Category: Concrete

Decorative concrete is decorative concrete’s application as a coating over precast or poured concrete to improve the decorative qualities of the concrete while performing its original purpose and function. Decorative concrete is also used in architecture to create decorative features that complement and enhance the external design of a structure. In architectural applications, decorative concrete is typically applied to build features that are normally placed on or behind structural steel columns, slabs, or other column-mounted elements. In residential applications, decorative concrete covers pavement cracks, decorative concrete additives can be used to prevent cracking caused by weather, vehicle traffic, or other causes.

Decorative Concrete Finishes

There are many decorative concrete finishes to choose from. Some of these decorative concrete finishes include decorative concrete oil-based sealers, decorative concrete acrylic finishes, decorative concrete polyurethane finishes, decorative concrete polished finishes, decorative concrete staining solutions, decorative concrete surface coatings, decorative concrete top coatings, decorative concrete surface coatings, decorative concrete stucco finishes, and decorative concrete varnish. These finishes can be mixed to create many different colours including colours that are similar to paint. For example, a cement-based decorative concrete varnish could be blue and could be used on stamped concrete floors. Other decorative concrete finishes are used in industrial applications to create decorative concrete surfacing that resembles stained glass, is made of decorative concrete resins, or is made of highly decorative concrete.

Textured decorative concrete consists of texture that either adds to or takes away from the decorative concrete’s original appearance. There are two main options to create textured concrete including wet concrete texture and textured wet concrete. Wet textured concrete has the texture of crushed gravel or crushed stone. A textured wet concrete floor has a coarse texture, while a textured wet concrete floor has a finer texture.

As a result of the texture, a decorative concrete project can have a variety of unique visual aspects. When starting a decorative concrete project, the decorative concrete contractor will have to decide if he or she wants to include a stained concrete coating over the surface after it is stained. This coating gives an old-world feel that can match other decorative concrete surfaces. The contractor also has the option to leave the coating off of the floor after it is stained. This gives a striking contrast to the more decorative texture that is already present. It also allows the decorative concrete to be left as-is for a longer time before having the stain added to it.

Tips

One thing to keep in mind about decorative concrete floors is that they are more expensive to install than stamped concrete floors. These decorative concrete floors installation costs can add up quickly. Also, decorative concrete floors are more difficult to work with because of their irregular textures. In this case, it may be best to hire a professional decorative concrete contractor to complete this part of a decorative concrete floor project.

Many decorative concrete projects include patios and decks. If you have a large area that you would like to use for a patio or deck, you should consider using decorative concrete to create a surface for your patio or deck. There are two primary options for creating a decorative concrete surface on a patio or deck: one is to use stamped concrete and the other is to use polished concrete. Stamped concrete can be used on small patios and small decks, but it is usually not recommended for use on larger patios and larger decks.

Stamped Concrete

Stamped concrete uses tiny particles of decorative concrete. These decorative concrete particles are imprinted with decorative concrete patterns using a stamp. Stamped concrete is applied to the surface of a small tabletop and then is allowed to dry. Once it is dry, the pattern is stamped into the tabletop. This process produces a large variety of decorative concrete designs that can be used on any size surface.

Polished concrete stains are designed to resemble stained glass. The decorative concrete stains can be anything from decorative stripes to decorative geometric patterns to patterns that imitate brick or stone. Many people choose to use polished concrete stains because the patterns do not need to be sealed. Polished stains can be cleaned simply by using a mild detergent and water to clean the stains and then wiping them away. This allows homeowners to choose patterns and colours that will not harm the polished concrete surface.…

Aggregate concrete is the backbone of modern concrete construction projects, providing both a strong foundation and long-lasting durability. Unfortunately, concrete exposed aggregate isn’t all that beautiful. Typically, it’ll look blotchy and with contrasting striped bands (or “strips”) of light and dark patches. Compounding that problem, most professional concrete contractors don’t particularly adept at applying paint, which is one of the reasons exposed aggregate concrete cost is so high around pool decks.

Swimming Pools

One of the first steps to repairing exposed aggregate concrete around a pool is to stop the bleeding. One popular option is applying a high-quality sealer to the pool surface. If the pool’s drainage system is causing the problem, don’t just apply a coat of sealer – check to make sure the problem is with the drain pipes because those can also be clogged with exposed aggregate concrete. Using sealant is a good first step toward making exposed aggregate concrete look better. And if you’re just doing a minor patch job, you can apply just a layer, leaving the remaining exposed aggregate to dry overnight, then wipe away with a wet mop or a soft sponge.

For more exposed aggregate concrete repair around your swimming pool, you’ll likely need to apply more than just a coat of sealer, because the exposed aggregate is also prone to staining from pool water, especially during the hot summer months. As you might expect, a large pool will require a lot of exposed aggregate for repairs. In that case, you might want to consider repainting the pool just to get a fresh start. There are several good choices, from highly decorative concrete borders to interlocking pavers or smooth texture flooring.

