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Looking for a new and unique way to finish your concrete? As outlined in our previous article, there are many different types of concrete finishes to choose from, including brushed concrete, exposed aggregate concrete, stamped concrete and limestone-finished concrete. In this article, we will go into more detail about a popular concrete finish that combines the stylish aesthetic preferences of interlocking stones and the versatility of concrete.

What is Stamped Concrete

A stamped concrete finish is a type of concrete finish that is created by impressing textured forms onto the surface of the concrete before it has set. There are many patterns available, with the most popular being the texture that creates the look of natural stone.  You can also enhance this texture with the application of colour to match the type of stone you like or create contrast.  Stamped concrete can also be used throughout the surface of the concrete project or as decorative borders.

Stamped concrete is finished with a high gloss, slip-resistant sealer to ensure easy maintenance.

Why Choose Stamped Concrete

Stamped concrete is the perfect way to add some extra flair to your driveway, front entrance, back patio, or pool deck. You can choose from a variety of textures and colours to create a look that’s perfect for your home. Plus, you get all the benefits of concrete as stamped concrete is incredibly durable and will last for years with minimal maintenance (when properly sealed).

How Much Does Stamped Concrete Cost

Installing stamped concrete is typically more than the cost of installing regular concrete, and ranges from $20-$22 per square foot. Different factors such as the size and shape of the outdoor space and where the stamped concrete is applied will impact the price of your stamped concrete project. To get a more detailed quote, contact a reputable concrete contractor with experience in installing stamped concrete.

Where Can Stamped Concrete Be Used

Like any other concrete landscaping project, stamped concrete can be installed anywhere around your home. With its durability, high gloss finish and slip-resistant surface, this textured concrete can be installed in backyard patios, walkways, front entrances and even driveways!

Contact Markstone Landscaping for Stamped Concrete Landscaping Around Your Home

With its versatility, stamped concrete is perfect for any outdoor space. It greatly enhances your home’s curb appeal that gives your outdoor space a unique high-end look.  Markstone Landscaping has been installed stamped concrete projects in the Greater Toronto Area for over ten years.  Contact us today to get started on your stamped concrete project!

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Are you considering concrete for your driveway, walkway or backyard patio? If you think concrete is boring, you may want to think again. There are many different types of concrete finishes to choose from, and you have the option of adding colour, borders and cut lines to give it a unique look and feel. Below, we’ve outlined four of the most popular types of concrete finish.

Four Types of Concrete Finish

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Brushed Concrete
Brushed Concrete is a simple yet effective way to add some texture to the concrete and is the base level concrete finish offered at Markstone Landscaping. When the concrete is freshly poured, while the surface is still wet, a broom is used to brushed across the surface to create a brushed concrete texture. Brushed concrete may be sealed with a penetrating sealer by request

Exposed Aggregate Concrete
Exposed aggregate concrete is a type of concrete finish where the top layer is removed to expose the added aggregates. Pea gravel is added into the concrete mixture. After the concrete is poured, a chemical is applied to the surface to prevent the top-most layer from curing. The next day, this top layer is washed off to expose the pea gravel texture. Exposed concrete is finished with a high gloss sealer

Stamped Concrete
A stamped concrete finish is created by impressing textured forms onto the surface of the concrete before it has set. This texture may be enhanced with the application of colour to create contrast. Stamped concrete is finished with a high gloss, slip-resistant sealer

Modern (or Limestone-Finished) Concrete
Modern concrete is a smooth, matte finish concrete which resembles limestone. Once the concrete is poured and set, the surface is hand-polished and sandblasted. It is then finished with a penetrating sealer to provide a protective matte finish.

Options for your Concrete Project

Concrete Colours

Most concrete projects use the natural colour of concrete.  However, if you’d like to add colour to your concrete landscape, you can choose from our integral colour or colour hardener colour palettes.

