Homeowners are treating their backyards with more importance nowadays. If the concrete patio is structurally sound, there are many ways to improve its appearance and function without tearing out the old concrete and replacing it with another. That would totally be a waste of time and money. A patio resurfacing job is a lot more practical. Overlays can be installed on top of the existing patio as an update or as a concrete repair solution. Here are the three most popular overlays used today for patios:

Stamped Concrete Overlay

There are so many different types of paving materials that you can use on patios. Stone, tile, pavers, brick, and a lot more. Despite the wide selection, it can still be quite difficult to choose because most of them cost an exorbitant amount of money. A stamped concrete patio is the most practical alternative. It is affordable and it can be designed to look exactly as the material you are trying to go for. Stamp mats come in a variety of patterns, ranging from brick patterns all the way to natural stone.

Spray Knockdown Texture

An acrylic concrete coating is popularly used on pool decks but it can be used on any outdoor surface as well, like on the patio. This is a unique coating that is sprayed on the slab instead of poured by a concrete contractor. The splattered material on the slab is then troweled to flatten the material a bit. This process creates a unique look that is similar to stucco but with a more subtle texture. One cool thing about this overlay is that it is literally cool. It is able to maintain a low temperature even after long hours of being exposed to sunlight.

Stained Concrete

Although a stain does more of a refinishing than a resurfacing, it still deserves to be mentioned as a top choice for patios. It can be used on its own on an existing concrete patio or a newly poured one, as long as it has cured for at least a month or so. It can also be added to an overlay as a coloring agent. A stamped patio with a natural stone pattern, for example, would look more realistic with multiple stain colors. There are two types you could use on patios: acid and water-based. Acid stains develop unique color tones and patterns making the concrete look like leather or even marble. This is caused by a chemical reaction between the metallic salts in the stain and the natural lime and mineral content of concrete. Water-based stains create more consistent colors, perfect for custom designs and patterns.

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Upon deciding on updating the concrete pool deck, planning starts immediately. The first thing that comes to mind, more often than not, is what type of overlay to use. While it can be quite overwhelming and exciting to choose whatever, it is important to choose carefully. One major factor to consider is to make sure that the deck looks connected to the home’s exterior. Here are some helpful tips in choosing pool deck overlays.

Choose a Similar Pattern

Pool deck coatings are so versatile that it offers a wide selection of patterns to choose from. It would be ideal to choose a pattern that goes well with what your house has. If you have a brick house, then a brick pattern would make it look connected. A stamped overlay can recreate the exact look of your exterior walls with the pool deck. It can also mimic stone, wood, and many other materials.

Follow the Color Theme

Color can be quite tricky. If you choose an exact same color, it can either look connected or redundant. It is important to think about this well and seek the help of a design or color expert. For a safer choice, choose a complementary color. A paint swatch is a great reference for choosing complementary hues. This makes the deck and the exterior walls look connected without making the color too overwhelming to look at.

Connect with the Home’s Style

If you have an old-world European home, choose a pool deck overlay that can be designed the same way. There is nothing more disconnected than a vintage home and a contemporary pool deck. If you have a simple home exterior with no specific style, it would be a lot easier to choose any overlay. For contemporary homes, geometric patterns, utilitarian or bold colors can make the pool deck synonymous with the rest of the property.

Make a Safe Choice

A spray knockdown finish, although a safe choice, is very appealing, functional, and durable. It comes in a variety of colors but can be further customized. Its subtle stucco appearance makes it easy to match with any type of home exterior. Also, if you are not sure about which color to choose, pick a natural one like beige, white, or gray, to name a few. These go with any house color.

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When it comes to choosing material for interior floors, the most common basis is how it would look and how it would hold up. In Houston, it is also important to take climate into consideration. During summer, temperatures get really hot in the area, one reason why it is known as the “most air-conditioned place on earth”. Whether it involves a new construction or renovation, there are many flooring materials available for you to choose from. To help give you an idea of which flooring material to go for, here are brief descriptions of the materials most recommended by local contractors.

