Exposed Aggregate Front Porch Part 1

Last week we decided as a company to change gears due to COVID-19. Here at Pioneer Builders Inc, we self perform framing, siding, foundation and some flatwork (as needed). Instead of waiting on a subcontractor to fit us into their schedule, we decided to form and pour the front porch so we could finish the siding. We have experience in this, so we were able to pivot. I called and ordered concrete and the next day we set up the porch.

Since we are framers first, we tend to be a little unorthodox in our forming. This porch is 38’ long, so we used 2 20’ 2x10’s (straight) to form across the front and picked up an I Joist from the lumberyard’s “boneyard”. We often use I Joists to help straighten things. They are lightweight, dead straight and very easy to use. I would have preferred to use a longer joist, but this was all last minute.

One point to note is that this front porch was back filled and compacted July 2019, and we formed this March 2020. There are 4 3’diameter x 48” deep sonotubes for the porch roof supports, but that is way over kill. Since our frost line is 12” here, the engineer doesn’t require steel reinforcement for a concrete pad, though I did run a row around the perimeter and dowel it into the foundation. This detail has worked well for us for 40+ years.

We’ve learned from expert concrete contractors like Gaetano at NE Construction Ltd that bracing is extremely important so we used ripped 2x6 stakes and kickers to brace the porch. Everything is fastened with screws so we can easily disassemble the forms and reuse the fasteners.

This is going to be an exposed aggregate porch, so that means ordering a mix with pea gravel. We pour/place the concrete as normal. We bull float it but not too much just enough to flatten the top and then edge it and strip the forms. Once we are happy with the finish we spray the top with Coke. This is a cheap and consistent way to get sugar on the top of the concrete to retard the curing process.

We poured at 11 am about 50° and finished about 12:30 because I was a little short on mud. It was stripped and sprayed by about 2:30.

[skitzochik]

you guys have me doubled over in laughter at least once in every video, more often however, its alot more than just once.

[naui]

I like these videos! Keep up the great work 👍

[alaneverett]

nice video lads all the best from the uk 👍

[LolitaL]

You are great Thank you very much for all the information you shared to us. Your great and cool.

[xozlwqc]

Was power trowlin a 3 blade rider bout 20 yrs ago. Spilled my Mountain Dew. Mistake. About 3 yrs. later got an exposed job. Paid like $15/gal for retarder. Turned out like crap. Old timer told me "2 lb sugar to 5 gal. water. And you can come back next day to spray." Best advice ever. $8/sq. and easier than trowel. Biggest cost is sealer.

[peggypatton]

Pick bar up boys been pouring concrete since 1995 I tore out so many jobs bar just laying on bottom great job rest .

[SC_RC]

Question. Im planning to extend my patio, but in order to get the extended portion of the patio leveled, it will be the height of my siding. Im aware concrete should not be poured on the siding, but would it be better to cut or remove the portion of siding, or should i cover the siding with a sheet of metal for flashing? Ive gotten a couple quotes to get this done, but not sure which method would be safer.

[bus-fun-addict]

Use a notched carpet trowel and apply a tight coat of cake frosting on your forms . I prefer vanilla but any flavor will work. Pull the forms the next day. No worrying about pulling the forms at the correct time.

[RexyFan]

Do you have to put a steel wire mesh in the middle of that concrete for strength?

[ourspacesinc]

What does the coke do? Also how is that the next day you can still wash it off? Is there not a risk of it drying?

[ManuelHernandez-mwcc]

What’s the spacing between the stakes?

[arobyte]

How many sq feet, or sq meters would you say that 2L bottle can cover?

[momovillen]

Hello AwesomeFramers
!! after you done floating the surface of the concrete..how long you have to wait for coke spray?do you mix coco with water? do you have to wait to the next day to water pressure? can you do after 7 hours on a hot day? Thanks for the video, lookk very clean BG!!!

[hhprogressiveconstruction]

I’ve always worried when to take the forums off to finish the front surface . Always second guessing my brain . Is it to early or is it to late .

[ffhud]

Hello. How many psi washer do need to wash concrete surface?

[sadiemross]

How setup is the concrete when you put the coke on it

[brandonjames]

Concreter from Australia, you’re stand up screed wasn’t cutting against the house that was maged, you don’t want edge lines or joint lines in exposed concrete you can see it on the wash off. In Australia we call it a stick trowel but you guys call it a funny trowel use it to take the lines out 👌

[PhillyGC]

Chalk string your lines next time 🔥 but great work as usual

[mortidavis]

Please tell me your joking about the cocola?

[evangelosanas]

The customers would have an ant infestation from the coke wouldnt they