Masonry Services From Southern California’s Top Concrete Contractor CMU Blocks, Stone Veneers, Pavers – Ramirez Concrete, Inc.
In addition to our extensive concrete flatwork and structural work, Ramirez Concrete, Inc. also works with masonry projects that use pre-cast materials, including concrete blocks, stone, and pavers.
Concrete blocks or CMUs, which stands for concrete masonry units, are precast blocks used for foundation walls, basement walls, partition walls, or exterior walls. The blocks typically are made from cast concrete, industrial waste, or recycled materials with hollow cores or centers to make them lightweight and are laid in a staggered style like bricks. They may be left ungrouted, partially grouted, or fully grouted – a necessity for improving structural strength, especially in an earthquake zone such as Southern California.
Using them can reduce costs and speed installation on certain parts of the project, while offering strong support. Blocks are commonly reinforced with rebar and used for load-bearing walls in conjunction with concrete columns and tie beams. RCI often uses concrete blocks in building construction. This type of architecture is often used for:
CMUs come in many sizes and shapes that offer many special construction features. For example, jamb blocks aid in securing doors to wall assemblies while other variations finish off corners on interesting ways. By adding aggregates, the blocks assume different colors and textures.
Let RCI tell you the advantages of using versatile CMUs in your project.
Natural stone is one of the most beautiful finishes that can be added to an interior or exterior wall. Because stone adds both thickness and weight to a building, RCI uses stone veneer that is cut from natural stone or manufactured to the desired thickness to minimize stress on the structure when we add this detail to a building surface.
When natural stone is quarried and cut into flat or corner pieces, the result is a wide array of size, shapes, colors, and textures that can enhance a building, the front of a home, an outdoor kitchen, or a fireplace when arranged in a pleasing pattern. The result is not only beautiful but durable. As with full natural stone, the thinner veneer can withstand the elements, including extremes in temperature, intense UV rays, wind, rain, and more.
Maximizing the beauty of stone and durability of stone flatwork depends on proper engineering and installation. While veneer weighs much less than uncut stone, it can still add up to 15 pounds per square foot to the building. The surface must be properly prepared, and the product expertly installed to ensure that the stone will adhere to the building even during extreme wind or weather conditions.
RCI has the expertise to create beautiful, lasting stone veneer work. Whether you want to beautify an existing building or need to construct a new one, talk to us about stonework options that can add distinctive flair to office buildings, corporate headquarters, or architectural features on your property.
For many RCI customers, interlocking concrete pavements offer an attractive method of paving, while providing an environmentally friendly paving solution that aids stormwater management. Very porous, the pavers soak up stormwater and direct it to the soil below rather than encouraging it to rush toward storm drains, gathering chemicals and impurities as it passes. In addition, the voids between the paving stones facilitate the process by providing a place for the storm water to drain through.
Permeable pavers work particularly well for:
Pavers, which can be laid by hand or machine, are cost effective to install and maintain. They are also strong enough to withstand traffic even on busy thoroughfares and durable for up to 20 to 40 years according to the California Ready Concrete Association.
In Southern California, along many areas of the country, stormwater management is an increasing problem as developers and municipalizes pave over more and more land to meet the demand for housing and highways. Paved surfaces result in significant run off, land erosion, and silt formation in service bodies of water. In addition, hot temperatures on pavement result in a "heat island effect" that increases fuel costs in nearby buildings and contribute to smog.
Pavers expertly installed by RCI can help you manage drainage issues for new construction, reduce heat island effects, and add stylish pavements to the property. We are anxious to discuss with you the benefits of using pavers on yournext project.
Whether you need concrete block construction, stone veneer, or pavers, RCI offers the masonry expertise you need. To get your job going, contact Ramirez Concrete, Inc at (714) 563-1650 or fill out a website form.
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