Decorative concrete countertops and flooring is a hot area in the home improvement/building sector! I’m sure we have all seen it at some point, either in the hottest casinos in Vegas or on television showing beautiful luxurious homes. Concrete is such a wonderful medium, it is free-flowing which allows the artist (contractor) or you endless possibilities. Color, finish, and designs are easily created with this wonderful product we call Concrete.

Here are some of the special benefits we can expect when we use concrete. With each project that you create comes the feel of that one-of-a-kind look! Each piece is different due to natural variations in the concrete. Don’t worry yourself with “it’s concrete how good can it look”, believe me that when done right(not hard to do) your piece will be the center of attention at your next dinner party. Your designs and color schemes are endless. Imagine designing a concrete countertop with hand chosen inlays that bring out the essential elements of your design. Maybe it could be a fossil, gemstones, copper, glass(colored) or a coin. How about coloring your concrete to match your home decor. The design options for decorative concrete are truly unlimited.

Of course were not limited to just countertops. We can use our skill or that of a professional to design and create a table, whether for your kitchen or your office. How about a piece of wall art or something to place on a piece of furniture. Maybe your looking to change your floor. Through the magic of resurfacing, existing concrete floors can be made into works of art, just look at the Bellagio in Vegas. Now I know most of us think that we either can’t afford to or don’t have the time needed to complete a project of this scale, but with a little patience and knowledge you too can gain the necessary skills. Decorative concrete flooring is hot along with concrete countertops as a design element in the home/business place. We truly have endless possibilities.

Another great benefit from concrete is it’s durability. Concrete will last a lifetime if properly mixed and kept out of the elements. Just look at some of the ancient roman architecture. You guessed it, built with concrete. Your creations can last a very long time and yes, in most cases, concrete can be easily repaired. To maintain it’s beauty and durability an occasional polishing or waxing is recommended. It is also very easy to clean up, just use plain water.

Compared to other products-tile, granite, formica, wood, and carpet; concrete is a cost effective way to update any home or business. With all the design elements and durability that concrete offers why should we settle for less. The market is continually growing with more interior designers and architects implementing the wonderful uses of decorative concrete.

You can learn more by visiting my blog, Concrete or Art

http://concrete-or-art.blogspot.com

Concrete isn’t just for structural building. It’s the stuff counter tops are made of. Concrete counter tops, in fact, are sweeping the kitchen design industry with their beauty and versatility.

Thanks to the properties of concrete, this building material can be worked and molding into almost any shape, size and design. The benefits of concrete counter tops are many, but rest assured, they are not gleaned by compromising beauty. Those who have these counter tops find they are almost impossible to differentiate from other hard surface materials favored by kitchen designers.

There are a few basic looks that concrete counter tops can take on thanks to the use of different colorings, aggregates and coatings. These include:

Marbleized: Using different pigments and creation techniques, master counter top makers can take concrete and make it virtually indistinguishable from a slab of marble. The beauty is sealed in.

Trowel: Offering a rougher surface than most counters, this design is one that many adore for its unusual beauty.

Terrazzo: By adding glass or marble into the mix, concrete counter tops can take on a variety of different looks in terrazzo. This can add an extra dimension of beauty to the countertops.

In addition to having a variety of appearances, these counter tops do have some ups and downs. They are, overall, quite comparable with other single sheet designs. Things buyers should know about concrete tops include:

* Sealer. Concrete counter tops must be sealed to ensure staining and other damage are avoided. When a sealer is well applied, the counter tops can resist all sorts of problems. Despite this, there are things that can compromise the sealer, so it’s important to make sure the job is done correctly and it’s protected from damage. The rules associated with concrete care aren’t much different than most regular counter tops come with even most of the “high-end” designs.

* Cutting issues. While some counter tops are meant to be cut on directly, concrete is not one such creation. While the concrete can handle direct cutting, the sealer cannot. When cutting is done directly on the surface, it impacts the sealer, which could lead to stain problems down the road.

* Heat issues. Again, concrete itself can take the punishment, but the sealer might not. With this in mind, it’s recommended that hot pans and bowls not be placed directly on the counter tops. Just like working with Corian or other similar counter tops direct heat is worth avoiding to protect the beauty of the counter tops.

Offering a remarkable beauty, concrete counter tops are amazing to behold. It’s very difficult for anyone who doesn’t know what they’re made of to tell by appearance. When crafted by masters, the designs can be simply fantastic.

