- Read all safety information before you begin. ...
- Rinse the concrete so the surface is wet.
- Apply your cleaning solution (acid, trisodium phosphate, or other cleaner) as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Scrub the concrete with a stiff brush.
- If you use muriatic or phosphoric acid, this process is called etching, and will ensure the concrete has a sandpaper-like texture that paint will stick to better. ...
How to create a stained concrete patio?
- Do not use muriatic acid to clean. ...
- Strip and remove all previous sealers, paints, adhesives and coatings. ...
- For acid staining, use a concrete etch and cleaner to prepare the surface and rinse well.
- Concrete must be porous enough to accept water. ...
- Mask for over-spray with masking tape and water-resistant construction paper. ...
How to revamp the concrete on a patio?
The are the steps required in the resurfacing process:
- Repair - fix cracks in concrete patio with sealer or filler
- Clean – power wash and sweep away debris
- Prep – grind your surface for the overlay to bond better
- Mix – combine overlay components and add grit additive or coloring agents
- Apply – spread overlay onto area to be refinished
How to lay a slate patio without concrete?
Instructions
- Mark the Layout for Your Paver Patio. To mark the layout, use strings and batter boards made from furring strips. ...
- Make Sure the Layout Is Square
- Make Sure the Layout Is Level
- Create the Proper Slope
- Dig Out the Patio Layout
- Lay Cables for Landscape Lighting
- Compact the Soil. After the area is prepped, it's time to lay the foundation. ...
How thin can I pour a concrete patio?
You can pour as thin as 1.5 inches over the old concrete. Remember, concrete has aggregate in it (rocks). The smallest rock size is about 3/8 inch. If you pour any thinner than 1.5 inches you don't have enough cement paste over and around the aggregate to get strong concrete. It'll end up cracking and breaking off if you pour it too thin.
How do you texture an existing concrete patio?
The Solution. The best way to get stamped concrete over existing concrete is a stampable overlay. Stampable overlays are a thick overlay capable of accepting texture from stamps. These overlays are much thicker than microtoppings but not as much as a self-leveling overlay.
Can you texture existing concrete?
Overlaying is simply a matter of laying a concrete topping of only a quarter-inch or so over an existing slab and stamping that new surface. Aesthetically, you can end up with the same coloring and texture that mimics the look of brick, stone, marble or whatever texture you're after on a newly poured, thicker slab.
How do you texture concrete to look like stone?
0:283:28How to Make Concrete Look Like Stone or Pavers - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis color that has a hardening agent in it across the surface. And they're coming back with aMoreThis color that has a hardening agent in it across the surface. And they're coming back with a trowel. And they're troweling the color right into the top of the concrete.
How can I make my concrete patio more attractive?
Concrete Patio IdeasPaint a Pattern. Yes, you can paint your concrete slab. ... Lay Decking Flooring. Did you know you can lay decking over a concrete slab? ... Add Curves With Pavers. ... Lay Slate Tiles. ... Stain the Concrete to Look Like Tile. ... Add a Beautiful Outdoor Rug. ... Paint Concrete. ... Dress it Up.More items...•
How do you apply texture to concrete?
1:154:36Trowel Knockdown - How to Apply Concrete Solutions® Texture-TopYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStep. 2 once dry scrape over the surface with a metal squeegee to remove any ridges or squeegeeMoreStep. 2 once dry scrape over the surface with a metal squeegee to remove any ridges or squeegee marks. Step 3 for a spray texture or trowel knockdown finish or the texture top into a hopper gun.
How much do concrete overlays cost?
Concrete Overlay Cost for Floors, Patios & More. A basic floor overlay runs from $3 to $7 per square foot, which is comparable to high-end carpet or tile. The price can increase to $20 or more per square foot depending on textures, embeds, saw cuts, or other design elements that are added to the design.
How do I make my concrete patio look like flagstone?
Roll a coat of concrete sealer over the entire sidewalk to protect the design. Look for a low-gloss sealer to mimic the natural matte finish of flagstone or use a high-gloss sealer to achieve a polished flagstone look.
How do you make a concrete patio look like a stone?
Turn a plain concrete floor or patio into an imitation of natural stone by blending two or more colors of concrete stain. Traditional concrete stains are acid-based and work by causing a chemical reaction. A new category of concrete stain, however, is water-based acrylic.
How do I make my concrete floor look like marble?
