 |
 |
 |
| An exposed aggregate
finish is the product of a hose and a stiff broom. |
 |
These
pattern stamps work like cookie cutters to produce a cobble
paver look. This is an older technology, which has largely
been replaced by rubber mat pattern stamps. |
Acid stain
can be used indoors or out. But it works better on those smooth,
hard finishes that are more commonly used indoors. Stain is
typically applied in two coats and should be sealed after
it dries. A gallon of stain costs about $50 and will color
between 100 and 200 square feet. Acid stain is available in
many hues of blue, green, black, tan, and red. That said,
the range of color is much narrower than what's available
with other coloring methods. Acid stain can produce deep colors,
but they are usually somewhat muted.
Textured
Concrete
Concrete finishers have always used texture to create decorative
effects. Simple methods include using a brush to create a
swirled or striated surface. Exposed aggregate and salt finishes
are a step up from there. Finally, when combined with coloring,
techniques like pattern stamping and stenciling can produce
surfaces that look like brick, tile, or stone.
Pattern stamping. Stamped concrete was
developed in California in the 1950s. The inventor, Brad Bowman,
went on to start the company that franchises the Bowmanite
system of colored textured concrete. This is a recognized
brand name, but plenty of independent concrete contractors
produce the same kinds of finishes.
Originally, stamps were like oversized
cookie cutters that were pressed into the surface of the wet
concrete. They came in sets and mated edge to edge so that
continuous patterns could be impressed. Nowadays, however,
finishers are more likely to stamp concrete with flexible
rubber mats and skins. The bottom face of these stamps is
contoured to produce various textures and patterns when tamped
onto the surface of wet concrete.
Mats are around 3/4 inch thick
and can be as small as a single brick or as large as a 3x5-foot
section of flagstone. Sets can be placed edge to edge to produce
continuous patterns over broad areas. An incredible number
of patterns and textures are available. A few examples of
patterns are cobblestone, flagstone, ashlar, herringbone,
fan, and various brick bonds. Textures include, but aren't
limited to, brick, slate, bluestone, tile, seashells, and
wood plank.
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