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Art Designs on Concrete

Concrete might be a suitable material capable of being used for any form of construction, but it is much more than that. Concrete can also be used for aesthetic enhancements of any structure, which means it will be functional and decorative. One of such ways to make concrete decorative is through art designs. Some concrete contractors specialize in using concrete for their art designs or putting the design on concrete. They do this in multiple ways, and technical developments have improved the craft of using concrete as a decorative feature. This article discusses how concrete can be designed with art and used to enhance structures.

Stamped Concrete:

Stamped Concrete:

One of the most effective ways of putting art designs on concrete is stamping it. By stamping concrete, you add color and texture to concrete and resemble anything you have in mind. Some stamp their concrete to resemble clay bricks, which is more beautiful and enhances any regular structure. When it comes to what to stamp into your concrete, the only thing that limits your choice is the unavailability of the mold of the design you may have in mind. Once there is a mold, you can transform a regular looking concrete wall or floor into something astounding. The stamping is usually done when the concrete is in a plastic state, i.e., it is not fully dry and hard. The mold is pressed into the concrete, and the color is generally added by using liquid or powder releases, acid stains, integral colors, or color hardeners. There are instances where these products are combined to make more intricate and better designs.

Concrete Dyes:

Another way of installing art designs on concrete is by using concrete dyes. These dyes come in different compositions and forms, and you can use them for just about anything that is concrete. The first concrete dyes used regular printing inks, which is dissolved into alcohol solutions. However, the problem with these alcohol-based dyes is that they fade when exposed to the sun. This is why they are now mostly used for interior applications. Later on, other solvents such as lacquer thinner, acetone, etc. were used instead of alcohol, and ultraviolet inhibiting agents were included in the dyes. This has made the new dyes more fade resistant, with only about 5-8% fading rate every year.

Staining:

You can also install art designs on your concrete by staining it. This can come either as water-based or acid staining. When it comes to acid staining, it is a pigment-based coloring or dyeing. Instead, it is a chemical reaction. By applying a solution of mineral salts, little muriatic acid, and water to the concrete’s surface, there is a chemical reaction between the chemicals in the concrete and the solution that is applied, which results in the concrete developing earth tone colors within four hours. Acid staining is usually inconsistent as the color tones will be different on the concrete, making it unique. On the other hand, water-based staining is more or less coating because there is no chemical reaction whatsoever. The water-based stains are merely applied to the concrete, and they bond with it.

Conclusion

There are other ways of installing art designs on the concrete, and some even craft statutes, artworks, and designs directly out of concrete. Adding art designs to your concrete is a great way to make it look better. Visit https://www.concreteservicesdenver.com/ for more information!

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Who To Hire For Concrete Foundation

A traditional foundation is usually used to support a building or structure. Placing it below the frost line and ensuring that it is broader, the wall erected on top of it; the foundation or footing provides the base support that the wall needs to stand upon. There are three different foundations. They include

Frost Protected:  This foundation is used for heated structures. Two sheets of rigid polystyrene insulation are placed – on the outer part of the foundation wall and below the foundation on the gravel surface underneath to prevent freezing. By insulating the foundation in such a manner, the heat prevents the ground temperature surrounding the footing from freezing.

T-Shaped Foundation: This foundation is used in areas where the ground freezes. By placing a footing below the frost line, constructing the wall, and placing a t-shaped foundation between the walls, the structure can be efficiently supported against environmental factors.

Slab-On-Grade Foundation: This type of concrete foundation is a single layer Concrete, usually several inches thick, and forms integral footing. The edges of the slab are generally thicker as it is reinforced with rods to strengthen it. Such concrete slab usually rests on a crushed gravel surface so as to ensure adequate drainage. This foundation is generally used in areas where the ground doesn’t freeze.