Concrete Sealers

You may not need a decorative concrete sealer for an in-ground pool, because the concrete itself can be stamped, stencilled or painted to give it an attractive look. However, there are times when sealers are needed, particularly in climates with high levels of acid in the soil. In those cases, applying a protective coating of the sealer is especially important to protect the concrete and its finish. In these cases, an acrylic or rubberized concrete sealer is preferred over a sealer made from a natural material like stone. The major difference is that one of these sealers is highly flexible, allowing it to conform to almost any surface – including curved surfaces like stairs or walls. It is less likely to damage concrete if applied at the right temperature, which is important when using it for decorative concrete features like stairs.

Certain types of sealers also have antimicrobial properties that can help prevent the growth of bacteria, mould or mildew. Acrylic-based sealers work well around pools and are especially recommended for bathrooms and kitchens. If you’re having problems with mould, use this type of sealer for exposed aggregate concrete features that are placed outside, since it will not add to the visual appeal of the area. In the kitchen, it may be particularly important to apply an anti-microbial sealant for areas that are exposed to moisture regularly, since mould can make foods taste bitter.

Some sealers have been designed to resist stains and scratch damage, but this may depend upon the ingredients of the concrete sealer that you choose. Stone-based sealers may be particularly good at resisting damage from liquids, while acrylic-based sealers may be less effective. When applying the sealant, work from the outside inwards, and apply with even strokes. Wipe up excess residue with a rag.

Exterior Concrete Sealers

Exterior concrete sealers come in two different forms – penetrating and non-penetrating. Penetrating sealers penetrate deeply into the concrete to cover exposed aggregate concrete and other exposed surfaces, preventing future corrosion. A non-penetrating sealer works by preventing corrosion by forming a protective barrier over the concrete. Some penetrating concrete sealers also contain ultraviolet inhibitors that help protect exposed aggregate concrete, stone and cement surface from sun damage. If you have exposed aggregate concrete or other parts of your construction that constantly get wet or greasy, you should consider a penetrating sealer to help preserve the appearance of the concrete and prevent further corrosion.

Installing a concrete sealer is fairly straightforward. If you’re having problems with your concrete or you want to know more about the various types of sealers available to protect your concrete, contact a reputable company in your area that offers sealers for all types of concrete and exposed aggregate concrete. With a little help and research, you can find a sealer that will protect your concrete and keep your project’s budget under control.…

Polished Concrete is an outstanding alternative to the mass-produced forms of concrete available on the market. This type of concrete is not only beautiful but durable too. It can even withstand several years of wear and tear. A polished concrete floor or polished concrete overlay can make any area in your home or business appear stunning.

Polished concrete gives a virtually limitless style palette. It can be coloured or stained in various shades & patterns as well as having elaborate etching. Decorative patterns can also be etched into the polished concrete surface. Polished concrete will often replicate the appearance & functionality of tile, stone & marble while being much less expensive.

Polished Concrete Cost

As polished concrete cost depends upon the style you choose, the more etching there will be along the edges and along the entire floor. Prices will vary depending on the available design options. The least expensive polished concrete is one that has one or few decorative etchings. More elaborate designs can cost more. You can use various colour options to bring your pricing up or down.

Polished Concrete Finish

There are two primary polished finishes you can use on a concrete slab. One will have a highly polished finish that looks like a mirror effect and the other will have a very matte finish that hides dirt. You can purchase either of these polished finishes at your local home improvement store. You can purchase the polished concrete slab as a whole finished package that has the slab as well as the concrete sealer along with the finish.

Polished Aggregates

You can add shine to polished concrete floors by buffing or smoothing the surfaces. To do this you must start with a dull material such as steel wool. You then place the steel wool pad on the floor and slowly drag it over the polished concrete floor. You can add additional grit to the steel wool pad to increase the number of bumps in the pattern.

Burnished Concrete

While polishing is the most common, you can also have a burnished polished concrete surface created for a professional look. This is done by a more elaborate removal process. To create this, you must first cut out the pattern from an existing section of the floor. Next, you must place a layer of medium grit sandpaper over the cut area to help preserve the pattern and to help seal the area.

Important Tips

You should know that the method that you use to prepare the concrete floors will play a big role in how polished it looks. One of the most important tips you should know about preparing these types of floors is to make sure that there are no voids in the area where the pattern was cut. The best way to ensure that there are no voids is to add an aggregate exposure after the floor has been polished. Aggregates exposure helps to expose the areas where the pattern was not polished.

If you notice that your polished floor needs some added attention, you can apply a sealer before adding the new aggregate exposure layer. However, one of the most important tips you should keep in mind is to avoid applying too many layers of sealer to the project. Applying too many layers of sealer can cause the polished surface to become uneven. To get the best look for your project, you should plan out the application of sealer in advance. You can consult with a sealer specialist to learn about the best options for your particular project.…