August, 2018 - RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL CONCRETE CONTRACTOR

Staining and stamping concrete surfaces are popular trends which offer a lot of options and endless possibilities. Stamping and staining creates appealing concrete aesthetics which are guaranteed to heighten the overall look of your indoor or outdoor space. We house a dedicated team of professionals, with more than 100 years of combined experience in the concrete industry, who provides top quality services to commercial and residential clients. As such, we’ve put together some information on some of the options that staining and stamping provides, with the hope that it helps those seeking to make informed decisions on their next home-project!

Epoxy Coatings & Concrete Staining Options

Stained concrete and epoxy coatings are popular choices for those looking to enhance their indoor or outdoor appeal. Both types of flooring are frequently seen in private homes, businesses, commercial spaces, restaurants and more. Stained concrete and epoxy coatings can be designed to replicate wood flooring, tiling or created to have a more eclectic, unique aesthetic.

Metallic Epoxy

Metallic epoxy coatings create a very fluid, free-flowing look that can be customized with color and implementation. Depending on the intended look, metallic epoxy can be used to create a luxurious, textured feel or a more contemporary and edgy feel.

Epoxy Flake Flooring

Epoxy Flake Flooring is a popular choice for commercial and garage spaces. This multi-coat technique creates a nice flakey feel which enhances the potentially drab aesthetic common in garages and commercial spaces.

Standard Epoxy

Standard epoxy flooring is generally comprised of three layers of coating and creates a simple, yet durable and attractive aesthetic. This method can be customized with color and is commonly used in both residential and commercial spaces.

Polished Concrete

A cost-effective option to enhance concrete flooring is the more simplified option of polishing. Through treating and polishing the current concrete, you can create a visually appealing floor with less steps and less cost. It can be implemented both residentially or in a commercial area.

Indoor/Outdoor Stained Concrete

Staining is a great way to enhance the look of your outdoor sidewalk and is even an alternative to wood, tile or carpet flooring, indoors. Stained concrete and be achieved via the water-based, acidic solution or via an acrylic stain. The acid stain contains metallic salts which create a chemical reaction, permanently altering the color and gradation of your floor, according to Prestige Flooring. The acrylic method penetrates the pores in concrete and is more permanent than paint. Both methods are completed with sealant and are very customizable via color choices and methodology, but aren’t as consistently protective as epoxy coatings.

Stamping Design Options

Stamping concrete designs is an unbeatable way to dress up any concrete slab. Stamped concrete offers unlimited options in patterns and designs and is a favorite way to create custom, stylish spaces. Stamped concrete gives designers the ability to match their vision of patterns, colors, decorative borders and designs with the surroundings and environmental aura.

Patterns

Patterns of choice are pressed into wet concrete to create beautiful, sometimes intricate, and permanent ornamentation. The patterns can be designed in congruence with staining or polishing concrete to create unforgettable surfaces. Some common patterns include: slate, flagstone, fieldstone, brick, cobblestone and wood.

See examples of stamped concrete patterns.

Colors

There are endless color options that can be used, in conjunction with patterns, in the concrete stamping process. Designers can use stain or polish or can mix/layer colors and tints to produce a natural looking feel to whatever pattern is chosen. Popular colors are gray and earth tones but the possibilities are endless, can be contrasted and can be customized to fit the preference and theme of the overall space.

See examples of color options for stamped concrete.

When executed correctly, adding a patio, pool or both can drastically increase the value of your property. Creating an alluring outdoor space suited for hosting parties, family gatherings or, simply, a tranquil area to enjoy alone time attracts buyers and increases the overall value of your property. Adding attractive concrete patios with stamping and staining is an upticking trend among homeowners *link to stamping/staining blog for content cluster*. With patios being the perfect area for relaxing, entertaining and cooking, they are making a big comeback at all stages of the market, according to an article published by HGTV.

One thing those interested in adding a patio to their property should consider, is the importance of creating patios that are in proportion to the house and surroundings. An out-of-proportion patio/project can devalue a property and throw off the overall visual balance, according to the article published by HGTV. So designers should remember that the cost of a project doesn’t necessarily mean that homeowners will see a return on their investment when/if it comes time to sell.

However, well-planned projects are still good investments and patios/outdoor spaces remain popular among consumers. The 2018 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends Survey, conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), found that 74.2 percent of respondents expressed a desire for flexible use space, 74 percent expressed an interest in permeable paving, 70.8 percent expressed interest in reduced lawn space and 80 percent expressed interest in low-maintenance landscapes.

Extrapolating on backyard investments, swimming pools may also increase the value of your property depending on the type, regional weather and other factors.

According to an article published by Home Appraisals, Inc., a pool’s worth can be determined by the type of construction of the pool. Whether it is above or below ground does make a difference. Also, the regional climate matters. If the property is in an area that experiences warm weather for much of the year, like Arkansas, buyers prefer homes/properties with a pool and are willing to pay more for the feature.

While it’s important to properly plan and execute backyard projects, patios and pools are still promising investment opportunities and also boost the ambiance and attractiveness of outdoor spaces. Slabco professionals are experts in the industry of concrete/patio projects and are always available for consultation and project support.