How a humble concrete pour can reinvigorate a space

Every structure has a use-by date, and those who are especially shrewd will see this date as an opportunity to inject new vigour into it – not only by extending its lifespan but updating its look and feel.

Concrete buildings, structures and surfaces are prime candidates for this kind of rejuvenation. In an urban environment concrete is everywhere you look, so despite its relatively long lifespan, there's always some that's damaged or at the end of its life. Concrete surfaces – which naturally have a high propensity for wear and tear due to foot and vehicle traffic – have an even shorter lifespan than structural concrete.

Concrete surfaces are the bread and butter of Straight Edge Concrete, a New Zealand-owned and operated specialist based in the Nelson-Tasman region. While the company has expertise in new surfaces, like driveways, footpaths and courtyards, its founder Luke Threadwell says the team gets the most satisfaction from upgrading old, damaged pavements.

“It’s always fun to see an ugly-looking, crumbling driveway go from zero to hero in a few weeks,” says Threadwell. “It makes more of a difference than you think – it can really transform the entire vibe of an outdoor area.”

Like any successful building upgrade, though, a lot goes into sprucing up a driveway. Upon securing a new contract, Straight Edge Concrete’s on-site team thoroughly surveys the area – gauging whether the job will require old concrete removal, drainage installation or hardfill preparations.

Then, Threadwell says, he can design a full excavation and ground prep plan for the site.

“We’ll also use this time on site to discuss with the client the exact uses and purposes they intend for the surface, and what finish they prefer,” he says. “Once it’s quoted and ready to go, we can begin our work – which starts with groundwork.”

This involves prepping the entire workable area for the concrete. Establishing formwork, setting heights, and, where necessary, installing drainage systems are all crucial preliminary steps – followed by steel reinforcement and any specific engineering requirements.

Then it’s time for the actual concrete to be poured. “Once all the prep is done, the next step is concrete placement,” says Threadwell. “We use structural, certified concrete, mix dependant on client requirements – which can range from plain, exposed aggregates, coloured and decorative finishes.”

“This variety is a key draw for our clients, especially those who want to make a specific aesthetic statement with their new concrete surface.”

Once the concrete is fully installed, expansion cuts are applied to manage crack control. The Straight Edge team also has systems in place to tackle any potential issues related to ground conditions, terrain, or existing concrete.

Dealing with existing concrete was a central challenge for one of the company’s most recent jobs, completed late last year in Melrose Ave in Nelson. Straight Edge was engaged to replace an old and damaged driveway, which was becoming increasingly structurally unsound and unsightly.

“Once the preliminary processes were done, we came on site and got to work,” says Threadwell. “We got a digger in to remove the old concrete, prepared the ground to industry standard, and then we were free to install the brand new driveway.”

The client requested a durable, easy to maintain surface with a ‘wow factor’ to compliment the home and give it a modern appearance that blended with the surrounds. After a consultation, it was decided that the driveway would be acid washed, with gloss sealant applied for protection and aesthetics.

At the end of the job – which took about two weeks from start to finish – the client was thrilled with the result. But the project didn’t come without its challenges, Threadwell says.

“Excavation, truck access, traffic management and engineering to assure structural integrity and future proofing were some of the challenges on this project,” he says. “This is mostly because the site is on a relatively steep hill, which always presents some logistical challenges – we needed to use quite a large footing on the outside of the driveway, for example."

Once that hurdle was leapt, the rest of the job was smooth sailing. And Threadwell says the result speaks for itself.

“My personal highlight is always customer satisfaction.”

Learn more about Straight Edge Concrete and its services and expertise.