Concrete is a popular building material that can be used for a variety of projects. It is durable, versatile, and can be coloured to add a decorative touch.
Rock cairns along trails and in the backcountry should only be built by park rangers, trail maintenance crews, or by those who have a permit. Doing so violates the Leave No Trace principle of minimizing your impact on nature.
Concrete Driveways
Concrete driveways are a popular choice for residential homes and sheds in FNQ, thanks to their durability, termite-proofing, thermal properties and non-slip surface. They are also cost-effective and low maintenance. A professional Concreter Cairns will create a concrete slab that is the right thickness for your driveway’s expected load and take measures to prevent water runoff or flooding.
They will then lay your new concrete driveway, ensuring it’s levelled and free of bumps or ruts. If the ground is particularly uneven, they may create a base layer of gravel or paving stones before laying down the concrete.
Driveways and paths are essential elements that elevate the aesthetics of both commercial and residential spaces. They offer the perfect blend of functionality and style, ensuring you leave a lasting impression on visitors and passersby. Find an affordable concreter in Cairns near you by browsing Oneflare’s list of top-rated and customer-rated businesses. From resurfacing existing concrete to building a new driveway, you’ll find a local service that suits your budget and project requirements.
Concrete Patios
Concrete patios provide a space to relax or entertain, adding a stylish touch to your outdoor living area. They’re also a cost-effective alternative to paving materials like pavers and can be finished with a variety of textures and colours to suit your tastes.
Because they don’t shift or crack easily, poured-in-place concrete patios are a durable choice. They’re also easy to maintain by spraying weeds and cleaning the surface. They can also be stained and colour coordinated with your house and landscaping.
A textured surface can help prevent slips and falls, which is especially important around a pool. Concrete is a great material for this because it can be coloured and has reliable grip even when wet. A large outdoor rug in neutral tones adds a pop of colour without detracting from the concrete’s sleek look, as shown in this dining and seating space by JC Designs. The herringbone pattern accentuates the concrete’s shape and creates an attractive layout for the seating areas.
Concrete Retaining Walls
Retaining walls not only stabilise sloping areas, they also add aesthetic appeal and can enhance the value of your property. When constructed with a purpose in mind, concrete retaining walls can be crafted into unique designs that capture the eye and create focal points within your landscape.
In addition, retaining walls reduce the risk of soil erosion, protecting against issues that could lead to legal liability for property owners. They help minimise water runoff and prevent soil displacement, which can damage plants and negatively affect nearby water bodies.
Unlike natural stone, which can be damaged by extreme weather conditions, poured concrete is a durable and enduring material that is capable of withstanding harsh environments. Its versatile design options also provide plenty of room for creativity, with poured concrete retaining walls able to be coloured, textured and accented with embedded features. Concrete retaining walls are also a smart landscaping choice because they require minimal maintenance efforts.
Coloured Concrete
Coloured concrete is standard grey concrete that has been pigmented either at the surface or throughout the entire matrix of the concrete. It can be made using natural or synthetic pigments that are poured and mixed directly into the concrete mix on site. This process, known as integral coloring, allows for the concrete to be mixed in a variety of earth tones that blend well with the surrounding landscape.
Other methods of coloring concrete include staining and dyes. Stains are typically applied to the surface of existing concrete and come in a wide range of colors. However, they are more likely to fade or wear off over time due to their exposure to sunlight and rain.
A good concreting service will be able to advise you on the best method for your needs. They will also be able to provide you with an estimate of the cost for your job based on real customer feedback.