Here at Textured Terrain Ltd, we have zero problems when it comes to communication and honesty.   If you are ever unsure on which contractor to choose, check their track record.   Ask for references.   When it comes to references, you can ask for past projects, testimonials, and even something as simple as a business license and liability insurance.   No matter how experienced you are accidents happen, and it is good to know that everyone is protected if such were to happen.   With all of the social media and internet platforms, it is fairly simple to do some research on your possible contractor.

When planning your project regardless of the type, trust your senses and do some research.   If you are looking for a trusting Concrete or Landscaping Contractor in the Regina area, then please contact us.   We have several years of experience, with many happy customers that will give a referral all day long.   We take pride in what we do.  We are up front, and an honest company built on reputation.  

The post How do I know which Contractor to choose….? appeared first on Textured Terrain.

So What Is Flex MSE?

Flex MSE is a Cost Effective, Sustainable and Permanent –  Engineered Solution.

The Flex MSE  Vegetated Wall System uses the same globally accepted principles of Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) that builders rely on for making massive  retaining walls.

Geobag walls have been built as high as 75ft, with great success. Our Second Generation interlocking Plate is a 100% recycled, recyclable component which adds increased geogrid compatibility and friction strength over its precursors.

Flex MSE is a unique soft building material that exhibits hard material qualities.  It weathers events that would ruin other systems, and only gets stronger and greener as time goes on.

Cost Effective:

• Flex MSE is 60% of concrete’s cost installed.
• Flex MSE is a simple two component system that often installs in half the time of concrete block walls.
• No specialized equipment, labour, cranes, forms, footings, or rebar.

Sustainable:

• Flex MSE walls require minimal initial leveling or subgrade embedment.
• The flexible, easily adjusted units conform perfectly to trees and unexpected bedrock
• Flex MSE is a recycled, non-toxic product that conforms to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) qualifications.
• Flex MSE vegetated walls are graffiti proof.
• Flex MSE installations use 97%  less Green House Gases (GHGs) over comparably sized concrete blocks.

Permanent:

• Flex MSE lasts almost twice as long as concrete (120 year ASTM System Life rating).
• A light weight soft armour product that integrates easily with other proprietary systems and has  great performance in limited access, tough or unstable terrain.
• Settlement and water ruin concrete walls.  Flex MSE has a very high settlement tolerance and excess water drains through the system.  The drainage aspect eliminates the need for chimney drains and pipe behind the wall, while feeding the vegetation.

Bottom line? Flex MSE  is a Green solution that installs faster, lasts longer, looks completely natural, and costs less. For a truly Green solution without the Green ‘premium’, choose Flex MSE  for retaining walls, slope stabilization, erosion control, site reclamation, and ‘Anywhere Land Meets Water.’

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The life expectancy of concrete is many many years if maintained properly.   But when it does eventually deteriorate, and you decide its time to do something about it.  Think wisely about getting the cover up type fix.  Many homeowners are lured into these other materials that will cover ugly concrete, and as a bonus are quite cheaper.  Don’t be fooled, it will cost you more in the future.  Now you’re in a situation that your having to remove the cover up material as well as the concrete underneath, in turn costing a lot more.  

Many times, concrete needs to be replaced due to cracking.  In most cases, the cracking is due to the earth/ground shifting under it.  This is due to low or high moisture levels, unexpected heavy traffic etc.   While it sounds great covering those cracks or ugly concrete with a much more cost effective product like asphalt or rubber paving etc, remember that the underlying problem is still there.

Remember, your finished product is only as good as the preparation underneath it!   There is a reason why Concrete are 99% of residential driveways in Canada.  It is Tried, Tested, and True.    #yqr #reginaconcretecontractor

The post The classic Driveway “Cover up” appeared first on Textured Terrain.

Water, water, water (and water again)

Keeping your new lawn well-watered is imperative in the first month so the sod takes root and flourishes. Water it immediately after installation to the point of being spongy and then regularly in the following weeks. The amount of times you should water your new sod is up for debate and will depend on factors like temperature, weather and amount of sun your grass gets. It’s a good rule of thumb to water it twice a day for week one, once a day for week two, every other day for weeks three and four, then resume a regular watering schedule. Watering a little less every week will help your sod develop deep, healthy roots. Just be sure not to overwater as it can result in shallow roots or stop air from reaching the roots.

Please stay off the grass

Try to keep your family and pets off the new sod for at least two weeks after installation and only go on it to do the care and maintenance needed. Give your new sod a chance to get used to its new home and develop a strong root bed without any interruptions.

