Concrete Designs

Concrete has long been used for foundations of buildings, for sidewalks, driveways, playgrounds and a host of other building parts.  However, it has always been the same old thing – gray, drab and boring.

But not any more!  You wouldn’t recognize concrete – literally.  There are stunning colors, textures and so much more.  One of the great things about the “new” concrete is that there are so many innovative ways to apply, pour and install it that you don’t even have to tear out the old concrete that you are upgrading.  In the past you would have to tear out the old concrete which is both costly, time consuming and extremely difficult.  The new concrete has much better options.

There are very durable coatings that can be less than an inch, in fact, down to less than ¼ inch, and can be applied right on top of the original concrete.  Many of the decorative concrete applications will keep the same texture of the original concrete while changing color and sheen.  Some overlays simply add color; others totally change the concrete so that it looks as though it is brand new.

One innovative and beautiful type of decorative concrete is a spray top mixed with polymers and applied with a special paint gun.  This is a product that is not meant to change the existing surface texture; however, it will resurface the concrete so that if it is faded, discolored or stained it will look new.  This type of concrete is also used to spray a thin layer over stamped concrete that has discolored over the years.  Instead of taking the concrete out, the spray – which can be done in any color – brings out the stamps and all their detail, making them look new again.  The stamps are not changed at all, so their unique pattern is preserved, while making the new color look more uniform.

This is just one of the types of decorative cement that are being used today to enhance all areas of homes and other buildings, as well as landscaping, parks, town squares and other areas.

If you are considering or involved in any type of building project that involves the use of concrete, consider using some form of decorative concrete for its durability, cost-effectiveness and long lasting beauty.

The snow has melted (for the most part), and the sun has finally come out.  With the exception of a few drops of rain here or there, Spring is here and Summer is on the way.  That means barbecues, pool parties, swimming and more.  Is your pool area ready?

If you are like a lot of people, you have just muddled through the weather that we are leaving behind and haven’t had time to think – or do – very much outdoors.  There are some ideas that will help you get your pool area ready for summer.

Plant some colorful flowers or purchase some potted flowers.  Get new patio furniture – or possibly just new pillows and storage containers.  Add a portable fire pit which will create a great centerpiece.  All these things will make your yard and pool area more inviting and festive.

One more important part of your yard and pool deck is to look at it and see what condition it is in.  Does it have stains or cracks?  Is it dull or drab?  Does it overshadow all the other steps you have taken to create a wonderful hangout for summer festivities?

If your answer is “yes” don’t fret.  There is something easy and affordable that you can do to create the beauty that may have eroded over the past few years.  The solution to your situation is decorative concrete. 

Decorative concrete is an idea whose time has come.  It has been around for quite a while, however, it has been used commercially more than on private property.  Recently, decorative concrete has been used more and more in private homes to make old concrete look new or newer concrete look better.

With decorative concrete, you can change the color and texture of your current concrete – even creating the look of stamped, hand cut concrete, tile or rock – and all of this can be done over your existing concrete.

So, as you prepare your yard or pool area for spring and summer, look into decorative concrete.  Do some research.  Find out how much it can spruce things up and how little it will cost. 

It used to be that when we thought of concrete, we thought of just a few things, such as sidewalks, driveways and cement slab house foundations.  Most of the time the concrete used has been a pretty dull gray.  Once in a while, for instance, in some southwestern towns, we could find some sidewalks that were various shades of rust and orange that mimic the beautiful mountains in their midst.

In the past decade, however, concrete has changed from a basic utility to a decorative enhancement, a creative and artistic essential in creating the mood of resorts and homes throughout the world.  Decorative concrete has become an integral part of the planning for many building plans – whether commercial or private.  The colors and textures of decorative concrete have become so important that often they are the centerpiece or focal point of a floor plan.

This phenomenon has changed the way that homes are created and office buildings, malls and other buildings are created.  Imagine your basement floors being the color of your choice, sealed to keep out mold and setting the tone for everything from the color and texture on your walls and the furniture you buy.

