Instagram-worthy Concrete Floors for the Millenial Homeowner

Millennials are notorious for their fondness of social media. Many try to paint them in a negative light because of this. However, social media platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest are great avenues for sharing creativity. If there’s a reason to applaud millennials, it’s how they’re able to get creative and practical despite the economic challenges that this generation face. In this article, we celebrate millennial homeowners with ideas for Instagram-worthy concrete floor ideas.

Marble-Like Flooring

Marble is a trend that’s everywhere on social media. What’s not to love about it? It exudes elegance and style. While only the most luxurious homes can afford actual marble for floors, millennials have a more practical option for recreating this look. Get the luxurious extravagance of natural marble for a fraction of the price with epoxy flooring. The incredibly reflective finish combined with pigments allows it to look like the actual thing.

 

 

Bright and Airy Teal Floors

Smooth and seamless concrete floors paired with a solid teal color is a great way to add a pop of color. The bright vibrant hue can be a canvass against chic white walls and metal details. Ground furniture and other decorative elements to grays, whites, and golds. The gold may seem counterintuitive when combined with cool colors, but it actually adds warmth to balance everything out.

 

 

Dare to Go Bare

Bare concrete floors used to be something that older generations didn’t have a lot of appreciation for. Today, bare concrete floors have a certain charm that appeals to millennials. Paired with polishing or clear resinous coatings, these bare concrete floors add a bold and modern vibe. Any millennial home will benefit from the neutrality that it offers. With which, one can play around with other design elements such as furniture, lighting, decor and even plants.

 

 

Geometric Patterns

Geometric patterns are big in the interior design world. It’s interesting, dynamic and with a splash of color, completely alluring. Geometric patterns can be beautifully aligned or asymmetrical. When it comes to concrete floors, this can be achieved through stamped or pre-cast concrete. One can even add some texture in between the patterns for the feel of natural stone. Balance out the look by keeping everything else solid.

With the versatility that concrete offers, the possibilities are endless. Decorative concrete applications are great for achieving a fully customized look. For more information on these applications, visit our webpage. Read through our blog for more articles or take a look at our services for your concrete floor in Cincinnati.

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Reasons to Convert Your Wood Deck Into A Concrete Patio

There are so many choices when it comes to improving or enhancing your outdoor living space. Creating a place to hang out, relax, or gather with family and friends require careful planning. One of the most important factors to consider is material. The traditional choice for patios is wood. However, some homeowners are giving up their wooden decks for a concrete patio. There are good reasons behind this, and it is important that you take those into consideration when you need to make a decision.

Wooden Deck: What You Need to Know

A well-built deck can add value to your property and to your life. A small but usable outdoor space can attract buyers immediately, knowing that they have a place to enjoy the outdoors. Wood is an ideal material because it looks stunning. There is a wide range of options for color, grain, and wood type. You can shape wood in many different ways to add a stylish flair to your deck. Wood is durable especially when it is properly stained or finished.

When it comes to the installation process, wood requires skill and time. You have to be knowledgeable about cutting wood and putting all the pieces together. You may hire a contractor and, although they are skilled and experienced, the process may take several days or weeks to complete.

Wood is not affordable. If you want high-quality wood, you need to invest. It also requires tedious cleaning and maintenance if you want it to maintain its appearance and condition for a longer time.

Concrete Patio: Why it is Highly Recommended

Concrete is a very versatile material. You can shape, mold, and form it in many different ways to achieve the look you are aiming for. It is resistant to outdoor weather especially if it is properly sealed. Decorative concrete is a popular aesthetics-enhancing solution for outdoor spaces. You can choose to stamp, engrave, stencil, or texturize your patio and the results are amazing.

Installing concrete is a lot easier than putting together a wooden deck. It dries in a day or two but would need to cure for at least 28 days to a full month. You can do it yourself but if you want seamless and high-quality results, hire a licensed contractor. Concrete is an affordable choice. It requires minimal maintenance, and it is as durable as time itself.

Making the right choice has to feel right for you. Think about what you and your family needs. Once you choose a material and everything that it involves makes you comfortable, then you know that you have made the right choice.

