If you have ever used decorative concrete before, you know that this is not something that you actually port. It is transformed, usually at a place of business, into unique shapes and styles. It is also referred to as a kind of utilitarian medium. It is for people that are looking to create elaborate designs for the patio, walkways, and other areas. On the other hand, you can purchase molds, and by using certain patterns that you will apply at the top, you can make this decorative concrete yourself. Here are a few ideas for you to consider, specifically five decorative concrete solutions for you to use at your home or place of business.
Creating Concrete Statues
This is perhaps the most unique way to use concrete and is done worldwide. The creation of statues is a simple process. You will first create a mold that will conform to the shape of the object that you would like to create. You will then pour the concrete into the mold, and once it has cured, you will remove the mold to reveal what you have created. From that point forward, you can then begin to decorate it, adding different patterns with tools that can scrape the outside edges, and also add paint if that’s what you prefer. Visit Milestone Industrial Flooring to help you find the best design for you concrete floors.
Stamped Concrete
Decorative concrete is another option that you have available. This is simply concrete that is poured, yet before it fully cures, you want to add textures to the top. You can also add colors, and other materials that are colorful, to create a unique outward appearance. For example, you can make it look like natural stone, cobblestone, bricks, or even slate. You can also add different components including shells, fossils, and different types of wood products. You literally have a limitless variety of combinations of materials that you can use to create the most unique and elaborate forms. Once it has fully cured, your stamped concrete will have a very unique appearance that is likely not available at other locations.
Using Concrete Dyes With Decorative Concrete
This can be used for both residential locations, and also commercial ones, depending upon the types of colors and dyes that you are going to use. However, you can go far beyond creating decorative walkways. You can do this for countertops, bridges, and even retaining walls that can help you reduce how much sound you hear on the outside of your facility. The type of concrete dye that is being used is often a type of printable ink. It is a solution that is often mixed with alcohol to create what are called alcohol-based dyes. Once exposed to sunlight, it will either fade, or at least mildly lighten up, which will give you the desired effect.
Acid Staining Your Decorative Concrete
If you want to, you can also use different types of acid or acidic materials to create the desired effect. You are literally causing a chemical reaction to occur in the concrete itself. You may want to use a subtle mixture, perhaps mineral salts, combined with water, and you will pour this over the concrete for a period of several hours. You will then scrub the surface of the concrete, using a solution of ammonia and water, and even baking soda, to get the desired effect. The color penetration, if you are using dyes, can go deep into the surface, far beyond the material that you are scraping off of the top. Finally, for the best results, you may want to use sodium bicarbonate, iron chloride, or just common hydraulic acid.
Overlaying Strategies With Decorative Concrete
This was initially developed by chemical engineers back in the 1960s. They were using modifiers, such as acrylic paint resins, in combination with different types of sander cement. What they would do with us place this material on top of concrete services in a very thin layer. The concrete overlay would be designed to adhere to this layer, creating a very prominent solution. If you were to combine this with different dyes, you could create a very unique effect by simply overlaying your existing concrete.
Water-Based Staining Strategies With Decorative Concrete
When you are using a water-based staining, this can have one of two effects. You can either end up with something translucent, or it may simply be opaque in color. The acid stains are going to create the unique appearance, or you could use water-based solutions that will bond more easily with the concrete. In either case, the colors that you are using will create an outstanding appearance, and is often combined with epoxy, acrylic, or some type of polymer base.
This brief overview has provided you with five decorative concrete solutions that you may want to consider using. Regardless of which one you choose to use, it is important to always select the best colors, and solutions to use, to get the end result you are trying to achieve. Whether you are laying over existing concrete, or creating something brand-new, the effect will be very different from merely pouring concrete into molds. These solutions will help accentuate your walkways, driveways, or any other project that you are working on using these decorative concrete solutions.
