Mention concrete, and most people picture light grey sidewalks and Grandma's slab patio. However, today's options can elevate this versatile building material into a more artistic realm.
What makes concrete a good choice? Terry Burgess, owner of Burgess Construction, says, "Because it will last longer than other alternatives, and it's so customizable. There are multiple color options, different textures, and patterns. Even if you have the same stamp pattern and design as someone else, the color is so customizable that it will look completely different."
Additionally, other materials can be mixed with concrete to achieve a unique appearance. For example, a special aggregate can be mixed in and left exposed to create a stone surface. Brick can also be used as an accent, which is what Burgess did for the front sidewalk of his home. A ribbon of brick was placed every few feet, with the finishing touch being the front of an antique fireplace insert found in their house, set in the final slab near the road.
When Ariane and Matt Messina wanted a new backyard patio and pergola, they sought a company that specialized in stamped and colored concrete.
Ariane explains, "We didn't want pavers. Concrete is much more affordable to put down, but we didn't want a boring slab of concrete. I didn't so much know what design I wanted, but I did know I wanted it to be natural and look as if it had always existed. Not just a flat, one-color surface."
The Burgess team started the Messina project by excavating a hill in the backyard and installing a retaining wall to give the family more outdoor space. The patio concrete was cut in a diamond pattern with two colors, creating a red clay look. A third color was used for the outer border. The final detail was a concrete step leading into the house with a stone stamped edge, giving it the appearance of natural stone. A wooden pergola finished the project.
"Oh my gosh, it's stunning," Ariane says of the finished project. "Everything just melds so well together. I'm so pleased with the colors we picked because they just look so organic. It doesn't look like something man-made."
Ariane also praised the Burgess crew for their assistance throughout the entire process. She says Terry guided them through all the potential options to help develop the final plan.
Terry says, "I want people to love their space, and feel like they got a really high value for their dollar. To me, that's more important than anything. I want people to feel satisfied with their choice and with the product they are purchasing. They're not just buying a service; they're investing in something they want to enjoy for years."
To learn more, visit burgessconstructionks.com or call 785.806.1033.
The team at Burgess Construction is comprised of Terry, who is responsible for initial customer contact, customer service, estimating, scheduling, project and crew management, and his wife, Stacey, who handles accounts payable, accounting and payroll. Terry says the real heroes are his crews of skilled, trustworthy men who collaborate every day to bring their strengths together.
"We have been blessed with a special group of very talented men. They amaze and surprise me every day on what they can do together! Everyone has their own strengths and knows how to use them. It’s very refreshing to have men that you can trust to do the right thing when you’re not there or when nobody’s looking. Their positive attitudes and reliability make even tough days enjoyable. I may have started this company, and even when I had doubts, my wife believed, encouraged, and supported me. But I want to give these men the credit they deserve because none of this growth would be possible without them."