Streets of Southglenn Water Feature - Discover its uniqueness

6 Ways to Add Lifetime Value to Your Concrete
Get the insider tips to get the most out of your concrete paving

1. Clean - regularly clean your concrete. It will keep it looking good and extend its life.

Consider resealing your concrete every two to three years.

2. Reinforce - Rebar or welded wire reinforcement will help keep a slab together and moving

as a unit. Fibermesh prevents early cracking. Be sure to tie together adjoining slabs.

3. Expansion Joints - Dowels should be spaced at 18" to 24" apart, expansion (isolation)

joints should be placed against adjoining slabs and walls. Caulking of expansion joints will

improve appearance and keep water out of the joints.

4. Subgrade Preparation - Thorough compaction to 90% or more of capacity is important

to keep the concrete from settling.

5. Test - If in doubt about soils compaction and/or concrete mixes, testing can be done to

6. Salt - Colorado Hardscapes does not endorse any de-icing chemicals. Sand can be used

when a traction aid is required. If indeed deicers are used on your concrete, be sure to

thoroughly clean them off the concrete as soon as the weather allows.

Top 5 Value Engineering Tips

Discover these secrets to save money while maintaining your design intent

      1. Choose a Less Intense Color - Choose softer earth tones that do not require
       consistency and intensity over time. Natural tones vary in intensity; that is what gives

       them their beauty and depth. If that is the look you want, lower dosages of integral color or

       shake on colors can provide cost savings.
       However, if a consistent and deeply intense color is your end goal, then the opposite is

       true. Lowering pigment loading often leads to inconsistent color from pour to pour due to an

       inability to mask raw material drifts as well as the distinct possibility of compromised long

       term color. If value is truly the end goal then the pigment loading should be higher than the

       typical .75 to 2%. Quality color hardener looks better long term because it averages 5 to

       10% pigment loading on cement. Concrete with a higher pigment loading can be chemically

       stripped, exposed to a harsher in environment, and be cleaned repeatedly. It will “weather”

       better than concrete with a lower loading resulting in a product that looks better, longer.

2. Stain Accent Areas - Integral color adds durable color throughout the entire slab.

However, when budget is a concern, you can choose to highlight certain areas of your

project by applying a Bomanite Patene Artectura product over these areas.

3. Turn Stone into Concrete - Although there is nothing like the old world feel of authentic

stone paving, when it comes down to budget, it is helpful to know your alternatives.

Consider swapping out areas of stone paving to higher end concrete finishes such as

Lithocrete, Bomanite's Imprinted Concrete or Sandscape Texture.

4. Keep Your Existing Slab - Do you have decent existing concrete that is just a little drab?

Instead of completely removing and replacing it, you can utilize the slab (depending on it's

condition) and dress it up with a topping system, stain, polish (interior) or a simple clean

and seal.

5. Uncolored Can Be Pretty Too - You do not have to go to color or high end finishes to

dress up your concrete. By special scoring techniques and alternating textures or finishes,

you can create a high class uncolored concrete project.

Schedule a tour or presentation of Colorado Hardscapes' Design Center for more in depth information by emailing or calling MaryHelen Kanani

---> Short on time? Visit our Virtual Design Center for more information, examples, and specifications for different products and finishes

This upscale student housing development near the University of Denver campus utilized some of Colorado Hardscapes’ finest products to create a stunning courtyard complete with one-of-a-kind paving, a fire pit, and an artistically-created water feature.

Colorado Hardscapes joined with Nuszer Kopatz (Landscape Architect), Kiewit Construction, and the property’s owner MacKenzie House from the conception of this job, through the changes made to give everyone involved the best value and product, to the completion in time for DU’s fall 2009 opening.

---> Read the full case study and view additional pictures

Our Team Profile
Kristian Geiger

In the last few years, Kristian Geiger has been the "go to" guy for research and development samples of innovative concrete products at Colorado Hardscapes. The success of many of our jobs started when Kristian provided the prototype or approved samples. His detail-oriented approach and his precisely documented formulas and techniques give Colorado Hardscapes' crews the best chance for success in matching the expectations of its customers.

Kristian works hard at getting samples out on time and making sure the samples can be reproduced on the actual jobs. He will often meet personally with clients to develop the colors and techniques required to coordinate with the colors and themes of projects.

A few of the outstanding projects in Kristian's portfolio include Solterra, Commerce City Civic Center and The Bear Cave at the Wildlife Experience.

Working with a myriad of products, colors, aggregates, sealers and techniques can be very challenging. Kristian's meticulous style is well-suited to the needs of the job.

--->Meet more members of our team

Karen Van Heukelem, LEED AP

Colorado Hardscapes, Inc.

8085 E. Harvard Ave.

Denver, CO 80231

The Hardscaper is a quarterly publication written and edited by John Buteyn, Karen and Shirley Van Heukelem.