Think about your kitchen counters being custom poured and cured right in your home in the color and texture you want – at about the same cost as a pre-made countertop.  Think of the hundreds of ways you could plan your decor around your custom countertop and matching or complementing floors.  Decorative concrete can do all this and more.

If you are planning to build or remodel a home, office, mall or any other type of structure, landscape, patio or pool, take the time to look into decorative concrete.  You will be pleasantly surprised at what you find.

There are many new uses of concrete that have come to the fore lately.  Some of these uses simply copy methods that used to be very costly, painstaking and had to use a lot of concrete, manpower and time to get the job done.

These days there are many concrete treatments available that add color, shine, texture and more to floors, walls, counter tops, pool and patio décor and many other places in and around homes and other structures.

One technique that is used a great deal is polished concrete.  The appearance of the concrete is a great sheen once it is finished, and the concrete itself can be created in many colors.  There are many benefits to using polished concrete including:

•Hardeners are put in the mix so that the durability and longevity factor is actually cured with the concrete;
•The finish resists shoe scuffs and stains;
•Easy to clean – only needs mopping and stays shiny;
•Because of polished concrete’s reflective nature, if you choose a light color, less electric lighting in the area is needed;
•Polished concrete outlasts almost any other normal surface, such as carpeting or vinyl.

Another exciting quality about polished concrete is that it is extremely versatile.  It is often used in schools, libraries and other public buildings because of the qualities listed above.  Many stores are beginning to refinish their older floors and give them an updated look.  Not only will polished concrete do that, it is also considered a “green” product – which is environmentally friendly.  Since the environment is such an important issue, to have a product that will stand the test of time, clean easily, look beautiful and be good for the environment, this is a win-win situation for all involved.

There are many different types of decorative concrete, and polished concrete is one of the most versatile and beautiful.  If you are thinking of remodeling, redecorating or renovating – or building something new – try looking into polished concrete as a great way to create flooring that will not only be durable and easy to take care of, but will also enhance any area of your home.  To be straightforward, polished concrete can be simply stunning.

Anyone who has a basement knows that basements start out with a slab of concrete – after all, they are the foundation of the house they are in – and they are dull, gray and , well, boring.  They are usually the last place in the house to be decorated, and, until recently, most people used carpeting, pre-fab wood or pressboard products and very little else to create a floor for the rooms in the basement.  In addition, most people believe the myths that basement floors are cold and damp, and that concrete can’t possible be as beautiful or inviting as carpeting.

These are truly myths.  There is a lot more to choose from now, and using decorative concrete can make basement floors colorful, creative, warm and inviting – and at a cost comparable to that of other floor coverings, such as carpet or wood.

One reason for the comparatively affordable cost is that you are using the concrete floor that is already poured.  You have your foundation, which was poured with the building, therefore, the most expensive part of the job is finished.  The next part of the job is to determine the type of decorative concrete to be used and how to use it as a foundation or enhancement to the décor.

For instance, many people have created a game room in a basement, complete with antique or modern pool table and/or a bar and other amenities, such as a very large screen TV.  One concrete treatment that has been used a lot in these types of décor has been stained or polished concrete.  Either way, the existing concrete has been colored – often in rich colors such as cordovan – and after it has been colored, it is sealed.  Some coloring techniques leave the original texture of the concrete, blending it with the furnishings in the area.  Other people have used polished concrete which also can create rich colors to cover the concrete, then polishing the top – almost like a top coat of nail polish or varnish.  Either way, the floor has now become an artistic enhancement or foundation to the area, and it is not only beautiful and creative, it is durable and easy to clean.

If you are thinking of doing something beautiful with your basement floor – even if there is carpeting on it now that needs to be removed, explore the various types of decorative concrete.  You will be surprised at how stunning you can make a room by making your concrete floor the center of attention.

