Techniques

Stamped

Stamped concrete is when a pattern or a texture is pressed into fresh concrete to resemble stone, slate, flagstone, brick, tile, and wood. Stamped concrete is very popular because it can resemble those other building materials but in many cases is less expensive while having more control of the color, and is stronger in most cases.

Staining

Stained concrete is when either an acid or water based stain is used to color a concrete surface while giving it a marbled look.

Form Liners

Form liners are when a mold is used to cast a textured design or pattern in concrete.

Overlays and Toppings

Concrete overlays are when a thin layer of polymer modified concrete is layed ontop of an existing concrete floor or wall . Overlays can be trowled smooth or stamped. Troweled smooth toppings are typicaly refered to as microtoppings because they are paper thin. Microtoppings can give a customer a new looking concrete for the fraction of the cost of replacing with new concrete because the material is so thin not much is used. Stamped overlays are an inexpensive option as well, but the material price is higher because more product is used to achieve a stamped look.

Exposed Aggregate

Is when the top cream layer of the concrete surface is removed to expose the aggregates. This is done by retarding the surface and then when the rest of the concrete hardens the surface is washed off with water and brushes. The next day the concrete receives an acid wash and a glossy sealer is usually applied to enhance the shine of the aggregates.

Broom Finish

Broomed finished concrete is what can be described as your typical traditional exterior finish. It is when a broom is used to give the concrete a slip resistant texture. The broom can be applied early to achieve a more aggressive texture or later for less texture.

Colored Concrete

Concrete can be colored many ways. The basic ways are integral, color hardners, and stains. Integral is when the color is mixed in the concrete with liquid or powder colors. Color hardners are a mixture of color and cement that is broadcast on the surface. Staining is when color is sprayed or hand applied on the surface, this is done with acid stains and colored solvents.

Coloring Stamped Concrete

Multiple colors are usually used with stamped concrete to give it the appearance of natural stone. This is done by having a base concrete color and then throwing additional colors on top and then working them in with trowels to give it a marbled effect. Then an accent color is sprayed on top while stamping, this causes the color to fill in low spots emphazing the texture and stamp pattern.

Countertops and Sinks

Concrete countertops and sinks are for customers who want something totally unique and custom for there home. Concrete can be formed to most any shape and size, making the design possibilies endlesss. The color options are another trait that make the countertops and sinks so custom. You can have a solid color, or mix and match many different colors. Coloring is done by using colored concrete or stains that react with the portland in the cement. There are two ways of doing concrete countertops; there’s pre-cast and cast-in-place.

Pre-cast concrete countertops and sinks are formed in our shop and finished there before being installed. Pre-cast is desired when a customer wants a specific color combo and design which can not as easily be done cast-in-place. Pre-cast can also be highly polished, as compared to cast-in-place which can usually only get a light polish because of the location where it is built. The high polish sheen of the pre-cast is a desired look, but that look can also be achieved by using high gloss sealers on light polished concrete.

Cast-in-place is formed, poured, and finished in it’s final location. Cast-in-place are an artform themselves because of the skills needed to finish the concrete to the smoooth finish that it will have. Cast-in-place can also cost less then pre-cast when done on a larger scale, for example a large center island or bar.