Decorative Concrete
Exterior decorative concrete is ideal for driveways and patios, commercial and residential pool decks, public and residential sidewalks, porticoes and more. Thin stamped overlays can create the authentic look and feel of stone, brick, tile, slate and more to nearly any existing concrete surface. Splatter textures add an aesthetic color pattern and non-slip texture to nearly any existing concrete surface. In addition, slate trowel down finishes are an easy way to achieve a stone texture to any existing concrete surface.
For interior purposes – both residential and commercial – decorative concrete are often widely used in casinos, shopping malls, offices, hotel lobbies, retail stores, professional and collegiate sports arenas, medical offices, residential floors and anywhere in place of any other flooring material.
Builders and developers of large commercial projects have long taken advantage of the beauty and flexibility of decorative concrete. To these budget-conscious professionals, it is seen as a perfect alternative to traditional masonry due to the savings in material costs, installation time, and overall maintenance. Anyone who has been to Disney World, Six Flags Amusement Parks, or Las Vegas has probably walked all over those old cobblestone streets, slate and brick sidewalks for hours on end, never realizing it was actually concrete.
Decorative concrete can be stronger and more chemical resistant than ordinary concrete with a higher cement content, advanced reinforcement materials, surface hardeners and protective sealers. Using these materials and proven cold weather placement techniques, there is no reason why a professionally installed concrete job uphold in any climate.
Today, the leading edge of concrete is a process called thin stamped overlays or decorative overlays. This involves stamping or impressing three-dimensional pattern tools into a polymer cement material with molds made from actual brick or stonework. When the stamping is complete, the product is then stained and sealed, highlighting the colors and providing greater stain and weather resistance. The result is a surface that combines the beauty of masonry with the durability of concrete.
There are over 40 different colors to choose from, ranging from natural earth tones to bright pastels. Pattern choices include slate, brick, granite, cobblestone, tile, flagstone, and more. Although thin stamped overlays are a little more expensive than ordinary concrete work, a savings of more than 50% over masonry costs are common. Thin stamped overlays can also placed in a fraction of the time and there are no individual units that will shift or allow grass to grow in the joints.