Polished Concrete Floors Benefit Both Homeowners and Business Owners

A while back, I posted a blog introducing you to polished concrete.  Now I'd like to tell you how polished concrete floors benefit both residential and commercial customers.  You probably haven't realized that most floors that you walk on are actually concrete.  That shiny marble floor in the hotel lobby on your last vacation was most likely polished concrete, not actually marble.  Same goes for the tile floor in your gym's locker room, the terrazzo floor at your favorite Italian restaurant and even the beautiful granite floor in your mother's new kitchen.  Business owners and homeowners alike are realizing the benefits of polished concrete as opposed to marble or granite floors.

Three main benefits of polished concrete versus other flooring options that convince business owners and homeowners to install it are lower cost, ease of maintenance and aesthetics.  Check out this comparison chart I found over at the ultimate concrete informational website, ConcreteNetwork.com.  This comparison chart shows how polished concrete fares among the more conventional flooring options.  You may be shocked at how concrete flooring stacks up against the competition! 

Additionally, I want to share a video about design options for polished concrete floors as well as a video about what types of flooring is best for polished concrete.  Again, these videos are from ConcreteNetwork.com.

Stay tuned for my next post in the Polished Concrete series... 

What You Need to Know About Cracks & Color Variations in Decorative Concrete

Though I normally espouse the wonders and joys of decorative concrete applications, I feel I should also inform about the other side of the coin:  no matter what the color or stamp design reflects, it is still concrete.  Your new patio may look like a gorgeous slate, but it is not.  It is concrete.  What does this mean?  Well, it means that although concrete has limitless design options and can me formed into almost any design, mimicking many other building materials; it does have minor limitations.  A seasoned decorative concrete contractor knows this, and will install the concrete according to industry standards in order to best prevent cracks or color mishaps.

That said, these issues do arise on occasion.  Let us begin with cracks in your brand new stamped concrete pool deck.  Firstly, expansion joints are cut into the concrete to prevent cracks from occurring.  However, everything from heavy loads travelling on the stamped concrete to land settlement underneath the concrete can cause a crack regardless of expansion joints.  Proper cutting of the joints should alleviate this issue, and more often than not, it will.  Secondly, when concrete cures it shrinks.  This can cause cracks as well and even the most experienced concrete  contractor cutting the best expansion joints in the world will not always win that battle.  Lastly, a somewhat common "side effect" of stamped concrete is hairline cracks forming around the lines made by the stamping tools once the surface begins to harden.  This is called "crusting" and typically will occur due to sun and wind.  Obviously, sun and wind will quicken the hardening of the concrete surface.   Another reason crusting occurs is due to the color of the concrete.  Darker colors, as we all know, draw the sun's rays and absorb the heat.  Stamping tools with deeper grout lines for creating designs like random stone or slate patterns often aggravate the crusting.  Many people feel that these hairline cracks add to the look of the stamped concrete design, giving it an "Old World" look.  This aged appearance typically lends to the overall design.  These imperfections are generally thought of as appealing.  Although cracks can be repaired, the end result of the repair tends to be much more obvious than the unrepaired crack.

Now let us move on to coloring mishaps.  Actually, "mishaps" is not the correct word here.  A "mishap" would occur via accident.  What I am referring to here is customer acceptance of the finished color on their new concrete.  Depending on the method of coloring concrete (and there are quite a few) different factors come in to play in order for the concrete contractor to mix up the color chosen by the customer.  However, as the customer there are a few things required of you in order to be sure you are receiving the color you want.  A good practice would be to find photos of finished colored concrete patios, et. al. that show the color that you are striving to achieve, and submit to your contractor.  However, understanding that there are variables involved with coloring or staining concrete that can affect the color outcome is key.  Sometimes, the stars align and the concrete color turns out exactly as envisioned.  And then there are times when this simply is not the case. 

