Decorative Concrete is cast in place concrete, integrally colored and stamped with texturing tools to produce a surface similar to natural stone, brick, slate and other natural paving materials. Base color is achieved through integral color pigments in the concrete mix or surface treated with color hardeners. A powdered color release agent is used in the stamping process and insures maximum surface detail while providing a second color for surface highlights and distinctive grout line look. Decorative concrete's special acrylic base sealer is added in the curing process and provides full color depth and richness with maximum concrete protection.
Used inside and outside of homes or businesses, decorative concrete allows for custom textured and colored concrete surfaces, providing an alternative to plain concrete or pavers with unlimited possibilities. Decorative concrete can add decorative touches to entry ways, basements, 3 season porches, patios, sidewalks, and garages.
Textures can be used in both new concrete construction and concrete overlays. Textures range from natural stone and slate textures to tiles, herringbone, or cobblestones. Shown below are two different examples of patterns that integrate stamped concrete, integrated color and colored release agents to achieve a natural color variation.
When used in new construction, the ideal color application is the integral colors. Integral coloring offers 64 different shades to choose from, and are uniform throughout the concrete. The permanent color is fade-resistant, uniform, and streak-free for all new concrete projects. The integral colors also increase the strength of the concrete, control the set time, and improve the freeze/thaw resistance.
In addition to purest integral colors, several other techniques can be applied to integral color decorative concrete to achieve the natural look.
