Austin Decorative concrete has become more appealing to people. They are beginning to look at ways to use the concrete they already have and improve their lifestyle with the home they love. Perhaps they want to improve the appearance and appeal of a home they want to sell. Businesses see the marketing potential in having their logos engraved on the doorstep or inside the lobby. Communities look at their budgets for time and money, then decide to utilize existing concrete for municipal beautification and improvement. Decorating existing concrete has been a quiet, secret option for too long.
Decorative concrete has many faces. That has led to mystery and secret method stories about using concrete. Actually, decorative concrete is pretty straight forward. The name can fit concrete stamping, overlays, polishing, or engraving.
Stamping concrete requires new concrete. Specially shaped stamps are pressed into the wet concrete. The end result is built in brick, stones, tiles or other designs. The concrete can be colored when it is poured. The cured, stamped concrete can be sealed to protect the surface and keep the design beautiful longer.
Overlays are an additional layer of material poured over existing concrete. If the overlay is thick enough, it can be stamped or engraved with a decorative design that makes everything look brand new.
In some situations a classic glow on concrete that has been polished using special diamond grinders is all the useful beauty a floor or wall needs.
There are workshops at various freelance places for people to learn more about the techniques for stamping, overlay and polishing. They vary in cost and quality, but seldom are a total loss. It is difficult to get a good hands-on lesson for something that takes days or weeks to be finished. The workshops with the most clear slide presentation will probably give you the most content for the investment in training. A good slide presentation with easy to read handouts to apply afterwords would be even better.
Austin Engraving on existing concrete with no new construction required, is one facet of decorative concrete that has been an unintentional secret. The methods can seem like 'secret knowledge' that few people have a chance to get.
Specially designed tools are used to engrave the concrete. Engraving works hand in hand with colorful stains and protective sealers. Engraving on existing concrete is a common sense choice that is also artistic, unique AND green. The low maintenance shouldn't be a secret any more. Minimal upkeep over time and day to day cleaning keep decorative concrete beautiful for many years.
Austin Engravingis a great business service to offer homeowners, businesses, and communities. Or it could be a smart add-on for an existing business such as concrete flat work, other decorative concrete or landscaping. Creative DIY people are beginning to see how they could enjoy doing their own engraving on the concrete at their house.
It is no secret that templates made of thick, reusable material are available to use with the engraving tools. Stock or custom designs for the templates help to keep the pattern on theme. Or those same tools can be used freehand with abstract patterns. Even more tools cut straight lines for geometric patterns such as brick or tile. When the engraver applies a little more geometry, those bricks can turn in artistic curves and waves along the concrete.
We all know how existing concrete can have chips or cracks. Flexible crack filler is available to put into the deeper or wider cracks. Often just a little planning can make the crack seem like part of the design instead of a flaw. People in one New York community are looking differently at the 50 year old concrete patio that had a rough surface. When their engraving contractor smoothed the surface, then stained and engraved a design, these folks had a treasure that their neighbors could envy.
The engraving and cutting tools I have been writing about are not secret. They are manufactured in Missouri, USA. These tools and supplies are shipped all over the world. The manufacturer offers a wide choice of tools that engrave on concrete by
- cutting with special blades,
- pounding with impactors, or
- blasting with sand.
The systems can be set up with a vacuum to keep dust low. One tool, the Sandroid has its own sandblasting and recirculating process. Tools and supplies are available as open stock. You can buy the tools you think would work best for you. You can get multiple tools or replacement equipment. Or you can choose complete business packages of tools and supplies all in a specially fitted cargo trailer. An advertising wrap lets the trailer act as a rolling billboard for the owner.
Monthly hands-on Discovery and Training seminars hosted by the manufacturer is the last 'un-secret'. Experts lead the seminar in three action and information packed days. Students use the tools, stains and sealers to create actual engraving projects. The large training facility in Missouri was opened in 2009. There is room for 10 ft x 10 ft pads which the students use for their lesson assignments. One part of the seminar has information about business management for decorative concrete engraving. Bidding, customer service and marketing are some of the topics covered.
You can take advantage of the not-so-secret options of decorative concrete. Options that make beautiful concrete for your property. Or options that open new business doors for you when you offer decorative concrete services.
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