Concrete is a strong material that will give you many years of reliable performance. It is also easy to install, and requires very little maintenance. It is versatile and can be used for everything from driveways to walkways and patios. You can even use it for walls or sculptures. Contact Us Today!
However, one of the downsides to concrete is that it can look quite dull, with a plain gray surface and no shine. It can also show signs of wear over time, including small cracks, holes, and pock marks. Fortunately, both of those issues can be easily fixed through the use of decorative concrete overlays, which the professionals at Triad Associates can expertly apply for beautiful results.
Decorative concrete overlays are essentially as their name implies: They are thin layers of concrete that are decorated through stamping, staining, or other techniques. They can be applied to existing concrete, or the top layer of a new concrete installation can be decorated in the same manner. The concrete can be colored, texturized, shaped, and more. You can achieve a wide variety of looks, including those that mimic other materials, such as natural stone and concrete.
You can use decorative concrete overlays to get a unique look for your hardscaping or to upgrade older surfaces. The overlay can be used to refresh older concrete by filling in holes and other surface irregularities, as well as by giving it a new look. The designers at Triad Associates will help you explore all the options for your new or existing concrete to help you make maximum impact on the budget you have and the constraints of the space. Contact Us Today!
Installation of Decorative Concrete Overlays
Numerous finishing techniques are used to get the chosen look for decorative concrete overlays. It is necessary to use a concrete mixture that has a slower drying time to give workers enough time to stamp, stain, or otherwise work the top layer of the concrete. In most cases, a special type of concrete must be ordered.
Where there is existing concrete, the surface must be properly prepared for the overlay to ensure proper adhesion and long-lasting results. Without the right preparation, the overlay will look great at first, but it will start to chip away with time. The surface must be thoroughly cleaned, and any holes or cracks must be filled with the right materials. Contact Us Today!
When preparing to install decorative concrete overlays on existing surfaces, the designers at Triad Associates will also inspect the concrete for any structural issues that will threaten the new overlay. If there are issues like shifting ground, roots coming up through the concrete, or drainage problems, those will need to be fixed before an overlay can be applied. Otherwise, the overlay will quickly crumble, and all the work and money that went into it will have been for nothing.
Options for Decorative Concrete Overlays
Deciding how you want your decorative concrete overlay to look is where the real fun comes in. You may have a very clear vision for how you want to upgrade your concrete, or you may just know that you want something a little different from the gray slab. Our designers will help you explore all the options, including showing you pictures of our past projects, sketching up potential designs, and showing you materials samples. We can also use 3D design software to show you how the options will look in your space. Contact Us Today!
Stamping allows us to get a wide variety of textures for the concrete overlay, which can make it look like all kinds of natural stone, including popular options like cobblestone, flagstone, and fieldstone. You can get the look of pavers without having to worry about the maintenance that pavers require, including fixing pavers that have fallen out of place or constantly spraying weeds that pop up between them.
Other stamps can give you a variety of interesting textures. We can also use other finishing techniques that can create different textures and looks. We can even carve into the concrete, creating unique designs. Think about how your family crest would look carved into your driveway!
Multiple colors are also available through staining and other techniques. A single color can be used for the entire surface, or multiple colors can be used to highlight different elements. For example, variegated color can be used on a paver pattern to make the surface look more like natural stone. You can also use different colors on a stamped border, inlays in the design, and more. Contact Us Today!
One of the many advantages of using decorative concrete overlays is that you have great versatility for achieving the finished look. Just about anything you can achieve with stone or other hardscaping elements you can achieve with a decorative concrete overlay.
Maintenance
Decorative concrete overlays generally require less maintenance than some other hardscaping materials. The concrete is a solid surface, so you do not have to worry about filling in gaps between stones, spraying weeds, or fixing stones that have fallen out of place. You will need to seal the overlay to preserve the vibrancy of the color and the integrity of the design. However, you shouldn’t need to take any more care to keep it looking great.
Different mixes of concrete will be more suitable for different hardscaping areas, depending on the foot traffic, sun exposure, and other elements. Our designers will talk through your options to help you choose the right elements for a beautiful, durable design. Contact Us Today!
Hire the Hardscaping Experts at Triad Associates to Install Your Decorative Concrete Overlay
The professionals at Triad Associates have been serving the Haverhill community for nearly four decades. We have installed hundreds of decorative concrete overlays, achieving gorgeous results for local residents and business. Let us help you transform your space with a gorgeous driveway, patio, or other hardscape surface. Call us today to schedule a consultation and start exploring your options. You will be amazed at how the right hardscaping can improve the appeal of your home. Call us today to get started! Contact Us Today!
