​Q: Will the concrete crack?
A: Concrete requires control joints to allow for shrinkage when the concrete is curing.  The control joints we install in all our concrete work are completed in specific locations and design to greatly reduce uncontrolled cracking.  All of our concrete projects have a very low chance of uncontrolled cracking.  Uncontrolled (cracking) joint is when the contractor has not installed the control joints in the correct location and before 30 hours of placement.  If the concrete hasn't been cut with expert precision ,  than yes the concrete will crack randomly and uncontrolled.   Controlled (cracks) joints basically means that the contractor controls the time and location of where the concrete cracks.  The control joints are designed prior to concrete placement or during.  Successful controlled cracks are done with expert precision, within 30 hours of placement and other skilled tricks that aren't mentioned here.  The controlled joint will be a straight line cut into the surface of the concrete approximately 1/3 of the thickness of the concrete.  This is more structurally sound and visually appealing.  

I enjoy nature and how nature can create peacefulness.  I find these  zen inspired planters create a calm to a very busy technology filled life.    These planters come complete with a unique concrete planter, designed to create peace and calmness,  a tealight candle , sand rocks and a plant.  

Your Entrance Walkway Says a Lot about You
No doubt curb appeal is something that you have heard about when it comes to the exterior setting of your home looking great. What you may not be aware of is what components make up the curb appeal. Your entrance walkway is one of these and when it is finished off with exposed aggregate it says a lot about your taste and attention to detail.
What is Exposed Aggregate?
Exposed Aggregate is a decorative type of concrete that when used and installed properly it can create a stunning effect. It not only works beautifully for your entrance walkway but can be used in other areas like your patio or driveway.
What Makes Exposed Aggregate Different?
This form of concrete has a smooth finish to it but is textured with a variety of tiny stones and pebbles. This combination makes it visually appealing and creates a customized look.
Why it is Such a Great Choice for your Entrance Walkway?
Visually Appealing; The patterns that are created with the Exposed Aggregate installation make it visually appealing as well as unique.
VarietyThe variety of colours adds interest to the landscape environment in which it is being used in. These variations in color work in harmony with the natural elements that it is being used in.
SafeOne of the very important features about this artistic form of concrete is that it provides a safe non slip surface for walking on no matter what the weather may be.
Low Maintenance;
When you have your entrance walkway completed with exposed aggregate done by a quality installer you will find it very easy to clean, and it is low maintenance.
Durability;
It should last you for many years to come and will continuously add to the curb appeal of your home.
There are plenty of options that you can choose for your entrance walkway but many of these are common and plain although they do serve the purpose. So many homeowners take great pride in how their home looks that they appreciate it when they can options that can make their home stand out from the rest. At the same time, they don’t want to have a walkway that is soon going to be in need of repair. These are a few of the important features that make aggregate concrete the best choice.
Choosing the Right Entrance Walkway Installer; 
​You may have come to the decision that this form of artistic concrete is your best choice. You now need to decide on who is going to install this for you. Working with any type of concrete requires skill and expertise in order to get the most from your investment.  By choosing an experienced installer you will also be able to rely on their expertise as to whether Aggregate Concrete is the best choice for your front entrance walkway, or whether there are other alternatives that you may want to consider.
When you see what this type of concrete looks like you will really understand how by using it for your front entrance walkway that it really does make a statement about you in regards to your good taste, wise investment, and attention to detail.

​Concrete is one of the strongest and most durable building materials, which is why is a staple of modern construction with a very broad spectrum of applications. Inexpensive, flexible and resistant to wear and tear, it is a common choice for a huge number of interior or exterior structures of all sizes. Due to its excellent features and impressive longevity, it remains popular for small scale interventions around the house just as much as for complex industrial-grade projects intended for mass use.
To stay in perfect shape and serve you faithfully for many years, the concrete product needs occasional maintenance and care, so that any damage can be immediately fixed before it becomes extensive. However, that’s not a big deal, since concrete repairs can be done quickly and effectively, no matter how old the original structure is. New concrete can be smoothened to cover even the smallest cracks while sealing products can protect the surface from excessive moisture going forward.
Here is a quick overview of key features of sealed concrete products and the main reasons why you should consider them for a variety of purposes:
Why choose concrete?
A broad array of concrete items is available to choose from, allowing you to quickly close any gaps in the walls or protect the floor. Those products can be placed anywhere they are needed and are much more affordable than brickwork or metal elements, helping homeowners make essential improvements on a tight budget. Concrete products are suitable for almost any purpose and will perform well even under unfavorable conditions, such as bad weather or intense vibrations. They are next to impossible to destroy and can survive even natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes relatively intact.
Indoor or outdoor works
While concrete is most commonly used for robust outdoor structures like porches and stairways, it can be shaped into utility items for interior installation. Dining tables and coffee tables made of concrete can look very stylish and withstand heavy duty without any problems. If their edges get clipped, or the surfaces suffer cracks or scratches, it is possible to conduct simple concrete repairs and return the product to its original state, extending its lifecycle for another decade or two. For outdoor items, it is recommended to add some water protection to get the best results.
Variety of shapes and simple sealing
The unique advantage that concrete has over any other building material is the combination of flexibility and hardiness. Concrete can be molded into any shape desired, but once its sets in it will stay in the same form even when subjected to high pressure. During the production phase, it is possible to create very sophisticated forms, and they can be enhanced by applying a sealer that will keep the deeper layers free from moisture. The final form will be shaped exactly to your preference, fitting perfectly into its surroundings and adding stability to the adjoining walls or household items.
Long-lasting solutions
Whether your need involves sealing concrete basement floors or you want to have a pathway through your garden, it won’t be hard to find a tailor-made solution. You can’t go wrong with thick concrete tiles or processed utility elements, especially if you are looking for long service. Concrete products can legitimately be passed from one generation to another, without losing any functionality or their good looks. There might be occasional need for repairs, but otherwise you won’t have to think too much about keeping your concrete structures in good order. When you are building with concrete and applying appropriate sealing to stabilize the construction, you are building for the future

The first thing home buyers look at  when they are considering purchasing a home is what they'll need to spend money on, once they own the home.   Small repairs or simply having your concrete driveway or patio sealed will always give you the ROI .   Whether it be for curb appeal or wanting to keep your property maintained, things like; crack repairs, parging, or sealing will do the job.

