Concrete Finishing For All Aspects Of Your Home
By: Tom "The DIY Guy" WesleyConcrete is a durable and versatile element that works equally as well for a patio or porch flooring as it does for a garage floor or driveway. If you think that a concrete application in some area of your home might be too boring, then you need to consider concrete finishing for added flair and pizazz.
Concrete finishing refers to any of several processes that are applied to concrete to help increase its durability, or create a change in its texture or appearance. Using special tools, concrete surfaces can be leveled, troweled, edged or textured to resemble materials other than concrete. Concrete on a driveway, for instance, can be finished to give it the appearance of more expensive stone construction.
There are three methods of concrete finishing fast gaining in popularity with homeowners today. The first of these is concrete stamping, a finishing technique that creates a new texture on the surface of the concrete designed to have it look like other material, such as stone, tile or brick. Stamping can also create the texture of leather when used on concrete walls and counter tops. Concrete stamping is best applied for new concrete applications.
Another concrete finishing technique making concrete more versatile than ever is concrete staining.
This technique provides a new refreshed look for concrete applications that are free from discoloration and signs of aging and offers a less expensive option to achieve that new concrete appearance without actually ripping out the old installation and pouring new concrete.
The third aspect of concrete finishing is concrete painting. This is the least expensive concrete finishing technique, but the results achieved are endless, left only to the imagination. Applying a quality grade epoxy concrete paint on garage or porch flooring, for example, can help to make the flooring waterproof, add new color to the concrete, improve the safety of the area by providing a non-slip surface when wet, and extending the lifespan of the concrete surfaces which are painted. Although this method of concrete finishing wears the least well of the three, it is still a viable way to upgrade the concrete’s appearance and durability without spending a great deal of money.
Concrete finishing allows concrete, a versatile and durable yet relatively inexpensive substance, to masquerade as many more high quality materials in a variety of applications, ranging from flooring and driveways to walkways, counter tops and fences. For any concrete surface that needs a make-over, concrete finishing transforms the old and boring into the new and exciting.
Related Posts:
Tags: concrete finish, concrete finishing, concrete paint, concrete stain, concrete staining