats, tampers, diamond cutting and grinding wheels, trowels, screed rakes, smoothers, squeegees, rollers, sprayers and spray equipment, extension cods, safety gear, industrial vacuums, polishing tools, spiked rollers and so on.

Although you may find many DIY sites who encourage you to do it yourself, it is important to really understand what you are getting into.  We get many a call asking for help with a ruined project.  People calculate the cost of the product or material but are extremely unprepared for all the little things that were conveniently not mentioned.  Once you calculate the total installed cost of the concrete you might realize that if you had to purchase all the right equipment, tools, and labor it is a great deal to have a professional concrete contractor take care of everything.

Copyright (c) 2009 Elda Titus “There are certain values in our landscape that ought to be sustained against destruction or impairment; though their worth cannot be expressed in money terms.” By Newton Drury. Traditional architectural design virtually disappeared during the rise of modern architecture. Americans are showing they want more than the sleek disigns of modern architecture. The past decade has brought a rebirth of interest in early American architectural accents. Home and business owners are looking to the past to determine what works and what is appealing. Traditional architecture focuses on architecture and design, holding to the belief that by integrating architecture and design all projects benefit. There is an art to proper building and the appropriate use of architectural accents for each building type, beauty being the ultimate goal. The choice of the best materials and design will provide a long term investment. By working with a finely tuned eye, a design begins with the building’s role in the environment. There is an art to appropriate use of architectural accents for each building type. American architecture began during the 17th century, when our forefathers came to North America. The settlers brought with them varies building techniques from their homeland. Being creative and adapting to the climate, skills and available building materials, they set out building quality construction which varied among the different settlements. In New Orleans, the French government sent skill architects to produce the quality of buildings as in France. This is the only settlement at the time that had architects to produce the buildings. The mansions in the South depicted Roman and Greek design. Building adobe structures, the Spanish settlers in the Southwest were influenced by the Native Americans. At the same time, New England went about building gabled buildings with Gothic inspiration. In the 18th century the government and office buildings in Williamsburg, VA, were built with class and formal English architecture. President’s George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were very interested in architecture and were very influential in the planning and building of Washington, DC. When it comes to traditional American architecture, one thinks of the barns that every farm had. Sears and Roebuck Co, as well as others sold tens of thousands of homes and barns all over the country. They were delivered by railroad and were assembled at the building site. By the second half of the 19th century the trend of modern design was to use steel, cast iron and concrete to construct buildings. It was during this time the sky scrapers began being built. It was during this time the sky scrapers began being built. Glass and steel towers sprung up throughout the USA. The early American designs were replaced by the strong architectural statement of glass and steel. By the 1960′s, houses changed to have attached garages, front porches went out of style. It was during this time that family rooms were the gathering place, replacing the formal living room. The United States was slow to recognize the value of our older historic buildings till the Mount Vernon restoration stirred awareness of American historic architecture. Federal grants for historic preservation became available and along with that a rebirth of craftsmanship. People increasingly long to live with traditional design for the lasting value not only for the present but in the future. Quality construction does not become tired or dated, rather the elegant design will age gracefully. Good buildings will increase in value over time instead of decrease. American character and integrity embodies traditional early American architecture. The elegant lines speak volumes about the values and priorities of our forefathers. The choice of the best materials and design will prove a long term investment, increasing in value throughout the years.