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Concrete

What To Consider When Choosing The Best Concrete Resurfacer

October 14, 2022
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Concrete does not age gracefully and that is for certain. Whether it’s your walkway, driveway, rear patio, or another place, the concrete around your house will undoubtedly begin to show its age. To swiftly repair a cracked concrete surface, most individuals typically fill cracks and “spot patch” certain areas. Your concrete will lose some of its attractiveness as a result of frequent crack and patch repairs over time. 

If this describes the situation around your home or the home of a customer, you should consider concrete resurfacing. It’s one of the simplest, most effective techniques to restore the new-looking appearance of concrete. Some of the best companies offering concrete resurfacing are present in Aurora, IL

All resurfacers are not created equal. Their drying times, bonding abilities, and abrasion resistance can all differ greatly, making them acceptable for some projects but unsuitable for others. Continue reading to discover more about these and other important qualities of the best concrete resurfacers. 

Temperature Tolerance 

Knowing what temperatures concrete can withstand during installation is crucial because most concrete surfaces are outside. To guarantee that the concrete resurfacer dries properly, most manufacturers stipulate that the temperature must be above 50 degrees Fahrenheit both during installation and for 24 hours after. 

The amount of time the user has to work with the concrete before it sets and becomes dry enough to move depends on the temperature. Concrete will typically dry more quickly as the temperature rises. Use cold water to slow down drying if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Most manufacturers advise using warm water to decrease the drying time if the temperature is below 60 degrees. Before applying the resurfacer, be careful to review the recommended temperature range on the packaging. 

Bonding Properties 

A concrete resurfacer must adhere strongly to the surface it will be applied over in order to prevent displacement and the need for subsequent repairs. The majority of concrete resurfacers adhere to concrete extremely well. When restoring a subfloor, bonding properties are crucial to ensure that the new flooring laid over the resurfacer will stick.   

Drying Period

When selecting a concrete resurfacer, ensure the drying time is appropriate for the project. Fast-drying concrete may be convenient since it allows the paved area to be put back into use more quickly, but it also necessitates that the user works more quickly before the concrete becomes too hard to spread. Consider the amount of time it takes for the concrete to set and dry, so that it may be used for traffic.The drying time is often indicated by concrete manufacturers as minutes or hours. Although the concrete is too hard to modify once it has hardened, it is not yet ready for usage. Within 1 to 2 hours of mixing, the majority of concrete resurfacers set. To receive foot traffic, a resurfacer may need to wait 6 to 24 hours, and many days to receive car traffic. 

Application 

There are two varieties of concrete resurfacer: dry, which needs to be combined with water before use, and premixed. Premixed resurfacers are more convenient than dry resurfacers, but they are often more expensive. You can also modify the cement’s consistency with dry resurfacers to meet your demands. 

The most common method of applying concrete resurfacer is to mix the product with water (if necessary), pour it on the old existing concrete, and distribute it using a squeegee. To ensure strong adhesion between the old and new concrete, carefully clean the surface before applying the resurfacer.  

This season is all about bringing the outside in and taking the inside out. A need to connect with nature has never been more desirable than it is today when we have already stayed away from our natural roots far into the depths of technological innovations. One way to become one with Mother Nature once again is to introduce raw, natural materials into your house. Start by checking out some of our ideas on how to enhance your home in a nature-friendly manner.

Photo by Kam Idris on Unsplash

Incorporate wooden elements for the finishing touches

Wood is the ultimate finishing material and the reason that so lies in the many possible ways you can design it for any purpose you imagine. It can be transformed into anything from a raw and unstained cover with knots and grains to a marble-like surface. In any case, one thing is for sure – it looks great. Bringing wood into your home is one of the most efficient ways to reconnect your everyday space with nature. 

Aside from the finishing touches, you can use wood to completely cover your floors, ceilings, and walls, giving the room a rustic, cabin-like look. Wooden furniture is also very welcome since it is the most sustainable furnishing solution. 

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Enjoy a lifetime of quality flooring with concrete

If you want a truly long-lasting flooring solution, you should be on the lookout for sustainable decorative concrete which has become incredibly trendy in interior design. You can choose to have your concrete flooring done in different colors, but probably the most stylish choice would be to leave it raw and exposed. This type of flooring will definitely look the same for many years just as it looks today. 

There are several ways to use decorative concrete, but the most obvious choices are definitely driveways, pool surrounds, paths, and al frescos. By leaving the concrete design exposed, you’ll prevent slipping and also nail that natural look that fits perfectly in both an indoor and an outdoor landscape. 