Stained Concrete

Concrete is and always will be a highly recommended flooring material. Those who do not favor its utilitarian look will be glad to know that there are various decorative concrete repair, resurfacing, and refinishing solutions available today. One such option is concrete staining. A concrete contractor can stain both a new and old concrete surface, making sure that the new one has cured for a month and that an old one is structurally sound. Acid staining is preferred more by homeowners because of its unique and luxurious aesthetics. Acid stain relies on the chemical reaction between its metallic salts and a slab’s lime and mineral content to create the different color tones and effects.

Laminate Wood

Hardwood is a great material for interior floors, but it can be quite expensive. As an alternative, the laminate wood came into existence. This is as close to natural wood as it could possibly get. It has the appearance, the texture, and finish of real wood. Some even came with wood grain surfaces, chisel marks, and knots. This is more affordable and required minimal maintenance.

Cork

Cork is a great flooring material for those with allergies. It’s uniquely organic look goes well with any type of interior design. Cork is a great insulator and can absorb sound.

This is ideal for use in kids’ bedrooms and family rooms because it is cushioned, soft, and comfortable to walk on.

Tile

Tile comes in a broad range of style, shape, color, patterns, and textures. It comes in big and small sizes. It is resistant to water and stain, making it easy to clean and maintain. There are two types of tile: ceramic and porcelain.

Vinyl

Vinyl is an affordable material ideal for use on indoor floors. It can be designed to mimic stone, wood, and even tile. Vinyls either come in solid tiles or strips or as sheets with fabric backs. These are easy to clean and maintain.

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Concrete can only take so much and, in the garage, it is vulnerable to many different damages. Whether it has something to do with budget or a conscious intention to preserve the garage floor, concrete overlays are highly recommended solutions you might want to consider. There are many different concrete coatings available nowadays, so how do you choose the right one? Here’s a short guide to help you decide:

Inspect the Existing Concrete Garage Flooring

How much damage is there on your garage floor? Concrete is quite a durable material and any damage found on garage floors are often repairable. The level of damage, however, will help you determine if it needs other types of repair before a coating can be applied. Also, it will give you a hint on what type of coating trait you need. For example, if you notice a lot of dents now, you would need a coating that is resistant to impact. If there are several stains, then the coating you should get must be resistant to stains and discoloration.

Determine Usage and Performance Requirements

How is the garage often used? While it is meant as a car park and a place to do automobile repairs, some homeowners use it for something else, like woodwork, crafts, storage, and more. Knowing what it is commonly used for will give you an idea to what the coating should be able to provide. Epoxy is an ideal garage floor coating because it can cater to almost any usage. It is durable, seamless, stain-resistant, and highly decorative. However, if you are using equipment that gives off intense heat, epoxy might not be ideal as it may discolor and break its bond. Opt for something more industrial like polyurea polyaspartic coatings.

Consult an Expert in Epoxy Flooring

No one said it would be easy to choose a floor coating for the garage. If you are having a hard time deciding, there is no reason to quit your plans. Many concrete contractors who specialize in epoxy coatings give free consultations and quotes. Take advantage of this offer and ask them everything you need to know. Make sure to make a list of the questions you need to ask prior to the consultation. Ask for bids from different contractors and choose the one with the best plan at a price comfortable for you.

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A home is incomplete without a swimming pool but it is not enough to have a pool and a deck. It requires careful planning and decision-making. The look has to reflect the homeowner’s personal style. It should be functional and durable enough to make it a worthwhile investment. If you are planning to build or update your pool deck, here are some trending ideas you might want to adopt:

1. The Natural Look

More and more people are incorporating nature into their pool area. Waterfalls, rock boulders, and plants are finding themselves nearer the pool than ever before. To go with the concept of a natural look, a pool deck resurfacing can be done on the concrete surface to make it look like natural stone. Concrete stamping natural stone patterns are more affordable than installing real stone pavers.

2. Weathered or Reclaimed Wood

Wood used to be a common material for pool decks, especially for above-ground pools. The trend is coming back around but, this time, it features uncommon types of wood. Reclaimed lumber is a popular material nowadays for ceilings, walls, furniture, and more. It is also a great idea to use them on pool decks because the weathered look gives it a certain character that is quite rustic and laid-back.

