Concrete Colouring

One of the best ways to enhance the concrete surfaces in your home is by adding colour. This is usually done by mixing mineral oxide pigments into the concrete mix. This work is best done through a decorative concrete contractor, as it can be difficult to achieve even results.

Another important reason to talk to a professional is that the original grey shade of Concrete can vary between suppliers. You want to make sure that your chosen colour will work well with the original grey shade of the concrete, and the contractor will be able to deal with that.

Because cement colours and mixing consistency can vary, it’s not a good idea to use more than one contractor for one job. This can cause uneven and patchy results. Even if you stick with one contractor, ensure that all the cement they use for the project comes from the same place.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that, while coloured concrete shouldn’t fade, the colour may change slightly. It’s a good idea to consider sealing your concrete surfaces to protect against the appearance of fading, Regularly cleaning surfaces is also a good way of ensuring they always look their best.

If you have any questions or worries about the colouring process, talk to your decorative concrete contractor. They will be able to tell you the best methods of restoration and resurfacing your Virginia Beach home, as well as give you expert advice on any repair that may need to be done.

Decorative Concrete Contractor and LED Lights

Solar light is now one of the most popular outdoor lighting because of the brightness, rechargeable battery, and low-power consumption that it offers. Solar lights are able to simply get energy and power from the sun; store energy during the day and convert energy into light at night. More often than not, these solar lights which are integrated with LED bulbs are recommended by concrete contractor or concrete companies. These LED garden lights are much better compared to traditional garden lights because cables or outlets aren’t required to operate them, allowing easy placement from one part of the garden to another. Furthermore, these LED garden lights will not damage the landscape and design of the area. The solar LED garden lights are able to last for 10 hours or even longer when fully charged. Moreover, the entire average lifetime of a solar LED garden light should be more than 25,000 hours. Replacing the battery of a solar LED garden light is simple and easy, and if proper maintenance has been practiced, the replacement of the battery will only need to be done once a year or once every two years.

Addressing the Problems with Stamped Concrete

In decorative concrete, numerous problems can emerge if the concrete at hand has not been properly prepared or if problems weren’t foreseen before even starting the application process. One thing to remember is that if the air entrainment is too high, strength will then go down and result in no bleed. Another problem that can occur is when the dry shake color hardeners are left to be improperly “wet out”. It must be kept in mind that uneven water-cement ratio between the plain and decorative concrete would result into spongy and undesirable surfaces; reducing water content would be the solution to this. When decorative concrete color has been improperly finished, its chemical stains will then manifest its weak color as light starts to reflect on it. Weaker surface will more likely attain traffic wear patterns and if chemical stains are present, the colored layer will just then be gradually removed by traffic.

Another issue that can arise and have similar results to the uneven water-cement ratio is the lack of curing. If calcium hydroxide fails to form in the hydrated cement, then there will be a lesser chance for certain decorative concrete products to attain the needed reaction. Colored surface might then seem to be less vivid as compared to concrete that has been properly cured with the same amount and quality of color. Surfaces would then appear to be less intense and the traffic wearing and dusts can soon afterwards create certain patterns on it. Some decorative finishes, however, are not able to handle the same methods of curing that are usually applied on plain concrete.

The Build-up to Decorative Concrete

It is no surprise that concrete and the use of a concrete contractor has remained a steady building material in construction and decoration. It is applied to beautification projects around the world, as it offers many advantages compared to its natural material cousins. Decorative concrete, first and foremost, is easy to use whether you are a concrete contractor, or you need a simple concrete repair. There are no transportation problems faced when you use a decorative concrete contractor because decorative concrete is cast in place and therefore did not pose the same threats that large pieces of rock pose when they must be moved from construction sites. Smaller objects can be cast into the decorative concrete molds, placed where ever the homeowner and/or architect desire. This flexibility is what revolutionized the construction industry. Average citizens were suddenly able to build the house they desired for a lesser price thanks to decorative concrete.