It wasn’t too long ago the most driveways were gray, dull, and pretty much the same. It wasn’t much different with sidewalks, patios, pool decks and basically everything outdoors. You would drive through neighborhoods with beautiful homes in rich earthy hues with lush landscaping and they were surrounded by dull concrete.
All that began to change within the last decade or so, and these days, unique and decorative concrete provides the backdrop and the framing that enriches and completes the beauty of homes and the landscape around them. There is no limit to the creative ways that concrete can be used to enhance a home (or library, office building, boutique, airline terminal, and more).
I have been on a mission to discover some of the unique ways that concrete is being used. A few of these have included:
• In basements of new and old homes to provide durability, color, warmth, longevity and ease of care, plus to created atmosphere;
• In entryways to create a mood and atmosphere from rustic to modern to elegant, which sets the tone for the entire home;
• In kitchens – poured directly into custom framing and built on site – to provide a durable, yet creative and colorful centerpiece to decorate the room around. I have even seen some counters with lights in the concrete!
• Around pools and landscaping, often stamped or stained concrete blends right into the outdoor theme and looks like anything from hand laid Spanish tile to hand carved rocks – which set off a pool, waterfall and lush plants in a stunning, yet economic way;
• In garages – where different colors and styles not only add a different look to a workshop or storage area but also provide durability and a long-term easy clean and upkeep area for cars and everything else that goes inside;
• To color and texture walls creating looks that range from pueblo and southwest styles to stunning Italian terrazzo and inlaid tile, in muted and earthy colors that relax visitors to bright colors that excite and stimulate both he décor and the mind.
These are just a few of the decorative concrete presentations I have seen, but there are many more. Decorative concrete is easily available, extremely versatile and affordable. It will maintain its durability for years and add value to your home or any other property it is used to enhance.
If you are looking for a unique way to create a distinctive look to a home that you are remodeling or to a home, office or other structure you are building or landscaping, explore the variety of ways concrete can be used to create a style and an ambiance that shows your creativity and your personality.

Decorative concrete and cement have become essential elements in building and decorating.  There are many varieties on the market and more becoming available.

One of the contractor’s top product choices is Flex-C-Ment overlays.  These are incredibly beautiful and durable overlays that work vertically to create stunning walls, and horizontally over floors and countertops.

Especially when it comes to walls, there is nothing as stunning as Flex-C-Ment.  With stamped concrete and other types of concrete overlays and restoration becoming popular, Flex-C-Ment is at the top of the field and the top of the line.

Flex-C-Ment’s vertical overlay wall system bonds like no other system available.  Some of the applications the system can be used for fireplace surrounds, interior and exterior walls, foundations, retaining walls and chimneys.  It is exceptional to find a system that is both beautiful and durable enough to be used inside and out to create a seamless décor and ambiance throughout your property.

Flex-C-Ment’s cementicious dry mix is designed for even the most sever indoor or outdoor applications.  In addition, Flex-C-Ment has also developed their own special countertop mix that can be used over existing countertops as an overlay to create a new look or can be poured to create entirely new countertops.

Flex-C-Ment has tested its products for 25 years and requires that you take their training seminar before using their products to give you hands-on experience. However, there are no franchise fees or minimum orders.

If you live in or have traveled through Nevada, you might notice some of the natural beauty the state has to offer. Of course, in Las Vegas, there is a lot of glitter and glamour, but as you get outside of Las Vegas and into areas like Lake Meade, or take a trip to Carson City and other towns in between, the mountains and desert provide beautiful colors and a backdrop for some beautiful homes.

This is where ACJSTONE comes in. Serving Nevada from Carson City to Las Vegas and more, ACJSTONE is the expert when it comes to decorative concrete. They create signature floors that reflect your taste, your home or office and the surrounding area, and blend them to enhance one another, and your taste.

Residential applications include kitchens, family rooms, basements, garages, porches, sidewalks and anyplace that concrete is involved. ACJSTONE has extensive experience in commercial applications, as well, including restaurant dining rooms and kitchens, office space, showrooms, automobile showrooms and service areas, display areas, and again, anywhere there is the use of concrete.

