News
Benefits of a concrete ribbon driveway
Primarily, ribbon driveways reduce impervious surfaces, which create runoff and keep rainwater from returning to the ground, where it can nourish plants and replenish underground water supplies.
Project feature: Pervious parking lot in Bellingham
Custom Concrete has completed a large pervious parking lot for PeaceHealth in Bellingham. Pervious concrete makes a great surface for parking lots in environmentally sensitive areas, as it helps water pass through the surface, thus mitigating stormwater challenges.
Outdoor concrete project ideas for spring and summer
One of the few ways to improve on the natural beauty of Whatcom and Skagit counties with a summer concrete project is to upgrade your patio into an outdoor living space.
Can pervious concrete help save you money?
Many cities have been telling homeowners that they need to install pervious concrete if they want to have a driveway. Among the reasons for this is that impervious surfaces — roofs, traditional concrete and asphalt, driveways, etc. — create massive amounts of runoff, which puts an often-unbearable load onto local stormwater systems.
Concrete maintenance: How to keep your investment in great shape this fall
A good Saturday of concrete maintenance should be on your annual calendar to ensure that your investment stays in great shape and works like it’s supposed to.
How to plan the perfect concrete patio space
One common mistake people often make when designing an outdoor concrete patio is to pour a giant slab right outside the back door. But do you really live that way?
Why is rebar important in concrete construction?
Rebar is excellent at resisting tensile forces, so it combines with concrete to create an ideal construction material — one that is easily moldable into just about any shape and that resists both compression and tension forces.
Why you might need a new concrete driveway
A new concrete driveway can provide years — decades, even — of trouble-free use. An eminently useful and practical addition to a home, a new concrete driveway can provide additional benefits as well. Let’s look at three of them: curb appeal, property value and safety.
Whether part-time or long-term, concrete offers excellent jobs
A concrete job at CCC can lead to a family wage career in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
How pervious concrete can aid city drainage
Pervious concrete provides a structural surface that capable of supporting traffic loads while also allowing water infiltration into the subgrade below.
Concrete concepts: Is it important that the ground is level?
If the ground can’t be made level and compact, will a concrete pour fail? It depends. Here are some elements to consider.
Concrete or asphalt for parking lots?
If you’re a forward-thinking person, concrete might be the most cost-effective solution after you’ve factored in maintenance, lifespan and related issues.
Design, function benefits of exposed aggregate
While stained and stamped concrete is an excellent option for many applications, exposed aggregate is a beautiful style with many benefits, both in design and function.
Concrete concepts: Raveling and spalling — what are they, and how can they be prevented?
If the concrete dries out too quickly, the bond of the cement won’t be strong enough, and rocks may come loose from the surface after curing. Thus, it is important to pay close attention to the weather when pouring pervious concrete, as excessive sun or wind can cause evaporation to happen too quickly.
Concrete concepts: How weather affects concrete pouring and curing
The Pacific Northwest offers ideal climate conditions for pouring concrete. The best concrete installations occur during times of overcast days and generally high humidity, which describes a good portion of the year around here.
How to increase the curb appeal of your concrete.
Not only is concrete an excellent material for retaining walls, steps, foundations, driveways and much more, it comes in a variety of styles to match every homeowner’s preferences. The curb appeal of concrete can be increased in many ways, including by using aggregate, stamping, coloring and more.
Project feature: Woonerf (living street) in Bellingham
Custom Concrete recently completed construction of a concrete woonerf in Bellingham. The name comes from the Netherlands, where the Dutch use the term to refer to their “living streets.”
Concrete concepts: Does pervious concrete clog?
Simple concrete maintenance tasks like sweeping or vacuuming the surface should restore the porosity of the pavement back to tip-top shape.
Rain-friendly, pervious surfaces for your yard or driveway
Here are ideas for driveways or parking areas that allow rainwater to soak into the soil while providing a good, solid base for your vehicle.
Concrete 101: Maintenance
Concrete is a durable product, but it does need maintenance to stay in top shape. Here’s how to maintain your concrete surfaces to help ensure prime longevity.
Concrete 101: How do you know when it’s time to replace your driveway?
Concrete is an incredibly durable material. A good concrete driveway can last decades — 50 years or more. However, there are many factors that determine how long a concrete driveway might last.