As homeowners welcome warmer weather, they look to expand and enhance their outdoor living space in beautiful and inviting ways.
Stamped and carved concrete are popular ways to create interesting looks for a home’s exterior, including driveways, patios, pool decks, walkways and more, says Dan Zook, customer service representative for Crystal Creek Concrete in Woodburn, Ind.
Stamped concrete is an alternative to pavers.
“We take concrete to the next level,” Zook says. “There are only two ways we make decorative concrete, by carving or stamping. People can’t tell the difference. Sometimes, they don’t even know they are looking at concrete. It’s a beautiful difference and will set your landscaped yard apart from neighbors.”
Stamped concrete has been available to homeowners for about 15 years, but is rapidly growing in popularity, he says, because it is low maintenance, less expensive, available in a variety of patterns and colors, and adds to the resale value of a home. Most jobs can be done in a day.
Some of the more popular looks are Arizonia Flagstone, European Slate and 10-inch wood plank that looks like a barnyard floor. A non-slip additive can be mixed in with the concrete for more traction.
Crystal Creek Concrete owners have been trained by experts in carved concrete in workshops and seminars held all over the country, Zook says.
“Specializing in decorative concrete has really set us apart from the competition. We use a different mixture of material for carved concrete, which is harder and stronger and makes a bolder statement. It’s a real head turner and looks like real stone, but is all concrete.”
Crystal Creek Concrete is an Amish family business owned by Loren and Steven Schmucker, who started 20 years ago working for a similar business with their uncles. The nephews branched off to form their own company about five years ago, with the intent to be more involved in working on decorative concrete for homeowners.
“We have become one of the area’s leaders in decorative and all other types of concrete,” Zook says.
Within a few months, they plan to move into a new building that will house office space, a shop, and an extensive outdoor showroom featuring the types of projects they can do.
They showcase their work mainly on social media, including Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, and are currently working on updating a new website.
“It’s a very exciting business,” Zook says. “We have grown every year and I was lucky enough to be with the owners from the beginning to build up the business and leave my mark on it.
“We meet with new people every day to talk about what we do,” he continues. “I love the looks on the customers’ faces when they see what we have to offer, and especially when they see a finished project. It’s very rewarding.”
For more information, to schedule an appointment, or to get a free estimate, call Zook at (260) 702-2488.
Decorative Concrete Adds Beauty to Homes
