The Benefits of Stamped, Stenciled, or Stained Concrete‏

Stamped concrete is patterned or imprinted concrete. It is designed with patterns or imprints to resemble brick, slate, flagstone, stone, tile or wood. Stamped concrete is used to build pool decks, driveways, entries, courtyards or patios. Concrete patterns, concrete colors, cost of stamped, imprinted concrete in relation to other materials are more effective. As concrete is composed of cement, colors and patterns are designed to match the stone, tile or other concrete patterns. Designs of steps, courtyards, or fountains are made into the concrete. Colors of stamped concrete are made to blend with other decorative elements such as exposed aggregate and acid-etch staining. Patterns in bond brick, hexagonal tile, worn rock or stone are also used. Concrete is cost effective compared to marble flooring, linoleum, wood or tiles.

Stencil concrete is a design method of drawing various patterns on concrete floors with the help of stencils. Stencils are used on new concrete or existing concrete. It is based on blocking techniques. Many decorative designs can be effected by using high quality paper stencils. Patterns need to be aligned before starting a stenciling procedure. After concrete is poured on the floors, the surface is puffed up and even edged. Stencil borders are then applied to the surface. The field for the design is adjusted. Tools such as speed trowel, stencil roller or Fresno are used. Color hardener is used as per the choice of colors. Surface abrasion, wear resistance and true color have to be taken into account when applying colors to the concrete. The color is floated over the concrete and then toweled. Other possible finishes are broom, sponge float, wood float, cork float and hard trowel. A release agent is affected over the surface as per the user’s needs. Texture is applied over this. The concrete can be removed once it is incapable of adhering to the stencil.

Stained concrete is made by staining, coloring, and designing. It is often referred to as colored concrete. This design technique is immensely popular among homeowners, designers and builders due to the different types of variations obtained by combining concrete, colors and creativity. The slab has to be washed to remove the excess concrete sticking on it. Muriatic acid solution is used on top of this surface. The concrete has been cleaned to the desired color and dried; two coats of sealer are applied. 15% to 20% acrylic should be used for the first coat and 25% to 30% acrylic for the second coat.

Dusting to remove grit and damp mopping with the help of a neutral cleaner will enhance the floor.

Lowell Russell Concrete Inc. in Minnesota has over 35 years of building stamped, stenciled and stained concrete. If you need to have concrete floors done at your work place, home, business center, shopping mall or daycare center in Minnesota, you can always rely on this company to give shape to your designs.

Decorative concrete is an obsession with this family run business. Lowell Russell Concrete Inc. is recognized by both the Better Business Bureau and Angie’s list of offering excellent decorative concrete services. They use modern tools and equipment to give shape to your designs.