ACJSTONE is the expert in offering true concrete polishing. They actually use abrasion and other polishing methods to make the finished polished concrete shiny. They do this in a way that does need polisher, coatings and other substances, yet lasts for years. This is true concrete polishing at its best.

They also work with marble, granite, limestone, travertine, slate, ceramic tile and terrazzo. They are the best when it comes to polished concrete and other surfaces as we just mentioned. They are also Polished Concrete Certified.

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If you have ever been to Washington State you know it is beautiful.  People might complain about the weather sometimes, but Washingtonians from the west coast usually love where they live.  They have the rugged beauty of dense greenery surrounding them and the exquisite Pacific, including Peugeot Sound and its glory out front as a welcoming mat.  What could make this spectacular area any better?  Creating a home or office that enhances the beauty that surrounds you.

Enter Maverick Specialty Contracting.  This unique company has found some creative and stunning ways to use decorative concrete to reflect your personality, your desires for your home or office and create and artistic ambiance that you – and your guests “will want to talk about.” 

Whether using various decorative concrete ideas as the foundation or focal point of your design or using them in an artistic way to enhance your home or office and “bring it all together” Maverick Specialty Contracting will work with you to create the results you want.  They work closely with you, discussing your ideas and advising you from long before the actual work is started in an effort to ensure that the finished project will be just what you imagined.

Some of the ways that Maverick Specialty Contracting uses concrete to create or enhance a project is staining – which creates color, covers old impurities and stains and adds durability and easy cleaning.  They also use wall finishes which bring out beauty of natural stone at a fraction of the cost and bring out the look and feel of the artisans of old.  The company also specializes in vertical stains and other processes, all explained on their website, complete with photos.

David Cates, owner of Maverick Specialty Contracting, has been in the decorative concrete field for over sixteen years, and has become an expert in his field, even working on Seahawks Stadium, some photos of which can be seen on the Maverick Specialty Contracting website.

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My family and I live in a small town in the western United States.  It’s one of those proverbial one-horse towns.  Main Street is five miles long at best.  Traffic stops at our main intersection several times per year when, in the middle of the day, ranchers move their sheep from the highlands to the lowlands and vice-versa, so they can be in the right place as the seasons change.  Because there is no exact time that this is done, we often find ourselves sitting at a stoplight or top sign on Main Street while waiting for the sheep to get where they’re going.  We don’t have a mall, a Costco or a Target, and we just got a Starbucks a few months ago!

Even in a pretty small town like mine, where horses live next door, or down the street and cows graze in the fields around the corner from us, there are modern and beautiful methods of decorative concrete used in a lot of areas.  I hadn’t really noticed before starting to research for articles, but as I became more aware of decorative concrete hot shots free download

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I have been to the library numerous times on quests for a particular book my son needed for an assignment.  It’s a nice looking library, but I didn’t realize until lately, that the entryway and foyer are done in beautiful jade green color concrete overlay. The walls are a pale grayish-green stamped concrete that are textured to look like oversized bricks.  The general décor is finished off with oak shelves, oak beams from floor to ceiling and areas of carpet.  Without the use of decorative concrete, the library would be nice, but would not be enticing and creative in the way that it does.  It would simply be a large room with bookshelves and carpet. 

Then there is the main bank in town.  The polished concrete used in the entryway and near the teller area, creates an interesting and elegant area that meshes with the carpet quite seamlessly.  The textured concrete

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walls – inside and out in rich buttery colors – draws people in by the warmth the walls project due to the combination of color and texture.

These are just a couple of examples of the use of decorative concrete in a tiny western town.  As I explored town, stopping by places I visit regularly, I found other stunning examples at two hotels I stopped at, the Visitors Center, my doctor’s office and the building he and other doctors practice in, and more.

If you are thinking of building or renovating, think about decorative concrete, and look into the ideas of how it can be used in beautiful and affordable ways. free lost city the

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