An alternative to painting is to apply an epoxy concrete floor coating specifically designed to give you a marble-like finish, such as Rustoleum's RockSolid® Marble Floor Coating Kit.
How can I cover my concrete patio cheaply?
Inexpensive Ways To Cover A Concrete PatioPlay with a palette of paint. Titikul_B/Shutterstock. ... Put a rug on it. Ben Bryant/Shutterstock. ... Breeze blocks make decorating a breeze. Elena Belgo/Shutterstock. ... Coat it with colored concrete. ... Dress it up with flowers and fruits. ... Go with epoxy. ... Cover it with bricks. ... Use exposed aggregate.More items...•
How do you make an old concrete patio look new?
3 Ways to Make Old Concrete Look New AgainPower Wash. Over time, your concrete will accumulate grime and dirt. ... Resurface. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to improve your curb appeal, resurfacing your concrete steps and driveway is a great way to start. ... Add Stain or Sealing Coats. ... Revive Your Old Concrete.
How do you cover unsightly concrete?
Paint is an inexpensive and simple way to make an ugly cement patio more appealing. Use a power washer to clean the patio surface and sweep away any debris. Select a color of exterior latex paint and apply it to the surface. If you're painting the patio one color, apply the paint with a roller.
Can you texture concrete after it dries?
Concrete can be textured before or after it has been set, depending on how hard you want it to be. The tools above are used in concrete while still in a malleable state and can take some abuse. If you want a roughened surface that is harder to touch, texturing should occur after the concrete has cured.
Can you texture concrete walls?
After the suitable curing time, moisten the dried up surface and apply another coat of concrete on which you can then create textures as per your choice. For this too, you can use a trowel, a roller or a brush to help you achieve the texture you're looking for.
Can you spray texture on a concrete wall?
A DiamondKote® Spray Texture Overlay can be applied to any floor or wall concrete surface, or in some cases, stone, wood or drywall. Texture Spray systems can beautify any interior or exterior concrete, no matter how bad the condition of it.
Can you stucco a concrete wall?
Stucco needs to be applied to a sturdy, stable surface in order to ensure that it doesn't crack or crumble. If you apply stucco to a wooden surface, you must first install a metal netting to hold the stucco, but it can be applied directly onto a concrete surface.
Step 1 Frame Boards and Install Reinforcement
Before beginning any project where you are pouring concrete, you MUST frame up your desired concrete slab. If you were going to pour yourself a bowl of soup, you would pour it into a bowl and not on the table where nothing is holding it in place. Kind of silly but trust me, people do it.
Step 2 Add Color to Concrete and Pour
The second step on your way to beautiful textured concrete is to actually pour and “strike off” your concrete. Read my article on the details of pouring concrete to be trained on how to pour concrete correctly.
Step 3 First Finishing Pass
After the color is mixed in thoroughly and you have poured and graded your concrete, it is now time to run your first pass of finishing tools.
Step 4 Second Finishing Pass
Your concrete is now setting up and becoming more difficult to manipulate. It is time to break out the smaller bull floats, fresno’s, and trowels, whichever you like working with best, and make your flat concrete surface nice and smooth.
Step 5 Apply Colored Release
now the concrete has a nice smooth finish and is in a prime zone of not wet but not hard, it is time to apply the colored release you purchased before pouring the concrete. Usually the color that goes into the concrete and the release that is applied on top are purchased from the same supplier.
Step 6 Tamp Texture Pad into Concrete
We always lay out at least 4 or 5 pads to make sure everything aligns and that the pads will be straight for as long as we need them to be straight. After we are confident with the textured pads, we take our hand tamper and tamp the pads into the concrete.
Step 7 Move Texture Pads to Cover Concrete
As you continue to tamp the concrete you will need to pick up the pads you have tamped into the concrete and move them to the next location where you are going to have your pattern.
Why resurface a concrete patio?from sundek.com
If your patio surface is uneven or has stains, cracks, or other damage, resurfacing it is often the best solution. You can also resurface your patio to upgrade its design. SUNDEK has a variety of colors, textures, and patterns to choose from.
What is concrete patio?from ctvegas.com
While many concrete patios are designed to enrich the outdoor landscape, some homeowners choose a style that complements their indoor living space, creating a surface that blends seamlessly with the interior decor. Concrete can also be made to resemble other popular patio materials such as flagstone, tile, and even brick.
