Decorative concrete in La Verne CA - a finish chosen for how you use the space
If your patio or walk looks plain, worn or faded, we'll help you pick a colored or stamped finish that fits how it gets used.
- Fully licensed and insured.
- Free in-person estimates.
- Expect a reply within 1 business day.
What is decorative concrete, and which finish suits your slab?
Decorative concrete is poured concrete given color and texture, often pressed with rubber mats while it's still soft so it looks like stone, brick, wood or tile, and then sealed. Iron Ridge La Verne Concrete installs it on patios, walks, entries and driveways in La Verne, CA, and helps you choose the finish that suits each surface.
Most people who call us have a slab that's still solid but tired, or they're planning a new pour and want more than plain gray, often a stamped concrete pattern. The price moves with the size of the area, whether the old concrete has to come out, the color method and pattern you choose, and how much base work the site needs. The schedule turns on the city steps and the wait while new concrete cures before it's sealed and put to use, and the written estimate I leave you covers your own job.
How do you know your concrete is ready for a decorative finish?
Faded, dull or patchy color
When a colored slab starts looking flat and uneven, the sealer has usually worn thin. Left that way, dirt and stains work into the surface, and the cleanup before the next coat takes more effort.
Cracks running through the slab
A crack that goes clean through, or one section sitting lower than the next, usually means the base underneath has moved. A new surface on top won't stop that movement, and the longer water gets in, the more the edges break down.
A solid slab that looks plain
If your patio or walk is flat and sound but you're tired of bare gray, it may be a good candidate for color or a new surface. A slab in good shape has more options than one that has started to crack, so it's worth a look before it ages.
How we do decorative concrete work
I start by asking where the surface is and how much traffic it gets, because that decides the color method more than anything else. If you'd like to cover an old slab, I check that it's sound first and tell you honestly if it isn't a good fit. For a new pour, our crew digs out and packs the subgrade, the ground and base the slab sits on, and sets the forms so water runs away from the house. We pour early so there's time to color and stamp before the surface stiffens, then cut control joints, shallow grooves that give the slab a chosen place to crack, and let it cure before sealing. If the budget gets tight, I'd rather you choose a simpler pattern than skimp on the base, because the base is what keeps the finish from cracking and sinking, and once it's covered nobody can fix it.
Decorative work often sits beside other concrete. When a patio steps down a slope, we can build concrete retaining walls to hold the grade beside it, and if you want a colored floor indoors, our concrete floor installation work covers rooms, additions and workshops.
Integral color for patios and walks
Integral color runs through the full depth of the concrete, so a chip or saw cut shows the same color and the slab ages without pale scars. It suits patios and walks where you want a forgiving finish, though it won't give you the deepest or brightest tones.
Color hardener for driveways
Color hardener builds a harder top surface, which is why it's the common choice for driveways and anything that takes traffic. Its color sits only in that top layer, so deep damage shows the gray concrete underneath.
Overlay on an existing slab
An overlay renews the surface of a slab that's structurally sound and will bond to new material. It won't fix heaving, settling or cracks clean through, so the condition of your old slab decides whether it's a fit.
Get a written estimate for your decorative concrete
We reply within one business day to set a time for me to come out. The estimate is free and done in person, with no pressure to book. After I've looked over the site, I leave you a written estimate to keep.
(840) 588-1377What La Verne asks of a decorative concrete job
In La Verne, the city's Building and Safety Divisions check building plans, issue permits for construction work and inspect structures, so they're the office to ask whether your decorative project needs a permit. We check with the city on each job, and where a permit is needed, we handle the application and set up the inspections. If the work reaches the public right of way, such as the part of a driveway that meets the street, the city's Public Works Department issues an encroachment permit that covers only that part, and every other permit the job needs still has to be in place or the city's permit is void. The city also asks that excess material from exposed aggregate and similar finishes stay out of an unprotected street or storm drain, so we catch the rinse water on site instead of washing it into the gutter.
Most of the decorative work we do here is around houses people are living in, with cars, kids and deliveries coming and going, so we plan the pour around your day. We do the same work in San Dimas, Claremont and other cities around La Verne.
What happens when you call about decorative concrete in La Verne?
Call or send a request
You call (840) 588-1377 or fill out the form, and we get back to you to set a time for a visit.
I look over the site
I come out myself, look at the area and any old slab, and ask how you use the space. You get a written estimate, so you know what the job involves before anything is decided.
We go over the plan
Before we start, we walk through the plan, the city steps for your job and what to expect while the concrete cures. That way you know when the area will be off limits.
We pour, then walk it
Our crew does the work, and I'm on site for the pour. When we're done, I walk the finished surface with you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does decorative concrete cost in La Verne?
There's no fair flat price for decorative concrete, because two patios of the same size can differ a great deal once the color method, pattern and base work are settled. Covering a sound slab with an overlay usually costs less than tearing out and pouring new, while a busy pattern, several colors or a lot of base repair raises it. I'll give you a written estimate after I've seen your site.
How often does stamped concrete need to be resealed?
The common guidance is every two to three years, sooner on a driveway or busy entry and later on a shaded patio. The right timing also depends on the sealer used and how exposed the surface is, so please ask us which sealer went on yours.
How long does stamped concrete need to cure before it's sealed?
One color hardener maker advises letting stamped concrete cure for 72 hours or more before it's washed and sealed. Curing is the wait while fresh concrete gains strength, so plan on keeping the area clear until the crew has sealed it.
How do I keep stamped concrete from being slippery when wet?
Ask for a traction additive mixed into the final coat of sealer, because a freshly sealed stamped slab can be slick when it's wet. It's worth raising for a pool area, a front walk or steps, and I'm glad to talk it through at the estimate.
What causes a color hardener finish to look blotchy?
Uneven work during the color step is what usually leaves a color hardener finish blotchy. If you're comparing contractors, ask each one how their crew keeps that step even.
Does a decorative concrete contractor need a license in California?
Yes, for nearly any decorative job. Under state rules, someone without a license may take on minor work only up to $1,000, and only when the work needs no permit and they employ no one. A decorative patio or driveway is rarely that small, so ask any contractor for their license before you hire.
La Verne, CA
Plan your decorative concrete with us
If you have the surface type, its rough size and a few photos of the current slab ready, I can come out already knowing what to look for.