One of the easiest, and most cost-effective materials for many home improvement projects is concrete. And yet, when you hear the word “concrete,” many people picture a plain gray slab that detracts more from its surroundings than it adds. Did you know there are many different ways of using concrete that can create unique, one-of-a-kind beauty in your home and yard?
For one thing, you don’t have to stick with standard gray concrete. The addition of color means that you can build patios, walls, and other projects that perfectly complement your home’s style. We do this by mixing dye into the concrete before pouring it, so that the color is integral to the material itself. The concrete color cannot chip off like a stain would because it is part of the concrete.
If you want to go a step further, how about adding texture to the concrete? Seeded concrete is a concrete slab that has been sprinkled with decorative aggregate to create a multi-colored or textured appearance. There are a number of different aggregates you can use to seed your concrete; in fact, your imagination is the limit!
Another way to use aggregates in concrete is to seed the surface of the concrete, and then remove the outer “skin” to expose the course texture underneath. This is called exposed aggregate concrete, and it’s both highly durable and skid resistant. Exposed aggregate concrete is ideal for pool decks, but also any walking surface where you might want more texture.
Stamped concrete has been patterned or embossed to resemble another material such as brick, stone, flagstone, slate, or tile. This type of concrete makes for beautiful patios, driveways, walkways, and pool decks. It can even be used inside the home in place of tile.
Scored concrete is similar to stamped, but the design is created by cutting grooves into the slab itself. Scoring can be used to create borders, stars, diamonds, or just about any other shape you can imagine. This kind of finish can be done on a portion of the patio along with a stamp or broom finish to create the effect of an outdoor rug or medallion.
As you can see, concrete provides endless opportunities to create beautiful, durable additions to your home and landscaping. For more information on using concrete in your home improvement project, give us a call and we’ll be happy to set up a consultation
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