How long does it take for SUNDEK to resurface a patio?from sundek.com
SUNDEK can resurface a patio in just a few days. Costs vary by region, and the current state of your concrete patio. When working with one of our contractors, you’ll receive a customized quote based on a price per square foot. Contact your local contractor to get an estimate.
What is concrete resurfacing?from sundek.com
Concrete resurfacing begins with an existing concrete surface. After preparing the surface, a concrete overlay (also called a concrete coating) is applied to the existing concrete. See some of the colors, textures, and masonry effects that can be added. Does concrete resurfacing last?
How to clean a tarp?from diyquickly.com
Prepare your work area by covering it with a tarp if needed. Clean the surface of any dirt, grease, and oil; use an abrasive cleaner like TSP or trisodium phosphate mixed according to package directions and rinse thoroughly when finished cleaning the surface.
How to paint on acrylic texture?from diyquickly.com
Paint on the Texturing Acrylic Coating sparingly, working in thin layers from one side of the surface at a time, across it until you are just short of completing coverage on that side. Continue this process again until all surfaces have been coated twice.
What tools are used to add texture?from sundek.com
Add Patterns & Texture. This is completed using hand-trowels, rakes, stamps and other specialty tools.
What to consider when planning a concrete patio?
Size, situation, time and budget are the main things to consider when planning a concrete patio. More specifically, think of these items as you plan:
How thick should a concrete patio be?
Four inches is the minimum thickness for a concrete patio. You’ll want to make it six to eight inches thick if the patio will support a structure such as a gazebo or hot tub.
How to calculate concrete volume?
Formula for determining concrete quantity: (Thickness x width and length of patio in feet) divided by 27 = Concrete volume required in cubic yards.
What are the advantages of a concrete patio?
Durable, attractive, long-lasting and easy to keep clean — these are the advantages of a concrete patio. Unlike paving bricks or patio slabs, a poured concrete patio greatly reduces gaps and cracks that can lead to weed growth and ant infestations.
How do I dig up sod on a patio?
Excavate the area: Use a shovel or rented mini-excavator to dig up the sod and top soil in the area of your patio. Aim to go down six to eight inches below the current soil level.
How to smooth concrete?
Fill the forms with concrete, then use a straight piece of wood drawn across the top edges of the form to smooth and level the concrete. Leave the concrete alone until the surface water dries but the concrete itself is still soft, then immediately continue smoothing the surface with a trowel. A special trowel for edges lets you make the concrete look like the edges of a sidewalk.
What do you need to level concrete?
Saw the stakes: When it comes time to level your concrete you’ll be drawing a long, straight piece of wood across the top edges of the form as you’re finishing the concrete. This is called “screeding” and it’s why you need to saw the stakes flush with the top edges of the form. Do this step now using a handsaw.
What are the different types of concrete for patios?
These are the 5 types of concrete finishes for patios: Stamped concrete. Trowel finish.
How to get a salt finish on concrete?
This is because its texture is skid resistant. You can achieve a salt finish by applying rock salt crystals on the top layer of your wet concrete. Then, you wash them away once the concrete is set. This will leave small holes in the finished concrete.
How does stamping concrete work?
The way this works is that you take the stamps and place them on the concrete mix once at a time. You will do this until the entire concrete floor is stamped. Then, you can move on to the next step. Stamping also involves staining concrete, which is the process of adding color to the floor.
What is the most common type of concrete finish?
Stamped Concrete: One of the Most Common Types of Finishes. If you wish you could have stone, brick, tile, or flagstone in your yard, then you need stamped concrete. This concrete finishing can be designed to mimic any of these materials. Stamped concrete is one of the most popular types of finish for patios.
How to make a broom finish?
It’s important that the surface is smooth so that you can achieve the perfect broom finish. The way it works is that you take a broom and drag it across the surface, leaving small ridges that create that slip-resistant surface. For this type of finish, you also must do this while the mix is still wet.
What is stamped concrete?
Stamped concrete is one of the most popular types of finish for patios. Also, it is used for porches, driveways, and sidewalks. So, it is a perfect option for your concrete patio! This type of concrete finish is achieved by placing “stamps” with the desired texture on the surface of the concrete.
Do you trowel finish concrete before cured?
This troweled finish also has to be done before you have cured concrete to achieve the best results. You would also find this type of concrete floor on garages, basements, or warehouses.
What are some patterns that can be made on concrete?
Patterns can be made on the concrete, such as swirls, or different size arcs. The texture created can be coarse, medium, or smooth depending on the tool used to impart the pattern. Wood floats create coarser textures. Aluminum floats or steel trowels create medium or smooth finishes.
