acid staining
Acid staining for concrete does not use dyes or pigments, but instead relies on a chemical reaction resulting water, mineral salts and muriatic acid to react to the existing minerals in the concrete to create earth-toned colors such as tan, brown, red and green on the concrete surface. Acid staining on decorative concrete leaves a variegated or marbleized appearance.
Also known as: acid stained concrete, acid stain technique, acid stain decorative concrete
antiquing
Antiquing concrete is a decorative approach to concrete modification that involves color layering to make concrete surfaces appear mottled and aged, as if they were old.
Also known as: antiqued concrete
broom finish
Broom finish is a specialty finish on decorative concrete that is created by pushing a broom across fresh concrete so that the broom bristles leave lines and patterns in the surface.
Also known as: broom finishing
color chips
Color chips are plastic and stone chips available in many sizes and colors. These chips are mixed with or pressed into concrete or freshly resurfaced concrete to produce a multicolored finish. Decorative concrete treated with this effect can look like terrazzo composite material.
Also known as: terrazzo concrete, color chip aggregate concrete
colored concrete
Colored concrete is created by adding concrete dyes to wet/freshly poured or hardened concrete. Colored concrete can come in any range of colors to complement homes and landscaping, and may be applied inside or outside for a custom concrete look.
Also known as: dyed concrete, color concrete, coloring concrete, concrete coloring
concrete polishing
The use of professional grinding machines equipped with diamond-covered sanding pads to polish concrete is a popular way to bring rough concrete to a smooth and even shiny finish. Polished concrete is popular on interior surfaces including floors, hallways and counter tops. Concrete polishing can also be done with concrete staining and coloring to create a customized surface that may not resemble concrete at all, or may look like a high-gloss seamless expanse of stone. Polished concrete is popularly used in commercial buildings, government buildings and other high-traffic buildings and areas.
Also known as: concrete polishing services, polished concrete
concrete resurfacing
Concrete surfaces (sidewalks, driveways, patios, pool patios, decks, slabs and more) that have become cracked, pitted, chipped, damaged, faded or otherwise damaged may be resurfaced. This includes filling all cracks and holes with a special concrete repair material and then covering the entire concrete surface with a concrete resurfacing material (usually made of polymer) to cover the imperfections and repaired areas. Resurfaced concrete can look like new concrete and may be a good way to save money instead of replacing concrete that is only slightly or aesthetically damaged. Resurfaced concrete can often be polished, overlaid, engraved, colored or stamped to appear like a new surface.
Also known as: concrete resurfacing services, resurfaced concrete, refinished concrete, decorative concrete repair
concrete stain
Concrete is a porous material, so it can be stained and colored. Concrete can be stained using acid or water based stains to change the color of the concrete. Acid staining for concrete doesn’t add pigment or dye to the concrete, but instead is a coating of water, mineral salts and muriatic acid that is applied to concrete. The chemical reaction creates an earth-toned stained appearance on the surface of the concrete. Acid staining creates a variegated appearance that is less constant than other types of concrete coloring or staining. Water based concrete stain, acrylic stains, polymer concrete stain and epoxy concrete stains can be applied as a coating to poured and hardened concrete to create a look that varies from opaque to translucent.
Also known as: concrete staining services, concrete stain, concrete color stain, colored concrete
cracked concrete refinishing
Concrete that becomes cracked, flaky, pitted, stained or otherwise damaged can be refinished using cracked concrete refinishing techniques. These can include overlays or decorative refinishing that mask or cover damaged ares.
Also known as: cracked concrete repair
decorative concrete overlays
Concrete overlays are layers of acrylic paint resin, polymer or another material mixed with cement and sand to create a thin, smooth layer that adheres to the top of a concrete patio, floor, driveway or other surface. These overlays restore worn concrete surfaces, protect damaged or pitted concrete, make old concrete look like new, level settled concrete areas and allow for recoloring or redecorating existing concrete with stamped overlays or colored overlays. Specialty concrete overlays may have textures, colors, designs or other custom looks.
Also known as: decorative overlay, overlaid concrete, stamped concrete overlays
decorative concrete repairs and refinishing
Decorative concrete surfaces are long-lasting by nature. However, from time to time, they may need to be repaired or refinished. Homeowners may also choose to have them remodeled or changed to fit changes in decor or new styles. Colored concrete can often be recolored, stained or dyed. Stamped concrete and other types of decorative concrete can be restamped, overlaid, polished, engraved or coated to enhance, repair or completely change the look of the surface.
Also known as: decorative concrete repair, damaged concrete refinishing
decorative exterior concrete applications
Exterior concrete areas such as driveways, patios, pool decks, walkways, pathways and more can be treated with decorative concrete methods to achieve a custom look. Decorative concrete applications useful for transforming outdoor concrete surfaces include concrete stamping, acid staining, color staining, concrete dyeing, concrete polishing, decorative overlays, etching, concrete sanding, concrete coatings and more.
Also known as: exterior decorative concrete, decorative concrete patios, decorative concrete driveways
decorative interior concrete
Interior concrete surfaces including floors, countertops, walls, sinks, indoor pool decks and more can be treated by decorative concrete companies to give a customized appearance that enhances interior decoration and personality. Interior concrete surfaces may be polished, sanded, dyed, stained, engraved, overlaid and stamped.
Also known as: concrete countertop effects, polished concrete, colored concrete, sanded concrete, engraved concrete, stamped concrete
dry-shake
Dry-shake is a color-hardneing mixture of colored pigments, cement, concrete aggregates and surface hardening material. This is applied (usually by shaking, hence the name “color-shake” or “dry-shake”) over stamped concrete, concrete overlays, and fresh concrete to create a multi-faceted, colorful, hardening surface to the concrete.
Also known as: concrete coloring
engraved concrete
Concrete contractors can engrave concrete by using saws or specialty diamond-fitted grinder blades to cut lines, groves, patterns, and other custom designs into the surface of concrete. Homeowners can choose from patterns that make the concrete look like brick, cobblestone, flagstone, fieldstone or other types of natural stone, or can choose a customized pattern or design.
Also known as: concrete engraving, concrete etching
exposed aggregate
Exposed aggregate is a decorative concrete surface created (or uncovered) by scrubbing, sand blasting, pressure washing or otherwise removing surface mortar from concrete. This exposes aggregate pieces in the concrete, creating a multi-colored surface that is unique and beautiful.
Also known as: aggregate concrete
marbleized concrete
Concrete surfaces that have been treated with specialty color layering, polishing and finishing techniques that give them a marble-like look are said to be marbleized.
Also known as: faux marble concrete
stamped concrete
Stamped concrete is an interior or exterior concrete surface that has been stamped, patterned, embossed or textured using a stamp or pattern that is pressed into the wet concrete to create a specific texture. This changes the usually flat nature of concrete so that it resembles wood, brick, natural stone like slate and flagstone, tile and other textures or patterns. Concrete stamping is a decorative concrete treatment often used to transform concrete on driveways, patios, walkways and sidewalks, decks and even flooring in homes, among other locations. It is popular for its durability, lack of cracks between patterned areas, and ease of maintenance.
Also known as: concrete stamping, concrete stamping services
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