Photo by Huy Phan from Pexels

Color your house with lavish greenery

Probably the healthiest way to invite nature into your home is to let the greenery in. Plants are not only lush stylish décor elements but they are also natural air purifiers, which gives them the title of number one must-have element in any eco-friendly, nature-oriented home. All kinds of flowers and potted plants are welcome and the more you have – the happier you will be.

Psychologists have shown that the color green has calming effects, which any Zen lover can confirm. While large plants and small indoor trees are more suitable accent items for bigger rooms, don’t forget that there are hanging plants that can easily fit in smaller rooms and look just as adorable.

Photo by Ksenia Chernaya from Pexels

Paint your home with the colors of the wind

When it comes to choosing a color palette, focus on the hues you can find in nature and forget about strongly pigmented RGB mutant colors. If your first thought is that you should make your home plain green and brown because these are the colors that first come to mind, remember that nature is much more colorful than that. You might find various shades of red quite interesting, such as brick red, burnt red or terracotta, while marine blues can complement these reddish tones in order to make the perfect blend with the wooden and sandy shades.

Mocha, beige and sage green are another winning combination for those of you who are fans of brighter hues. With just a bit of grey coming from the concrete flooring and a cozy fireplace, you will have yourself the ultimate nature color palette.

Photo by Alisha Hieb on Unsplash

Trust in the beauty of raw imperfection

Remember that the word “raw” can be translated into rough and imperfect. The art of incorporating raw elements into your home lies in leaving it unfinished – just like nature would. It’s not that often possible to see sharp corners and steep edges in nature, yet we tend to geometrize every part of our homes. In order to avoid this artificial setting, opt for curvy edges and imperfect finishes as much as you can.

 

Incorporating raw materials into your home will only bring you one step closer to nature, but consider this being only an intro into a more organic and eco-friendly lifestyle. Some further steps could be trying to reduce the amount of waste you produce, shopping for organic ingredients, and cycling to work. You will see how every new step towards a more natural way of living will only become easier.

The time has finally come when we’ve started paying the necessary attention to our floors. In the past, home decor magazines and articles focused mainly on the walls, furniture and decor pieces, but in the recent years, the attention focus shifted towards floors. Since the floor is the base of the entire room, it is only natural that it should be your starting point when decorating or redecorating. So, let’s discuss a few flooring trends that will always stay in style. Besides, let’s face it, you probably won’t be changing your flooring solutions whenever a new trend pops up.

Go green

First and foremost, as with everything else, you should focus on choosing the greenest possible solution, because green will never stop being the best option. The eco-friendly movement made its way in every single aspect of our lives, so choosing a green flooring solution has never been easier. Some innovative but definitely worthy mentions in this field are cork, concrete and wood. Let’s clarify.

Cork

Image Source: AAFloors.ca

Cork has only recently been introduced as a flooring option, which is quite surprising if we look at its traits and the benefits it brings to the table, or in this case, floor. For starters, cork floors are extremely comfortable because cork is somewhat soft, so it “gives” when compressed. This will provide a comfortable, almost cushioning, underfoot surface that will be mild on your joints. Also, it is an excellent flooring option for those suffering from various allergies, because it’s very mold- and mildew-resistant. And finally, cork works as an excellent acoustic and thermal insulator, which makes the rooms with cork flooring warm and quiet. This is an excellent option for people living in apartment buildings.

Concrete


Although concrete is completely different from cork, it definitely has its own set of benefits. Apart from probably being the sturdiest flooring solution, it is also very flexible in terms of fitting into a room’s overall design. Let’s clarify a bit, shall we? First, as you probably already know, concrete is used in various high-traffic areas because it’s extremely durable. This means that no high heel, pet claw or furniture leg will damage its look. Second, being as awesome as it is, concrete is very easy to maintain. You can clean it with any neutral cleaning agent by simply mopping it every once in a while, and for additional protection, you can apply a coat of floor sealant or wax twice a year. Finally, when it comes to style, there are various decorative concrete options to choose from. They can be stained to match (or contrast) any color palette, or they can be made to resemble slate, tile or marble – the choice is entirely up to you. Also, keep in mind that concrete floors are much cheaper than tile, marble or natural stone floors (but can imitate them pretty well), which is definitely another huge plus.

