DECORATIVE CONCRETE

Source:www.stonediamondtool.com Date:2019/6/10 Read:406

Concrete Staining

We offer three types of concrete stain or dye: acid stain, water-based stain and acetone dye. Which one we use for a particular project depends on the desired look, environment, condition of the existing concrete, desired turnaround time, among other factors.

What is an Acid Stain?

Acid stain is not a paint or coating agent, rather, it’s a coloring process involving a chemical reaction on a cementitious material. Acid stain is a solution made with water, acid and inorganic salts that react with minerals already present in the concrete. The result is a mottled, variegated, marble like look that is unique, beautiful and very durable. It works very well on new or old concrete, as well as concrete overlays.

What is Water-Based Stain?

Often used as a non hazardous alternative to acid stain, while still producing the mottled, variegated look associated with chemical reactive stains, water based stains are a great way to add a permanent color to a cured concrete surface. Water based stains can be layered and combined with many different colors to create a customized, yet more predictable look. Though these work well on new or old bare concrete, we primarily use these on concrete overlays.

What is an Acetone Dye?

An acetone dye is the combination of a dye that comes in liquid form, or as a dry pigment, and is mixed with a solvent (usually acetone). The color of the finished product and the depth that the dye penetrates into the concrete depends on the dye-to-solvent ratio. Dyes will not hide imperfections in the concrete; they are meant to enhance the variation that the concrete already has. Dyeing floors is different from staining them. With dye, there is no chemical reaction with the concrete — it simply dyes the surface. Acetone dyes can be used on new or old concrete, as well as interior and exterior concrete surfaces.

Concrete Overlays

Generally speaking, a concrete overlay is a layer of a cementious product that is applied over existing concrete. Concrete overlays are used for 3 primary reasons: 1) to turn plain, ordinary and boring concrete into a work of art, 2) permanently cover up surface imperfections in existing concrete, and/or 3) add protection to existing concrete that greatly increases the longevity of its life (or all 3!). Our concrete overlay material is made up of Portland cement and an acrylic-modified resin, which makes it much more durable than other overlay products on the market today. Concrete overlays can be applied to new or old concrete, applied on interior or exterior surfaces, in any color combination and with endless pattern options. Since every job that we do is custom, we can create the one-of-a-kind look that you desire.

Stamped Concrete

Stamped concrete is new concrete that is patterned and/or textured to resemble brick, slate, flagstone, stone, tile or various other patterns and textures. Stamped concrete is commonly used for patios, driveways, pool decks, porches and sidewalks. There are three processes for stamping concrete; the addition of a base color to the new concrete, the addition of an accent color, and stamping a pattern into the concrete. The base color is the primary color used in stamped concrete. It is produced by adding a color hardener to the concrete (either as integral color or cast-on color). The accent color is the secondary or highlight color used in stamped concrete. The accent color is produced by applying a color release to the concrete. The color release serves two purposes: it is a pigment that is used to color the concrete, and it also is a non-adhesive used to prevent the concrete stamps from sticking to the concrete. The pattern is simply the shape of the surface of the stamped concrete. The pattern is made by imprinting the concrete shortly after it has been poured with a concrete stamp. The ability of stamped concrete to resemble other building materials makes stamped concrete a less expensive alternative to using those other authentic materials such as stone, slate or brick.

New Concrete Pours

Along with stamped concrete, we also offer exposed aggregate (pea gravel), gray concrete (broom finished or smooth troweled) and colored concrete. We pour driveways, garage floors, pool decks, sidewalks, porches, patios and slabs.