6 Ways to Add Lifetime Value to Your Concrete Get the insider tips to get the most out of your concrete paving 1. Clean - regularly clean your concrete. It will keep it looking good and extend its life. Consider resealing your concrete every two to three years. 2. Reinforce - Rebar or welded wire reinforcement will help keep a slab together and moving as a unit. Fibermesh prevents early cracking. Be sure to tie together adjoining slabs. 3. Expansion Joints - Dowels should be spaced at 18" to 24" apart, expansion (isolation) joints should be placed against adjoining slabs and walls. Caulking of expansion joints will improve appearance and keep water out of the joints. 4. Subgrade Preparation - Thorough compaction to 90% or more of capacity is important to keep the concrete from settling. 5. Test - If in doubt about soils compaction and/or concrete mixes, testing can be done to assure quality. 6. Salt - Colorado Hardscapes does not endorse any de-icing chemicals. Sand can be used when a traction aid is required. If indeed deicers are used on your concrete, be sure to thoroughly clean them off the concrete as soon as the weather allows. ---> View Colorado Hardscapes' portfolio of case studies for examples of lifetime value.
Top 5 Value Engineering Tips Discover these secrets to save money while maintaining your design intent 1. Choose a Less Intense Color - Choose softer earth tones that do not require consistency and intensity over time. Natural tones vary in intensity; that is what gives them their beauty and depth. If that is the look you want, lower dosages of integral color or shake on colors can provide cost savings. However, if a consistent and deeply intense color is your end goal, then the opposite is true. Lowering pigment loading often leads to inconsistent color from pour to pour due to an inability to mask raw material drifts as well as the distinct possibility of compromised long term color. If value is truly the end goal then the pigment loading should be higher than the typical .75 to 2%. Quality color hardener looks better long term because it averages 5 to 10% pigment loading on cement. Concrete with a higher pigment loading can be chemically stripped, exposed to a harsher in environment, and be cleaned repeatedly. It will “weather” better than concrete with a lower loading resulting in a product that looks better, longer. 2. Stain Accent Areas - Integral color adds durable color throughout the entire slab. However, when budget is a concern, you can choose to highlight certain areas of your project by applying a Bomanite Patene Artectura product over these areas. 3. Turn Stone into Concrete - Although there is nothing like the old world feel of authentic stone paving, when it comes down to budget, it is helpful to know your alternatives. Consider swapping out areas of stone paving to higher end concrete finishes such as Lithocrete, Bomanite's Imprinted Concrete or Sandscape Texture. 4. Keep Your Existing Slab - Do you have decent existing concrete that is just a little drab? Instead of completely removing and replacing it, you can utilize the slab (depending on it's condition) and dress it up with a topping system, stain, polish (interior) or a simple clean and seal. 5. Uncolored Can Be Pretty Too - You do not have to go to color or high end finishes to dress up your concrete. By special scoring techniques and alternating textures or finishes, you can create a high class uncolored concrete project. Schedule a tour or presentation of Colorado Hardscapes' Design Center for more in depth information by emailing or calling MaryHelen Kanani ---> Short on time? Visit our Virtual Design Center for more information, examples, and specifications for different products and finishes
Project Profile Asbury Green This upscale student housing development near the University of Denver campus utilized some of Colorado Hardscapes’ finest products to create a stunning courtyard complete with one-of-a-kind paving, a fire pit, and an artistically-created water feature. Colorado Hardscapes joined with Nuszer Kopatz (Landscape Architect), Kiewit Construction, and the property’s owner MacKenzie House from the conception of this job, through the changes made to give everyone involved the best value and product, to the completion in time for DU’s fall 2009 opening. ---> Read the full case study and view additional pictures
Our Team Profile Kristian Geiger In the last few years, Kristian Geiger has been the "go to" guy for research and development samples of innovative concrete products at Colorado Hardscapes. The success of many of our jobs started when Kristian provided the prototype or approved samples. His detail-oriented approach and his precisely documented formulas and techniques give Colorado Hardscapes' crews the best chance for success in matching the expectations of its customers. Kristian works hard at getting samples out on time and making sure the samples can be reproduced on the actual jobs. He will often meet personally with clients to develop the colors and techniques required to coordinate with the colors and themes of projects. A few of the outstanding projects in Kristian's portfolio include Solterra, Commerce City Civic Center and The Bear Cave at the Wildlife Experience. Working with a myriad of products, colors, aggregates, sealers and techniques can be very challenging. Kristian's meticulous style is well-suited to the needs of the job. --->Meet more members of our team

Karen Van Heukelem, LEED AP Colorado Hardscapes, Inc. 8085 E. Harvard Ave. Denver, CO 80231 303-750-8200 www.coloradohardscapes.com
Copyright © 2009 Colorado Hardscapes, Inc. All rights reserved. The Hardscaper is a quarterly publication written and edited by John Buteyn, Karen and Shirley Van Heukelem.