Concrete Driveways; Finishes

by

TomCMitchell

To achieve the preferred amount of exposure for your determined aggregate mixture finish the concrete is required to follow one of a few on site procedures. Within the following we wish to express in plenty of detail the procedure necessary to get the best surface finishes and just what effects each of the processes has.

As soon as the desired aggregate combination has been chosen by the buyer it will be pre prepared and mixed by the provider so that when it\’s transported to the site it can easily be spread evenly for a continuous effect throughout the finish. The mix is brought to you by using a concrete mixing transport truck that is designed to maintain the concrete in a liquid condition whilst thoroughly mixing the aggregate within the concrete. This will help to increase the speed of the task considerably yet also makes it possible for the concrete mix to contain an even distribution of aggregate splayed throughout it while in a liquid state.

Once transported to the site the concrete will be poured into the defined area by the qualified contractors, set to dry and then in a solid state the installers will use a process of either water or fine sand air blasting, or acid washing. Systems can currently be used to capture the fine sand and products used when blasting the aggregate finish to expose the pebbles to the preferred level. This allows for minimal environmental impact.

Another way of achieving the exposed aggregate finish usually employed for less substantial locations is the procedure of pouring concrete in its liquid state, having it distributed and flattened inside the driveways boundaries prior to seeding the aggregate mixture evenly throughout the concrete surface. The entire aggregate surface will then be bullfloated into the concrete layer pushing the aggregate in to the concrete consistently, adding strength whilst it sets into a solid condition.

Similarly once the concrete has set to a suitable level the process of abrasive blasting can start in an effort to erode the concrete below the aggregate and revealing the aggregate to an ideal level of abrasion. With the base concrete is getting stripped back you are left with the different sized aggregate pebbles that because of blasting appear in a matte finish.

When considering just how much exposure you desire for the aggregate, know that there are four degrees of abrasion. The degrees start at marginal blasting providing you with a sandpaper like feel and appearance, and get gradually more abrasive with light and medium along with heavy blasting being the most exposure offering quite a rough textured finish.

To find out more about exposed aggregate and the use of this technique within concrete driveways, head to

designerpremix.com.au

To find out more about exposed aggregate and the use of this technique within concrete driveways, head to

designerpremix.com.au

Article Source:

ArticleRich.com