Although concrete is well known for its building properties, the fact is this material isn’t just for under surfaces anymore. Concrete counter tops are taking the kitchen industry by storm. Known for their durability and beauty, these counter tops are comparable in looks to some of the top designer choices, such as granite, quartz and beyond.

Still looking for the perfect counter tops? Try visiting http://www.typesofcountertops.com - a website that specializes in providing counter top advice, tips and resources including information on concrete countertops.

Throughout my career as a flooring installer, I have come across countless numbers of timber and vinyl floors that have failed due to one reason or another. After thorough investigations more than 80% of these floors have failed due to either wet concrete or hydro-static pressure. To my amazement most of these floors had never been moisture tested, (a very quick and easy test). Time and time again I hear builders saying “she’ll be right mate the concrete’s been down for weeks”.

To conform to the Australian standard of flooring installations, concrete must have a reading of no greater than 5.5% moisture content. As a general rule of thumb, concrete dries at approximately 20-25mm per month.

If you take these figures into account, then a average slab of 100mm thick can take 4-5 months of drying time before it will conform to Australian standards. If, in this drying process, the concrete is exposed to rain or any water again, this will further increase the drying time. Concrete is like a sponge and will continue to absorb water if present. These times can vary due to surrounding conditions etc. It is generally a myth that concrete dries faster in hotter climates. In hotter climates you normally find that relative humidity is alot higher, meaning there is much more moisture in the air, which will slow the drying times even further.

The other concern for installers is hydro-static pressure. Hydro-static pressure comes from underneath the concrete and moves it’s way through the capillary voids in the matrix of the concrete. Once a floor has been installed, it will draw any moisture present in the concrete to the surface and if there is no means of escape will react with, and break down glue’s etc. Hydro-static pressure can come from a lack of plastic underneath the concrete or such things as a hidden spring running underground which is forcing the water up through the concrete. Water has only 2 objectives in it’s life, to fall down and to evaporate back up into the atmosphere. Floors such as ceramic tiles generally do not suffer from this problem as they can breath through the grout, but vinyl and timber are very prone to hydro-static pressure. The glue underneath the vinyl will break down and timber floor boards will cup.

The most effective way to deal with both of these problems is to use a moisture barrier. Most people will shy away from this because of the costs involved. I can not understand this thinking considering the cost of the floor installation in the first place, and for a few more dollars they can ensure there floor will still be in tact many years down the track.

Moisture barriers have come a long way in recent years and have become very cost effective. Gone are the days of 2 part epoxy membranes that require3-4 days for installation and a topping over them to smooth the surface. This is a very costly exercise which can blow out costs to $50-$60 per m2. There are now moisture barriers that are sprayed directly on to the concrete and penetrate deeply into the matrix forming an internal barrier. These products are considerably cheaper and more time efficient in comparison to the old methods. One particular product that I have used is specifically designed for the flooring industry and if sprayed onto the concrete at time of pour will give a perfect cure as well as lock up excess moisture and allow you to lay floor coverings inside of a 14 day period, as opposed to 28 days with typical moisture barriers. These are a very cheap alternative and can be installed for $12-$15 m2, saving alot of time and money.
This product can be sprayed in a matter of hours (for a 200m2 floor) and has virtually no down time for other trades. The other great thing about this product is that it can be worked over by other trades almost immediately after installation without compromise to the product. The old system of epoxy membranes had to be well protected up until laying, as 1 pin hole in the barrier rendered it useless.

This particular product is a colloidal silicate and should not be confused with a much cheaper and inferior sodium silicate.

This moisture barrier can be directly installed over without the need for a self levelling compound and has no known adhesion problems with any of the leading brands of glue, polyurethane or self levelling compounds.

Colloidal silicates will remain in the concrete for the life of the concrete and this particular company gives a 20yr guarantee against any hydro-static pressure.

In conclusion, I would recommend a moisture barrier under any floor covering whether it has problems yet or not. These products are very cheap and give peace of mind that no further moisture related problems will occur down the track.

Andrew McLeay is flooring contractor with 15 years experience in the Trade and is the director of http://www.Con-Treat.Com.Au who distribute and install products for Complete Concrete Protection throughout Q.L.D.
For further information on the above subject and products please feel free to browse our web site. http://www.con-treat.com.au

A prefabricated sectional concrete garage, however, allows you the flexibility and structure you need to consider putting a garage up on your property. Unlike prefabricated lean to garages, the concrete sectional garages do not need to be propped up against a supporting structure like a house. Concrete sectional garages are the perfect solution.

