If you're looking for a way to enhance your backyard, why not consider concrete? The benefit of concrete is that you can customise it with colours and textures to create whatever look you can imagine. Here are several ideas.
Stencilled Driveway
Even if your front yard doesn't have the room to create a grand sweeping driveway, you can create a mini arch or gentle curve with concrete. Because concrete is poured, it creates beautiful smooth contours without the jagged edges of individual pavers.
You could decorate the driveway with stencilled concrete. To achieve this, contractors lay a stencil or pattern over the poured concrete and then apply colour to the revealed parts. For example, you could use a stencil that mimics square pavers set diagonally to create diamond shapes. They then apply colours such as dark grey to the uncovered parts. The hidden parts of the concrete will remain uncoloured and look like grout lines.
Exposed Aggregate Pool Deck
Do you have a pool and are looking for paving material? If so, you could consider exposed aggregate. This concrete is abundantly filled with stones and pebbles. Then, after it's poured into place, the top cover of cement is washed away so that the rocks stand out. You'll have safe, textured paving for the pool deck, filled with colour.
You can mix and match different stones, and contractors can also add pigment to the cement. You could create a sunny, beachy feel with sand, pink, tan and ivory pebbles. But you can create any colour scheme. For example, use charcoal, blue and white stones.
The texture of the pool deck can be controlled by choosing particularly shaped aggregates. For example, choose rounded river pebbles or sharper crushed stones. The contractors can also wash away more or less cement to make the concrete bumpier or smoother.
Stamped Patio
Once you define your patio with beautiful paving, it will be more enjoyable to use. Tables and chairs will sit on solid ground, and you can feel the pleasure of basking in an attractive space. You could opt for stamped concrete.
To create this, moulds or stamps are pressed into the unset cement to develop lines and grooves that mimic various substances. For example, they can be contoured to look like timber planks or slate pavers. You could thus make faux slate pavers.
The concreting contractors will add pigments to the cement before pouring it. They'll then treat the concrete with dry-shake colours. Once the paving is hard, they can apply stains in different hues. These react with elements in the concrete to give it marbling and antiquing effects that emulate natural stone.
Contact a local concreting contractor to learn more.
Share25 January 2022
Hello! I am so pleased you have found my blog. Welcome. My name is Randi. I have been an artist since I figured out how to hold a crayon. Over the years, I have found many creative ways to integrate my passion for art into my life, and that includes the concrete outside my house. I love to come up with innovative and beautiful designs for concrete walkways, patios, stepping stones and other outside elements. I also love exploring the potential of precast concrete planters, retaining walls and other cool creations. If you need concrete inspiration, you have come to the right place. Please explore and enjoy reading!
