How Decorative Concrete Enhances A Home Or Concrete Business
Updated April 2021
Decorative concrete has been around since the 1950s in the form of colored concrete. It was created through an idea to add synthetic iron oxide to the original bland, gray mix. After adding the oxide, it became possible to produce a variety of earth-like colors. Since then, workers have adopted new approaches for decorating concrete as the market increased for decorative concrete.
Today, it’s possible to create the look of expensive cobblestone or brick with a more cost-efficient material. Decorative concrete is popular for many home projects, such as:
- Patios;
- Floors; and
- Pool decks.
The transformation occurs through the use of materials applied during placement or after curing. These methods include:
- Colored;
- Stamped;
- Polished; and
- Decorative overlays.
Add Texture With Stamped Concrete
Stamped concrete is another prevalent decorative method. The process adds texture to resemble stone, wood, tile, and/or other common textures. Stamping tools create the desired finish after the concrete has begun to set. Many homeowners enjoy using this technique because of its affordability and array of options. Conversely, the contractor can enjoy an easy choice for new construction and renovation projects. It’s also applicable to colored concrete.
Improve Durability With A Concrete Overlay
A concrete overlay can increase the performance characteristics of concrete materials. They provide durable renovation without the need for sporadic repairs. It’s common to use a mechanical grinder or diamond pad to polish the surface, giving the resulting product a hard-glassy finish. A combination of methods creates even more intricate designs.
Control Two Factors To Maintain Consistency
Decorative concrete can go awry unless controlling for a handful of factors. The most critical is the water-cement ratio as the correct amount of water is integral to consistent production. Water lightens the color, potentially affecting the final coloration. Another factor is how the gray cement power affects the final color — any added color must overpower the original cement powder color. These two factors fortify the importance of maintaining batch-to-batch consistency.
How Volumetric Mixers & Decorative Concrete Create Business Opportunities
Volumetric mixers eliminate these problems as they create a consistent mix with every batch. Some volumetric owners have discovered that colored concrete is lucrative and compliments normal operations by providing specialty concrete. It can also be a competitive advantage between similar businesses by creating a new niche market of customers and providing high returns for the service.
Questions about colored or decorative concrete or creating a homogeneous mix? Call Cemen Tech at (800) 247-2464 today!
