Sparta, NJ Entryway Resurface

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This project began with the intention of resurfacing everything. However, with more investigation, the brick and limestone steps leading from the driveway were deemed to be not structurally sound. These were removed and repoured along with a portion of the sidewalk next to these steps. We also removed the little cheek walls on the porch that served no purpose. This would create more usable space and a cleaner look. Once the demolition was done, we applied lathe and a scratch coat to the porch, then poured a heavily reinforced “scratch coat” to correct the pitch problems and eliminate the large step coming out of the house. Once all of the structural work was done, we began to pour our cast in place concrete tile in the random ashlar pattern. The formwork was done in a way to allow for the application of Cultured Stone to the risers of the steps and the porch area. Once the stonework was done, we grouted everything with an uncolored natural grout. All work was completed in 3 working days, and even with the extra demolition, there was minimal disturbance to the existing landscape.

Interior Concrete Floors in Sussex County, Northern NJ

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This is a recently completed interior concrete tile floor over radiant heat in Sussex County, NJ.  This project involved over 2,000 square feet over a wooden subfloor.  We first poured a heavily reinforced concrete subfloor to cover up the radiant tubes.  Once this concrete set, we began our concrete tile pour.  This consists of an integrally colored concrete mixed on site.  It is poured, textured, then stamped with cookie cutter style stamping tools, much different than traditional stamped concrete.  This is all actually grouted with real grout.  This is a cast in place concrete tile method that is unique to us and is often much more affordable than real stone tile.

Kinnelon, NJ Concrete and Stone Entryway Resurfacing

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This is a recently completed job in Kinnelon, NJ.  This job involved the concrete resurfacing of an existing concrete and stone entryway, a new concrete tile sidewalk, and a new concrete tile patio.  The front entryway was determined to have excellent structural integrity, but needed a facelift.  We began by determining the necessary step heights, then started our forming and pouring process with our integrally colored stamped concrete mix.  In the rear of the home, we constructed a large concrete patio which is designed to resemble the look of a natural stone or paver patio.  Our concrete tile process is very different from typical stamped concrete since we first pour a heavily reinforced structural slab which is reinforced with 1/2″ steel rebar and 2 1/4″ structural synthetic fibers.  Once our concrete tile was poured we began our grouting process which involves actual masonry grout that resembles the process for a natural bluestone patio at a much more affordable cost.   Once the grouting process is finished we seal the entire job with an environmentally friendly, low VOC concrete sealer that will age very gracefully, and will never need resealing.

An Alternative to Composite Decks

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We offer a truly unique product for your wooden deck. You can now have the look of stone or tile in an elevated area and done in a cost effective way. This alternative deck surfacing product can be applied to newly constructed decks or to structurally sound existing decks. While there is no truly maintenance free product on the market today,  our Unique Concrete is as close as you can get, and offers a look much different than the composites or exotic woods.

We create a cast-in-place concrete tile that can create the look of brick or stone that is guaranteed to not delaminate, will not be slippery , and will not have any sharp edges that may be uncomfortable for barefoot traffic. Our unique process allows us to pour a slab of a thinner thickness, meaning less weight is applied to the deck. This solid surface material has the durability of a heavily reinforced concrete slab that is in an elevated area over wood. This product is rot proof, insect proof, fireproof, and easy to maintain while also providing you with a dry area under your deck. With composite systems the only way to achieve a dry area under your deck is with some type of gutter system which is an additional cost. With our product, that additional cost of a gutter system is eliminated. This “Unique Concrete” product is well suited for harsh environments like coastal areas or wet climates.

Imagine the dramatic look of having the same product on your deck, steps, along the sidewalk, and on the area around your pool. This continuity is truly a rich and unique presentation that is not able to be achieved with any other product.

Bulkhead Repairs, Concrete Bulkheads

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Now that summer has come to a close, many lakes in our area are beginning their draw down process to allow homeowners the opportunity to make repairs and renovations to their docks and bulkheads.  We encourage you to take advantage of this situation and assess your property to see if you are in need of repairs.  Whether you are in need of a few simple repairs or a completely new sea wall, we have the knowledge and expertise to get the job done.  Not only can we provide natural stone walls and poured concrete bulkheads, but we are now able to offer a cast-in-place stone wall using our concrete formliners.   We can also renovate the horizontal portions of your property that abut your floating docks, as well as the top of the bulkhead.  Typically this area already has concrete of some sort that was covered at one point in time with wood.  Composites are now very popular in this area, but often are more expensive and require more maintenance.  We can resurface this area with our unique cast-in-place concrete tile.