If you are on a budget, there are still a wide range of garages available for your use. While the design specifications may not be as fancy or as nice as some of the more expensive models, they will still get the job done and well, too. They come in a range of styles, sizes, and colors to help you fit it right in with the rest of your property as well.

If money is less of an option, then you may want to look at a concrete sectional garage with all of the nice features to dress it up. Your prefabricated sectional garage can include things such as archways to liven up the look of it, to a wider variety of styles and roofs, to extra windows and doors to let in just the right amount of light.

Concrete sectional garages are weather resistant so that your car and other property is protected from the elements, and you will adore the storage space that you can include if you choose a style that is a bit larger than you need for you car. The extra storage or work space can be quite the blessing for someone with limited room in their home.

In addition to the wide variety of buildings available when it comes to the sectional garages, you will also enjoy the ease in which they are installed. A professional team will come out to your home with all the parts they need to install the garage you have ordered, and they won’t be done until you approve what they have set up for you. This means that you don’t have to worry about mucking up a complicated installation.

Once the concrete sectional garage is installed and standing, you will love how well your chosen design and color fits in with the rest of your property. These sectional garages are fully customizable to make sure that you get exactly the out building that you wanted for your money, and the installation as well, which is usually included in the price of purchase.

No matter what part of the UK you live in, the weather will be a concern for at least part of the year. Whether you are worried about your favorite hobbies being made a mess of or your car being weathered, a garage is the solution to your weather woes. There is no kind of garage that is more convenient, nicer looking, or easier to install than a concrete sectional garage.

Henry Gale writes for Garage Quotes of of the UK’s leading suppliers of Concrete Sectional Garages who pride themselves on creating great storage facilities for everyone.

If you are interested in Double Garages please visit garage quotes for more information.

Insulated concrete forms (ICF’s) are changing the face of home building and construction. It used to be that you had limited options if you were building a new house. Conventional wood frame wall construction dominated the home building market. All of the building trades almost reached a point where they didn’t know how to do anything but wood frame walls when it came to building a new house.

You could get a house with all brick walls if you wanted one but even that became little more than a masonry facade over a wood frame construction core. The need for high wall insulation for heating and cooling made it impractical to have an all brick house without insulation so the all brick house ended up evolving into a wood frame building with a brick veneer or facade.

All concrete houses were simply ugly 40 years ago. The building trades didn’t really have many cost effective options for finishing off the outside of a concrete wall so it ended up bare or painted. The look became popular with office and government buildings but it was terrible for homes. And of course the problem with insulation was just as bad with concrete walls as it was with brick walls.

All of that has now changed with the invention of ICF’s. The concept is really very simple. An ICF combines a conventional reinforced concrete wall with modern rigid foam insulation and does so in a way that is labor and material efficient and cost effective. Most ICF’s today are made up of 3 basic parts. The first part is the inner layer of rigid foam insulation. Each piece is usually 2 to 3 inches thick, 30 to 40 inches long and 12 to 16 inches high. You cut and interlock as many pieces as you need to form the inside of the wall. The second part is the outer layer of foam. Usually it is identical to the inner layer of foam but many companies now have provision on the outside for attaching vinyl or wood siding or some other outside house finish. The third part to the system are wire or plastic connectors that connect the outer foam to the inner foam with a 4 to 12 inch gap in between for pouring the reinforced concrete wall. So when the wall is done you end up with a sandwich of 3 layers. Rigid foam insulation, then reinforced concrete wall and then another layer of rigid foam insulation. Because of the connectors the foam becomes a permanent part of the wall and building.

With old-fashioned concrete walls you had to construct a form to hold the concrete in place while it cured and then remove the form after the concrete was hard. A lot of work was involved and you ended up with a wall that was strong but had almost no insulation value. But with ICF’s the foam does four things all at once. It acts as the form for the concrete, insulates the wall, forms a vapor barrier for the wall and also acts as an excellent surface for attaching inside and outside final finishes. It goes in easy and you don’t remove it when the concrete is cured. You can use ICF’s from the footings of a building all the way up to the roof. You end up with a building wall that is superior in almost every way. Much stronger walls, magnificent sound barrier and thermal mass advantages, easier to heat and cool and no wood to rot and grow mold are all powerful advantages of ICF construction. Because the outside siding options are the same with either ICF’s or conventional wood frame construction your home will fit into the neighborhood perfectly. From the outside the only thing that would look different is the walls are thicker compared to a wood frame building.

