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Concrete designs are one of the hot new trends for concrete patios, concrete floors, entryways, countertops, pool decks and more. From expansive new homes with elaborate concrete driveways to budgeted one-room remodels showcasing a stunning, stained concrete floor, the attraction is continuing to grow when it comes to using concrete for decorating. Concrete is no longer plain, grey and boring, it is now thought of as a beautiful decorative element. (See concrete photos of projects like these.) 
Today's homeowners, builders, and designers recognize the value in using concrete in their designs and plans. Decorative concrete transforms traditional grey concrete into warm brown floors, expensive slate-looking patios, and weather-resistant outdoor kitchen countertops, to name a few.
Decorative concrete/decorative cement lets you decide which hue of red will give you that Spanish tile look on your pool deck at half the cost, and what personal mementos you'd like to embed in your new concrete countertop kitchen island. The advancements in concrete tools, concrete stains and dyes, textures, and patterns have made concrete the most versatile, durable and cost-effective material on the market.
Get an idea of how custom decorative concrete can be used in your home or business. The following links provide a wealth of knowledge on all aspects including colored concrete, painted concrete, stenciled concrete, stamped concrete, and more.
Why Decorative Concrete Delivers Great Value
Decorative concrete is the logical choice when it comes to reducing your costs, improving sustainability, and contributing to your project's overall quality and aesthetics
By Clark Branum, L.M. Scofield
Table of Contents
Take a look at these popular decorative concrete applications:
One thing that stands out in our economy is the fact that everyone is looking for a value, a way or means of making their dollars go further. This rings true whether you're purchasing daily consumables for the home or planning a construction project. Those of us in the decorative concrete industry have known for years that on a construction project, the value of decorative concrete presents itself over and over again, a simple concept called "value engineering."
A primary tenet of value engineering is that basic functions be preserved and not reduced as a consequence of pursuing value improvements, such as reduced costs, an improved final product, and easier maintenance. Decorative concrete has become the logical choice for many construction projects because it delivers great value. Consider these popular applications where decorative concrete offers real benefits in terms of performance, cost savings, and aesthetics:
Theme Parks
L.M. Scofield Company in Douglasville, GA
Instead of traditional masonry pavers for flatwork and pedestrian areas, more theme parks are using stamped concrete because of reduced long-term maintenance and care. Over time, pavers often become loose or they settle, resulting in tripping hazards. Replacing existing pavers with new ones can create undesirable aesthetics because the colors rarely match.
The decorative concrete advantage:
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No more loose or settled pavers that require resetting or replacement.
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The elimination of tripping hazards that increase liability for parks and resorts.
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Stamped concrete is safe, easy to maintain, and has a long service life.
Interior flooring
Becker Architectural Concrete in Woodbury, MN
More big-box retailers are choosing decorative concrete as a finished floor as opposed to high-maintenance floor coverings or coverings that can fail due to moisture exposure. Many smaller retailers find that stained concrete floors are not only attractive but also very cost effective. Polished concrete is another popular choice for interior floors, especially in educational and medical facilities, because they create an attractive, light-reflective, easy-to-maintain durable surface.
The decorative concrete advantage:
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Cost savings by eliminating traditional floor coverings and using the slab on grade as the finished floor.
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Reduced maintenance and longer service life.
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Better resistance to moisture and heavy foot traffic.
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Good light reflectivity.
Green Building
Concrete Treatments Inc in Plymouth, MN
Another area where decorative concrete has proven to be a value to builders and developers is in the implementation of sustainable building practices. Traditional floor coverings often require adhesives that emit VOCs into the atmosphere over time, reducing the indoor air quality. Green building with concrete can contribute to sustainability in other areas as well by providing thermal mass and improving light reflectivity. Light-colored concrete pavements have also been proven to reduce the urban heat island effect by improving solar-reflectivity values.
The decorative concrete advantage:
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Reduced energy requirements.
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Conservation of resources. Concrete itself is made primarily from recycled materials and contributes to sustainable building.
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Better indoor air quality.
On your next construction project, try applying a value-engineering approach to your design process and the selection of materials. You'll often discover that decorative concrete is the best choice.
