Today’s homeowners, builders, and designers recognize the value in using concrete in their designs and plans. Decorative concrete transforms traditional grey concrete into warm brown floors, expensive slate-looking patios, and weather-resistant outdoor kitchen countertops, to name a few.

Decorative concrete/decorative cement lets you decide which hue of red will give you that Spanish tile look on your pool deck at half the cost, and what personal mementos you’d like to embed in your new concrete countertop kitchen island. The advancements in concrete tools, concrete stains and dyes, textures, and patterns have made concrete the most versatile, durable and cost-effective material on the market.

Get an idea of how custom decorative concrete can be used in your home or business. The following links provide a wealth of knowledge on all aspects including colored concrete, painted concrete, stenciled concrete, stamped concrete, and more.

Ref: http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/decorative/

One of the ways in which you can create exactly the look you would like to have is through the use of manufactured stone. The great thing about installing this kind of stone instead of real stone is that you will be able to get the look you want in a fraction of the time. You will also spend a lot less than when you are installing natural stone. Best of all, there will not be any damage to your structure through the installation of the faux stone rather than using real stones. It seems to make sense to invest in this kind of stone.

Faster Installation

No matter whether you are talking about installation for your home or office, you do not want to deal with a long construction period. When you install real stone, there is a process by which a substructure must be built in order to properly anchor the stones so that they will be safe. This is not necessary when you have manufactured stone. In fact, the whole veneer can come preassembled so that all the installation crew has to do is cement it to the wall and they are done.

Lower Cost

The biggest way in which you will save money when you buy manufactured stone over real stone is that you will not have to pay nearly as much on materials. Real stone has to be procured from different sources including quarries. They then have to be sorted according to color and size and shipped to those who will resell them. Faux rocks are manufactured in a warehouse just like all of the rest. They weigh less and are easier to ship so that you will save money at every turn on getting the look that you want for your structure.

Less Damage to Your Structure

The great thing about manufactured stone is that it can be installed on just about any surface without any problems. With real stones you will need to destroy the old surface in order to create the substructure used to anchor the stones. This means that your structure will have to have this kind of stone façade on it from now on or you will have to start over from scratch. When you use manufactured stone, it is possible for you to be able to retain the façade which is underneath without destroying it. Author Resource:- Roger Wilcox is a landscape architect and consultant for residential and commercial properties in the north Atlanta area. He regularly uses and recommends http://www.stoneveneermanufactured.com/ manufactured stone veneer in many of his projects. He recommends http://www.stoneveneermanufactured.com/ manufactured stone over real stone for most applications. ]]> http://www.vegasdecorativeconcrete.com/2012/01/why-choose-manufactured-stone-over-natural-stone/feed/ 0 http://www.vegasdecorativeconcrete.com/2011/12/christmas-special/ http://www.vegasdecorativeconcrete.com/2011/12/christmas-special/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:21:26 +0000 admin http://www.vegasdecorativeconcrete.com/?p=603 We are wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, in honor we are offering a Seasonal Promotion. Minimum purchase required.

Print this Coupon for a $350.00 discount on your job! Must be presented at time of Estimate and can NOT combine with any other offer. Expires 01/01/2012

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First you need to decide the shape of your patio. This may be very easy if your space is limited. If you have a larger yard, you can play a little more with the shape of your patio. Maybe you want to incorporate built-in planters or add a curved edge.

Best Patio Colors

As with any small space, lighter colors and patterns should always be used rather than dark colors and large patterns. The light colors or neutral colors will help make your space seem bigger. Carry the use of light colors when you are choosing your patio furniture. Light colored wood furniture or white wickers are excellent for a small patio.

To add some color to your patio, think of accent pieces such as planter, vases or decorative objects.

Patio Floor

Once you know how you want your patio to look, it is time to decide on which material you want to use to build it. There are lots of choices to fit every budget and artistic temperament. Bricks will give you a traditional feel, while pavers take that feeling and give it a little tweak.

Concrete was once the most boring of choices, but not anymore! Today, concrete can be dyed, stamped, stenciled, textured and decorated. Natural stone is a bit more pricy, but it makes an impressive patio. Another alternative is to combine materials.

Maybe mix brick with sections of concrete or stone tiles, for example. Be sure to choose an option that not only fits your budget, but complements your home. Alternatively, if you have an existing concrete patio that you’d like to fix up, decorative concrete overlays can be done to make it look like a brand new patio.

Paver Patio

http://www.backyard-landscape-ideas.com/small-patio-ideas.html

Create an Illusion

• Small patios can be designed to create an illusion of space by opening up the area visually. Whether your patio is made of concrete, pavers, flagstone or brick, if you work with the surrounding area you will be able to make it appear larger than it really is by the use of one or two planting areas and a small dramatic focal point such as a statue, fountain or even a mini pond. These treatments will open up the area and give the illusion of space. The idea is to give the area not only a visual appearance of space but a feeling of openness.
• If you have a wall that encloses the patio, it is creating a visual obstruction and you might want to consider taking it down or painting it in a light color–lighter colors create openness. One possibility if you do not want to take the wall down is to plant a climbing vine or rose bush (depending on how much sunlight this area gets) as this will soften the appearance of the wall and add color and life to your small patio area.
• Think of a patio like an outdoor room or living space and treat it just as you would a small room in your house. Use those same interior decorating tactics for small spaces in your exterior room. Even doing something unconventional like adding an old mirror to a wall will create openness and act as a conversation piece.

