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Concrete Concrete paint Concrete resurfacing

Creative Concrete Stamping

Creative Concrete Stamping concrete-contractors-columbus-ohioCreative Concrete Stamping : Stamping concrete is a great way for you to imitate the look and fee of authentic stone, brick, or pavement without having to spend as much. There are rubber patterns that create the impression of natural stone for this purpose. There are also ready-made patterns for such materials such as brick and cobblestone, however sometimes they can look artificial. One way to avoid this is to create your own patterns to be used in stamping concrete. If you can learn this you will soon find your inventory stock filled with varied patters that can be used for your various concrete stamping projects.

1. Be Innovative

You may even use design ideas you find around your home. For example, you could use an Indonesian batik design block. As long as it can make an impression on wet cement, and does not stick to the finished product, it will do. In good design, there are no limits to the imagination. So look around your area, you might even find an appealing pattern somewhere in your own home! You could consider looking at your garage, your attic, or even your uncle’s vacation gifts for potential stamp impressions.

2. Stamping

Commercial stamping produces great imitations. Sometimes, however, stampers are just overkill. You can bring out the beauty of concrete by being discreet at times with your stamping. You could use stamps that litter around your home, a batik woodblock or even a part of an auto transmission. Anything can be used to stamp the concrete as long it doesn’t stick and ruin the finished surface. It also has to be durable. A commercial stamp is perfect for improving a plain slab on concrete. You could also use this type of stamp if you desire a professional, standard looking concrete stamping.

3. Creative Stamping

Creating your own stamp tool is can be innovative and fun. You could even use a salvaged part from an old ceiling to create decorative stamp! When stamping on concrete, make sure you understand the risks this procedure entails. Commercial concrete stamps are designed to work well, and are engineered to be as easy to use as possible. They often leave a clean impression. If you were to use your own stamps made of everyday stamp-worthy items, remember that there is a risk that the concrete could be ruined. Commercial stamps are designed to consistently pull free from the concrete; this may not be the case with home-made ones.

– Even slabs with a deep-cut pattern must be jointed so that cracking can be controlled
– Divide the stamped concrete by using sawed joints
– Order correctly slumped concrete
– Lay out stamps before the concrete arrives
– Do as little hand tooling as possible
– Order proper amounts of concrete

Concrete stamping is neither for the inexperienced nor the faint of heart. For those who would like to learn this do-it-yourself art, learning concrete stamping is possible. For the hobbyists, masons, and even for those who just wish to make their homes better, this will truly be a worthwhile undertaking.

This post Creative Concrete Stamping has been kindly provided by Concrete Driveways Columbus ohio

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Concrete Concrete Masonry

Do I Really Need A Concrete Grinder

Do I Really Need A Concrete Grinder Concrete contractors Dallas TXDo I Really Need A Concrete Grinder : there are many different types of concrete grinders on the market. What you plan to do with a concrete grinder will have a lot to do with whether you need one and how you will use it.

A concrete grinder is used for a number of reasons such as removing things like paint spills, glue, imperfections in concrete work, smoothing uneven surfaces, removing formwork seams or protrusions. Each concrete grinder has built-in features and can be used for some or any of the above applications. One of the most important features to look for when deciding to purchase or use a concrete grinder is a dust collector or vacuum. The reason this is so important is because you will lessen the amount of dust you are breathing in and have less mess after the job is completed, making clean up a lot quicker. Most models should have a dust collector, even small hand held concrete grinders.

Some of the types of concrete grinders available are:

*Shrouded concrete grinder with vacuum. This particular grinder is used for cleaning of planning and removal of glues and paints from concrete work. It is also ideal for smoothing uneven surfaces. The three different sizes available are 5, 7 and 10 inch models. A dust vacuum is used to stop dust and help remove debris while you are working.

*Heavy-duty grinders. 7-inch heavy duty angle grinders for concrete applications are made especially for concrete work. They are mainly used for removing blemishes or cleaning the concrete surface. Make sure there is a dust collection device included with the model.

*5-inch concrete surface grinder. This model will refurbish and deburr concrete, remove irregularities, form-work seams and any protrusions. There is a built in dust chute with most models that will remove dust and debris. This type of concrete grinder only weighs 6 pounds, making it ideal for reducing worker fatigue.

*Hand held grinders. These are ideal for small jobs like areas close to walls and other hard to get places. They are also ideal for removing blemishes to concrete work. They are very light and easy to use. If you have a large area to cover, a hand held grinder may be a little impractical.

*Multi headed grinders. These models come with dust collectors and are designed for large areas. Their main purpose is to level and remove small imperfections to concrete work. The brushes used in multi headed grinders can be changed to suit the surface.

When choosing this equipment, explains Concrete Driveways Dallas TX , the first thing to consider is what you are planning to use it for and the size of the job you will be doing. If you are only using a large industrial grinder once it may be a cheaper alternative to rent a machine. If you only need a small hand held concrete grinder, it may be a good idea to buy one.

 

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Concrete paint

Concrete Paint

Concrete Paint Concrete contractors Jacksonville FLConcrete Paint : many home owners report that their concrete does not look as good as it first did, and indeed some concrete looses its looks and become cracked and dimples and rust stains. This look damages the house look and many find it to be plain ugly, the solutions that people apply to this problem is usually covering the whole concrete surface with different thing, mattress and clothes from all materials, but covering the concrete does not solve the problem just provides a temporary solution you need to remove once it starts raining.

The real solution for this problem is using concrete paint. You can use concrete paint to cover the whole surface and make it look completely different, the paint will help you change the look and you can also add some sand to the paint to help prevent problems like slipping or falling on the concrete because of water or cracks, the paint will make these problems disappear.