Colour Hardener is a coloured powder used to colour the surface of your concrete after it has been poured, while Integral Colour is a coloured powder that is mixed into the concrete while its still in the concrete truck. With Integral Colour, your concrete will be coloured all the way through as opposed to a layer of colour on the surface when using the Colour Hardener option.

Concrete Borders and Cuts

Add a finishing touch to your concrete project by adding a border and/or cuts.

Concrete borders can be a trowel or stamped borders.  A trowel finish border is a smooth border created with a trowel, while a stamped border is created by impressing a texture into the border and finishing it with a colour hardener.

Concrete cuts are more than just a decorative way to finish your project – they serve to ensure that your concrete does not crack in unsightly places. You have the option of choosing square, diamond or custom cuts.

Contact us for a free estimate

The average price of concrete projects will vary depending on the concrete finish you choose along with other factors. Contact us to learn more about the various concrete options, or to request a no-obligation quote for your driveway, front entrance and backyard.

The post Choosing the Concrete Finish for your Driveway, Walkway and Backyard Patio appeared first on Markstone Landscaping.

Curb appeal is a term used to describe a home’s visual attractiveness as seen from the street. It’s what gives people their first impression of your home before they step inside. It’s also a term often used in real estate – great curb appeal can be a significant asset.

Your front exterior sets the tone for your entire home. Outdoor lighting fixtures, the front door, porch seating, and potted plants all work together to reflect your personality and create an inviting space. Hardscaping is also an important element of your home’s appeal. Walkways, the porch, and the driveway not only add texture and interest to the front of a house but can add significant curb appeal as well.

Using interlocking stone provides you with a low-maintenance option with a wide range of choice in colour, shape, and pattern so you can create a truly unique front entrance. Concrete is another option, and some people are still surprised to learn the number of options available with concrete. We’re used to seeing the more common grey brushed concrete, but there are so many more choices available to you. There are colour, style, and texture options in concrete to suit any home.

If you’re looking for a front entryway update, here are some things to think about.

A Well-Defined Walkway to the Front Door

Guide your guests to the front door from the street or driveway with a beautiful, low-maintenance path. A well-defined walkway to the door is welcoming and is a great way to add some texture and character to the yard.

Exposed aggregate walkway from the driveway to the front door

Interlocking path and steps from the driveway to the front door

Interlocking stone driveway extension and walkway

Interlocking stone driveway extension and walkway

Capping the Front Porch

Updating your front porch can drastically change the appearance of your home. No, there’s no need to remove your concrete porch – all you need to do is pick the colour and style of interlocking pavers to achieve the look you want. Capping your front porch is a great way to create a welcoming front entrance without having to make significant structural changes to your home.

Decorative Stairs for your Front Porch

You can build your steps to create a dramatic impact, or you can have them blend in, giving the spotlight to other features in the entryway. Here are just a few examples.

Interlocking Pavers on Front Steps

Black Limestone Front Entrance Steps

Exposed Aggregate Concrete Steps with Stamped Borders

Exposed Aggregate Concrete Steps with Armour Stone Retaining Wall

No Grass, Low Maintenance Front Entryway

If you like the idea of spending less time cutting grass while still having a beautiful front yard, you can create a stunning patio to welcome guests and add curb appeal.

The Little Extras that Improves Curb Appeal

It’s often the little details that add interest and depth to your landscape.  You can add accent colours, bullnose stairs, stamped concrete borders or french curbs at the edges to give your front entrance that luxury feel.

French curbs are a beautiful way to mark the edge of a driveway or path

Bullnose stairs with prefab concrete pavers and black limestone

The post Updating Your Front Entrance to Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal appeared first on Markstone Landscaping.

Be Aware of Your City’s By-Laws When Widening Your Driveway

If you are considering taking on a driveway extension project, you will need to be aware of your municipality’s by-laws. Zoning by-laws can limit how wide your driveway can be, where you can put it on your lot, how you’re able to attach a walkway to your driveway, and the required surface treatment. Of course, a driveway widening contractor with experience in driveway extensions in your city can be an asset.

