Concreting the back street

[Smokin Joe]

I'm going to get a bit of concreting done round the back and side of my house.  I don't know too much about concrete at this stage, so any advice?

What sort of finish should I go for - fine brush or floating - what's the difference?

Anything else I should be aware of?

[hoopsaaa]

Gor a brush finish - less slippy. Make sure you get good workmen to do the work. Time spent preparing the ground and leveling it will save you a few poubd on cement. Buy good concrete. Make sure they people who lay it cut expansion jionts after its finished.

[spiritof91and94]

Depends whats going onit. Brush for pedestrians - tamped for motors gives better skid resistance.

[downredblack]

Paths - Brush and bullnose float round the edges .

[Smokin Joe]

It'll be mainly for the kids to play on.  A car might be driving on it every now and again but it would be just to leave shopping at the back door etc.

Expansion joints after it's finished - Is that where you see the strips of something different (looks foamy or something like that)after various spans of concrete?

[john mcgill]

Kevin Daly is your man

[ziggysego]

Kevin Daly is your man

Aidan Daly?

[john mcgill]

No Kevin from Tullysaran. 

[ziggysego]

Ah, I'm thinking of your name in Killyclogher.

[Hardy]

Is that common parlance up there - calling the back yard a "street"?

[Smokin Joe]

Kevin Daly is your man

He is my intended layer - just wanted to get a bit of info from the worldy wise on this board.

[Smokin Joe]

What span of concrete can you have before you need a expansion gap?

[downredblack]

About 8 feet , 5 mil flexi ply will do the job .

[Rois]

Is that common parlance up there - calling the back yard a "street"?

Was just about to commend Joe on that myself - it's def what my granny calls it anyway - haven't heard it in years!

[heganboy]

A back street and a yard are 2 completely different beasts