Michael Russell
Your Independent Building guide.

If you are worrying about the expenses and time required in putting up a storage shed, then you need not be concerned. A prefabricated shed is cost effective, attractive, and installed by professionals in hardly any time at all. You will be moving your things out into storage before you know it, and have more space in your home for whatever you want or need.

Prefabricated sheds are not all big cement blocks in your yard, either. Although the best models are made of concrete, you would hardly know it from the outside. The sheds are nicely painted and are as attractive an outbuilding as you could hope for. You will be delighted with the look almost as much as you will love the additional storage space.

You need not fear that you will not have any choices when it comes to your new storage shed, either. In addition to the colors and textures with which you can customize your prefabricated shed, there are other customizations available. You can modify the size of your prefabricated shed to get just the right length and width for the space that you have available as well as for the amount of storage that you need.

Once you have chosen the perfect size for your prefabricated shed, a team of installation professionals will show up to install it on the location that you need it, and make sure that there are no problems with the shed, the location, or with anything else, as well. Your shed will be set up from prefabricated parts, and should be resistant to the elements, as well, keeping your important possessions safe, rain or shine.

In addition to size and color, the style of the shed can also be customized to meet your needs. A door will be installed, and a roof and gutter system as well. You have the option to add other features such as windows to your shed if you are planning on using the space for something other than storage, or even if you just want to give it a more homey feel.

The options to customize your shed are wide, and you can make it blend right in with your house and the rest of your property if you want to, or have it stand out a little like an attractive accent. However you choose to set it up, it is fully up to you.

You will love the additional storage that is provided by your prefabricated shed, and you will also love that they styles and sizes available are designed so well to meet your needs and personal tastes. They are easy to buy, easy to install, and easy to use and love.

Henry Gale writes for Garage Quotes of of the UK’s leading suppliers of Concrete Garages who pride themselves on creating great storage facilities for everyone.

If you are interested in Prefabricated Sheds & Garages please visit garage quotes for more information.

By erecting a lean to garage next to your home you can keep your vehicles safe and protected. These garages are available in many styles to match almost any home, and are easy to have installed or even to install yourself, with some effort. The styles also come with many options such as size and door type.

No matter what your personal style or the style and design of your home, you can likely find a lean to garage that will match it all. There are many colors and textures available to help you match your house as closely as possible, and make your lean to garage fit right in with the rest of your property. You will love the look and the convenience, and your car will thank you for taking it in out of the cold.

Lean to garages are usually made out of concrete, and are affixed to another building on one side. They vary in specifications like width, height, and depth, so that you can customize your lean to garage to fit what you need it to, and not have to worry about the lean to garage taking up extra room or not being large enough for your car and the workbench that you wanted to put in the back.

The versatility of the lean to garage makes it a great option for adding extra storage space to a home as well. The garage door will protect whatever you have locked away inside, and you can keep anything from extra storage to an extra office inside (although you may need a heater if you’re planning on using the space as an office in the winter!)

The lean to garages need very little maintenance, and are fairly quick to install, as well. Most of these lean to garages are in some way prefabricated and assembled on site with interlocking pieces to keep your new lean to garage weather resistant for the safety and security of whatever you keep inside.

The style of garage door can also vary, with some styles opening straight up, others retracting, and others opening to the side. This difference helps adjust for personal taste as well as physical ability, since some people are not strong enough to lift a heavy door. The various door styles for the lean to garages may also affect space, so keep this in mind when you are making your selection.

As you can see, a lean to garage is a wonderful solution to the problem of the weathering of your car. The lean to garages are not unattractive, and can be assembled to match your home or to complement your property, and are not terribly expensive. You will absolutely love the easy solution that the lean to garages offer, as well as the wide variety of choices available to customize your lean to garage to your needs and specifications.

Henry Gale writes for Garage Quotes of of the UK’s leading suppliers of Concrete Garages who pride themselves on creating great storage facilities for everyone.

If you are interested in Lean To Garages please visit garage quotes for more information.

The era of tarmac driveways has diminished considerably with the introduction of the imprinted concrete driveways which is stronger and longer lasting than less durable tarmac due to its make and feature set.

The most prominent part of any house is its driveway which gives first impression to any visitor. Therefore, it becomes very important to build your home without compromising on the quality of material used for its interiors or exteriors including the driveways.