Whenever talking about changing or replacing concrete we are talking about an expensive work that will almost surely take some time and effort that might disturb the family living in the house for some time, this is why the concrete problems should first try to be solved by a quicker and simpler solutions, the concrete paint solution is much shorter and easier than redoing the whole area of the concrete. The only thing you need to do is visit a shop and decide on the color that you want, buy the other necessary things for this project, find some free time and paint your concrete.

There is also place for creativity when painting your concrete,

you can buy a few different colors, make a plan of how you want to paint it and paint geometric shapes, different patterns, words and letters, colors that correspond to the house colors, swirls and circle shapes and check board shapes. You can also use templates for these shapes, explains Concrete driveways Jacksonville FL  .You will need to make or get durable templates and use them to give your concrete a unique look.

The only important thing you should bare in mind is that before painting the concrete you will need to examine all the concrete surface to make sure that it is clean and dry, in any case you should clean the whole surface to make sure that no oil stains or water is not present on the surface because concrete can hold a lot water. You can clean the surface by using a broom on the dry surface and then using a broom and some strong cleaning produce, washing like you do at home, and then using water to wash away the soap. Once the concrete is clean and dry the painting can start.

Once you will complete the painting you will understand how easy and simple it is to reinvent your concrete surface look, and also understand that once you are bored with the colors you could change again and again, good luck with your new concrete paint and new concrete surface.

 

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Concrete Concrete resurfacing

Driveway Cracking : How To Concrete Resurface Quickly and Easily

Driveway Cracking : How To Concrete Resurface concrete contractors chicagoDriveway Cracking : How To Concrete Resurface Quickly and Easily . Concrete resurfacing is a method of repairing concrete sections when they are cracking or discolored. This usually happens over time and concrete resurfacing will help restore the look of the area to one that is much more attractive. There is also decorative concrete resurfacing which still restores the look of the concrete but also adds a decorative touch to it. This can include color and designs that can get very elaborate. Some refinishing projects are like works of art and are very beautiful. Prices for concrete resurfacing vary depending on the type of project you want and how elaborate you want to get in your designs. Typically, though, it starts off at approximately three dollars per square foot and can increase to over seven dollars per square foot.

The first thing that is done in concrete resurfacing is the cleaning of the area. This is usually done with a pressure washer to ensure all built up dirt and debris is removed. Next, there are several steps in repairing the cracks that may be found in the concrete. Cracks are first primed then filled with crack repair material. Then, they are reinforced with fabric and then a base coat is painted over the fabric, explains Polished Concrete Chicago . Polymer concrete is then smoothed on to the surface over the crack and ground down once dry until it is smooth and even. After the cracks are repaired, any holes that are in the concrete will be filled with epoxy mortar. Now that the concrete is thoroughly repaired, it is time to start the concrete resurfacing.

Driveway Cracking : How To Concrete Resurface Quickly and Easily

The prime coat and granule broadcast will be applied now that all the cracks and holes are repaired. A texture coat will be added next. First you will need to mix it according to package specifications. Then the mixture will be sprayed over the area using a special type of spray gun. Once complete, the surface should be run over with a trowel to ensure an even surface. You should work from the top and go backwards down the area for this. The color coat is next, adding the particular color you want for your area. Then a sealer is used to finish off the project.

This post Driveway Cracking? Light Columns How To Concrete Resurface Quickly and Easily has been kindly proposed by Concretecontractors-chicago.com

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Concrete

Using Concrete for Interior Applications

Using Concrete for Interior Applications Concrete contractors OKCUsing Concrete for Interior Applications : concrete is an extraordinary material that is practical, expressive, and aesthetic all at once. From a primal and formless slurry, you can transform it into virtually any shape that becomes a solid mass. The possibilities for creative expression are endless. You can grind, polish, stamp, or stain it. You can embed meaningful objects within it.

Concrete has substance and mass, permanence and warmth. It feels earthy, and is at home in both traditional and modern settings. It assumes forms that irrevocably touch our daily lives-bridges, highways, floors, walls… even countertops. Concrete is also surprisingly tactile. Cast and shaped, it can feel like stone rounded by the sea. Textured and colored, it can echo the patina of timeworn tile.

It first occurred to me to make a countertop out of concrete in 1985, when a friend and I were hired to design and renovate a professor’s house in the Berkeley Hills. He gave us a modest budget and announced, “This is all I can afford to spend; do whatever you want.” Armed with this rare creative license (and plenty of youthful exuberance) we aimed to be as innovative as possible.

This invitation to imagine, play, and explore inevitably led me to experiment in my own kitchen, where concrete and I began what is now our nearly two-decade dance. My first countertop was a single piece containing 11 cubic feet of concrete. It weighed nearly 1500 pounds and took 10 people-and 2 engine hoists-to turn it over once it had cured. We barely managed it, but the piece came out beautifully and is still being put to good use today.

Because of its adaptability,

concrete finds itself welcome in all areas of the home, especially in the kitchen and bath, but also in fireplaces, patios, garden paths, or water features. Concrete can also be used as a floor material with enormous creative advantages whether seeded, stained, stamped, broomed or diamond-finished. It can be a sole performer or play the supporting role to tile, mosaics, decorative aggregates, stone, wood, or metal. It is inexpensive, durable, noncombustible, impervious to decay, and also very effective for passive solar gain in the right application.

With vertical treatments concrete gives us an opportunity to recapture some of the feeling of the monolithic wall-the feeling of substance, of protection. Walls are also a great place to explore form, explains Concrete Driveways Oklahoma City . A wall doesn’t have to be flat or straight, but can curve and undulate. It can be textured to be rough as stone or smooth as glass.

Surrender to the impulse… carve your initials in concrete.

Using Concrete for Interior Applications