Sep 16 2006
Decorative concrete just keeps getting more … decorative! Does anyone use gray concrete anymore? Why would they, when concrete dyes can provide just about any color, however subtle or vivid. By using dyes either alone or in combination with reactive stains, designers and contractors can achieve just about any look imaginable. “If you think of a watercolor artist, that’s the way you might think about using dyes,” says Mike Miller, managing principal of The Concretist in Benicia, Calif.
Concrete Decor magazine’s latest issue features an informative, colorful article on using dyes on concrete surfaces. The article explains the difference between dyes and reactive stains and explains how dyes can be used either solo or in combination with stains. Dyes can be applied over reactive stain to give a brighter color while allowing the pattern created by the stain to show through. They may also be applied over parts of a stained surface to “paint” a picture or add highlights or accents. These are just two of the many ways dyes are being used to bring life to concrete surfaces.
Also in the new issue are feature stories on stenciling applications for vertical surfaces (think multi-story office buildings stenciled to look like brick or slate), and the importance of good surface prep for microtoppings.
And there’s more. Contractor Rick Smith shows how useful an ordinary blender can be on a decorative concrete job site and Doug Carlton offers tips on transitioning a concrete business into decorative work. Our “Artisan in Concrete,” Shawn Wardall, shares his perspective on trailblazing a decorative concrete business in Wisconsin.