When you are selecting driveways, you have the right to know and learn about new options available today which are more resilient and affordable. Therefore, with all said and done, you have two options that would be the best possible fit in terms of quality and price, an imprint concrete and tarmac driveways.

Every home owner looks forward to get the best for their home. Some of them succeed in getting what they wanted and some of them are left dissatisfied. Most often many of these home owners are not very satisfied about the service of tarmac driveways because it’s not easy to remove car engine oil stains, the surface cracks due to heat conditions and also tends to lose its surface grip over 1-2 years.

If you intend to select the best amongst the two then by far go for the concrete driveway path in comparison to tarmac driveways. The word ‘concrete’ itself signifies strength, durability for any terms it’s used for. Imprint concrete also measures cost effectiveness as well when talking about walkways, patios, driveways, floors etc.

A concrete driveway allows its use in a much wider mix and variety of climates in comparison to tarmac. Concrete surface will be stronger and harder, which can bear any climatic conditions irrespective of whether it’s cold or warm. You can still soften the hard matter using runners or rungs which will also protect the object from breaking or shattering at the same time protects small children from getting hurt, who are more prone to crawling or falling on concrete surface.

Tarmac is no longer a professional choice for the reason that it cannot be tailored like concrete driveways. With the imprinted driveways you can add many effects like the slate, granite, flags, block pavers, cobbles etc, improving on the overall looks of the entire home adding great value.

Major advantages of Imprint Concrete driveways:

–Adds additional value to your home
–It has very low overall maintenance
–Its oil & stain resistance thus can be kept clean all the time from the leaking oil of your car.
–It does not losses its color and has permanent texture
–You will not find any slip surface as once fixed it remains forever
–Available in extensive choice of various colors and patterns

In other words, your home is now the most valuable and talked out thing around you, which keeps gaining the value momentum day by day. Feel your home with imprint concrete driveway, which looks good and stay good all the time.

Elite Driveways have over 18 years experience in concrete pattern imprinted driveways, patios, courtyards, forecourts, paths and car-parks.

Interlocking paving stones have become a very popular addition to landscaping projects. Made by molding concrete in forms, the pavers come in a variety of textures, colors, shapes, and sizes providing the ability to match and compliment brick and stone veneers used elsewhere on the adjacent buildings.

Concrete pavers, as they are commonly called are used on commercial and residential properties. As a construction material, they have many advantages:

• Relatively easy to install
• Can be put into service immediately
• No special tools required (although a vibrating compactor aids in preparing the base and a paver cutter makes clean fast work of sizing the units)
• A single individual can accomplish installation
• Project can be completed over extended periods of time with no evidence
• Can be easily removed and reinstalled if underground service access is required

By choosing different shapes, textures, sizes, and colors, the property owner can easily express their own creativity in design.

Concrete pavers are used for a host of applications:

• Driveways
• Sidewalks
• Walkways
• Patios
• Pool Decks
• Roadways

Along with the variety of applications, numerous design and layout enhancements can be achieved with a specific property.

• Select pavers that complement the building façade. As a color recommendation, it is suggested that the pavers be a couple of shades lighter than the building so that the viewer is not visually drawn toward the pavers instead of the structure.
• You can add warmth to wood and stone homes with the installation of brick pavers.
• Combining pavers with different textures creates visual appeal.
• Do not lay pavers in excessively long straight rows. If the project requires a long straight run, it is wise to create a visual break by placing the edge pavers in a parallel pattern and then to use a basket weave pattern on the area between the edge pavers.
• With a Victorian style home, use the arches within the overall home design as a pattern for laying the curves of the pavers.
• As Colonial homes are basically square, the best visual effects are created with the use of brick shaped pavers rather than pavers with intricate shapes and forms.
• Homes that have brick veneer are best served with pavers that are a lighter than the home’s brick façade. As an alternative, with a brick veneered home you could use cobblestones in place of concrete pavers.

Pavers, as a product, are heavy and because of that, concrete pavers are generally fabricated on a regional level in order to reduce shipping costs. This means that specific pavers that are available in one region may not be available elsewhere.

Concrete pavers are made in two thicknesses. A 2.375 inch paver for residential applications and where vehicle traffic is limited and a 3.125 inch paver that is generally used in commercial and road applications.

Quality pavers manufactured in the US are made to ASTM C 936 standard which spells out compression strength, absorption, and freeze/thaw characteristics. It is to your long-term benefit to verify that the manufacturer of the concrete pavers that you are considering buying does in fact produce to the ASTM specification.

