Concrete Finishes
Often when doing renovations or landscape projects, homeowners overlook concrete. Usually, it’s not something that’s very appealing so it’s understandable. But when you take the time to focus on your concrete, the results offer tremendous improvement. Our landscape concrete division provides a variety of different types of finishes in order to meet your budget such as top cast, colored concrete, stone aggregate, stamp concrete as well as staining and concrete coating.
Concrete can crack. Especially in the expansive soils in Southern California. Prepping the area and using sand or road base to level the area is important. Using re-bar or mesh will help. expanse joints help relieve the pressure in the shifting soils. Proper amount of water to concrete mixture is important. Keep in mind nothing will prevent eventual cracking. The extent of the cracks and what you do to mitigate it is as important as the final finish and product.
What is decorative concrete?
Decorative concrete is concrete that has an extra touch added to make it stand out. This can be done by adding inlays and patterns, embossing, or adding texture.
Brushed Finish
A brushed finish is obtained by pulling a brush over the surface of the fresh concrete, after the surface has been levelled. The type of finish obtained will depend upon the coarseness of the brush bristles and the length and shape of the tufts. Coarse texture is given by stiff-bristled brooms, softer bristles giving medium and light textures. Brushes can have plastic bristles or steel tines of varying gauge and density. Normal manual sweeping brooms produce an unsatisfactory texture for finishing concrete surfaces and should not be used; rather, a purpose-made brush should be used. Such brushes generally have steel bristles or tines and long heads to reduce the number of passes.
Acid Staining
Acid is used after the concrete hardens to add etchings on the concrete. When finished, the concrete looks similar to marble and has some color added to it.
Stamped Concrete
While the concrete is being poured or setting, we can stamp it add designs and effects. We can make the concrete look like bricks, cobblestones, blocks or shale. This is a simple addition but one that makes your concrete stand out.
Dyes
While pouring the concrete, dye can be added to the mixture to create a wide array of colors. We can match the concrete to your landscape or house or give you something that stands out more.
Top Cast finish
More decorative. 2 step process - more expensive than standard broom or brushed finish- different degrees - top cast #3 is the most popular. creates a rougher texture than broom brush finishes. Top cast # 5 is rougher texture than #3
Definition
This finish is achieved by casting concrete against a smooth hard surface. After removal from the form, the finished surface is sandblasted to remove the matrix and expose, as well as etch, the coarse aggregate.
Saw Cut or Diamond Cuts
add dimension. Cost extra. Used in high end homes and patios. Mainly used for decorative. can also help relieve some pressure for the areas that can crack.
How Are Decorative Concrete Projects Installed?
First, we will meet with you to gather information about the look you are trying to achieve. After we reach an understanding, will we begin the pouring process. If you wanted to go for colored concrete options, coloring can be added during or after this stage.
One of the most commonly selected options would come next, stamping. We will add the designs or shapes you want before the concrete hardens. These are imprinted over the concrete. We have lots of options to choose from like flagstone, slate, rock, brick, tile, cobblestone or wood.
Our concrete inlays would happen as the concrete is being poured. This is also true for any additive you may have wanted.
If you decided on acid staining, we would complete that after the concrete has had time to set. We can add etchings and designs to the concrete through this process.
We take pride in our decorative concrete. We've taken the time to become experts in concrete installation so we can guarantee you will love our work. We offer many options beyond the normal concrete laying. From our beautiful concrete inlays to our intricate stamping process, we have all the choices for you to choose from to make your landscape project a huge success. We would love to share all the great things we can do with concrete so get in touch with us today so we can take the next steps.