While building permits are not required for making changes to your existing driveway, you may need to obtain permissions depending on the work you have planned. For example, special permissions are required if the widening impacts the curb.

A good rule of thumb is to look around your neighbourhood. If the driveway you’re planning appears wider than your neighbours’, you may want to contact a by-law officer directly. There are variations in each municipality, and the time you put into research before you start could mean less hassle once the job is finished.

Links to Zoning By-Laws in Peel and Halton Region

Below, you will find a quick zoning reference by municipality, so you have the information you need to make your driveway extension project a successful one.

Widening your driveway gives you lots of room to meet the demands of your multi-vehicle home

Widening Your Driveway in Etobicoke

There may be zoning restrictions on the width and location of your driveway. You must visit your district Toronto Building Office to obtain information. For more information, click here.

Widening Your Driveway in Mississauga

You will need to reference Mississauga’s Property and Zoning Information Map as the zoning of your property dictates how wide you will be able to make your driveway and the minimum soft landscaping required. For more information, click here

Widening your Driveway in Milton

You will need to follow-up with the city in order to determine whether the work requires a permit. For more information, click here. The Curb Cut and Entrance Permit can be found here.

Widening Your Driveway in Brampton

The width of your lot determines the maximum driveway width. Contact Zoning Services if your lot be pie-shaped, a corner lot, or irregular in any way. For more information, click here.

Widening Your Driveway in Oakville

Permits are mandatory for altering driveways within the municipal right of way, and work must be completed within one (1) year of permit issuance. Furthermore, you must have the appropriate permits no less than ten (10) days before work begins. For more information, click here.

Widening Your Driveway in Burlington

A permit from the city’s Capital Works Department is required in order to widen your driveway. For more information, click here.

Contact us for Concrete or Interlock Driveway Extensions

As both concrete and interlocking contractors, Markstone Landscaping can provide options on the best way to leverage your space and extend your driveway while keeping your home’s curb appeal intact. Feel free to contact us and we’d be happy to provide a free estimate.

Other Driveway Related Articles You Might Be Interested In

The post Guide to Driveway Extensions in the Peel and Halton Region appeared first on Markstone Landscaping.

In this article, we’re highlighting one project we’ve done in Mississauga where we used various different materials for landscaping their driveway, front entrance, sidewalk, backyard and pool deck.

Combining Interlocking and Concrete Around your Property

On this property, our client wanted the durability of concrete without compromising on aesthetics. With this in mind, we combined interlocking stone around the pool area which modernizes the backyard area while using exposed aggregate concrete for the driveway and sidepath to ensure the overall landscaping project stays within the budget. In addition, we added some accents in places where possible, such as the jet black front entrance and stamped concrete borders to enhance the overall aesthetics.

Driveway with Exposed Aggregate Concrete

Exposed aggregate concrete is great for the driveway as it provides a certain colour and texture that gives it that unique, modern look over regular concrete. In additional, all decorative concrete done by Markstone Landscaping includes high gloss sealing that always protects concrete from any oil or rust stains. For this driveway, we used exposed aggregate concrete with stamped concrete borders to give it a nice accent with the look of natural store.

Front Entrance with Interlocking Steps

To provide some contrast that also complements the exposed aggregate concrete, we used jet black pavers for the front entrance in a wet lay application, and set in concrete with mortared joints.

Walkway with Exposed Aggregate

Exposed aggregate sidepath is a great and economical way to clean up the side of the house.

Backyard Patio and Pool Deck

The backyard area is the main focus of this landscaping, so we set out to provide a modern and tranquil space for our clients to spend time in.

This project also included a vinyl swimming pool installation by our sister company, Mayascapes Pools, and we combined large interlocking slabs around the pool deck with the jet black pavers for the patio area for a more modern look.