As with many products, pavers are manufactured in batches and will have lot numbers associated with each batch. Between batches, it is not unusual to have color variations. When laying more than one pallet of pavers it is suggested that you alternate individual pavers from each pallet and hence this will blend the color variations in the finished project.

As with most home improvement projects the keys to success are planning and knowledge!

For additional information on using interlocking bricks in your next landscaping project products or other home improvement projects, visit Renovation Headquarters at http://www.renovation-headquarters.com

Plain grey concrete is drab and has little if any aesthetic appeal. There are numerous techniques now available to enhance the appearance of a poured concrete slab. These processes can be used on any concrete slab around pools, patios, walkways, and driveways. It should be noted that with the possible exception of the exposed aggregate technique, all other decorative concrete techniques rely on a solid finished surface. If you have areas of concrete that are flaking, these areas should be repaired prior to adding the decorative finishes.

Stamped:

Stamped concrete uses a negative template, usually made of steel or fiberglass to place a pattern into wet concrete. The templates produce a variety of shapes, forms, and textures and are designed to have the appearance of tile, wood, flagstone, brick, pavers, and stone. A vast array of decorative colors, specifically made to blend with concrete are available. The colors are either mixed into the concrete before it is poured or dusted on the surface on site.

Stamped concrete is generally less expensive than the “real” product, yet if properly installed, it is difficult to see the difference. One of the biggest advantages to a stamped concrete slab is its stability. Where individually laid flagstone, bricks, and pavers have a tendency to shift and heave, the stamped concrete slab is a single entity.

The technique of stamping concrete provides it with the ability to not only blend with other architectural features but to enhance the overall landscaping project. Complex designs can be etched into the concrete giving any property a unique appearance.

Engraving:

Engraving is one of the most common techniques used to update or enhance an existing concrete slab, be it a driveway, walkway, or patio. Although there are many treatments for a freshly poured concrete slab, only a few of them can be used on old concrete. By using engraving, it is not necessary to demolish an existing concrete slab in order to get rid of the bland, grey appearance.

By using engraving, you can produce elaborate patterns, such as pavers or brick at a fraction of the cost of the actual material. Once the concrete is engraved it can be stained which adds “look alike” coloring to the finished project. The visual and decorative possibilities are only constrained by your imagination

Exposed Aggregate:

An excellent and very eye appealing finishing technique for driveways, patios and walkways, is created by exposing the aggregate imbedded in the concrete mix.

The best results for the exposed aggregate technique are usually obtained when the colorful aggregates are blended into the ready-mix concrete at origin. However, experienced contractors can add the aggregate to be exposed in the concrete at the time of pouring. In either case, there are three different methods of exposing the aggregate within the concrete: sandblasting, chemical treatment or by water pressure.

The amount of the aggregate to be made visible is controlled by the amount of sandblasting or water used to expose the material. The exposure can be light or heavy depending on the desired visual effect. A single concrete slab can have light areas and heavy areas, creating unique textured patterns.

It is generally accepted practice to seal, with a clear coat acrylic, the areas where the aggregate has been exposed and by doing so you enhance the colors of the aggregate.

Coloring:

Adding a color to the concrete when it is produced at the plant or by applying it to the wet concrete after it has been poured is a technique often used to enhance existing colors around the property, such as stone, stucco and roof materials. Only use color enhancements that have been formulated to work with concrete.

Saw and Grove Patterns:

With the use of a concrete saw or hand tool it is relatively easy to create intricate patterns in the concrete. It is common to stain the concrete with different shades of coloring to create a flagstone or other enhanced visual effect.

This is an excellent method of hiding the cracks in the surface of a concrete slab.

Staining:

Unlike coloring, where the dye is added to the concrete in its wet state, either at the initial production of the product or on-site, stain is used to color concrete that has already cured and is hard.

Stain can be used on concrete that has been previously colored to change the color or it can be used on concrete in its natural grey color. Stains can be used on interior surfaces such as basement floors or on exterior concrete work. Because the stain reacts differently to each of the concrete’s inherent minerals the resultant is a visually appealing mottled effect.

Only use stains that have been formulated to work on concrete. Always clean all dirt and grime off the concrete to be stained before application.

As with most home improvement and remodel projects, planning and knowledge are the keys to success.

For additional information on decorative concrete for driveways, patios and walkways or other home improvement projects, visit Renovation Headquarters.