Decorative Concrete

While plain gray concrete is still the most often concrete installed, as seen on most concrete sidewalks, there are numerous decorative concrete alternatives sure to dress it up, taking your sidewalk from boring to amazing. See our stained concrete color chart .

The best part is that most of the options will work just as well on an existing walkway, because the concrete industry has rapidly developed many decorative products that can be applied to existing plain concrete walkways.

Concrete has become the new material of choice for designers across the U.S. Decorative concrete in all of its stained, colored, molded and personalized glory is popping up in retail stores, trendy restaurants, offices and homes everywhere.

Stamped Concrete

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Stamped concrete, commonly referred to as patterned concrete or imprinted concrete, is concrete that is designed to resemble brick, slate, flagstone, stone, tile and even wood.

Concrete Engraving (also known as Scored concrete)

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With the use of special tools and equipment, patterns and designs can be permanently engraved into existing concrete. These patterns won't wear away since they have been carved into the concrete rather than applied to the top of it.

Colored Concrete

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With the wide variety of colors to choose from concrete can be colored to match the surrounding landscape. Color can be added integrally in the concrete mix or be added on once the concrete is poured. Chemical stains are applied to existing concrete surfaces and penetrate the surface to produce uneven, mottled, and variegated color effects depending on the stains reaction with the concretes minerals. Stains can also be applied to concrete that has already been integrally colored and inside the routed-out designs in stamped and engraved patterns.

Benefits of Using Decorative Concrete

1.Versatility - Concrete patios are unlike any other type of surface. The look of poured concrete varies more than any other type of material used for patios, including brick. Why are concrete patios so versatile? Concrete can be shaped into any pattern. It can be lightly smoothed or heavily brushed; surfaced with attractive pebbles; swirled or scored; tinted or painted; patterned; or molded to resemble another material. While many concrete patios are designed to complement the outdoor landscape and native greenery, some homeowners choose a style of concrete patio based on their interior living space.*

2. Durability - Concrete has been recorded in existence as long ago as 7000BC. It was used by the ancient Egyptians and the Romans used it to build the Colosseum and Hadrian's Wall. Throughout history, concrete has proven itself to be a most flexible and durable construction material.*

3. Affordability - Concrete patios and cost less than patios made of stone, brick or tile. Many say that the lower price tag combined with the wide array of patterns and colors available is one of the main draws of choosing a concrete patio. Your concrete patio can be stained, scored and even stamped to resemble brick, slate, flagstone, stone, tile, and even wood. We estimate stamped concrete costs one-third less than the cost of other materials.* .