Minnesota Concrete Blog » Pools

Exterior Concrete Alternatives for Home and Business

admin — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:26:34 +0000

With low cost, durability, and unlimited design possibilities, concrete is the new material of choice for home owners and businesses alike. Outdoor projects like driveways, patios, stairs, walkways, and pools can add value to your property and set it apart from the rest of the houses or buildings on the block. Traditionally patio, pool or other accent area projects could be cost prohibitive using materials like slate, marble, or granite. Exterior concrete is a low cost alternative that can be styled to mimic these materials as well as many more. With Stained concrete you can get the great look you’ve always wanted for a lot less.

Beautifully decorative exterior concrete can add curb appeal to your home or business. Your driveway is often the first thing people will see when visiting your home or office, so why not make it stand out? Driveways are important; they should be functional, but they don’t have to be boring! Flat black asphalt drives or plain grey concrete lack visual impact. A driveway with stain and texture can create an immediate positive impression. Lowell Russell Concrete can help you create a driveway that’s durable and beautiful making it more than just a place to park your car.

Walkways and entryways are also areas that provide an early impression of your home or business. Using the flexibility and nearly unlimited design opportunities of customized concrete can help turn these areas into visually appealing highlights to your property.

Patios are another area where architectural concrete can be used to good effect to enhance and delight. Whether you’re entertaining guests or just relaxing after work, patios enhanced with colored, antiqued, shaped or textured concrete make beautiful spaces to spend your time.

Having an indoor or outdoor pool is unique in Minnesota, but with stamped concrete and border designs you can make your pool area even more special. Installing or remodeling a pool can increase the amount of fun you can have in your home as well as the re-sale value later on. The style and value added to your property is well worth the investment of an indoor or outdoor pool area.

To explore the unlimited possibilities of exterior concrete in Minnesota for your home or business, contact Lowell Russell Concrete, Inc. in Minnesota, at 952-461-3710 or get a quote online. We offer a variety of concrete services, including interior and exterior applications, staining, stenciling and imprinting of concrete.

Exterior Stained Concrete

admin — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 10:05:28 +0000

Concrete slabs are very convenient for outdoor living, but until recently, tended to be unattractive. Design issues can now be solved with stained concrete. The stain uses a mild acid solution to etch into the surface of the concrete and react with the lime, which is natural to concrete mixtures. Once the acid does its work, the color penetrates into the surface of the concrete itself. This makes it permanent, and unlike paint, it will never chip off or fade.

The colors available to exterior stained concrete continues to expand. Whereas earth tones and shades of pale blue were previously common, newer dyes now offer tones of red, yellow, purple, and oranges in different shades. The expanding color palette offers the creative spirit many ways to design an ideal look.

Some choose to just stain the entire concrete with one color. But, that is not the only option. You can use these stains to create abstract designs or even recreate logos and works of art on the concrete surface. The possibilities are really endless when you add in stencils and other tools to the mix.

If you are looking for a way to transform the concrete slabs in your life, then look into the concrete staining options available from Lowell Russell Concrete Inc., your Minnesota concrete stain professionals. You will have a masterpiece outside to enhance your walkway, patio, or entrance within a short time.

If you want to explore the many possibilities of stained concrete in Minneapolis MN for your home or business, consider contacting Lowell Russell Concrete, Inc. in Minnesota, at 952-461-3710 or Request a Quote online. We offer a variety of decorative concrete services, including interior and exterior applications, staining, stenciling and imprinting of concrete.

Exterior Stamped Concrete

admin — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:54:56 +0000

Concrete offers many benefits over other building materials, especially when it comes to accenting areas around your home. There is no limit to the uses for concrete, and when you choose exterior stamped concrete, you will be adding beauty and interest to your home and property.

Lower Maintenance
Wood decks rot, but concrete will last forever. When you choose concrete, you won’t have to worry about rebuilding in fifteen years. Concrete patios can last for generations with a small amount of maintenance. Where wood decks should be waterproofed annually to keep them looking their best, concrete only requires a quick sealing coat every few years. Unlike wood, concrete also does not attract insects such as termites, carpenter ants and some bees.

More Stable
A wood deck will only hold a certain amount of weight. But a stamped concrete patio can handle any size hot tub you might want. Concrete is stronger, more stable, and will not get slippery when wet. Concrete also will not leave splinters, and it doesn’t get so hot in the sun that it hurts to walk on.

Possibilities
Exterior stamped concrete is the perfect solution for walkways going into the backyard, or along the driveway. Concrete driveways themselves can be stamped with attractive designs, helping your house stand out more. Wrap around porches are also fun to relax on, and when they are made from stamped concrete, the overall appeal is increased. Pool decks and patios are constant entertaining areas, and stamped concrete is perfect for making them look attractive, unique and interesting. Whatever your need is, exterior stamped concrete can fill it for a reasonable price, and with a look that you are sure to appreciate.

