Decorative Concrete: 5 Important Things to Know
Decorating homes and industrial spaces prove to be tedious jobs for most homeowners and business people, which is why hiring a decorative concrete contractor is what some choose as one practical solution. To narrow down your options, Decorative Concrete Las Vegas and Decorative Concrete Austin are your reliable service providers when it comes to concrete handling. To learn more about them, visit their websites at concreteresurfacinglasvegas.com and austinconcreteartisans.com, respectively.
Customarily, cost-conscious people want to spend a minimum amount of resources as much as possible when hiring a partner for the job. However, establishing this type of decorative concrete should not be taken for granted, as it is a delicate project and applies meticulous processing. That is why careful and detailed planning for the construction component must be considered.
Before, decorative concrete only encompassed several finishing designs, but today, with the incorporation of modern technology, various finishing techniques and refinements are unlocked. Some of these include textured, engraved, and integral colored. Other creative methods that can be implemented include stampable overlays, concrete coatings, diamond polish, acid stain, stencil, exposed aggregate, and micro-toppings.
The beauty of it is that a combination of different finishes can be applied to deliver a more elegant look and vibe. However, the chances of it being achieved depend on the artistry and craftsmanship of the designer and contractor. Remember, concrete is susceptible to a large scale of elements that can negatively affect the final and overall results.
The 5 Non-Negotiable Aspects of Decorative Concrete
1. Careful Evaluation of a Client’s Expectations
For a project to have a smooth and systematic flow, home or commercial space owners must provide a detailed blueprint to have a clear vision of what the final result would resemble. With this, it allows the contractor to assess the feasibility and budgeted cost of the process. In return, the contractor can respond and offer better alternatives for you to consider. Early and careful discussions can make things uniform and help manage client expectations because there are some instances that owners have vague proposals and extravagant expectations.
By nature, decorative concrete is not usually structural, but sometimes, clients formulate specifications as if it were. Thereby, if a client states that the concrete should have great compressiveness or flexural toughness, a contractor should concentrate on the ornamental elements primarily, because the architectural requirements may still be achieved. Nevertheless, to obtain firm and visually pleasing concrete, decorative and structural aspects should go hand in hand.
2. Choose a Reliable Contractor
Decorative concrete contractors have their distinct specializations; some may be more creative and have better skills than others. If you crave artistic output, then you need to find a contractor who has a crew with exceptional installing experiences and has seasonal works of art. It also requires thorough research to reduce the number of selections since the main focus of most contractors is just a single aspect of decorative concrete. Additionally, some contractors do not conduct place-and-finish concrete, so hiring a concrete contractor that provides this service is a practical decision.
3. Avoid Concrete Damages
The point of mindfully scheduling the installation of decorative concrete is to safeguard concrete slabs from damage before, during, and shortly after the job has taken place. The carelessness of other uninvolved workers may cause inconveniences or even prolong the process. In some cases, plumbers are known to commit negligence such as spilling liquids, hot solder, or adhesives that stain on slabs. The same goes for carpenters. Carpenters are recognized for placing their tools and other construction equipment on the concrete surface. Other irresponsible workers can also leave footprints on the parts of concrete.
To avoid these inconveniences, one practical thing to do is have the project conducted on the weekend. Or better, start it on Friday afternoon and continue through the weekend. With this, the chances of the concrete slab becoming damaged caused by other trade workers will be decreased.
4. Protect the Freshly Accomplished Project
Most people believe that concrete becomes more durable over time. However, as the concrete ages, it becomes vulnerable to wear and tear. The harmful substances on the concrete surface can cause negative physical and chemical changes. The finished work must be protected, and this should be deliberated before installation even takes place.
Contractors should install a concrete vapor barrier on your project. During this process, the contractor must avoid using elements that stain when they come in contact with the concrete’s facade. To help prevent a stain, protective covering must be employed. The concrete contractor is not going to wait for the concrete to settle, meaning the general contractor needs to take care of the decorative work. However, this doesn’t mean that the subcontractor is already free from all responsibilities. They must also inform the general contractor what products they should utilize to preserve the job.
5. Negotiate Terms and Agreements
In the planning phase, maintenance plans regarding the project should also be discussed detail by detail as part of the contractor-client agreement. The upkeep and maintenance details should be defined in your contract’s terms and conditions before construction begins. Various modern ways to seal the decorative concrete are available on the market. Sealings such as epoxy or acrylic coating enhance the surface to provide a more aesthetic look. These finishes must be reapplied depending on the contractor’s endorsement.
Some owners may be opting for a natural concrete look without a lustrous appearance. If this is the circumstance, various selections of sealers and coatings are very much available in the market. The benefit of utilizing sealers is it protects the concrete surface from harmful elements and makes it stain-free.
Diamond-polished floors entail higher upkeep since owners usually prefer this type of flooring to be glossy and glimmering. However, as time passes by, the stunning surface can become unsightly. The negative effect is usually caused by earth elements that can be abrasive due to foot movement. Maintenance programs are included in some decorative concrete services, so choosing your right contractor should not be taken lightly.
About the Author: Justin Becket is an expert in writing keyword-based articles for concrete businesses to help them rank on the first page of any search engines. He also writes newsletters, ads, and web content for most of his clients and business partners in the concrete industry.