What is the best finish for concrete floors?
Concrete floor finishes. If you are looking for concrete floor finishes, check out the following: Polished concrete - a smooth, high-gloss finish that's durable and easy to clean. Stained concrete - colors can mimic marble, leather, natural stone or even wood. Epoxy coatings - choose from metallic, decorative chips, or mosaic-like terrazzo.
What is stamped concrete?
Stamped concrete, commonly referred to as textured or imprinted concrete, is a type of concrete finish designed to resemble brick, natural stone such as slate or flagstone, tile and even wood. Color hardener is a popular way of coloring concrete that accentuates the stamped pattern.
How to get exposed aggregate?
An exposed aggregate surface is obtained by placing concrete and then removing the top layer of cement paste to uncover coarse decorative aggregate. The most popular decorative aggregates are richly colored natural stones such as basalts, granite, quartz, or limestone. But you can also use materials such as recycled colored glass or seashells and other interesting objects seeded into the surface of the concrete.
Why do concrete stamps cost more?
The reason is because they require few added materials to produce (except for maybe several bags of salt or a broom). When special tools are required, like stamps or stencils, the price of your concrete project will rise.
How big is a water softener salt crystal?
Water softener salt crystals 1/8" to 3/8" in size are broadcast onto the fresh concrete. A roller is then used to press the salt crystals into the concrete. The surface is later washed, dissolving the salt and leaving small holes. Read more about rock salt finishes.
Can you use stencils on concrete?
Stencils are typically used in conjunction with staining concrete or resurfacing. Concrete engraving can also be used to create similar effects.
Textured Concrete vs Stamped Concrete
On top of attending to your stamped concrete needs, we also work with textured concrete – a similar yet different type of decorative concrete. Textured concrete is formed when, before the concrete dries, a trained technician lays a design into the mixture. The result is a singular unit of concrete that does not appear to be sectional.
Call Us to Add a Textured Concrete Fixture to Your Home
If you’re looking for a professional concrete service in the Twin Cities area, contact Creative Concrete. We can meet with you on-site to discuss your upcoming concrete project, and with our passion for service, you’ll get the best of all the local concrete companies around. Give us a call now at 612-414-7932.
How to determine square footage of patio?
Square footage is determined by multiplying the length by the width of the area you are dealing with. Don't worry if your patio isn't perfectly square or rectangular: you just need a basic idea of the area you're going to cover.
What is the best way to clean concrete?
Many concrete cleaning products require everyone in the area to wear rubber gloves, eyewear, masks, rubber boots, and protective clothing. Rinse the concrete so the surface is wet. Apply your cleaning solution (acid, trisodium phosphate, or other cleaner) as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
What is the process of etching concrete?
If you use muriatic or phosphoric acid, this process is called etching, and will ensure the concrete has a sandpaper-like texture that paint will stick to better. Etching should be done before painting new or bare concrete.
What is concrete primer?
Concrete primers are often called concrete, masonry, or bonding primers. Primer has a lower viscosity than paint, so it absorbs into the concrete substrate a lot better.
How long does it take for concrete to dry?
Wait 16 to 24 hours. After that time, carefully remove the square of foil or plastic and check the concrete and the underside of the square for condensation or moisture. If the concrete is still damp, wait until weather allows complete drying. Protect the area from sprinklers and garden runoff.
How to fill cracks in concrete?
To fill deeper or wider cracks, fill them by a quarter-inch (six mm) at a time. Allow the product to dry between applications according to label instructions. For best results, repair cracks in completely dry concrete.
Can concrete be painted?
This article has been viewed 681,555 times. Concrete is a durable material for an outdoor patio, but regular concrete can be drab and look out of place in a back or front yard. A concrete patio can be painted, but it requires some special attention.
How many square feet is a concrete patio?
It’s a little hard to tell in this picture but the patio is about 400 square feet. One of the biggest priorities was to paint the concrete patio. Picking out the perfect paint color was hard. I mean, let’s face it. If you paint the interior walls gray and you hate the paint color you can paint over it in a few days.
Can you use a pressure washer to clean concrete?
It took an entire afternoon but I was able to get off most of the grime with just a pressure washer. They sell chemical cleaners specifically for concrete at the home improvement store, which is something to keep in mind. The surface has to be completely clean and free of grease prior to applying the stain. Tip #2 – Preparation is key.
