Over the years, concrete has proven itself to be a material of choice for many property owners across Ottawa. With the right balance between functionality and style, concrete is a versatile material suitable for residential and commercial properties alike. It is also an eco-friendly alternative to other materials, hence its continuous popularity in the construction industry.
In this blog post, Reitano Concrete Ltd will be looking at some of the current concrete trends in Ottawa.
The Use of Concrete in Ottawa: Local Considerations
The prevailing concrete trends in Ottawa are influenced by several factors:
The local climate – Ottawa is known for its harsh winters. When planning a construction project, it is therefore important to choose materials that will prove to be very durable. While concrete is perfectly suitable if applied properly, it should also be noted that deicing salts can cause damage to some concrete surfaces. To get around this issue, it is important to use high-quality mixes and apply proper sealing when applying concrete on certain surfaces.
The city’s architecture – Ottawa’s architecture heavily features natural stone inspirations. A popular architectural trend in Ottawa is, therefore, mimicking the look of natural stone by using coloured concrete. Concrete is also used to replicate or enhance the modern farmhouse aesthetic, which is another popular design style in Ottawa.
The sustainability factor – Like many cities around Canada, Ottawa also strives to be an eco-friendly city. As a result, homeowners and businesses are increasingly opting for concrete for their properties and construction projects.
Concrete Design Ideas
In today’s architectural landscape, concrete has become a versatile material that can be incorporated into construction projects in several creative ways:
Exposed aggregate – This style is often used for outdoor structures such as driveways and walkways. The concrete is mixed in a way that highlights its unique textures and colours, thus creating a stylish, rustic look.
Stamped concrete – The concrete is imprinted with various patterns to mimic materials such as brick and stone, hence its name. Stamped concrete is not only damage-resistant, but it’s also a cost-effective alternative to certain natural materials.
Stained concrete – Stains are carefully added to concrete surfaces to create unique designs, warm accents, and colour gradients in earth tones.
Polished concrete – Polished concrete is not only a durable material, but thanks to its sleek, glossy finish, it also easily adds a dash of style and luxury to floors and other surfaces.
Concrete and Sustainability
Here are some ways in which concrete can be used to create more sustainable buildings in Ottawa:
Using recycled concrete aggregates in concrete mixes to reduce the use of natural materials.
Permeable concrete can be used to improve the use and management of stormwater.
Using low-carbon concrete to reduce carbon emissions during construction projects.
Concrete and Interior Design
When it comes to concrete design ideas, you are not limited solely to the structure of your building and its exterior surfaces. Concrete can indeed also be incorporated into a building’s interior design. For instance, you can use concrete for your countertops and walls. Concrete can also be cleverly fashioned into functional furniture pieces.
Professional Concrete Solutions in Ottawa
Here at Reitano Concrete Ltd, we provide concrete repair solutions for a wide range of surfaces, including building foundations, sidewalks, parking lots, walls, patios, pool decks, garage and basement floors, and more. We can also help you with the professional removal of concrete surfaces as well as concrete restoration, chipping, patching, and replacement.
Are you looking for professional concrete solutions in Ottawa? Contact us now for a free quote!