For instance, here are a few conditions that can, and most times will, cause color variations:

• Customer is not available during color mixing.  This will be a problem because if the customer is not present to approve color prior to installation, he/she may end up with a beautiful new colored concrete patio in a shade too dark or too light, or just not right.  It is important for the customer to be present during color mixing to ensure happiness with the color.
• Concrete job requires more than one truck load of concrete.  Color will vary slightly from one batch to the next.  This is to be expected and should be understood from the beginning.
• Finished concrete color does not match sample chip or color chart.  Never expect the final outcome to completely match up to the sample chip or color chart.  Samples are just that:  samples.  Sample chips and color charts are meant to be more of a guide to the color.  Mixing concrete color is not an exact science and should not be thought of as so.  After all, even the best decorative concrete contractor in the area is only human!
• Placing concrete at different ages.  Placement of concrete at different ages will cause a slight color variation.  This should be kept in mind during larger concrete projects, though it should not be more than a slight variation.

Keeping all of the above in mind, as well as understanding that job site conditions and seasonal weather issues can affect the final outcome, should have a happy customer in the end.  However a homeowner not aware of such things, but has a definite idea of what he/she wants in terms of color, can end up disappointed.  The contractor doesn't want that, and certainly the homeowner doesn't want that.  An understanding from the get-go that color variation is a normal occurrence should keep the customer happy through to the end.

Obviously, nobody wants to spend their hard earned cash on a concrete job that they feel is imperfect.  As with any significant home improvement purchase, proper research on decorative concrete applications will school you on what to expect in terms of installation, appearance, design, maintenance,  and repair.  The most important aspect of this article is the desire to make the customer happy by keeping the lines of communication open between you, the homeowner, and your concrete contractor; as well as preparing you with important knowledge to consider when designing your concrete project. 

Concrete Countertops Are the Right Choice for You! 5 FAQ's To Prove It.

1.   How durable are concrete countertops?

Choosing concrete countertops based on durability alone is quite the wise choice.  Concrete is one of the most durable materials around.  The whole reason for the creation of concrete was to have a material made to last.  Installing concrete countertops means homeowners will not have to concern themselves with thoughts of chipping or breaking their beautiful new countertops. 

2.  Are concrete countertops a good choice for my kitchen?  Are they heat resistant?  Can I cut right on the countertop instead of a cutting board?

While concrete is heat resistant, making it a wise choice for the kitchen, the sealant applied to protect it probably will not be heat resistant.  In order to keep concrete countertops in tip-top shape, it is best to use place hot pots and pans on a hot plate and not directly on the countertop.

It is also not recommended to cut directly on the countertop for the same reason as above:  the sealant.  Cutting directly on the countertop will not damage the concrete, but can damage the sealant, which is applied to protect the concrete from staining.  A cutting board should always be used.

3. Will concrete countertops stain?

That sealer I keep mentioning...well that is applied to the concrete countertop specifically to combat water damage and stains.  Since concrete is a very porous material, a sealant is possibly the most important part of the concrete countertop.  If the sealant is compromised, say by cutting veggies directly on the surface or placing a pot from the hot stove without a hot plate, then water, juices, wine, blueberries, makeup (yes, concrete makes for great bathroom countertops, too!), etc. could very easily slip through the damaged area of the sealant to create an ugly stain.  However, properly caring for concrete countertops will enable them to be stain-free.

4.  Can I customize my concrete countertop to compliment my room design?

Yes. Yes. YES!  Concrete countertops are typically chosen due to the almost limitless customizations.  Concrete can be colored, stained, stenciled to match just about anything a homeowner can think up.  Some homeowners opt to have cutting boards and/or drainers built in, or choose to have a slope into the sink in order to make food prep and cleanup super easy.  Concrete countertops can be enhanced by adding anything from glass, broken ceramic pieces, sea shells, etc. to the overall surface design.  Edge details and backsplashes are another beautiful design option.  Concrete countertops can also be formed in to just about any shape imaginable, due to concrete's ease of manipulation.   Customization of concrete countertops is pretty much limited only to the imagination!

5.  Is it difficult to clean and maintain concrete countertops?

NO!  Concrete countertops need minimal upkeep.  In fact, no more than any other countertop material.  It is suggested that a mild soap and water be used for daily cleanup.  Avoid abrasive soaps, cleansers, pads and such as they can break through that all important sealant. 

Completed Project: Private Residence Kitchen Renovation w/Concrete Countertops

Not long ago, Keystone Specialty Construction undertook a kitchen renovation at a private residence in Northeast Philadelphia.  The renovation consisted of removing and replacing a 1/2 wall, installing a first floor ceiling beam, installing two (2) sliding glass doors, cabinet installation, installing stone veneer over existing fireplace and removing existing countertops and replacing with new custom concrete countertops.  The new concrete countertops were installed atop the new 1/2 wall, as well as the existing counter space once the old countertop was removed.

