What is Decorative Concrete?
The different types of decorative concrete explained.
Decorative concrete is the use of concrete as a construction medium as well as an aesthetic enhancement. Concrete formed to both provide structure as well as look good. Decorative concrete is typically coloured, stamped, stained, overlayed, or polished. Each method of altering concretes appearance requires significant knowledge and skill.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- Decorative concrete uses
- When to use stamped concrete
- What is stained concrete
- Where polished concrete is best suited
- How decorative concrete can improve your space
Decorative Concrete Uses
There are thousands of uses for decorative concrete. In Edmonton, Decorative concrete most common applications are:
- Driveways
- Sidewalks
- Patios/porches
- Concrete flooring
- Fireplaces/Firepits
- Pools
- Garage floors
- Logos and Lettering
All of these common decorative concrete uses require expert knowledge and experience. One of the most common solutions Brett over at Garden Concrete helps people with is decorative concrete ideas. It takes experience as well as know how to get the aesthetic of concrete just right.
When To Use Stamped Concrete
The first place to start when discussing stamped concrete is, what is it? Stamped concrete is concrete that has a texture added to the finished product.
There are limitless possible finishes available for stamped concrete, but some of the most popular are:
- Brick
- Stone
- Slate
- Cobblestone
- Wood
- Textured
Stamped concrete often has a base colour added into the concrete mix in the truck. The colour gets added before pouring begins. An expert can add an accent colour during the stamping process, which prevents the stamp from sticking and providing contrast.
A concrete seal is used on stamped concrete to prevent colour from fading and increase this decorative concrete’s lifespan. Maintaining stamped concrete is also essential to avoid wear and to keep the colour intact. Chemical solvent, petroleum spills, and abrasive debris can all damage your stamped concrete. In Edmonton, stamped concrete top uses are for areas without car traffic.
What is Stained Concrete
Stained concrete can make a concrete area look phenomenal by adding rich colours of virtually any type. Stained concrete gets treated with a deep penetrating stain that produces fade resistant permanent colour. In Edmonton, people frequently use it in both commercial and residential concrete applications.
Benefits of stained concrete:
- Durable
- Less expensive
- Aesthetically pleasing
- More eco friendly
Drawbacks of stained concrete:
- Can be slippery
- Hard to repair if damaged
An expert concrete artisan can produce fantastic long-lasting results with stained concrete. It is one of the most common and best-looking forms of decorative concrete. A sealant must be used with any decorative concrete, whether it is wax, sealer, or a polymer cement overlay.
Where Polished Concrete is Best Suited
Polished concrete goes hand in hand with some of the other decorative concrete solutions. Concrete is often polished before concrete stains are applied to create a hard glassy finish. Mechanical grinders and diamond pads of increasingly fine grit sizes polish the concrete and remove any rough spots. It is very similar to sanding wood.
There are both commercial and residential polished concrete applications, but you will most commonly see it in commercial buildings. Characteristics of polished concrete:
- Glossy smooth finish
- Reflective flooring
- Easy to maintain
- Looks great
Maintaining polished concrete is very simple. Dust mopping and the occasional cleaning product will keep this concrete looking great for ages to come.
How Decorative Concrete can Improve Your Space
Decorative concrete has a lot more uses than most people expect. It can change the texture, colour, durability, shininess and aesthetic of your concrete space. Commercial or residential areas can both take advantage of the durability and aesthetic benefits of decorative concrete.
Brett at Garden Concrete has decades of experience with decorative concrete, so if you want to get some ideas of how to improve your space before it is created or after, give him a call. He will help make your concrete look great!
