This concrete patio was first formed up using a flexible forming system. Either an outside curb was formed first or Rodrigo simply leveled off the concrete in one flat pour. The crew used concrete stamps to obtain a cool texture to the concrete patio. Control joints were cut into the slabs to prevent undue cracking along the concrete slab. After the concrete had time to dry, the crew used concrete stain to place color on the patio. The rounder patio has a darker brown edging that helps the star in the middle to pop.

The rectangular patio was first formed up using wood forms. The concrete was screeded off and then allowed to settle some before stamps and color were added to it as well. I am a bit stumped as to how they obtained the “marbling” design in this example. Anyone out there in concrete world, please pipe in if you know how Rodrigo obtained that look!
And as always, happy screeding!

Browett Builders Inc is a family run business based in Victoria British Columbia. Browett Builders specializes in both residential and commercial construction. John Browett purchased a TTI Screedright Pro several years ago and posted these photos to their website. These photos are of a concrete driveway replacement. John and crew must have first tore out the existing driveway which is a big job in and of itself. It is a good idea to have a backhoe or a skidsteer to help with the concrete demolition. Browett Building chose to do this driveway in two pours by forming up two long slabs. This works great with the TTI Screedright Pro as it requires forms to ride along. Once the first slab in poured and dried, it can be used to boarder the remaining area.
The website contains cool renovation and new construction projects. Browett Building understands the personal touches of operating a small family business. Thanks for posting, John and best of luck to your great business!

The TTI Screedright Pro utilizes a wooden 2X4 as a screed bar. Every so often Tom gets the question: “Can I use an aluminum bar on your screed?” Sometimes concrete guys like to use a metal tube as a screed bar or they have purchased several sizes of aluminum screed bars and want to use them.
While the TTI Screedright Pro was originally designed to accept a wooden 2″ X 4″, it is possible to use an aluminum screed bar as long as the width is 1 1/2 inches. The ears on the concrete screed are designed to saddle over a 2″ X 4″ , which is actually 1 1/2″ wide.

Trade Tool Innovations is currently looking into offering a Screedright Pro that accepts a magnesium screed bar.  The new screed owner would have the option of using a 2″ wide magnesium screed bar or a wooden 2″ X 4″ by simply adding a 1/2″ plywood shim.

Concrete people around the world… let us know what you prefer!  Are you a 2″ X 4″ guy or a magnesium only guy?  If you like the idea of using an aluminum screed bar, let us know and tell us why!  We will toss in free shipping when we get the new screed design up and running.

We will always offer the 2″ X 4″ design.  We have noticed that some concrete professionals and hobbyist prefer the ease of cutting the screed bar to fit the job.

Here is an update to my previous post on stamped concrete. The concrete contractor added a colored seal to the edging of the new concrete driveway for a new construction home. The contractor also included a little landscaping in the new home package.

The first thing to consider when looking for a concrete sealer is to examine weather the sealer will be applied indoors or outdoors.  For this project, the contractor was looking for a product specific for outdoor use.  Your product should have good UV resistance and also be waterproof.    Usually an area like this gets a lot of foot and vehicle traffic and the new homeowner should consider applying a new coating every couple of years or so.

Some of you who follow our other blog, tipsbytom.com, may have notice a feature called “Do It Yourself Home Building“.  This story is based on emails received from Tom’s brother-in-law who is building his own home, green house and workshop in a town in northern Wyoming.  Chip, his wife Peg, and their two children have literally built these structures from the ground up.  We were there for a couple of days this summer and were amazed at their progress.  I took several pictures of their home, and shop area as well as some of the landscaping they have started in the yard.

They designed and built the home and shop area with sustainable concrete in mind.  All the floors are colored and stamped concrete.  The outside entertaining area is comprised of an outdoor concrete kitchen, stamped concrete patio and a fire pit/ seating area.  The yard also has a beautiful and functional handmade rock river flowing through it.  River rocks sit on a bed of formed concrete.  A natural drainage ditch runs through the concrete/rock river to create a natural river rock sound, as well as serve as an irrigation source for the yard.

All of the floors  in the house and the greenhouse/shop/garage were struck off using the TTI Screedright Pro.  Chip and Peg also used the concrete screed to level off the sidewalks and driveways as well.

It is a job well done!

Concrete Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor Concrete Fire Pit

The first few steps are basically the same.  Forming the slab and sidewalk with wooden or plastic forms.  The concrete is poured, screeded off and floated in the same manner as well.  If a concrete contractor is looking to add extra decorative design, he or she will allow the concrete to dry just enough to be able to apply the concrete stamp.  At this point, the contractor can apply color if desired.  The stamp is usually a small rubber  form that lays over the concrete and is moved around to form a pattern.

More and more homeowners are adding a stamped design to their new construction as a way to spruce up the look of their landscaping.  What do you think?  Do you like the stamped look or a more traditional concrete flat work?