Decorative Concrete
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Decorative Concrete Flatwork and Hardscapes
 Paving
with concrete has many applications for residential and commercial
properties. From the more common elements like driveways, sidewalks,
and parking lots to more specialized areas like pool and spa surrounds,
concrete provides a durable and low-maintenance paved surface that
can be given any number of decorative
treatments. White cement
allows for a full range of color options.
 Beyond
pavements, hardscapes also include other elements such as planters,
furniture, and counters. For private and public property, these
items add to the functionality of any space. Constructing
them from concrete means they will
last a long time and stand up to quite a bit of service.
Read More:
Enhancing Hardscapes with Metal
Grates
Decorative Masonry
Hardscapes
The Finishing Touch: A Clean
and Crisp Façade
 The
precast panels for the Melrose
Park precast condo complex highlight 3 different techniques:
precast concrete, thin brick inserts, and field-applied veneer.
It’s hard to distinguish the thin brick precast from traditional
hand laid masonry. The majority of the surface is a thin facing
brick (1/2 in. thick units) cast into concrete using special form
liners. The units become integral with the panel. Some detail areas
are created for contrast, and these are done with a field-applied
manufactured stone adhered directly to the exterior face of concrete
panels.
 North
America has a long history of brick exteriors for residential. Brick
conveys a sense of safety, strength, and durability. There are several
designations for traditional clay facing brick. The standard that
addresses the brick types, ASTM C216 Specification for Facing Brick
(Solid Masonry Units Made from Clay or Shale), has 3 categories:
one for general use brick, one for precision units, and another
for architectural brick. The general use type is most common. The
architectural type is intended to produce effects resulting from
nonuniformity in size and texture of the units. The third category
is for precision type brick, which are used where a higher degree
of precision and lower permissible variation in size are required.
Looking at this precast, one would think it is made with precision
brick. The excellent control of joint spaces between units is due
primarily to the placement method. Units are clipped into special
form liners that hold them in place while the concrete backing is
cast.
Achieving Colored Finishes
on Concrete
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| Integrally colored tilt-up panel |
One of concrete’s strengths is its long term durability with
low maintenance. To maintain that performance and achieve a colored
finish, integral color is a good way to go. Mineral pigments are
permanent color-imparting particles that are mixed into fresh concrete
during batching. The quality of the material is assured by specifying
products that conform to ASTM C979, Standard Specification for
Pigments for Integrally Colored Concrete. Effectiveness of
the pigment’s tinting ability can be improved via the use
of white cement as some or all of the binding material.
The selection of sand and coarse aggregate is another consideration
for the resultant concrete color, depending on the surface texture.
Sand will usually impart a tinting effect in concrete, especially
when white cement is used. Since integral color becomes part of
the concrete matrix, it will not fade, wash away, or otherwise wear
out over time. For greater economy, colored concrete facing mixes
are sometimes used. This allows the colored material to be used
only for the outer layer with a plain concrete used for the backing
to save on cost.
Painting is a surface application. As such, it is generally less
costly for materials, but does involve extra labor. And depending
on the paint selection, there may be more maintenance associated
with a painted finish. No matter which type of paint is selected,
it’s important to prepare the surface to receive paint to
get the best results.
There are many good paint formulations that are compatible with
concrete. Latexes are quite common. They are easy to apply, come
in every color, and last a long time. Cement-based paints are good
because they bond well to concrete. Using white cement for the paint
extends the range of colors available. Although cement-based paints
can be sprayed on or applied by roller, they perform best when scrubbed
with a brush into the surface, especially if a waterproofing performance
is desired.
Because some paints need to be reapplied at regular intervals,
painting might increase the level of required maintenance. More
information on painting concrete is available in PCA’s
Painting
Concrete,
IS134, in the PCA Bookstore.
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