Home Improvements
Are you looking for a cost-friendly way to get your old and dirty flooring out of your home and brand new and refined flooring system into it? Maybe you are looking for a new pool decking or a way to boost the look of your driveway? You’re probably thinking that we are crazy for saying there is a floor coating that is that versatile! Well, the flooring system that we are talking about is decorative concrete and it can drastically change any setting it is placed in. The best part about concrete is that its an extremely durable material and because of the lack of knowledge, it is also extremely affordable. When it comes to decorative concrete, there still isn’t much knowledge available about what it really brings to the table. Well today, we are going to be giving you all the information you need about decorative concrete and everything it can do for your indoor and exterior concrete home improvement projects
Decorative Concrete: What You Need To Know
When it comes to decorative concrete, there is much more than meets the eye. While the flooring is an attractive solution to any of your concrete woes, there are still many more benefits that you stand to gain than a simple look. Ready to know what’s in store for you? We have outlined both the pros and cons of decorative concrete down below:
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Pros
- Can be personalized with millions of configurations
- Can be used on most exterior and interior concrete
- Will provide a level of durability other floorings cant
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Cons
- Concrete is prone to cracking with age
- Can be hard to DIY
- Can’t be used on severely damaged concrete
A very common area that decorative concrete is used is on driveways. Driveways are one of the most suitable settings for decorative concrete because they serve as the main entry point to your home and are a key role in the curb appeal of your home. With decorative concrete, you can make your concrete driveway appear as a piece burnished leather, natural stone or even graveled. One thing is for sure, with a decorative concrete coating your driveway, you will never see your home the same again!
Another common area that decorative concretes are commonly used is on the pool deck. With summer right around the corner, it is critical that you get your pool deck ready to entertain and as far as concrete coatings go, there is no better way than with a decorative concrete finish. As decorative concretes go, there are both pros and cons of using decorative concrete on the pool deck and you can find both down below:
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Pros
- Provide a safer, slip-resistant finish
- Increase comfort with heat deflection
- Increase in the value of your home up to 5%
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Cons
- Can hurt if tripped on when wet
- Darker coatings absorb heat instead of deflecting it
- More coarse finishes can be considered a tripping hazard
Stamped concrete overlays are by far one of the best decorative concrete flooring options for a wide range of reasons. This is because stamped concrete provides an extremely thick finish that will fill all imperfections that your concrete slab could have. Down below, you will find the pros and the cons of using a stamped concrete overlay for your next home improvement project whether it be inside or outside:
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Pros
- Ultra-durable and protective
- Mimics natural materials ranging from natural stone to pavers
- Much more affordable than the real, natural materials
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Cons
- Will require resealing every 3-5 years
- Can be told apart from natural materials
- Even though durable, still prone to cracks
Polished concrete is a one of a kind flooring system and is mostly used for interior concrete. With polished concrete, you are exposing your home to an ultra-modern and simplistic flooring system that can last your home a lifetime because it is a permanent flooring system. But with all of the good, comes the bad and down below, you can find the pros and cons of using polished concrete:
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Pros
- Will last your home a lifetime
- Hardeners make the flooring very durable
- Customization includes saw cuts, stains, and aggregates
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Cons
- Is nearly impossible to DIY
- Can be slippery when wet or soiled
- Can be expensive in residential properties
Now that you know about the generalized types of decorative concrete and exactly what they can do for you, don’t be afraid to experiment! You never know, you might find something that you might not ever want to change!