Concrete Contractors in Lakewood, OH

Lakewood is the most densely built city on our list, and our concrete contractors approach it differently from the postwar suburbs south of Parma. Incorporated as a village in 1889, it grew as one of Cleveland's streetcar suburbs after streetcars arrived in 1893. Population went from 15,181 in 1910 to 41,732 in 1920 and 70,509 in 1930. The 2020 census counted 50,942 residents and 28,802 housing units on about 5.5 square miles of land, more than 9,100 people per square mile. Much of the housing dates from that streetcar-era growth.

Old houses, tight lots

Lakewood's neighborhoods tell the story. Birdtown, a National Register Historic District since 2006, was built in the 1890s for National Carbon Company workers. Victorian Village's large homes date to the early 1900s, and Clifton Park is mostly late 19th-century mansions. Clifton Boulevard mixes turn-of-the-century colonials, multi-family homes and apartments. On lots like these, concrete work is about precision:

• Driveways are often narrow, sometimes shared, and lead to a garage at the back of the lot.
• Walks run close to the house and to the neighbor's foundation.
• Porch steps are part of the home's historic look.
• Access for a concrete truck can be limited or impossible.

Respecting the house

Lakewood's Make Lakewood Beautiful program recognizes owners who restore original designs, and many owners here care how new work looks next to an old porch. We match step widths to the porch, choose finishes that suit the era, and keep new concrete in proportion with the house. On a century home, a crisp broom finish with tooled edges often looks more natural than a heavy stamped pattern, though a subtle stamped border can work well on a back patio.

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Planning access and drainage

On a narrow Lakewood lot, we plan every step before tear-out. Where a truck cannot reach, we pump or wheel the concrete in. Forms stay on your side of the property line. Drainage is critical when two houses are a few feet apart, so we pitch side walks and driveways toward the street or yard and away from both foundations. For a shared drive, we talk through the plan with both owners before work begins.

Garage slabs and back yards

Where a garage sits at the back of the lot, its floor is often cracked or broken. We replace them along with the drive when needed. In back yards, a concrete patio often replaces a broken pad or worn-out pavers. Owners of multi-family homes also call us for walks and steps that serve several units.

Weather off the lake

Lake Erie forms Lakewood's northern border and the Rocky River valley much of the western edge. Cleveland's official snowfall normal at Hopkins is 63.8 inches a year, and the west side generally sees less lake-effect snow than the east side. Freeze-thaw and road salt still wear on concrete every winter. We pour air-entrained concrete, cure it properly and recommend sealing.

Multi-family properties

Lakewood has many multi-family homes and apartment complexes, including along Clifton Boulevard, and some of Birdtown's original houses were built as boarding houses. For owners of these properties, we plan work so tenants keep safe access, mark fresh concrete clearly and schedule pours to limit disruption. Walks and steps that serve several units get a durable broom finish and consistent riser heights, which matter more when many people use them every day.

Public walks on dense streets

On a street with nearly 29,000 housing units in five and a half square miles, the public sidewalk sees steady foot traffic. Work there or at the curb can require city approval, and we check for your address before we schedule. Call (440) 740-3352 for a free estimate.