Transform Dull Concrete With Decorative Coatings

As we all know, concrete is a plain and boring material that makes up over 75% of all outdoor flooring surfaces. Because concrete is dull, it can make the areas it is in seem dull. Sometimes it can feel as if no matter what you surround your concrete with, it will always bring down the appeal of the area. So how can we improve upon concrete without breaking the bank? Well with decorative concrete of coarse! Decorative concrete coatings offer finishes that can be applied on both new and existing concrete, so nobody will be left out of the benefits of using decorative concrete! Ready to see how you can transform your dull concrete with a decorative concrete coating? You can find everything that you need to know down below!

Decorative concrete is a wide term as many different types of decorative concrete are on the market. Decorative concrete ranges to include a magnitude of different styles, colors, and textures than standard concrete. Even though decorative concrete is attractive, it can still function as standard concrete and can be used to build patios, pool decks, and driveways. There are many applications of decorative concrete like adding specialized additives to the mixed concrete before it is poured or a coating for preexisting or cured concrete. Down below, you will find the different types of decorative concrete solutions:

Stamped concrete is known for the wide range of natural materials it can simulate, its versatility and its durability. Stamped concrete can be crafted on both new and existing concrete in overlay form or when new concrete is malleable making it one of the most flexible decorative options on the market. Stamped concrete is a sealer protected solution as well so that means it can be placed virtually anywhere like driveways, patios and even in the garage as it offers stain resistance, easy maintenance, and its slip and skid-resistant finish thanks to the natural texture of concrete. Down below, you will find some of the best materials that stamped concrete can simulate:

Polished concrete is a system that is created with diamond pads and mechanical grinders. Polished concrete has the ability to be used on both existing concrete(though repairs will have to be made if damaged) and on new concrete but it will have to cure for at least 30 days before it is polished. When selecting a polished concrete system for new concrete, there are additives or special aggregates like glass that can be placed into the concrete before it is poured and when polished, these aggregates will become exposed! The shininess of the polished concrete system will depend upon the grit which it is sanded from, starting at 6 grit all the way to 8500 grit though the concrete will need to be treated with sodium lithium silicate to reach levels of shine over 800 grit. Stains can also be implemented during the polishing process to enhance the appearance of the system but only acid stains can be used which creates earthy tones and colors.

There are 2 types of concrete stain, acid stains, and water stains. A water-based stain is a nonreactive stain that dries in the same color it was in installation. Because there are fewer additives, like metallic salts, the color is more consistent throughout. Water-based stains also come in more color options that will dry to an opaque finish, which makes the water-based stain ideal for projects that include designs, patterns or graphic images. Acid stains, on the other hand, is a reactive material, which means that a chemical reaction will trigger once the metallic salts in the stain come in contact with the concrete slab. This results in a more dramatic finish than water stains as different shades of the color you have chosen and patterns to appear. A key benefit of using acid stains is that they seep deep into the concrete and will never fade or peel, unlike water stains. But, you will find that with acid stains, colors tend to be earthy.

So now that you know about the most popular decorative concrete options, what about the costs? Well, we find that homeowners are comfortable with the costs as they are more affordable than having natural materials take the place of your concrete. So down below, you will find the average pricing for the most common forms of decorative concrete:

Well, there you have it, the best ways to transform your dull concrete! We hope you have found our article informative in your quest to improve upon your existing or future concrete slabs! We leave you with best wishes on all of your home improvements to come!