In January 2024 our crew placed a covered patio slab with a salt finish.
Date
January 13, 2024
Finish
Salt finish
What is a salt finish?
After the concrete is floated, coarse rock salt is pressed into the surface. Once the concrete sets, the salt is washed away and leaves a pattern of small pits. The result has a soft, speckled texture that grips well underfoot and stays cooler than smooth concrete, which makes it a favorite around patios and pools.
On May 28, 2022 our crew was finishing a stamped concrete project.
Date
May 28, 2022
Finish
Stamped
Stamping is all about timing. If you stamp too early the pattern slumps; too late and it won’t take. Crews work quickly with texture mats while the concrete is still workable, then release agents and sealers bring out color and depth.
In Texas summers, heat speeds up setting time, so we plan stamped work carefully and often avoid full sun in peak season. Ask about decorative concrete for your home.
We tear out and rebuild a lot of bad concrete installations. Removing and disposing of a failed job costs time and money, often more than doing it right the first time.
Topic
Comparing concrete bids
Compare quotes apples to apples
When you get quotes for your next concrete job, check that every contractor includes the same steps:
Thickness: 4 inches minimum for walks and patios; 5 inches or more for driveways
Concrete strength: the PSI of the mix (we typically use 3000–5000 PSI)
Reinforcement: rebar size and spacing (e.g. 3/8 inch at 12 inches each way), not just “mesh”
Doweling: rebar drilled into existing concrete where new meets old
Base prep: vegetation and roots removed, soil compacted
Finish: broom, exposed aggregate, stamped or salt
Haul-off: whether debris disposal is included
15 feet or 15,000 feet
Whether it’s a sidewalk, a driveway or a parking lot, we serve commercial and residential customers. We also install decorative concrete for homes and businesses, and we take on specialty projects that need custom solutions.
This front porch expansion combines stone, brick and concrete for a finished look that matches the house.
Scope
Front porch expansion
Materials
Stone, brick, concrete
We can widen or lengthen driveways, sidewalks, patios and porches. Compare the steps different contractors include, from base prep and doweling to reinforcement and finish, and you’ll see why customers choose 1,2,3 Concrete.
