Durability, Style & Color: Decorative Concrete
Whether you are creating a special outdoor area or want a unique touch in the interior of your home, decorative concrete gives you the opportunity to create the exact look you want and you know it will stand the test of time.
“Our climate makes paving with natural stones very problematic for homeowners over the long term,” says Dave Lorenz, owner of Decorative Concrete Systems of Blue Mounds. “The elements cause havoc with the mortars used in installing natural paving stones. Frost is the number one issue with natural stone treatments, and there is literally nothing we can do to combat its affects. Very often a beautiful patio or drive way will literally crumble before your very eyes over the course of a few years.” Of course, homeowners do have alternative to natural stones. Concrete is an option that can have a long life and look good, but it’s very limited cosmetically. If a homeowner wants to create a unique feel or look, concrete just has no style.
That’s where decorative concrete can deliver the best qualities in terms of the aesthetics of natural stone and the durability of concrete.
Decorative Concrete Provides The Following:
? A wide selection of stone face imprints can create unique, stylish patios, driveways, walkways, entryways, countertops, pool decks and selected indoor areas.
? Long lasting, durable, composition because it is concrete and is not affected by frost.
? An easy to maintain surface that continues to look great for a long time.
Lorenz has been installing decorative concrete since 1991 and is constantly surprised at the number of people who are not aware of it as an option for them. It’s as if it is a really well kept secret. Of course, the upside of homeowner’s not being aware is that when they do learn about the option, they are generally thrilled for a variety of reasons. And, he always enjoys that.
Faces—Designs—Colors
“While homeowners really like the reasonable price when compared to natural stone and the durability that decorative concrete offers, they wouldn’t buy it if it didn’t look great,” says Lorenz. “The aesthetics is where decorative concrete excels.” “For example, we can visually duplicate just about any natural stone and nearly any standard pattern in the final installation giving an authentic look. And, since we can control the colors, a homeowner can actually have more control over the look of the final installation than when using natural stone. Any reputable contractor who supplies decorative concrete should be able to provide a wide array of faces, including:
? Brick
? Concrete
? Stone
? Block
? Granite
? Wood
? Slate (Regular & English Sidewalk)
? Tile
An Investment For The Long Term
Decorative concrete is about twice the expense of a standard slab of quality concrete and is usually less expensive than the original natural stone selections,” says Lorenz.“ And, the larger the installation area, the more cost effective decorative concrete is when compared to the natural stone.” “When you consider the cost, selection of imprints, the colors and the durability, I find it hard to believe a homeowner wouldn’t choose the decorative concrete option,”Lorenz adds. “For anyone looking for a distinctive presentation, decorative concrete is hard to beat.”
