We met with Saunders early-on at a DBE event they hosted on-site at the 9th & Colorado development site. As we learned about each other, we received the opportunity to team up with them with the decorative concrete for Block 8 of the development. With sand finish concrete and stained sand finish concrete, we worked with Saunders to create a top quality decorative concrete finishes for this project. Complete with terrace steps, a driveway, walls, and sidewalks, the sand finish was perfect for this application. Thank you Saunders for the opportunity to rise to the challenge as a small disadvantaged business in Denver to work with you on this remarkable project - we look forward to many more!
Sand Finish Concrete
Sand finish concrete in Colorado has been around for awhile now, but it’s beauty is still captivating designers across the state. What is so appealing about sand finish? When done right, sand finish is a decorative concrete finish that doesn’t break the budget like a stamped concrete could. The beauty of sand finish concrete is that it utilizes the beauty from within the concrete mix and exposes just the sand surface. When done properly, the concrete flatwork has a consistent sand finish across the surface. This sand finish provides excellent traction yet is comfortable on bare feet. It also pre-ages the wear surface. If you walk around town and study some of the old concrete, you will notice that much of the sand is showing - but more in the wear-patterns of traffic than a full consistent exposure. This pre-aging of the concrete actually gives the end-user a more durable surface that is also less susceptible to freeze-thaw spalling than a traditional broom finish. Sand finish can also be achieved vertically - giving great design potential. And in Colorado, we are blessed with beautiful natural sands that add great color to even uncolored concrete.
But are all sand finishes created equally? Unfortunately, they are not. When selecting a sand-finish contractor, you want to choose one in which you can visit past projects so you can see the surfaces for yourself. Sand finish should be sealed, it should be fairly consistent, and it should not be fuzzy. Just like when selecting any concrete contractor, you want one with a crew that is experienced in the finishes you are wanting to achieve. When choosing a qualified contractor, you minimize headaches of poor drainage, poor workmanship, or sloppy work. At The Art of Concrete, our crews are very experienced in sand finish and other decorative concrete finishes. They pay attention to the details. For sand finish, it is a multiple step process to achieve the final desired results, in which our crews are highly proficient. Some examples of The Art of Concrete’s sand finish installation that you can visit include:
39th Avenue Reconstruction in Denver, CO
North Wynkoop near the Mission Ballroom in Denver, CO
RiNo Park in Denver, CO
Meadows Town Center in Castle Rock, CO
John Meade Park in Cherry Hills Village