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5 Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Deicing Salt

 

The winter season is fast approaching. Although it is fun to see those first snowflakes fall from the sky, it won’t be as fun when you have to deal with snow and ice outdoors, especially on the concrete driveway. When it comes to deicers, salt is the most popular option. However, there are many reasons why driveway owners don’t want to use it, such as:

• Salt builds up on soil and it can make the soil not ideal for plants
• It can leach heavy metals into the soil and water supply
• Some animals are attracted by salt so expect to find some licking salt off of the driveway
• It can break down concrete, making it weak and brittle

Fortunately, there are eco-friendly alternatives that you could use to melt ice off of the driveway or to at least enhance traction on the surface.

Shovel

This, of course, is the traditional method of removing snow and thin ice on a driveway. If you do it on your own, you get good exercise. If you hire a kid in the neighborhood, you get to help him earn extra bucks.

Snow Blower

A snow blower is a helpful machine to keep snow from piling up on the driveway. However, if you must use this, choose the electric type. It requires less air and is quieter than the gas-powered type.

Snow Melt Mat

This is similar to a heated garage floor. Electric wires are installed underneath the driveway and these heat up to melt the snow on top. Although it does use electricity to heat up, it eliminates the use of any toxic substance or material that could cause harm to humans, plants, and animals. This is only ideal for driveways that are yet to be installed or that needs to be replaced.

Sand, Kitty Litter, or Sawdust

These do not melt snow or loosen ice but they could enhance grip and traction on the driveway. Just be ready for the mess you have to clean up when the snow completely clears out.

Rubbing Alcohol

A 70% rubbing alcohol has a freezing point of -20 degrees F so it is an ideal deicer for driveways. Some car windshield deicers contain rubbing alcohol. However, for an entire driveway, it is probably an expensive alternative.

Salt is not the only option. If you need something to increase traction and loosen the ice on your concrete driveway, opt for something eco-friendly. Try each one of these until you find the one that works for you.

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Common Mistakes People Do During Decorative Concrete Installation

Concrete is a very common material. It is used as a base material for almost any part of a house or building. Although common, the installation process of this material is one of the most difficult in the world. There are a lot of things to consider to ensure proper mixing, pouring, and leveling. If your concrete is no longer eligible for concrete resurfacing and a new slab needs to be installed, take note of the following mistakes and make you sure you won’t do it. This aims to keep you updated and to protect you from costly repairs.

Failure to Determine Concrete Amount Based on Planned Thickness

The thickness of a concrete slab is a major element in ensuring its durability and strength. Just by determining the thickness, it can get pretty tricky calculating how much concrete would be needed to be able to pour enough. Consult a pro and seek their help in calculating this for you.

Treating All Concrete the Same Way

Concrete products vary. The manufacturer includes various minerals and additives which is why the amount of water needed for each on will also vary. If you notice, different concrete slabs dry in different shades of gray. Sometimes it is brownish or even almost white.

Incomplete Tools

Failure to have the tool you need when you need it will definitely compromise the entire project since the window for drying and curing is small. Before you even begin, make sure that all tools are within reach and that each one is working as it should.

Unstable Frame to Pour Concrete Into

When pouring an entire slab, you need to create a “container” or frame to hold it until it hardens. If not, the wet mix will just be flowing everywhere. Make sure they are sturdy to keep concrete in until it can hold its shape.

Improper Subgrade Preparation

The area where the concrete will be poured must also be prepped for pouring. If it is soil, it must be compact enough to prevent soil movement or shifting. It must also be clean to ensure adhesion.

There are many other mistakes that DIY installers often make. If possible, let the pros handle it. Not only will this save you from the stress and hard work that comes with installing concrete, it will yield better results and the work comes with a warranty.

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Concrete Floor Colors Can Enhance Productivity at Work

In a workplace, an employer would do anything to boost the productivity of the company. Aside from pep talks, incentives, and tokens, there is another way to make the staff more productive: stained concrete floors. The dominating color of the workplace will play a huge role in inducing vibes that will motivate workers to work harder and happier. Here are the concrete stain colors you can choose from and how they can boost productivity in all types of employees.

RED

For jobs that require or involve physical activities, red is a good color for the floor. This color is known to increase heart rate and blood flow. It is also a color that can invoke passion among the employees. Just make sure that nothing else in the workplace is also colored red. This is a good color in small doses. Too much of it might increase stress levels and aggression.

YELLOW

For people with careers that require creativity, it is beneficial to be surrounded by the color yellow. It is known to trigger innovation and help generate cool ideas. Aside from sparking creativity, this color also helps calm people down and make them more optimistic about work.