3. Spray Texture Pool Decking

The acrylic concrete coating is one of the most popular resurfacing solutions for pool decks. Because it is sprayed onto the surface and then troweled to knock down the sharp tips, it creates a texture that is slip-resistant. Another significant benefit of spray texture is that it reflects heat. This means the surface stays cooler for a long time because instead of absorbing heat, it reflects it.

4. Colored Concrete

A concrete stamping is durable but not that appealing. Adding color can immediately enhance its look. Concrete staining is a popular method of refinishing a plain and boring pool deck. Stains penetrate past the surface, making it resistant to fading and peeling. Concrete stains come in two types: acid and water-based.

5. Fire & Water

Water and fire features are great additions to pool decks. It adds drama and provides several purposes. Aside from being a focal point that can spark meaningful conversations, it also makes the pool deck look fancier. You can add a portable fire pit or a fixed outdoor fireplace you can use for barbecue, as a source of light, or a source of warmth.

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Concrete has been around for a very long time but it is only recently that the concrete industry is booming, all thanks to decorative concrete. This material used to be only considered as a base material for pool decks, patios, driveways, and interior floors. Nowadays, it has become the main material. The finishing touch. The highlight. Concrete staining, stamped concrete, and other decorative solutions have given concrete the lead role it has long auditioned for. It is so versatile that it can be used for updating and restoring concrete slabs.

Because of this sudden demand for decorative concrete repair and resurfacing, the need for reliable professionals has risen. How can you make sure that you choose only the best concrete contractor in the area? Here’s a guide to help you out:

Browse your area for licensed contractors. If possible, have a chat with multiple before hiring one. It is highly recommended to make a list of question you want to ask and then use that list for all contractors. Choose the one that provides the most satisfying answers and quotes.

Check reviews and references. The web is a great place to find reviews from previous customers that contractors have worked with. Each contractor should be able to provide at least three people as references. Make sure to contact each one and find out more about the contractor’s credibility.

Verify licenses and certifications, if possible. There are many contractors claiming to be licensed and certified, sometimes presenting fake documents, just to acquire projects. Each state and city usually have a website they could check for this kind of stuff. You can check homeadvisor.com or houzz.com for local listings.

 

Read contracts and quotations thoroughly. If you have any question or concern, tell the contractor immediately. They should be able to provide credible and logical answers if they have enough experience and expertise.

 

Never hire someone that asks for a full payment upfront. They should only require a down payment. The balance should only be paid after you fully inspect the completed work. This helps reduce the risk of dealing with shoddy work.

Ask for their portfolio. They should have a copy of previous projects and photographs, as well. If at all possible, ask if you could visit some of their recent job sites to get an up close view of their work. If the homeowners can be approached, ask them about their experience working with the contractor.

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There are many different coatings available for updating garage floors. However, you don’t just pick anything that seems interesting to you. There are many different factors that need utmost consideration when choosing a material to coat the garage floor with. Is it really important to go through the selection process? Of course. Remember, you are making an investment here and it should be something you won’t regret and something that won’t waste your time and money. Here are some questions you need to ask to help determine which is the appropriate coating for your garage floor.

What is the current state of the concrete floor?

It is important to evaluate the concrete floor first. Have a licensed contractor check if the slab is still structurally sound. Check the surface for any damage or distress that might need repairs. Prior to installing a coating, the surface needs to be prepared first to ensure adherence and longer life span.

What is the garage flooring often used for?

You must know how much vehicular or foot traffic goes on over your garage floor. Is it exposed to chemicals often? Then you need a coating that can tolerate chemicals. If it is often used for woodwork, then the coating must be durable enough against impact.

What are your expectations?

If possible, make a list of what you look for in a garage floor as well as the details that are involved in the project. Are you looking for something highly aesthetic? Then list down some patterns, designs, or colors that you prefer. How wide is your garage? Does it have a strict time period for an installation? If it needs to be available for use immediately, you might want to choose something that dries quickly.

What coating is most suitable to your needs?

Research about all types of coatings that can be used on concrete garage floors. Check the reviews and specs of garage epoxy flooring, polyurea polyaspartic coatings, and more. It is highly recommended that you discuss with a professional concrete contractor who can provide you with all the necessary information, such as how thick it is often applied, what type of material it is, how long is its life expectancy, what would it look like when it dries, and more. A pro can also help you choose the right coating that best suits your needs.

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