Mow mowing, mow problems

Don’t over mow your new lawn. Wait at least a week after your sod has been laid before mowing for the first time and don’t cut your grass shorter than 3 inches. Keeping your grass a little longer gives your lawn a lush look, helps retain water and helps your grass choke out invasive weeds like dandelions, clover and crabgrass. Be sure to watch your mower wheels the first time you cut to make sure they don’t get caught in the seams between sod panels.

When to fertilize

You shouldn’t fertilize your new lawn for at least six weeks after installation. Wait until week six or seven to spread fertilizer, if needed. Then resume a regular lawn fertilizer schedule. You shouldn’t need to fertilize your lawn until fall, when you would usually fertilize.

The team at Textured Terrain can help you make the most of your yard. Contact us today.

The post Keep Your New Grass Green appeared first on Textured Terrain.

First, walk the perimeter of your house – look for any cracks or damage in the cement of your above-ground foundation that wasn’t there before. Clear away any leaves or debris that may have accumulated over the winter so you can get a clear view. If you have window wells, make sure they are clean and in good shape. Take a good look at the grading of the land around your foundation as well. Has it fallen away? Is there any standing water settling against your house? Is the land sloping towards your home instead of away from it? These are signs that you may need to contact us and/or a landscaping contractor to fix the problem.

Once you’ve checked the foundation, have a look at the rest of your house’s exterior. Take a look at door frames and windows to make sure things haven’t shifted and there any spaces in the caulking. Make sure your gutters and downspouts are clean and in good repair and your roof is free from any obvious damage.

Now that you’ve given the outside perimeter the once over, it’s time to move indoors. If you have an unfinished basement it’s obviously much easier to see if something is amiss, as any cracks, leaks or foundation damage will be in plain sight. If your basement is finished, look for any signs of moisture on the walls and floor. This can include physical wetness, bubbling or peeling paint, or any warped door frames or flooring, which are all signs of a possible foundation crack or leak.

If anything looks out wrong with your house, inside or out, give us a call. Our team at textured terrains will make sure that any April showers stay on your gardens and out of your house.

The post Your Spring Foundation Checklist appeared first on Textured Terrain.

Put on the pressure

One of the easiest ways to clean your concrete is with a pressure washer. Before you start, be sure to clear your driveway of any loose debris that could go flying when sprayed, potentially hurting people or damaging your car or your house. It’s best to spray with the slope of your driveway so the water runs away from your house and, if you can, runs to your grass and lawn, and not storm drains.

Soak it up

The majority of stains on a driveway are usually car-related – oil, gas and antifreeze are the usual culprits. There are chemicals and commercial cleaners you can purchase but before you do there are actually possible solutions right in your house. Baking soda, cat litter and corn starch all have absorbent properties that can soak up the stains on your driveway. If the stain is fresh and still wet simply apply the powder and let in sit for an hour of two and sweep up. If the stain is dry you can scrub with water and baking soda and then add more baking soda and let sit. You may need to repeat the process several times. It’s also important to do this on a clear day with no wind so your application doesn’t get washed or blown away.

Another popular way to remove stains is to use powdered dish detergent or baking soda and boiling water. Wet the stained area slightly and apply a liberal amount of detergent or baking soda, then pour a pot of boiling water on the stain and scrub vigorously with a stiff-wired brush and rinse off. Again, you may have to repeat this several times to get desired results.

Your driveway is literally one of the first impressions people have of your home, so it’s important to do everything you can to keep it looking its best. If you have any questions about driveway maintenance please contact us and one of our friendly team members will be happy to answer your question!

The post Keeping Your Driveway Clean appeared first on Textured Terrain.

Do you think that a concrete floor is cold and industrial, and best suited for a factory or a garage? Think again. Concrete floors can be a beautiful, durable and economical addition to your home. If you’re currently weighing your flooring options, here are a few reasons to add concrete to the list:

It’s durable

There’s a reason concrete floors are used in factories and warehouses – they can withstand a lot of traffic and abuse without damage. A concrete floor will put up with moving furniture, shoes in the house and the occasional dropped glass with ease. If your floor is properly sealed and cared for, a concrete floor will outlast anything in your house, saving you money in the long run. And any small cracks or imperfections in the floor, if they don’t impede traffic, actually can add a nice character and warmth to the floor as it ages. Upkeep and maintenance of a concrete floor is a breeze too.

