How To Add Style To Your Concrete Hardscaping
If you are finishing the landscaping in your yard, you need to think about how the concrete walkways and pathways are going to affect the way it looks. The wall, pathways, and planters that make up your landscape are often called hardscaping. Regardless of what you call it, you can make these concrete features, from the walkways to the retaining walls, more attractive in many ways. This article explains a few options for homeowners who want to add some color and style to the concrete surfaces in their hardscaping.
Adding Color to Your Concrete
If you are pouring a fresh batch of concrete, you should consider investing in something that has some color to it. There are many concrete products that come a subtle color. Even a slight tint can make any concrete slab look a little less industrial and homier. Most people choose a color that matches the walls of their home. Browns and greens are also popular because they look great next to lawns and shrubbery.
Glazed Concrete Finishes
In addition to colored concrete, you can also apply unique finishes to your concrete surface. Glazed finishes are applied after the concrete is completely dry. Traditionally, a glazed concrete finish is just clear and will add a little sheen to the surface. This actually helps to protect the concrete and makes it less susceptible to water damage. This also means the concrete is less likely to stain, which is something you need to worry about if it is surrounded by your green landscaping. One of the only drawbacks to glaze finishes is they can make the surface a little more slippery to walk on. That being said, it is going to be smoother and more comfortable to walk on without shoes.
Adding Texture to Your Concrete
In addition to glazed finishes, you also have the option of textured finishes. These have to be added while the concrete is being poured before it dries. A texture finish will usually make the concrete look a little more natural. Most finishes have the look of raw stone, marbled rock, or wood grain. These are just a nice way to make any concrete surface look a little warmer.
Obviously, any (or all) of these options are going to make your project a little more expensive. But, this small investment can be worth it when you consider how much better it can make your concrete look. To learn more, contact a company like R. Pepin & Sons Inc.
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