Monthly Archives: March 2008

Before & After

Concrete Patio Renevation- Before & After

We are working on this commercial project for a Pool Courtyard in San Rafael. As part of the renovation we are expanding the existing patio space, installing a new gas fireplace and a central wood trellis. Below are images from before and after the courtyard transformation as the concrete has just been poured-

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Before Construction- The existing configuration of fencing and patios resulted in a cut up space that was not usable and didn’t flow well

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The existing planters were cut out, new rebar installed and prepared for pouring

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Concrete has been installed. This photo was taking right after installation. The concrete will dry to a closer match to the existing concrete. The result is a much more open and usable space.

sgc.JPGConcrete has been exposed with an acid wash and pressure wash and the concrete has had a chance to dry.
The result is a close match to the existing patio.

Work in Progress

Current Project- San Rafael Bluestone Patio

Here is a current project that we are wrapping up in San Rafael. It features a large bluestone patio set in sand. The seams in between the stones will be planted with low creeping Thyme groundcover. Patios set in sand can give a different design look than patios set on concrete. They also allow for future flexibility as the shape of the patio can be fairly easily changed by moving stones. These bluestone pieces are 2″ in thickness and set on a compacted baserock subsurface, providing good stability. Having stones of good size (these are 2′ x2′), thickness, and with proper base preparation is crucial to having a patio that will be stable over the long term.

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General Commentary

Sprint/Nextel’s Woes

Sometimes in retrospect you can look back and be glad in the judgment of having made a correct decision. Our company’s decision to switch from Nextel to Verizon a couple of years back was one of these instances. I read with interest in the Wall Street Journal of Sprint/Nextel’s huge 30 billion loss in the previous quarter, due largely in part to a write down in the value of the Nextel division. Our company’s experience with Nextel has been well chronicled here in the past, and I was in no way surprised to learn of Nextel’s difficulties. For the scores of other construction companies who still use Nextel, the question has to be asked, is it time to get off a sinking ship?