GREEN

To help prevent fatigue, apply a green concrete stain on the floor. This color is easy on the eyes. In fact, people who work long hours in front of a computer are advised to look at anything green every once in a while to relax the eyes. The color green also maintains calmness while enhancing efficiency in any task at hand.

BLUE

This is the most commonly used color in workplaces, regardless of industry. It is a well-known color that boosts productivity by making employees more focused on their tasks. It is also thought to suppress hunger, encouraging employees to spend more time working than going on breaks.

If employers do plan to incorporate color into the design of a workplace in hopes of boosting productivity, there is a proper way to do it. You must not color an entire workplace with a single color. Remember that the tasks of each person in the team is different from each other. Sort the team by job type and integrate the specific color that will help them be more productive in the type of work they do. If you prefer plain concrete floors, you can apply the color scheme to other items, like office furniture, decor, uniforms, and more.

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3 Tips on Protecting the Garage Flooring from Snow and Ice

Winter in Cincinnati can get pretty bad. Although it looks lovely, snow and ice could be detrimental to concrete floors, especially in the garage. Ice and snow that get caught on the wheels of your car make it inside the garage and onto the concrete floor. Once the slush melts, it could penetrate the slab, making it prone to cracks, spalling, and freeze-thaw damage. Here are some tips to make sure that your garage flooring is kept protected from snow and ice.

Keep the Garage Warm

During winter, it is possible for the garage to get cold and damp since it isn’t as completely sealed as other rooms in the house. Any moisture in the slab could freeze and expand within the concrete. Set up a portable heater in the garage and just turn them on at specific times in a day. This is enough to keep the floor from freezing.

Install a Protective Garage Floor Coating

Epoxy garage floor coating is a popular solution for porous concrete floors. This, however, must be installed way before signs of winter even start to show up. The coating, once completely cured, is resistant to most types of damage. It is a non-porous material that keeps snow and ice on the surface of the floor. Epoxy is also an effective barrier from deicers that might have hitched a ride on your car wheels.

Seal the Garage Door

The garage door does not exactly fit snugly to the garage so it is expected to have cold air and snow come in uninvited. There are sealants available in local hardware and DIY stores that you could use to seal the gaps on the garage door. You could also install rubber garage door strip at the bottom of the door to keep snow and water from getting into the garage.

The garage floor is prone to different types of damage because it serves many purposes. It is a car barn, a workshop, a storage space, and more. Snow and ice may only be present during winter but the damage it can do to a concrete floor could be very bad. The best way to keep winter from weakening the garage flooring is by taking preventive steps to keep snow and ice from penetrating the slab. To learn more about how you can winterize the garage, consult a pro.

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A Pattern Selection Guide for Stamped Concrete Surfaces

Making a final decision on a stamped concrete pattern is a huge challenge. There will always be two or more that will catch your attention and there could be a struggle to choose which you should go for. Choosing the right one involves more than what looks the most appealing. If you have a brick house, the common instinct is to choose a brick pattern as well. However, this is not recommended. If the entire exterior is brick, a stamped brick driveway will make it look like a brick bomb just exploded in your property. Instead, contractors recommend choosing a more subtle pattern or texture that will complement, rather than match, the exterior. Here are basic factors you must consider when choosing the right pattern.

• The Theme of the House

A theme is based on certain design concepts and built. For example, a contemporary house features minimalistic designs, modern patterns, and monochromatic hues. If you should base the pattern you choose on the main theme of the house, it should have at least two of the main features of that theme. If you have a European theme, a cobblestone driveway would be suitable. If you must, consult a designer to help guide you with your decision.

• The Color Palette of the Property

You must be careful when choosing a color for your stamped concrete space. It will either blend in or look out of place. First, what colors are common in your surroundings? Make a list of the colors you see. Using a color swatch, which you can easily access through the contractor or a paint store, find a color that complements it. If you want to play it safe, making the decision process a lot easier, then choose neutral colors.

• Find a Non-Skid Pattern

This is important for any type of concrete surfaces, especially the driveway. The imprinted pattern creates grooves that are meant to give the impression of gaps in between pieces of stone, brick, or wood. If you want to make sure that the surface has enough grip or traction to prevent slipping, choose a non-skid pattern like fractured slate or herringbone.

If you like what stamped concrete can do but you are not that interested to have it done on the entire spaces, then choose to stamp on selected areas only. It will make your outdoor space more look and work better.

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