Know Your Concrete — The Best Types of Decorative Concrete for Your Home
Have you sifted through the pages of an interior design magazine or watched interior home TV shows and seen the gorgeous concrete floors on a kitchen or patio, of the homes featured by them?
You might wonder what those particular concretes are called… if they have a name.
Well, those beautiful concretes that you saw in TV shows and magazines are called decorative concrete. They are a staple in every interior design feature because of their functionality, low maintenance, and appeal.
Decorative concretes are simply a level up on plain old boring bare concrete. They have colours, patterns, and finishes that embellish the concrete and add an extra oomph to the aesthetic look of a residence or a commercial space. Not only that, decorative concretes have extra features that make them safe and secure for anyone to use; for example, some have a non-slip texture that is ideal for use around pools or walkways.
If you want to install decorative concrete in your home, you might be surprised to know that it has a lot of different types and you might get confused about what type is suited for your home. But don’t worry, this article will help you decide on what decorative concrete to choose as we will describe the popular different types that are available in the market!
Stamped Concrete
This decorative concrete is imprinted with a variety of patterns and designs with the use of special machinery hence the name stamped concrete. This concrete can be used with various colours and other elements such as tile, wood, or stone and incorporated together to create an expensive look and impressive design.
This is suitable for indoor and outdoor flooring spaces because of its versatility and slip resistance.
Stained Concrete
Also called coloured concrete, it is a basic grey standard concrete that has been dyed and tinted with multicolour solutions to produce a wide range of colour patterns on concrete. From earth-tone shades to unnatural lurid pigments, stained concrete is versatile enough to use as an aesthetic improvement for concrete walls, pathways, patios, living rooms, and pool decks. Sometimes it is stained to replicate other materials such as wood, marble, or stone.
Polished Concrete
Just like the name suggested, polished concrete is done by adding a high-gloss polished decorative accent on bare concrete using a polish equipment technology.
Polished concrete is ideal for both residential and commercial properties because it eliminates the need for coatings or waxes to keep the surfaces shiny. Furthermore, they are sturdy enough for long-term use and are affordable and easy to lay out.
A lot of people opt for this type of decorative concrete because of its classic style.
Engraving Concrete
This type of concrete has patterns, lines, curves, grooves, and designs carved into the surface of existing concrete using engraving equipment. The design can vary from geometric patterns to customised motifs.
Engraved concrete is great for both residential and commercial spaces. If you have an existing plain concrete flooring that you want to upgrade with less cost, have it engraved by a professional.
Honed Concrete
Honed concrete is a type of aggregate concrete that is sealed with a coating on the surface to produce a matte or full-gloss finish. This type of concrete is ideal for outdoor spaces such as porches, walkways, pool decks, verandas, and driveways because of its heavy-duty and anti-slip characteristics. Another great thing about honed concrete is its aesthetic appearance. The appearance of stones in various shapes and designs makes your space look more sophisticated.
Now that you have an inkling of the different types of decorative concrete, you probably have an idea of what to get for your home. Make sure to call a professional contractor to address your concerns and help you on choosing the right style of decorative concrete for your home.
