Decorative concrete is when concrete is used as a decorative, unique, and artistic material in home construction.
The use of decorative concrete includes concrete toppling into decorative patterns, concrete pouring in decorative patterns, concrete polishing, staining, and the use of color. Decorative concrete is used as not only a utilitarian tool for construction but more as an aesthetic feature to a construction, such as floors, walls, driveways, patios, and stairs. Decorative concrete’s diverse uses make it one of the most important components of modern-day concrete designs.
Concrete is composed of aggregate materials consisting of cement, sand, limestone, or dolomite. Aggregates are then held together through chemical reactions. Some of these chemical reactions produce heat which is used to add the different aggregate materials such as sand, limestone, and dolomite. As this building material cools and solidifies it becomes decorative concrete.
There are many forms that decorative concrete can take. These include textured, imprinted, decorative stamped patterns, natural looking stamped patterns like squares, circles, and rectangles, and colored concrete. Colored concrete is decorative concrete in the form of stamped patterns that can be sealed and protected from water, sun, wear, and tear, and chemicals. This type of decorative concrete can take on a variety of complex textures and colors.
One type of decorative concrete contractors offers colored poured concrete.
Colored poured concrete, sometimes called tinted, has a high reflective surface. Because of this the contractor may use any variety of bright colors that will effectively reflect light. Another advantage to using this type of colored concrete is that it creates a texture and appearance similar to stained concrete. Some decorative concrete contractors offer colored concrete that has a baked-on look or one that has an engraved look to it.
Tumbled tiles are also available as decorative concrete contractors. Tumbled tiles can have a high gloss appearance that makes the file appear shiny and new. Tumbled tiles can mimic stone surfaces and they can also be made of colored glass for a glittery look. The tiles can be purchased in tumbled styles that mimic slate, bricks, cobblestone, marble, and porcelain. The decorative concrete contractors that tumbled tile can produce are perfect for bathroom and kitchen counter tops, walkways, pool decks, driveways, and other surfaces that need to be decorated.
Stained concrete is another popular form of decorative work. Stained concrete can be created with different types of stains including oil-based adhesives, resin-based stains, and high grit epoxy resins. Stained concrete can be perfect for driveways, walkways, patio floors, stairs, sidewalks, landscaping, and interior walls. When stained concrete is sealed with a sealer, the color of the concrete will not fade but will retain its beautiful luster.
A very interesting look that can be created by using decorative concrete contractors is using a colored aggregate mix. Aggregates can be mixed using a variety of colors including earth tones and natural-looking colors. The concrete contractor can create a brick-like or pavers look that mimics natural materials such as stones, bricks, granite, slate, sandstone, ceramic, tile, and wood. It can be used on floors, landscaping, and exterior walls. Colored aggregate mixes can even be used to create the look of stained wood.
Decorative concrete contractors can help you create the complex patterns, designs, and textures that can be created using various stains, finishes, and colors.
This type of work is often done to imitate the more elaborate styles of marble, granite, stone, and brick. When you use the services of a reputable company, the finished project will be attractive, durable, long lasting, and unique.
When you use the right contractors, you can have the best part of the project completed quickly, easily and at competitive prices. Once you decide on a particular color or pattern, you can discuss the use of pavers, bricks, tiles, textured materials, and the like. The contractors will be able to discuss the best use of these materials with you so that you have the best part of the project completed in the least amount of time and with the most unique appearance.
One of the most popular decorative concrete projects is creating a texture with the use of stamped patterns. There are different textures that can be created from various sources, such as natural stone, brick, and even wood. These textures can be designed using various colors including primary, secondary, and even contrasting colors.
The pattern can be stamped into the ground, carved into pieces, and laid in a wide variety of ways. The finished product will often replicate brick patterns, brick planters, planter boxes, even granite. The stamped patterns will not be smooth and may have an uneven texture. It is important that the contractors create the best texture possible because the texture will be one of the main selling points of this unique material. The stamped patterns will also be stamped in multiple colors and this allows for a range of unique patterns to be used.