Here are a few pictures of our work.

Recently Resealed Pool Deck

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Photo of a recently resealed pool deck.  This project was originally completed over 12 years ago.

Just resealed

Recently Completed Project

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A few photos of our most recent project.

Project Profile: Family Room Remodel

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This project began as a blank slate, it was an unfinished room with a lot of possibilities.  It involved a couple of different services: stonework, concrete countertops, and stamped concrete/patterned concrete.  The first part of this remodel was to pour a cast-in-place concrete hearth with a decorative edge detail that would be carried throughout the room.  This hearth was built for a wood pellet stove, and enough storage space for the pellets.  Once the hearth was poured, work began on a Cultured Stone accent area on the wall behind the pellet stove.  This was done in a fieldstone pattern using their Chardonay color with a half inch grout joint.  Our next step in this project was to pour a cast-in-place integrally colored concrete tile floor.  The existing concrete floor was prepped by cleaning and applying a bonding agent.  Once the bonding agent was dry, the pour began.  The plan for this floor was to have a subtle texture in order to mimic a natural stone, then stamped with our “hopscotch” pattern.  The following day we honed the edges of the concrete tiles to further “antique” them, then applied a concrete stain to accent certain areas.  The floor was then grouted with a contrasting color grout and sealed with a satin epoxy for protection. The final part of this project was to pour a cast-in-place concrete countertop that was over 13′ feet long.  The goal was to have a seamless counter and a similar decorative edge to the hearth.  After the counter was poured and the forms were stripped, the counter was stained and treated with a topical sealer.  This counter would be used for flat screen tv on one end, and a small desk on the other.

Project Profile Featured on ConcreteNetwork.com

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This job was a renovation to an old gunite pool. The pool had brick coping with a brick paver pool deck in a sand base. The homeowner wanted a product that would not show the failure signs of the pavers, but would still be decorative. After the plumbing lines for the pool were replaced, we came in to remove all of the remaining pavers and the sand base to achieve the appropriate grade. Once the grade work was complete and our reinforcement was in place, we poured our structural slap from a redi-mix truck at a thickness of 4″. Our next step was working on the coping, which was poured in place. Once all coping work was complete, we began our work on the pool deck. Our process creates a cast-in-place concrete tile that is mixed on site, integrally colored, fiber reinforced, and grouted. The homeowner chose to stay in the brown earth tone family for both coping and the pool deck. Once the concrete tile was poured, formed, and treated with a cure and seal, we could begin the grouting process. All of the grout is placed using a traditional masonry grout bag and is then tooled with slickers. A final coat of clear sealer over the entire job offers a satin sheen. All work is guaranteed not to delaminate. Also there are no visible saw cuts that interrupt the integrity of the pattern.  http://www.concretenetwork.com/photo-gallery/concrete-pool-decks_9/07480-nj-unique-concrete_47573/

Concrete Over Wooden Deck: Discussion with the President of Concrete Network

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How to Cover Over Old Wood Decks and Floors with Decorative Concrete

You will be intrigued just as I was by the concept of poured concrete over weathered wood decks and interior wooden floors that have settled unevenly in old houses. Think how much nicer these areas could look as long as they can be made structurally sound enough to handle the addtional weight.

Unique Concrete has been involved in this use of stamped concrete for several years. Most of the work in these areas have been retrofits which are more difficult to address than new construction. The process has worked so well that Unique Concrete would like to promote the concept more toward new decks and areas that could be designed from scratch to handle the additional weight. Then you could have the beauty of custom masonry in elevated areas over wood and in a cost effective manner.

Barry Fisher of Unique Concrete wrote me the following letter:

Hi Jim,

My sons and I would like to share a concept with you that could develop into another area for decorative concrete to expand. This concept involves placing an inch and a half of patterned concrete on the horizontal areas of wooden decks.

The process offers people another alternative for decks and promotes the lasting beauty of custom masonry. I have attached several before and after pictures of retrofits that we have been involved with recently.

The benefits for using concrete on the wear surface are numerous:

Besides the aesthetics, you now have something that is rot proof, insect proof, easy to maintain even in the harshest climates, and will retard the spread of fire.
On elevated decks, this decorative solid surface will provide you with a rain-free area underneath and if you choose to screen in your deck, it will aid you in creating an insect free environment.
Our oldest decks go back 20+ years, and there are no problems that I’m aware of.

Barry Fisher
Unique Concrete
www.uniqueconcretenj.com
uc@uniqueconcretenj.com