For the pool deck, we used large interlocking stone slab. These stones were very nice to work with, and on this particular project, we had to use our suction cup attachments to ensure these big slabs were laid flush together.

To tie in the backyard area with the front entrance, we again used jet black natural stone for the patio as well as for the steps going into the walkout basement.

Contact us for your customized landscaping estimate for your property

Markstone Landscaping has worked with many properties in the Peel Region to provide a space that our clients can enjoy while also increasing the value of their home. We are both concrete and interlocking contractors, and we use the best material for the space that meets your design wishes while staying within your budget requirements. If you would like to get ideas on how we can help add vigor to your space while improving the overall curb appeal of your property, feel free to contact us and we’d be happy to provide a free estimate.

Other Landscaping Articles You Might Be Interested In

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One of our landscaping customers in Mississauga was tired of mowing their lawn and decided to replace their grass backyard with a modern concrete patio. The photographs below outlines our process for installation of a concrete backyard patio using specialized landscaping crew (which includes the excavation crew, framing crew, cement pouring crew and cleanup crew) to ensure our services are delivered in an efficient manner.

Excavation

After the customer finalizes the design of the backyard patio we provided them, the next step is to bring in the excavation crew. Our dedicated excavation crew comes in with a mini excavator and lots of plywood to protect all grass and anything that could possibly be damaged by our mechanical wheel barrows or excavators. The lead man on site will have a copy of the drawing and will first mark out the areas they will be digging. Once that is done, they will use their laser lever to see what our heights will be. It is very important that we have at least 6″-8” of compacted gravel in any backyard or side path. It is also very important that you water and compact at least 4 times. This project was 1400 square feet and took the crew 1 day to complete.

Framing

Once the excavation is complete, we bring in our dedicated framing team. On this particular backyard concrete patio project, we did the concrete pour in two phases. The first phase was to pour concrete border with a light grey accent. Once all the borders have been poured, we then remove the forms and pour the inside. The framing team has a very important role to make sure all forms are square, plum, and sloping away from the house at a 1%-2% grade. Framing a project of this complexity took two days to complete.

Concrete Pouring Day 1

For the first day of pouring concrete, the framing team builds ramps for the wheelbarrows to get to all the borders. We like to use wheelbarrows as opposed to bringing in a pump truck as there is a lot less likely hood of any of the frames being damaged or moved. Pouring the borders and stairs took half a day to complete.

Concrete Pouring Day 2

Our dedicated pouring team comes on site and starts stripping all the forms to get ready to pour the inside pieces. Our pouring guys also install 10M rebar 16” OC with a minimum of 4” thickness of 32MPA in backyards and pathways. Anything that will have a vehicle or heavier load will have a minimum of 6” thick. This project had a modern smooth finish, which means we do two rounds of a magnesium finish to allow all the bleed water to come up. Once it’s hard enough and we know all the bleed water is gone, we do a final pass with the aluminum trowels to give it that clean crisp look. This part took pouring team 1 day to complete.

Cutting Stress-Release Cuts

Next day our dedicated clean up crew comes in and strips all the forms and cuts all the lines on the concrete. The cuts are primarily there to relieve the stress of the slab moving up and down, but it can also be done in a way to give the patio a more attractive look.

At Markstone Landscaping, we love working with customers who are willing to look outside the box and try something creative. For this concrete patio project, we created 45 degree cuts to look like diamonds with tile shape cuts in the middle of the patio. We thought it would be a great idea to break up the patio in different sections so that it doesn’t look like a parking lot, and I think we achieved this. It is always important to cut ¼ of the depth of the concrete slab, so 1″-1.25″is recommended. This step took the clean up crew one day.

A Modern Concrete Patio for your Backyard

Making the decision to putting a patio in your backyard is an important one — it is not as easy as changing paint in your family room. That being said, we highly recommend customers work with landscape contractors that have a true understanding of the scope of work to make sure that the project is not only structurally sound, but that is also has a beautiful finish that you can be proud to show your friends.

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