Tag Archive for: coloured concrete

Get Creative with Coloured Concrete

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Concrete is not typically the most exciting aspect of building a new house or renovating your current one. In fact, when hiring specialists like Reocrete Brisbane, you need not worry about concrete matters at all, as they take care of it all for you. However, coloured concrete is becoming increasingly popular and can fun to plan. If you’re considering a new pool area or patio, you might want to consider choosing coloured concrete.

Often when people hear the phrase ‘coloured concrete’ they immediately think of crazy bright colours, which can put people off. However, lighter colours are more popular and can really complement and add character to a space.

Where can I use coloured concrete?

Because we are so accustomed to grey concrete, it can be hard to contemplate ever using or needing coloured concrete. But just because it isn’t the normal choice, doesn’t mean that coloured concrete isn’t going to be a good choice for your space. Typical areas that coloured concrete can particularly complement include:

  • Driveways
  • Patio Areas
  • Alfresco Areas
  • Pool Areas
  • Barbecue Areas
  • Entrances
  • Pathways
  • Garden Features

 

 

 

 

 

 

How can I get Coloured Concrete?

You can get in contact with the reputable concreting company Reocrete Brisbane, and speak to their very experienced staff about your options. You can also visit the Reocrete webpage to see a list of their services. When choosing coloured concrete you can talk to your contractor about what colours are available and best for your space.

Pop of Colour

Adding a pop of colour to a relatively plain space, like a barbecue area, can really add life to a lifeless, grey concreted area. While it may not be the obvious choice, you might surprise yourself with how coloured concrete can really add to your space. If you have a specific colour scheme, a pop of colour that matches the space might be the perfect addition and really tie the space together. Getting in contact with Reocrete will ensure you know all of your options and how the process will work. Once you have everything planned, all you have to do is, well, nothing. Just sit back, relax and wait for Reocrete to get the job done!

 

Aggregate or coloured concrete? Choosing a finish

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Exposed aggregate concrete is one of the options you can choose for your renovation needs. Concrete isn’t a “one type fits all” material. Some customers ask for a smooth grey type. Others go slightly outside the box. Here’s a list of finishes that might help you decide what’s best for you.

Exposed aggregate

Concrete is a mix of cement and aggregate. These are larger stones that make up the bulk of the mix. Older concrete pathways and plenty of driveways have this type of finish. The look is accomplished by blasting away part of the surface cement so that the larger stones are revealed underneath.

Coloured

Sometimes grey is, well, grey. Concrete is a part of the home, whether it’s a pathway leading to the front door or a slab that makes up the kitchen floor. You have the option to colour the concrete the same way you’d choose the colour for the walls.

Popular colour schemes include warm tones like reds and oranges on the outside. In comparison, interior coloured concrete is softer. Tones include greys, whites and even light blues. Ask your contractor what colours are available.

Stamped

This type of finish mimics the effect of pavers. The concrete is poured and a pattern stamp is placed on the surface before it fully dries. Common patterns make the concrete look like tiles and there’s even some that give a “wood” appearance.

Polished

This is ideal for interior concrete. Exposed aggregate is a surface that customers choose to polish most often. Nobody wants to cut their feet on small, sharp stones.

Warehouse interiors that were renovated to make living space have existing concrete floors already, but these are rarely polished. Contractors are brought in to clean up the floors, polish them and add a coat of sealant. Concrete is a porous material and stains easily, so this step is necessary to prevent cosmetic messes.  

Concrete Design Ideas

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Concrete has an unglamorous image as something councils use to make footpaths and this isn’t fair. Its design applications for the home are endless, both outside and in. Concrete isn’t just a boring material you only use for making driveways. We’ve listed its other design uses below.

Patios

These are found in any home, whether it’s made of pavers or a concrete slab. Patios are an essential part of the Australian lifestyle. Where else would you put the barbecue and the outdoor dining set?

The method for laying out a patio is the same as if you were installing a new driveway. You can choose the type of finish you want the concrete to have, colour and surface area.

Garden Beds

Inbuilt garden beds are great for adding a little life wherever they are. Contractors build them against a wall or as a stand-alone structure. They’re strong and versatile. You don’t even have to use the garden beds for plants. They make a great storage solution. If you build a garden bed but don’t plant anything, there’s another option. You can use it to store equipment overflowing from the shed or any kid’s toys lying around. Add some thick wooden or steel slats, some cushions and you have an extra seat!

Walls

Concrete walls are an out-of-the-box design idea for modern homes that get featured in the pages of home and real estate magazines. Tadao Ando, the Japanese architect, designed structures entirely made of concrete. He designed his buildings to use the natural light wherever they are, and purposefully left the walls bare to emphasise the beauty in simplicity.

Some homeowners, though, might not see things in Tadao’s perspective. Blank walls are blank canvases. They might hang several pieces of art on the walls or even commission a mural as something unique.

Concrete and rebar together make a near-indestructible combination. They are a great return on investment and provide something sturdy for the home. While concrete home designs are nothing new, people designing a home might not give them much consideration. They favour more “traditional” home builds. The above ideas show, however, that concrete and rebar have so much more potential than just making new footpaths.