Concrete can be cast in smaller plastic molds or in very large steel forms. Thanks to the many effects offered by stamped concrete, decorative concrete, and aggregate finishes, artists can utilize concrete is ways like never before, creating individualized pieces which are stunning, to say the least. Prior to now concrete served no purpose other than to hold things in place. Now it not only serves the same purpose, but it can be made to look appealing. Concrete walls can now be colored depending on the climate and the budget of clients.

Gateway to Better Curb Appeal

When you need to accentuate your concrete coatings or concrete overlay, you should ensure there are complementary relationships between the concrete coatings on your driveway, and your garage doors. Of all of the overhead garage doors, you can design yours to match the exterior of your home and offer increased curb appeal. You can find basic steel sectional doors or finished wood doors which have windows. Before making your selection, however, you should carefully consider your needs. This should include whether you want a garage simply to house a car, to store clutter, to use as a children’s playroom, to use as a workshop, to use as an office, or to use as a washroom. You also need to consider your budget.

Whether you are seeking single panel garage doors, sectional garage doors, or roller doors, you should consider whether you need light to enter into the room, whether you want an exterior design, insulation, or safety as a top priority. Also consider the amount of repairs which might be necessary. If you have a small budget, you might want to consider roller doors or doors which can replace single panels instead of needing to replace the entire door should something break. Roller doors are easily repaired if you find problems in the hinges, door, or tracks. Those who are better at do-it-yourself home projects might want this option, whereas others might not be deterred by having to potentially call in a professional to replace the entire wooden door design.

Imprinting Your Concrete

When you are admiring your driveways, walkways, and patios with an understanding that something is missing, generally that something is a stamped concrete overlay. Using decorative concrete means that you can create driveways, walkways, and patios that support geometric shapes, designs, colors, and pavers in a style that is free-flowing and inviting. With the charm that accompanies a small cottage, the use of concrete pavers can direct visitors to your front door, or around to the back patio area, or to a conveniently located pool deck in the backyard. You can integrate stamped concrete and aggregate finishes for a non-slip walkway, especially important if your yard endures lots of traffic, children, and elderly.

By using a concrete path throughout your garden you can create curves and free-flowing aesthetic appeal. For your patios, there are endless patterns available. Each of these patterns of decorative concrete will make a statement for your home. Whether you alter the size, shape, or color to create the perfect ambiance, you can enjoy a sturdy surface upon which you can entertain, cook, or relax. Utilizing concrete pavers with your decorative concrete allows you to make random stone placement or enjoy distinct rows that offer nothing by order for an impeccable design. Other aspects of your hardscape can include retaining walls. If your home resides or part of your yard resides on a slope, it can be very difficult to create your own personal outdoor living space. However, this is altered when you utilize stamped concrete retaining walls.

Awesome Tips and Ideas on Pool Deck Lay-out

When you are considering your pool deck lay out, there are some awesome tips and ideas that you should know about. Concrete pool deck have become the newest trend. A pool deck not only provides a space for sun tanning, but a concrete pool deck lets you design the pool deck to look like anything you want. Since people come out of a pool often dripping wet and are prone to slipping, and having a pool deck which is fashioned with traction will keep this from happening as frequently, making your home safe and sound for the kids. You can create a surrounding concrete pool deck which is divided into sections with a pattern cut to create a play area for kids, a tanning area for adults, and an area for toys and towels. With a toys and towels area, it would be prudent to put a sealer or sheen coating on top of the design because of the larger amount of use this area would receive.

By using a Concrete contractor, you can find a concrete pool deck design that is perfect for socializing and invites your friends and family to enjoy a day in the sun followed by sunbathing and cooking while they talk. For pool decks, many people have outdoor furniture or BBQ’s and love everything matching. With a concrete pool deck, it totally can! You can find colors that complement the color spectrum of your exterior design. Whether you use a SunDek product like SunStone, SunStamp, Tuscan effect, SunSand, SunSplash, or SunColor, you can a pool deck design perfect for your home.