Concrete is the most durable and flexible material for driveways, patios and walkways.  It is poured into any shape you desire with an endless variety of colors and finishes, and – with proper care – is an investment with enduring value.

Concrete is a high-function surface, and just as with a kitchen floor, how it looks is just as important as how it performs. We are familiar with the standard look of concrete, but did you know that you can have a surface for your concrete that will compliment and enhance your home? You work with a designer to choose the best look and know that these cosmetic options do not compromise the structural integrity of the material. So you get the best of both worlds.

Let’s review the choices you have for the appearance of your concrete surfaces:

Dyed Concrete

Typical concrete with a pigment added during the mixing stage, so that the color runs throughout the entire slab. You have a large palette to choose from and the color will not wear off.

Stained Concrete

Colors are applied on the concrete after it is cured, and then sealed.  This is a surface finish and is not as durable as dyed concrete.

Stamped Concrete

Standard or dyed concrete gets added texture by rubber stamping a pattern onto the wet surface.  The colors can be variegated with the use of powder pigment broadcast over the surface during the stamping process.  Typically, stamping is done on dyed concrete, as stamped patterns do not have the same aesthetic impact on standard gray concrete.  See more photos of this project.

Exposed Aggregate Concrete

Concrete is mixed with a decorative, smooth rock that is brought to the surface and left exposed.  Mother Nature dictates your color palette.  See more of this project.

Above is an example of how several concrete finishes can be combined to create a unique look.  For this backyard pool, standard concrete with a broom finish is outlined by a border of dyed and stamped concrete.  See more photos of this project.  The picture of the driveway at the top of this page uses the same concept but with different colors, highlighting how many choices you have when it comes to concrete.  See more pictures of that project.

Protecting Your Concrete Investment

Concrete is a strong and long-lasting material, so you pay more for these surfaces.  A crucial step for maintaining your concrete investment is to have it sealed.

Water is concrete’s enemy, so sealing it minimizes the moisture that penetrates and weakens your concrete.  An example of how water damages concrete is shown above; this flaking and deterioration is called spalling.

Spalling is a very common problem in the St. Louis area due to our excessive freeze/thaw cycles.  Every time concrete freezes and then thaws out, the moisture content weakens the surface of your concrete.  We are prone to 40 – 50 or more freeze/thaw cycles a season, and this happens more here than in any other part of the country, which is why we have the nickname of The Pot Hole Belt.

Winter is hard on your concrete, so the sooner you seal it the better you are protected against this type of damage.  The other benefits of concrete sealing are easier maintenance, cleaning, and snow removal.

Protect Your Investment with ProTreat Seal by Mosby

Scott Mosby, the KMOX Home Answer Man and president of Mosby Building Arts, has spent years researching the very best system for sealing and protecting concrete.  Scott believes so strongly in this product, and its 2-part application process, that his company now offers this concrete sealing service.

Mosby’s trained and experienced technicians begin by deep cleaning your concrete and then they apply a permanent, penetrating sealer that bonds with the interior of your concrete to block moisture from seeping in.  This is followed by a surface application that protects the surface from stains.

ProTreat Seal can be applied to concrete that has been sealed previously, and all the different concrete finishes shown above need to be sealed to protect the colors and textures.  If you are pouring new concrete, applying ProTreat within 48 hours on the fresh concrete will improve the curing process, which makes for a stronger surface and slab.

The ProTreat Seal by Mosby is an ounce of prevention for a pound of cure.  We work with you to design and build the most unique concrete look for your home, and we assure that your investment remains sound by protecting it from the elements.  To explore concrete finishes and protection, call Mosby at 314.909.1800 or contact us here.

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Related posts:

1. How To Care For Granite Countertops
2. Seal Your Brick
3. KMOX – Save Money By Sealing Air Leaks

Learn the Art of Living at CallMosby.com.

Tags: concrete finishes, concrete sealing, dyed concrete, exposed aggregate concrete, stained concrete, stamped concrete

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 3rd, 2009 at 12:12 pm and is filed under garages & driveways, sealing & cleaning. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.