Walkways and Sidewalks: Your Concrete Choice 

Never underestimate the use of sidewalks or walkways. These ways are not merely for walking to where you want to go without stepping on grass it also ensures that the appeal of your curb is spot on.  

As we all know, sidewalks or walkways that are made of concrete are often plain and gray and can be boring to the eyes however there are certain alternatives to make sure that your sidewalks or walkways don’t look as ordinary as they should.  

In the United States, concrete has been the choice for many when it comes to a material that can be easily decorated. It has been raved by designers through its flexibility when it comes to being colored, molded or stained and it can be a great way to personalize a property.  

Through concrete’s versatility, there have been many techniques known to make your property shine. Here are few ways to make your property uniquely your own. 

1. Stamped 

When it comes to popularity, stamped concrete is on top for a reason. If you are bored at how walkway or sidewalk patterns come from bricks, flagstone, slate or even patterns from wood planking then you are in for a unique twist when it comes to stamped concrete. Through stamped concrete, you have the option to blend it to the elements that is found in your home or property. You also have the option to intermingle it with chemical staining or even with other decorative treatments for concrete.  

2. Stenciled 

This method uses stencils made of disposable paper to make stone patterns or brick patterns or any pattern of choice. Since this method mask a surface underneath, it appears more realistic because there are joints in between the pattern made. This can be done through the application of dry shake which is a color hardener to the concrete that has been exposed before the removal of the stencil used or placed. Since stencils come in various patterns, you can be more creative and even merge patterns that may blend together nicely if you want.  

3. Exposed Aggregate 

If you think that sidewalks have pebble like structures for appearance alone, then you should reevaluate the design’s purpose again. Sidewalks have texture to not only emphasize the pattern the designer want to appear but also to avoid a slippery surface. In order to achieve the effects of decorative purpose in the walkway or sidewalk you want to make, expose the aggregate in your concrete to get the best results. You can also enhance your results through using stones of different colors and mixing areas that have both smooth and aggregate finish to have better texture.  

4. Colored 

Color not only enhances appeal it also enhances a designer’s creativity. If you think gray sidewalks and walkways are boring, you can do something about it now. Using chemical stains, dry shake hardeners or integral color create tonal effects that are complex and beautiful.  

Looking for a concrete contractor to help you on your next project? Check the Concrete Services Plano website. 

Concrete Patio for Your Backyard 

You can always make your patio as unique as you want it to be. It always depends on the functionality you need and you will only need to be creative enough to make that space happen or come to life.  

 

Concrete is a great material for your patio on your backyard. Other than being an excellent choice of material for your patio, it is also a material that you can utilize to expand your backyard space. You can use it to make a path to connect with your garden area to keep your home homey and welcoming. Moreover, you can also build some great focal points with it through investing your time with building fountains or fireplaces that works so well in making quality time with your family even without going somewhere far. However, what are some ideas that you can utilize in order to get the best outcome for your patio on your backyard? Well, here’s some ideas to help you start enhance your backyard patio.  

1. Entertainment 

Patios are a great way to entertain guests while having the chance to lounge with a view. Even if patios are known for this use, patios that are made of concrete are also great at making sure you are expanding your space while maintaining the uniformity of your home and not getting out of the look you started your home with. Through a concrete material you are ensuring that the connection between your indoors and outdoors and connected seamlessly. It is also a great choice of flooring so you can extend an outdoor living area or cooking area while getting the benefit of looking at a view with your fireplace in place as well.  

2. Color  

Concrete floors also expand your creativity through staining concrete to match the landscape of your outdoor area. Since concrete is a flexible material and you can do a lot with it before it hardens, you are also free to mimic other designs through it. Through concrete, mimicking patios that have brick flooring, slate, flagstone or tile is very easy thus you are in for a lot of options.  

3. Cost efficient 

Since you are investing for the benefit of your home, make sure that you also benefit in the process. Compared to patios that have bricks or stone which needs to be installed in an intensive way of labor, concrete is easy to handle thus when it comes to labor fee alone, you are already at an advantage. Moreover, overall, concrete is known to be economical when it comes to people who are in a budget.  

4. Long lasting without much need for maintenance 

If you are looking for a way to improve the look of your backyard or how your backyard’s landscape look, investing in a concrete patio also helps make your space sparkle. When it comes to maintenance, concrete does not demand much thus it is very beneficial not just to people who are busy and have no time for every now and then fix but also to people who want their investment to last without added costs on maintenance. If ever you invest on stones, chances are weeds can grow in between the spaces of the stones and you will need to maintain those weeds or have someone else handles it for you and it can take time thus if you want something easy to maintain, concrete may be your best option.  

For concrete services, Concrete Services Plano is your answer! 

Advantages of Commercial Concrete Coating

If businesses with boring and plain concrete flooring are considering to improve the longevity and look of their flooring, then the ideal solution for that would be concrete coating installation. Similar to residential properties, commercial buildings can also take advantage of epoxy concrete coatings. To know how you can benefit from this, check the following items below: 

Improved safety 

Epoxy flooring is a good option for commercial settings since it enhances the work environment’s safety by making a flooring solution that’s resistant to fire, heat, slipping, and impact. Moreover, such highly glossed epoxy coatings can brighten a working area even more.  

Variety 

In contrast to what several people believe, concrete coatings are a basic and ordinary flooring alternative, which has the application goes fay over industrial properties and other warehouses. As a matter of fact, epoxy coatings can be utilized to give an aesthetic appeal for commercial flooring. Epoxy is made out if colored acrylic flakes, which come in an extensive range of color mixtures. Business owners have the chance to choose basic custom epoxy floor bends or color options. Moreover, the floors can be arranged into designs and patterns that allow owners to tailor the floor color and patterns, which enables owners to tailor the color and floor pattern for them to enhance the workplace’s appeal and ambiance and match their branding.  

Affordability 

Among the most cost-effective flooring alternatives, an epoxy concrete coating is included. Actually, the epoxy coating’s cost per square foot is hard to beat once compared to some popular options for your commercial flooring. Since concrete coatings can be directly applied over concrete flooring, the costs of installation aren’t that costly compared to other types of flooring options available. Out of all the concrete coating’s advantages, the most appealing and significant benefit to brand owners would be its affordability.  

Resistant to moisture 

Basically, epoxy is a waterproof coating. Owning a moisture-resistant floor can be advantageous for a lot of businesses due to several reasons. With the help of concrete coatings, your floor won’t be prone to stains anymore because the surface contains non-porous properties. Because of the epoxy concrete coating’s water-resistant properties, they stop water from harming the subfloor and the development of mold. Businesses such as Laundromats, medical facilities, bathrooms, and kitchens can benefit from applying concrete coatings to their floors.  

Durable against wear and tear 

It’s difficult to look for a flooring alternative that’s not just as durable but also as affordable as concrete coatings. Concrete floors can easily chip and crack especially when the surface is affected hard enough. Not only that, but solid concrete floors will also display wear and tear in areas with high-traffic. But, business owners can secure their floors from regular wear and tear by applying concrete coatings. If this is done, it makes any surface resistant to deterioration. Epoxy coatings can prevent your commercial floors from flaws such as surface abrasion, staining, and chipping.  

Contact Concrete Plano now for more concrete tips and services.