De-clutter

• Make sure your small patio is not cluttered. One large pot of flowers is better than several smaller pots of flowers. One large hurricane candle holder is better than cluttering the area with several small candle lanterns.
• Think of adding a storage bench–not only will it store all of your garden tools but it will add seating and when you are using the patio, bright colored pillows placed on the bench will add an attractive warm touch to the decor.

Choose Your Patio Furniture Wisely

• Since you are working with a small area be sure to choose your furniture wisely. Stay away from a patio set that will not leave any room for you to move around. A small wrought iron table and four chairs should be adequate for most occasions. Add a brightly colored patio umbrella to complete the ensemble.
• If you want a nontraditional look, then you might want to have a coffee table with three or four chairs surrounding it. Or a garden bench, two chairs and a couple of side tables. Whatever your choice, remember you need to downsize when it comes to furniture to make that small space seem larger.

By Paula Ezop, eHow Contributor                                                                                                                                                                       Read more: Small Yard Patio Ideas | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5230793_small-yard-patio-ideas.html#ixzz1cevRoJUR

Warm Brown Floors

Slate Looking Patios

Get an idea of how custom decorative concrete can be used in your home or business. The following links provide a wealth of knowledge on all aspects including colored concrete, painted concrete, stenciled concrete, stamped concrete, and more.

Ref: http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/decorative/

Engrave-a-Crete in Bradenton, FL

While protecting stained concrete with a sealer or floor finish will repel dirt and help prevent wear, it does not eliminate the need for periodic maintenance. How much traffic the surface receives often dictates the amount of ongoing maintenance required. To protect your investment, ask the stain manufacturer or stain applicator to provide you with care and maintenance guidelines, including recommendations for cleaning products.

Here are some general tips:

• For interior concrete floors subject to only light foot traffic, maintenance is usually a simple matter of dry dust mopping and occasional wet mopping with a neutral-pH cleaner.
• If stained floors begin to loose their luster or shine, rewaxing will usually revive the appearance. In a typical residential setting, a year or longer may go by before it’s necessary to buff and rewax the floor. In businesses with more traffic, it will be necessary to reapply the finish at more frequent intervals.
• For exterior stained concrete, keep the surface clean by sweeping it with a broom or leaf blower or rinsing with a garden hose. To remove stubborn dirt, scrub with a mop or medium-bristle brush and a mild cleaner.
• To keep exterior surfaces protected, apply a new coat of sealer every year or two, or as necessary. When you begin to notice that water no longer beads up on the surface, it’s time to reseal.
• Stained concrete countertops will have different protection and maintenance needs than walking surfaces. Be sure to consult the installer for guidance.

**Article refrenced from Concrete Network webiste**

It has become the new material of choice for designers and homeowners across the United States. Concrete floors in stained, colored, painted, and personalized glory are popping up in retail stores, trendy restaurants, offices, and homes everywhere. A concrete floor offers numerous options for interior rooms including nearly limitless designs, colors, and even health benefits.

One of the most common places you’ll see decorative concrete these days is under your feet. Whether it’s acid-stained, painted, overlays, microtoppings, radiant floors, or a unique personal floor, concrete floors offer a range unlike any other material. Concrete flooring, sometimes referred to as cement flooring, no longer has to be gray and boring. Now coloring concrete, or applying textures, patterns, saw cuts, etc., can bring new life to this traditional substrate. Concrete can be so uniquely designed or so naturally colored that it blends seamlessly with other elements in a room–oftentimes, you don’t even realize it’s a concrete floor you’re standing on!

“We have stamped concrete, slate, stain, overlays, Spanish tiles, and Arizona flagstone. It’s just amazing what technology has done. And we have no idea where it’s going. It’s advancing all the time,” says Dave Pettigrew of Diamond D Company.

Many are welcoming, embracing, and anxiously pursuing concrete floors for their own home projects. All it typically takes is one look whether it’s in a magazine, on a home tour, a television show, or in someone’s home and you’re hooked.

Barbara Sargent of Kemiko Concrete Floor Stains offers a host of reasons why concrete is a popular material for concrete (or cement) floors:

• It enhances the integrity of architect’s designs.
• They are easy to maintain.
• It’s easy to change, especially if you sell your home; the next owner can place carpet or wood on top of the concrete slab.
• They are great in regions with a lot of sand or snow.
• They are a good alternative to carpet if you have allergies.

• Author Anne Balogh, ConcreteNetwork.com Columnist and Senior Editor of Concrete Expressions magazine

 Qualified contractor :  www.artconlv.com

CONCRETE PAVERS

Stained or broken pavers can be easily replaced without patches.
Dark colored pavers can help hide stains. Ants and weeds in joints can be prevented with sealers or herbicides.

COBBLE STONE

High quality stone lasts for decades. Wide joints may encourage weeds and ants. Rough surface makes walking and driving difficult.

STAMPED CONCRETE

Cracking will likely develop. Difficult to match original color or pattern in repaired areas. Repairs leave unattractive patch.

CLAY PAVER

Irregularities in surface make them prone to damage, especially edge chipping.

ORIDINARY CONCRETE

Cracking will likely develop. Repairs and replaced sections leave unsightly patches. Oil stains difficult to remove.

ASPHALT

Wear and weather will break down surface. Black seal coat required every 2-3 years. Ruts or pothole repairs make ugly patches. Subject to erosion from oil drippings.

CRUSHED STONE OR GRAVEL

Scattered stone must be replaced and re-leveled regularly. Ruts from tires will likely develop.