You have options

A concrete floor doesn’t mean settling for a flat, drab sea of grey under your feet. There are almost limitless colour and texture options when pouring a new floor, from a polished sheen, to a natural stone look, to a faux wood look and much, much more. And there are also options for an existing floor, including acid staining, dying and paint. When it comes to taking the grey away, you’re really only limited by your imagination.

It can save you money

If you’re refinishing an existing concrete floor the cost is minimal, compared to adding another flooring option on top of it. Even pouring a new floor can provide cost savings over other options, especially when you factor in the durability and longevity of a concrete floor.

Concrete floors are a beautiful and dramatic flooring choice that will last a lifetime, and then some. Contact our team to find out more about concrete in your home.

The post Welcome Concrete Home appeared first on Textured Terrain.

There’s a few things to consider when keeping your driveway and walkways free from snow and ice this winter.

Shovelling. Scraping. Chipping. Snowblowing. It’s a rite of passage for every Saskatchewan homeowner from November to (hopefully) February. And while it’s not on anyone’s list of favourite winter activities, there are things you can do to make snow removal a little easier, and ensure you’re not damaging your driveway.

The right tool for the job

Winters in Saskatchewan can throw more than one thing at you, so you should have more than one snow removal tool to deal with it. If you’re shovelling, have a smaller, ergonomic shovel to save your back when scooping and throwing snow, a larger snow pushing shovel to plow through and move deep snow, and pointed shovel to chip through ice and packed snow. And be sure to move small, manageable loads of snow and take frequent breaks if there is a lot of snow– the combination of physical exertion and cold weather can cause cardiac arrest or heart attacks, especially in middle-aged people, those with a more sedentary lifestyle or anyone who is at high risk for a heart attack.

If you get a snowblower, get the right one for your situation. You don’t need a heavy-duty beast of a machine if you have a small driveway, and a small, underpowered machine will leave you frustrated if you have a long, winding driveway.

Say no to cracks

Cracks in driveways that occur during the winter usually happen as snow melts into water, seeps into the concrete or asphalt, then refreezes and expands. Keeping your driveway and walkways as clear as possible will help this, as well as shovelling snow to a place that angles away from your property, so any melting snow does not run back onto the area you cleared.

The de-icer you choose can also cause cracks. Rock salt, while being the cheapest de-icing option, can seep into cracks or pores in your concrete and actually attract water, causing cracks or making existing cracks worse. And because it only works at a higher temperature it can cause more frequent thaw and freeze cycles, which can cause more cracks. Calcium chloride is a much better option as it has a lower freezing point and will cause less damage. However chloride can be toxic to pets, so be cautious or be sure to buy a clearly marked “pet-friendly” alternative. Cutting your de-icer with sand will also improve grip on ice and make you de-icer last longer.

If you are experiencing cracks or driveway damage we can help – the team at Textured Terrains are experts at driveway removal and replacement. Check out our driveways page to see some of our recent projects and contact us if you have any questions or want to discuss your project.

Happy shovelling!

The post Keep your driveway clean and crack-free this winter appeared first on Textured Terrain.

For years, our customers have trusted us for their residential concrete construction needs specializing in footings, poured concrete foundation walls, patios, sidewalks, garages, driveways and aprons.

Recently, we have been specializing in large-scale commercial projects with workmanship that is unparalleled.

In 2013 we were awarded with a “Contractor of the Year Award” from one of Regina’s most reputable home builders. This award recognized our commitment to punctuality, workmanship, versatility and ability to meet deadlines.

If you need a concrete specialist that offers exceptional service and expertise, call us today! We do concrete and we do it right!

Call us today for a free estimate: at 306-533-8251. At Textured Terrain, we do concrete and we do it right! texturedterrain.dev

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This is because at Textured Terrain, we take great pride in every project we do. From start to finish you know that our services are guaranteed the first time.

We are a company built on reputation, trust and quality. Our work includes new concrete construction, including decorative concrete work, and concrete repair as well as restoration work. For years, our customers have trusted us for their residential concrete construction needs specializing in footings, poured concrete foundation walls, patios, sidewalks, garages, driveways and aprons.

“I would absolutely recommend that anyone wanting to have some concrete work done, whether it’s a big or small job, should get in touch with Mike and the boys at Textured Terrain. You will not find a better group of guys to work with who are professional from start to finish and their finished product is second to none.”

– Henry Shirran, Regina Saskatchewan

If you need a concrete specialist that offers exceptional service and expertise, call us today 306-533-8251!

We do concrete and we do it right!

The post Our Services are Guaranteed appeared first on Textured Terrain.