Who to Hire

Constructing a concrete foundation is not something that any homeowner can take on themselves. It requires skill and expertise and depends on the project’s magnitude; it may require you to use a licensed expert. For instance, while it may be acceptable for you to lay your garage’s foundation yourself, the same can’t be said for a home. In such a situation, building codes and regulations would usually require that experts should handle the project. It is essential to find the right people to handle this initial process as that will determine how your building looks and functions. Usually, the best thing to do when you have a construction project in your home is to call a professional. Thus, the right person for your concrete construction is a concrete contractor.

Using a concrete contractor means you can prevent all the mistakes that you could make on such jobs, which could end up costing more than whatever you intend to save from doing it yourself. A concrete contractor will ensure the durability and functionality of your foundation. 

However, you must be able to distinguish between a small contractor or ordinary handyman who consider themselves to be experts in pouring and finishing concrete and an actual concrete contractor who is experienced and trained at his job.  Here are the means through which you can find the right concrete contractor.

Concrete companies offer the best chance to find the right concrete contractor. Most concrete companies are licensed and experienced with different projects to their names. Most of them are also insured, so you can rest assured about the quality of your work. 

You can also look out for concrete contractors by checking construction sites in your neighborhood. This gives you the chance to see firsthand what the concrete contractor is capable of, especially when it comes to slabs, flatwork, and footings. By visiting building sites and seeing the contractor their element, you can easily decide if they are good for you or not.

Conclusion

You can also find the right contractor through friends, family, or even from neighboring homeowners. If a contractor does a good job, homeowners would be open to giving you their contacts and vouching for them, so also would your friends and family members. Sometimes, the best way to determine the quality of the contractor you are thinking of using is by making inquiries from previous clients.

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How Important is Sealing and Finishing Concrete

Concrete is a great construction material and preferred to all others on most occasions. It is used for almost everything from sidewalks, driveways, bridges, buildings, etc. As a material, concrete is a very durable material. But it is not invincible, so there are different ways of making this material stronger and better. Two such methods are by sealing and finishing concrete. It is possible to confuse the two and consider them to be the same thing, but this is far from what obtains reality. Finishing is not the same thing as sealing, but both of them serve to make the concrete better. In this article, we consider the importance of finishing and sealing your concrete.

Sealing

Sealing your concrete means adding sealants to your concrete to block the pores that are in this naturally porous material. Here is the importance of sealing concrete.

Protection from Dirt: The concrete’s tiny holes are usually perfect spots for dirt to form and thicken. By sealing your concrete, you protect the surface from dirt such as dust, grease, oil, food stains, urine, tire tracks, etc. Sealing concrete makes it easier to sweep or mop it, and remove the dirt. 

Durability: Yes, concrete can be more durable than it currently is, and sealing it is one way to achieve this. Adding sealant to your surface is adding an extra protection layer.

Weather Shield: Environmental elements such as sunlight, snow, and rain can have adverse effects on the concrete. Before you know it, your smooth and shiny concrete surface is fading and wearing off. However, adding sealants means freeze-thaw damage, and harmful ultraviolet rays would have fewer effects on your concrete surface.

Improve Appearance: There are sealers that don’t just protect your concrete surface but also make it more beautiful by giving it a polished or matte look. They also ensure that your concrete keeps its color at all times, so it is always looking new.

Mold Resistance: If moisture gets into concrete, it becomes easy for mildew and mold to grow within it. Adding sealers to your surface becomes resistant to such and saves you the cost of maintenance.  

Finishing

Finishing your concrete is an essential stage of any concrete construction and the final stage as well. It has its own importance, which includes

Smoother Surface: Finishing your concrete gives you an even and smooth surface. This has its aesthetics benefits, but beyond that, it also makes the surface more functional.

Cost-efficient: A finished concrete saves you money in the long run. This is because the cost of maintenance is reduced as it is less prone to damages and wear and tear when compared to unfinished concrete.

Reduces or Prevents Dust: Where the concrete is unfinished, it is a prime spot for the absorption of particles and dust. This will, in turn, lead to the concrete breaking down. Dust is arguably the number one problem of unfinished concrete, and it is difficult to get rid of the dust using a broom or mop.

Conclusion

Sealing and finishing your concrete ensures that it serves you for a long time, and you will definitely enjoy using it.