If you want to explore the many possibilities of stamped concrete in Minneapolis MN for your home or business, consider contacting Lowell Russell Concrete, Inc. in Minnesota, at 952-461-3710 or Request a Quote online. We offer a variety of decorative concrete services, including interior and exterior applications, staining, stenciling and imprinting of concrete.

Benefits of Concrete Pools

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:38:01 +0000

Concrete is a versatile material, and using concrete to build interior or exterior pools offers significant advantages over a fiberglass pool. The primary reason to choose a concrete pool is the unlimited flexibility. Concrete can be poured to fit a space of any size. Most fiberglass pools come only in preset designs, whereas a concrete pool can be customized to a particular shape without increasing the cost by much. This allows for complete creativity, limited only by imagination.

A concrete pool may be less expensive than comparable fiberglass pools. Concrete is a renewable and environmentally-friendly resource, and tends to reflect heat away. This can help to keep the pool area cool, perfect for summer pool parties.

Recent advances in concrete techniques have led to concrete that can have a number of different textures and colors. The high durability offered by concrete keeps normal wear-and-tear from unpleasantly deteriorating a concrete pool. Concrete also does not emit harmful emissions like some fiberglass pools may. As a natural resource, concrete is unlikely to trigger an allergy, and a concrete pool can be easily cleaned and requires no special chemicals or techniques.

Like all construction projects, choosing a concrete pool contractor should be thoroughly researched. Browse our concrete pool photo gallery for examples of our work. Recommendations can also be solicited. If you check with the Better Business Bureau you’ll notice we have consistently been recognized for excellent customer satisfaction. Choosing a concrete company with an established reputation can ensure that if problems do happen, customer service can handle them.

If you want to explore the many possibilities of a Minnesota concrete pool for your home or business, consider contacting Lowell Russell Concrete, Inc. in Minnesota, at 952-461-3710 or Request a Quote online. We offer a variety of decorative concrete services, including interior and exterior applications, staining, stenciling and imprinting of concrete.

Benefits of Concrete Pools

The Many Uses of Concrete in Your Home or Business

admin — Mon, 24 May 2010 15:24:46 +0000

Concrete is used to pour foundations and walls in buildings and structures around the world, which is a building material made from water, sand, gravel and cement. Approximately six billion tons of concrete are produced every year, and concrete is one of the most durable building materials ever created. Together, steel and concrete can make buildings as high as skyscrapers, but most people don’t realize the elegance and beauty of poured concrete for use around their home or business.

The most popular use of concrete that most people are familiar with is pouring foundations for homes and driveways. Concrete can also be used to create patios in backyards, provide decoration in the form of steps and walkways, lines the outside of swimming pools, and provides the foundation for decks.

Plain concrete is often used for these projects, but a variant called stamped or imprinted concrete is also popular. Stamped concrete is concrete that has been stamped or imprinted with patterns on the surface so as to resemble brick, tile or even wood. Stamped concrete is durable, like plain concrete, and can add a certain elegance to outdoor decor. You can even customize stamped concrete to the pattern that you want, making it easy for home decorators to design the look and feel of their interior and exterior living and work spaces with durable and affordable materials.

If you want to explore the many possibilities of concrete for your home or business, consider contacting Lowell Russell Concrete, Inc. in Minnesota, at 952-461-3710 or Request a Quote online. We offer a variety of decorative concrete services, including interior and exterior applications, staining, stenciling and imprinting of concrete.

Benefits of Concrete Pools

admin — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:12:53 +0000

For both interior and outdoor underground pools, nothing beats concrete. A concrete pool is not only superior to other pools in durability and design but it is also a great way to relax and enjoy the summer weather. Concrete pools are also just a little way to show off, which can be done modestly or with flair.

Design is the number one benefit in concrete pools. With concrete, there is no limit to shape, size, edging, and features. Concrete allows a person to express a pool design aesthetic by creating something original and unique. Once the basic shape and size are determined, concrete can also be stamped and stained for further refinement. Earth tone stain can lend an air of natural beauty that cannot be matched by other materials or plain gray concrete. Stamping the concrete can also create unique designs and texture on both the pool walls and deck.

Other benefits of concrete pools include their durability. Concrete will last for years, and a lifetime if properly maintained. Concrete pools are also the safest on the market. Tile can be slick and cause dangerous accidents. The texture of concrete helps to prevent falls. Concrete pools are also easy to clean. Most spills can be cleaned with a simple spray of a garden hose.

Lowell Russell Concrete has been serving Minnesota for over 35 years and they have the experience and skill to create a concrete pool meeting virtually any design specification. A Lowell Russell Concrete pool is one that can be shown off for years to come as both a mark of achievement and design.

Benefits of Concrete Pools