Concrete Designs

Add Some Shine with Polished Concrete

Are you building or designing a showroom for cars, household appliances, clothing, or other products?  You will need a floor to show off what you are selling.  Polished concrete can be the best type of floor for your kind of space, because its intense, glowing shine makes your products gleam even more brightly.  Polishing concrete can be much less expensive than putting in a new floor, because it is likely that your building lies on a concrete slab anyway, so that is one less element you will need to install during your construction.  Polishing concrete is done rather quickly and efficiently with no hazardous chemicals or materials, so if you are simply re-doing your floor, you can continue to use your space while the floor is being put in.

Americas leading concrete polishing company

You may be asking, “What is polished concrete, and how is it done?”  Polished concrete is either the concrete base of your house or building, or a thin layer of concrete installed over the base of your room grinded and shined until it is flat and smooth.  Whether the concrete has been in place for years or is newly installed, it can be smoothed and evened with a concrete grinder to produce a pleasing finish.  Concrete grinders can be electric or propane  powered; the type that is used is based on the size of the room and outlet accessibility.  Grinders are equipped with vacuums to get rid of the concrete dust that is produced by grinding, so it lessens the hassle of cleaning up those tiny dust particles.  After the concrete is ground, you have the option of adding a stain or color for aesthetic effects, which is then polished and can be sealed and hardened.

There are countless benefits to choosing polished concrete flooring.  First of all, it is incredibly durable.  Unlike weaker materials, polished concrete is not likely to scratch or dent with age and wear, and its shine lasts for a very long time.  Polished concrete is also environmentally sustainable because it makes use of products that are already there, eliminating the use of excess materials and the energy used up in the manufacturing and installation other kind of floors.  Concrete is very easy to care for, requiring only the occasional mop-up with soapy water.  It reduces dust and allergens, isn’t slippery, and improves the effect of natural light.  Most of all, polished concrete is beautiful to look at and will greatly improve the appearance of your show room.

Perfect Polish has been providing concrete polishing services with glowing reviews for over seven years.  They pride themselves on being efficient, knowledgeable about your needs, cost-effective, and highly experienced.  They have installed floors in spaces that range from warehouses, to hospitals, to households -“getting our work done with minimal or no inconvenience to the business in the building.  Perfect Polish will make your renovation or building process a lot simpler and more enjoyable with a wonderful finished product after it is over.  If you choose polished concrete as your new floor and allow us to do your installation, you will doubtlessly be pleased with the results.”

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. 

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 is in the news everywhere these days. Varieties of decorative concrete are used everywhere from private homes to public squares. Its use involves many types and styles including overlays, stamped concrete, polished concrete and the use of a variety of colors and textures.

One quaint town along the famous and well-traveled scenic Route 30 along the Gulf coast of Florida, Rosemary Beach, has literally been built around the idea of a Caribbean village with a town square. The atmosphere in this town that reflects and is inspired by the qualities of the town of St. Augustine, the West Indies and other classic Pan-Caribbean areas.

If you have never traveled to the Caribbean or to Rosemary Beach, they are both inspiring. The streets in both places are actually mainly for pedestrians. In Rosemary Beach, they are composed of bricks, cobblestone and stamped concrete, surrounded by the walls of homes and businesses that reflect the hues and the textures of the Caribbean. Each street/pedestrian path leads to the beach at one end and the public square at the other end.
The interior that surrounds the public square, frames it with concrete finished to resemble the stucco textures and colors of the Caribbean. The pillars that help create the atmosphere of an easygoing Caribbean beach town rise up and melt into graceful arches which give one an easygoing, calm feeling.

The public square is the hub of all activity for the town. With its interactive fountain, grassy areas and Dutch West Indian architecture, it is filled with shops and businesses. The square draws you into its ambience and atmosphere with its cool decorative concrete turned cool earth toned stucco shop fronts.

The design and artful West Indian atmosphere of Rosemary Beach could not have been achieved without the use of decorative concrete. By using concrete creatively, the seaside town – especially its public square – is a work of art that is both stunning and durable. What is even better about the way that the concrete was used is that when it is time to spruce things up over the years, there are many finishes that will do the job without having to destroy and rebuild or re-pour.

Rosemary Beach is a tiny, seaside town centered around a public square and built artistically to resemble the Caribbean by using various methods and forms of decorative concrete. Your project might be much larger, such as a hotel/conference center or smaller, such as a private home. Regardless of size and scope, decorative concrete can be poured, shaped, stamped, polished and molded to turn your finished project into whatever your vision is. The ideas are virtually limitless. They can be created as far as your imagination can travel.

At Concrete Ideas we are committed to giving our clients and potential clients the most accurate and up-to-date information and ideas about decorative concrete.  We want you to have the most innovative tools at your disposal including the best products and services provided by the best companies.