Front steps or porch damaged concrete can really take away from the potential of value of your home.  Let us help you find the potential for your home.

Concrete repairs and sealing services are now available in Toronto, GTA, Brampton,  Mississauga, Hamilton, Oakville, Burlington, London and Woodstock.  

Concrete tile is becoming popular due to is design capabilities.  The advantages of using concrete tile/paneling is the reduced grout lines.  When building a fireplace or other surface area the sizes of the concrete tile reduces how many grout line in a new build.  
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Currently we have the sizes 3'x3'x1", 2'x3'x1 available.  We do not keep stock of these items as it is based on custom order.   

Contact us today for pricing and colour options.  

Concrete dining tables and coffee tables made using lightweight high strength concrete mixes.   We create the look of a slab of concrete,  but without that extremely heavy weight.  Each piece is hand-crafted using the most advanced concrete mixes.  

Our surfaces are generally 3/4" thick but cantilevered to create a slab look.  The concrete surface we design and build are made here in Kitchener-Waterloo, Canada.  We pride ourselves in a company that builds and sells in Canada.  

Contact us today to find out more about The Art of Concrete. 

Gas fire pit kits are kits that can be added to an existing structure or feature to create a propane or natural gas flame. The kits come in all ranges and sizes and sell from all over the world.  We have used kits in the past but we weren't happy with them, so now I have been trying to find a gas fire pit manufacturer in Canada. So far, there doesn't seem to be many Canadian companies that make fire pit kits.  

To update this post,  Napoleon Fireplaces is mainly Canadian made and they sell many types of kits.  The kits are not cheap ($500+),  but once we have a few in stock we'll post a review.  

I have heard they are made in Barrie, Ontario.  One of the distributors is barbecues galore. Comment below if you need contact information.  

We have added a custom designed wave concrete sink to the online store.  This concrete sink is made using light-weight and high strength concrete mix.  This design can also be made using two wave sinks for a double vanity sink-top.  Send us your ideas and we'll build it! or have us build a unique piece for you!  Custom dining tables, boardroom tables, side table, coffee tables, patio tables, fire tables, wood and concrete table finishes, steel and concrete finishes, glass and concrete finishes and the list goes on!  

There are so many types of concrete sealers on the market today,  and this makes it very difficult for a homeowner to find and simply seal there concrete.  

So let me explain tips and tricks to get your concrete sealed.

Wet cure for new concrete;  Under 10 days with temps above 10 degrees you will need to keep the concrete wet with burlap and lots of water.  Wet curing helps the concrete create a more dense crystal matrix within the concrete,  crystals create a stronger concrete.

What you need to ask when buying concrete sealers;  
-Addresses of where the sealer has been used for more than 1 year?  
-Is there a warranty?
-Is the sealer breathable?  concrete needs to breathe and so does the sealer.
-How fast does it set-up?  Some are instant reaction. 
-Application processes

How to apply concrete sealers;  
#1. Take a look at the weather forecast/radar.  You'll want to seal with no rain in forecast. 
#2. Rent or buy a good quality Chapin sprayer,  purchase a adjustable nozzle tip for the sprayer. This will help the sealer dispurse evenly.  This sprayer will allow faster application and even thin coat.
#1. Put on safety glasses or the appropriate safety wear. 
#2 The concrete will need to be pressure washed off with water,  all expansion joints and surface area.  Washing in the evening is best.
#3.  Allow concrete has to be dry for sealer adhesion,  using a leaf blower will help dry the concrete.  Applying sealer in the morning is best. 
#4. Wear the appropriate respirator and safety glasses or apparel.  A good quality sealer will stink up the neighborhood.  
#5. Stir the concrete sealer;  fill the Chapin sprayer only half way.  Pump and start spraying,  keep in mind wind direction.  

Types of sealers;  
-There is water-based sealers,  very good products to work with.  more than one coat is usually needed. Can be applied with a chappin sprayer.  Easy clean-up.  Cure and seal available and regular sealer also.
-Acyrilic sealers- The option can be done with only one coat of sealer,  usually brings out the most colour and gloss.   Sticky clean-up, can be slippery due to an acrylic finish.  Cure and seal available and regular sealer also.
-Sealers with anti-slip are great but typically jam sprayers, minimal silica sand clear can be casted as the sealer is being sprayed. 

Sealing new concrete; After 3-4 days of watering the newly poured concrete allow to dry and apply a good quality commercial grade cure-and-seal.  After 30 days the concrete needs a thin coat of commercial grade regular sealer,  very important part of sealing concrete. 

Sealing Old Concrete;
If your concrete exceeds 30 days old and has not been sealed ever.  it is very important to understand that the concrete will change dramatically.  Applying concrete sealers will always superimpose the surface,  meaning the sealer will make all texture very visible.  Please keep in mind that once you start sealing concrete it will require it for the life of the concrete.   

Let us know if you have any further questions or where to buy some sealer.  Thanks for reading.