The new 1/2 wall totals 115 SF and consisted of removing the existing stud work and relocating electrical, the intercom, thermostat and vents as well as being prepared for a new concrete countertop.

New 1/2 Wall Prepared for Concrete Countertop Installation

The concrete countertops total 85 SF and 55 SF.  This smart homeowner opted for concrete countertops as opposed to granite or another stone due to its relatively inexpensive price tag, as well as its eco-friendliness, and scratch & dent resistance.  Concrete countertops are fast becoming all the rage in both new home construction and remodels, in part due to its eco-friendliness over other options such as granite (a non-renewable resource).  There is so much good in choosing concrete for your new countertops, that I just found my next blog idea! 

New Concrete Countertop at 1/2 WallNew Concrete Countertop 

Another cool thing this savvy homeowner decided to do for his kitchen renovation was to revamp the existing fireplace.  The homeowner chose to place stone veneers over the existing fireplace, causing it look as if a brand new fireplace was built in place of the existing fireplace.  Simple ideas such as this one allows a remodel to include the fireplace in the design without having to rip it out and either replace it, or worse...have no fireplace at all! 

Existing Fireplace with New Stone Veneer

Though the sliding glass doors and cabinets were customer-supplied, we installed both.  The sliding glass doors entailed removing the existing sliding doors and installing the new ones.  This included installing new brick molding and caulking rough openings.  There are 12 kitchen cabinets, all KSC installed.

Interior Doors #1Interior Doors #2Exterior Doors #1 Exterior Doors #2

All in all, this kitchen renovation proved successful!  A couple more shots of the completely renovated kitchen showing the cabinet installation and I'm out for the holiday weekend...Have a happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend!  Remember our fallen soldiers and give thanks for their ultimate sacrifice in the name of our freedom.

  

Concrete Pool Deck? But of course!

When imagining a pool deck, most people probably envision a wood deck surrounding an above ground pool, or a boring flat or brushed concrete patio surrounding an inground pool.  Or maybe some of us wish we could afford a beautiful natural stone pool deck matching up to the exterior of our homes, similar to that guy's pool deck down the street.  Guess what?  You can afford that!  The fact of the matter is that guy down the street with that amazing stone pool deck most likely opted for the less expensive stamped concrete decking, patterned to mimic the natural stone he wanted and colored or stained to his specifications. 

 Stamped Concrete Pool Deck - Natural Stone Decorative concrete pool decks are one of the biggest trends in outdoor living right now.  The fact is concrete can be textured, patterned, stenciled and colored to mimic just about any other material more commonly associated with patios and pool decks .  As outdoor living becomes more of a lifestyle for many of us during warmer months, people are installing gorgeous concrete pool decks as an extension of their home interior.  Recently, I read an article which said that the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals states that statistics show that most people spend more time on their pool decks than actually doing the backstroke in their pools.  I read that statement and initially thought there is no way people with pools aren't spending time IN the pool itself.  Then I realized although pool owners do jump in, they also tend to sunbathe, dine, socialize, and read on the pool deck.  Most of their time spent at their pool is actually spent poolside.  So it makes perfect sense to design your pool with the perfect concrete pool deck to suit your needs, both aesthetically and functionally. 

Stamped Concrete Pool Deck - Ashler Slate

Now that you know your concrete pool deck can be designed to look how you want, it is time to think about the function of the pool deck.  When designing a pool deck, it is important to note that although the pool deck looks and acts like a patio, there are some design elements  to incorporate.  Pool decks should be slip-resistant, reflect the sun and oriented properly around the pool.  Another thing to decide is if you want your pool deck to function as another "room" of your home.  It is quite common for homeowners to design a section of their pool deck to encompass barbeque grills, fire pits, dining and some even install entire outdoor kitchens. 

Now that you know how easy and affordable it is to install the pool deck of your dreams using concrete, your next step is to call us for an estimate!  Keystone Specialty Construction has much experience building concrete pool decks (as evidenced by the photos within this post-all KSC projects) and even luxurious concrete pools.  Give us a call at 267.262.8605 to see what we can do for you.

Stamped Concrete Pool Deck - Flagstone & Brick