In the past, outdoor spaces only need new paint and finishing to look good. These days, most property owners are spending money to get the best-looking outdoors owing to the shift to exterior living. The benefits of being one with nature primarily cause the shift toward outdoor living, which is being seen in commercial and residential properties. But designing exceptional outdoors that you will want to spend considerable time in and entertain guests in requires expertise and careful decision-making.
Hiring the best among the masonry companies in Kansas City and other cities to handle your exterior construction project is the first step. This might seem obvious to some, but several construction companies have come up offering exteriors constructions but delivering shoddy workmanship. Once you have the right company, you will embark on choosing the appropriate construction materials.
Concrete is among the best choices for exterior surfaces because of its durability and ability to keep looking good even in adverse conditions. The following are the concrete options for your outdoor walkways, patio floors, cooking area countertops, and decks.
Exposed Aggregate Concrete
This is the most popular choice for property owners who want a contemporary and unique look for their exteriors. Exposed aggregate concrete will feature natural textures, pebbles, shells, and crushed stones that give a striking finish to virtually all outdoor spaces. The concrete will last for ages, even in wet and cold spells that only a few construction material alternatives can withstand.
Pave-Cut Concrete
Concrete pavers come in several designs and colors and at times, resemble other material, including natural wood and stone. The installation of pave-cut concrete will start with the digging of trenches on your property before sand and aggregate material is poured into the trenches. This preparation is essential to keep your pavers from slipping. After installation, the contractors will add a second aggregate layer to fill in the gaps between your pavers. Pave-cut concrete works for contemporary style properties with a sleek and modern look.
Stamped Concrete
This uses a wooden frame to hold your concrete before it has dried. The contractor will add several designs on the concrete surface before it dries. Stamped concrete has a natural stone look with different patterns. Some property owners also opt to add some color in their stamped concrete to generate more interest in their designs. If you opt for some color, you can match it to the flowers in your landscape or the other design elements in your outdoors.
Stained Concrete
When creating stained concrete, your contractor will soak acid stain pigments into your concrete’s pores. The pigments will permanently change your concrete’s color from the drab gray one. Other than color addition, acid staining infuses some translucent tones that will generate a unique finish for your surfaces and will give them a glossy look.
The above concrete alternatives are among the best options for transforming your exteriors with a material that can hold up to the foot traffic and weight on the surfaces. Thankfully, concrete is inexpensive and will not hurt your budget regardless of the size of your outdoors. Before embarking on your project, check your local legislation on any regulations that might affect your choices.