To that end, we have started to feature short articles providing information on people, companies and products that deliver the best results for you.  We will continue to feature this information about products and services throughout the country – and beyond – so that wherever you are, you will be able to research the availability of everything “decorative concrete” in your area, complete with photos.

We decided to do this because concrete is no longer the simple, gray, basic cement that it used to be not long ago.  Today’s concrete is part of the decor – in fact; it is often the foundation or the centerpiece of the décor.  Today’s concrete includes specialized textures, colors, washes and more.  Instead of digging up old concrete and re-pouring it especially if it has cracks, stains or severe discolorations, special finishes can be put right on top of the old concrete making it look completely new and different.  Many of the finishes and “toppings” are razor thin, but all are durable and cost much less than pouring new concrete.

Our articles featuring decorative concrete specialists will not only provide names and locations of these businesses, but will also discuss their specialty and how it can work for you.  Take the time to look through our site and find the right specialists for you.  Feel free to contact us with information about any new or exciting products, services or companies that we can add to our membership.

We appreciate you exploring Concrete Ideas website and hope you find it creative and helpful.  We are excited to be able to provide this information to you, and we know that you will be, too! 

People are using decorative concrete more and more these days for many reasons.  One reason is that decorative concrete is an affordable way to create a beautiful and durable concrete finish for a new look right over your old concrete.

That’s where Eagle Solutions comes into the picture.  Eagle Solutions, a StoneOlogy Products dealer, was established in 1989 in Adairsville, GA.  Eagle Solutions is well known as the place to go for equipment to install concrete.  They have a vast selection of concrete tools and equipment and supplies for any decorative concrete job.  In nearly 30 years of business, Eagle Solutions has amassed a collection of concrete tools that is second to none.  If you can’t find it here, it probably doesn’t exist!

Eagle Solutions is more than just an equipment provider.  They are known world wide for their high quality products including floor sealers, floor strippers, floor coatings and high powered cleaning products that work hard to get the job done well. 

Eagle Solutions is known around the world for its high gloss finishes and their products are used in commercial buildings, stores, healthcare facilities, hospitality, educational and governmental facilities.  Eagle’s latest addition is a new line of propane powered concrete polishing and grinding equipment.  They also feature unique floor dyes and finishes, as well as powerful solutions to maintain the finish on the floors so that they always look as good as they did the day they were installed.

Eagle Solutions is synonymous with reliable, high quality equipment.  Their equipment is built to last, to work well and to save you money through excellent construction that keeps the equipment working well and not in the shop.

Eagle Solutions can be reached on the internet at www.eaglefloorsolutions.com or by phone at 1-800-633-0519.  Contact them for information on their products.

Imagine taking the concrete you have and treating it to change the color.  This could create a seamless transition from the inside of your house to the outside depending on the colors you choose.  There are various treatments available including liquid surface dyes (also called translucent dyes).  These are applied over dried, hardened concrete, and they can be tints, dyes, stains or acrylics in water based or solvent based dilutions.  There are amazing finishes that these treatments can provide to change your concrete to an artistic part of your home.

If you are just getting ready to pour concrete, the color can be mixed into the concrete itself.  This will give you color that is disbursed throughout the concrete itself and once the concrete is poured, it can be finished by using a sealer on top of it.

Another decorative concrete idea is to use dry surface hardeners which are put over the poured concrete while it is still wet before it is finished.  Once the color is “broadcast” onto the surface and absorbs into it, a second broadcast is applied and can deepen the first color or add a different color resulting in a layered effect. 

One other way to make your concrete more decorative is by using a coating system, which is just what it sounds like.  They are painted over the surface to coat it either with a clear coat or various colors.  These are applied rather equally, however there are additives that can go into the coating to create different more artistic or creative looks.

No matter what your situation is regarding the concrete surrounding – or inside – your home, exploring decorative concrete will offer you unique, artistic and affordable choices that will create a unique look that will last for years.

TouchStone Decorative Concrete Products, located in Houston, is a leader in the Decorative Concrete field in Texas.  Their name says a lot about their vision and the quality of the products and training they provide.

TouchStone works with contractors, homeowners, builders and architects to provide creative and stunning decorative concrete ideas and products for any project – large or small.

TouchStone deals with three major areas of decorative concrete.  These are:

1. Helping you decide the design and the appropriate system for your project.
2. Providing quality products created by reputable companies;
3. Making sure professional contractors execute the project as planned.

TouchStone works with your on any or all of these three essential areas to help ensure the best final results possible for your project.  To further enhance your results, TouchStone is currently creating a showroom that will exhibit several decorative concrete systems, patterns and colors, giving you a hands on, opportunity to explore your options and get new ideas before completing your project.

TouchStone offers hands-on training, a huge inventory, a showroom that offers actual styles, colors and results in advance, and technical expertise.  No matter where you are in the process– especially in the Houston area – TouchStone is the company to contact for any products, information or training regarding decorative concrete.

For accurate information, excellent customer service and exceptional quality, the decorative concrete company to call is TouchStone.

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