Wood

Image Source: ShaadiInvite.com

Wooden floors are another evergreen option you can choose to go for. Not as soft as cork, but not as hard as concrete, wooden floors are perfect for those who like traditional looks. Here, there are also some variations when it comes to sturdiness (e.g. laminate vs. hardwood) but they are not as drastic as the previous two. Laminate is a bit more sensitive than hardwood, but some consider it to be a somewhat greener solution, since very little actual wood is used in its production. On the other hand, hardwood floors can be made of reclaimed wood salvaged from old residential flooring, which makes them pretty green as well. Lastly, when it comes to looks and finishes, both options are so versatile, you’ll have no problem finding something that will perfectly match your taste.

As with everything in life, if you have a good and solid starting point, everything that comes after becomes much easier to tackle. So, when it comes to designing your living environment, start with a solid flooring solution that’s not only green, but that will stay in style for many years to come.

After a tiring day, we probably just want to relax on our patio or on our deck. Additionally, we spend most of our time there while entertaining our friends and relatives.  Being said that, making our deck comfortable is very crucial. The best way to start doing a patio or deck make over is through your flooring.

Here are some flooring ideas for you.

Traditional Wood Decking

Wood flooring is one of the most adaptable kinds since it looks good on any furniture and fixture. It can also be very versatile in terms of appearance because it can give a rustic ambiance that can be very laid back but with a modern touch. With wood, you will be sure that your choice will not go out of style.

Outdoor Flooring Ideas for Style and Comfort

Tile Flooring

Making tiles as your flooring can have many benefits. First, tiles can be very flexible because there are countless of designs you can choose from. There are tiles that look exactly like a stone to give your patio a natural-looking one, or you can select a contemporary design. Second, it is very affordable, especially when compared to other floorings. Applying tiles can only cost you around $2 – $15 per square foot depending on the design, quality, and size that you want. Lastly, tiles are very easy to maintain as you just have to occasionally sweep or mop the area. Sun and rain don’t damage them, unlike wood floorings.

 

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Artificial Grass

A high-quality artificial grass looks and feels like a real one already. Additionally, using this kind of flooring can also be very convenient for you. Unlike real grass, you do not have to worry about spending a lot of time mowing the lawn just to maintain the grass. You do not also need to water or set up a sprinkler for it. It can be a great alternative if you have allergies to real grass. While it is true that artificial grass is more expensive than that of a real one, just imagine how much you can save from maintaining it all throughout the year.

Concrete

If you are thinking concrete can be very boring for a patio floor, think again. You can use staining or stamping methods to vamp up your concrete and create a stylish design on your patio. Firth an expert in concrete paving says that another reason why you should choose concrete is that you will undoubtedly be able to keep it for the entire time you live there. It can also be very easy to clean and it is a super cheap option.

Outdoor Flooring Ideas for Style and Comfort

Brick

Bricks can give you a lot of flexibility in your flooring because there are so many designs and patterns you can do with it. As a very durable material, it can cost you a lot up front but you will still be able to technically save money from it because it doesn’t break unless you do it intentionally. It is also a slip resistant material. You also just have to do minimal works to maintain your flooring.

Outdoor Flooring Ideas for Style and Comfort

Rubber Flooring

Rubber flooring can be a very affordable option for you. It will just cost you $2 per square foot but there are still more expensive choices but they are still cheap enough compared to other flooring types. Additionally, rubber floorings are very comfortable for walking. It is highly advisable to use this if you have small children or older people in your house because rubber floorings are slip resistant even if it gets wet. Just do not expect that much longevity to your rubber floors and you might have to replace it after some time.

Foam Tiles

Even though foam tiles are not created the same, there are still a lot of benefits. Just try to be specific if you will put it indoors or outdoors. Foam tiles are best for floorings beside the pool area because they are very slip-resistant and they are anti-mold and mildew. However, the downside is it is the least durable materials on this list.

Outdoor Carpet

Carpets can generally feel you more comfortable as it gives the more homey feel. It can make hanging outside more relaxed compared to other materials like bricks and tiles. When it comes to style, carpets have a lot of styles available in the market. You can mix and match the design to make it look better. It is a very cheap material because it can cost as low as $1 but it requires a lot of maintenance to keep it in good shape.

Stone Steps

While the stone material is very expensive, buying one can ensure that it will last for a very long time and it doesn’t need extensive maintenance. For some cases, you don’t even have to sweep or clean it. It can add a simple but natural feel to your home. Just consider putting in some natural designs for your outdoor flooring needs.

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Patterned Patio

You can use different materials to make a patterned patio. For instance, a checkered flooring design with an oversized green and white color can be best for red handprints on the edges. With this kind of patio, your imagination is the limit. You can do a lot of design whether you want a retro, contemporary, or modern ambiance to your whole deck.