Correctly Placing Joints for Decorative Concrete in Austin

Posted by admin on June 3, 2016 in Blog

Placing joints in decorative concrete around a pool

What many people love about decorative concrete products is the fact that they are so highly versatile and customizable. In order to get the maximum benefit out of your decorative concrete in Austin, however, it needs to be installed correctly. To ensure that your next project goes according to plan, be sure to hire a Sundek contractor.

Installing decorative concrete in Austin is no easy task, especially if you have a very complex design in mind. In addition to preparing the surface and spreading the material correctly, you also have to think about how to space the joints. The way you space the joints can affect more than just the aesthetic appeal of the finished product – it can impact its longevity and durability, as well. Isolation joints can be used to separate the slab from other objects, like walls or columns. Construction joints are used for structural support, and contraction joints allow for the natural expansion and shrinkage of the slab.

When placing joints, they should be spaced (measured in feet) no more than 2 to 3 times the slab thickness (measured in inches), and they need to be cut to 25% of the depth of the slab. To avoid cracking and other problems, the joints need to be cut within 6 to 12 hours of the concrete being poured, especially in hot-weather locations, like Austin. The joints for stamped concrete are a little more difficult to place because they need to meet the same requirements without detracting from the stamped pattern. The pattern itself needs to be cut very shallow so it doesn’t create a weakened plane.

To make sure that your decorative concrete surface has the right joints in the right places, be sure to hire a Sundek of Austin contractor.