Incorporating Eco-Friendly Elements in Home Design

It used to be difficult to make conscious choices that positively impact the environment. Organic, biodegradable and other green products used to be expensive and ineffective. Now, high-performance eco-friendly products are available at a reasonable price. This makes it easier for any homeowner to make thoughtful choices for the environment. Aside from that, what else can you do to go green? Read on to find out.

Naturally Regulate Temperature

If you have the option to buy a lot, get one with deciduous trees. Mature trees are great for providing shade during summer and allowing sunlight during winter. This helps you save energy during under scorching heat and numbing cold. Supporting tree growth also helps reduce carbon dioxide and is overall good for the planet.

Go Green with Greens

When choosing plants for your landscape, select ones that are native to your location. This will reduce the need for harmful fertilizers for plants that need to adapt. Opting for plants that are drought tolerant is also a smart choice for conserving water. Only use fertilizers made from biodegradable material.

Eco-friendly Materials

Synthetic and wood materials for construction should be down to a minimal level. Instead, use concrete for constructing those that take up much space such as walls and floors. Concrete floors are effective in retaining warmth through the evening. It’s an economical and eco-friendly choice.

Decorate with Nature’s Own

Home plants are great alternatives to the synthetic decor. Embellish windows with succulents. Natural ceramics made from clay add earthy charm to any home. Carved stones are excellent for adding accents. In exchange, you’ll get quality products that are sustainable.

Reduce Toxic Chemical Use

If you want to drastically lessen your carbon footprint, it helps to reduce toxins. When choosing paints, sealants, dyes, and other solutions, be wary. Check if a product has zero or low VOC before buying them. Harmfully treated fabric should also be avoided.

Let the Natural Light In

For bright and airy interiors, increase natural light through interior design. Large windows and sliding glass doors let the sunlight in. This helps you save on utility bills while saving energy for the environment. Not only that, but it also keeps good air circulation so you can breathe in the fresh air.

Natural Energy Resource

Have your home designed to consume natural energy from the sun. It is a worthy investment for the eco-conscious. With solar panels, energy costs can be reduced to as much as 25% every year. Save on cash, save the environment.

Any experienced contractor happy to offer eco-friendly choices for concrete floors. For more interesting articles and concrete floor options, visit our homepage.

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Contemporary Design Ideas for Concrete Patios

Concrete patios are gaining more and more popularity in recent years. Homeowners, designers, and builders now realize the advantage of concrete patios over wood decks. Especially when it comes to modern home design. The versatility of concrete makes it possible to create unique patio designs. Here are some contemporary design ideas for concrete patios. Read on!

Decorative Concrete Floors

Outdoor floors contribute greatly to the aesthetic value of a concrete patio. Decorative concrete floor coatings breathe life into a patio by adding color, pattern, and texture. Outdoor floors can be designed to match the house itself or to complement it even with an entirely new look. Some decorative options include concrete staining to add color and concrete stamping for pattern and texture.

Concrete Seat Walls

Seat walls are a growing trend in today’s modern concrete patio design. Having these installed frames the patio area and adds an industrial chic feel. Seat walls don’t take up much room compared to regular outdoor furniture. It’s also a practical option as it provides permanent seating that can stand weather conditions with minimal maintenance.

 

A Concrete Fire Pit

Incorporating a fire pit in a concrete patio gives the area a focal point that pulls the overall design together. A concrete fire pit adds warmth and comfort to make patios enjoyable during cold evenings. It also adds to the ambiance of the whole area. To maximize the use of a concrete fire pit, choose one that is designed to also double as a grill.

Split Concrete Levels

Another popular trend in contemporary patio design is making use of multiple levels for concrete floors to segment the area. This adds interest and visual appeal to any concrete patio. This works especially well to those who want to add functional upgrades for their patios like hot tubs, kitchens or game areas. It also makes for a spacious patio compared to regular partitions that give the illusion of limited space.

Water Features

Water features add to the relaxing atmosphere of a concrete patio. Soft flowing water balances the hardness of other concrete design elements. It adds tranquility and is a striking design statement that accentuates the patio. Whether you choose a waterfall-like feature or a classic fountain you can achieve a zen feel and modern vibe for your patio.

With the right design choices, your concrete patio can be a focal point of luxury, style and function. Want to learn more about decorative concrete options to enhance the look of your patio? Visit our homepage or read other interesting articles available on our blog page.

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Freeze-Thaw Cycle and its Effects on a Concrete Driveway

Concrete is the most popular paving material. Most homes and commercial establishments have a concrete driveway because it is affordable, easy to install, easy to maintain, and customizable. Although it could get damaged, just like any other material out there, most of the damages it acquires are repairable. One of the most unpleasant causes of damage is freeze-thaw damage. Read on to learn more about it and how it can be prevented.

What are Freeze-Thaw Cycles?

Freeze-thaw cycle is the continuous cooling and warming of water. When water or moisture seeps into the porous concrete, it will freeze due to the chilly weather. When water becomes ice, it expands. The pressure from that expansion causes the surrounding concrete to weaken. When the ice melts, it returns back to its original volume but the expansion has already loosened the slab itself.

What Does it Do to the Concrete Driveway?

Freeze-thaw damage is one of the most problematic types of concrete issues. Most of the time, the expansion happens within the slab so it can quite difficult to deal with. Common issues caused by freeze-thaw cycles include:

• Cracking
• Crumbling
• Pitting
• Flaking
• And more

Immediate Solution

Deicers are effective in loosening ice and snow and enhancing the traction of a concrete surface. Although the most popular is salt, it has several harmful effects on the concrete, the environment, as well as to people and animals. Use an alternative, such as rubbing alcohol, an electric snow blower, or the traditional manual shoveling.

Things to Do Before the Next Winter Comes

Seal your concrete driveway. The sealer acts as a protective barrier that keeps water from getting absorbed into the pores of the concrete. The water will stay on the surface, thus, preventing it from freezing and thawing within the slab. But make sure that you repair any damage incurred from the last winter season before applying a coating of concrete sealer.

Freeze-thaw damage is scary but very preventable. Unfortunately, some people who don’t understand what it is is blaming the damages caused to be an error in the mixture and installation of the concrete itself. Now that you understand what freeze-thaw cycles are and its effects on a concrete driveway, make sure to seal all other concrete surfaces in your homes, such as the patio, pool deck, walkway, and more. It may be an additional expense on your part but prevention is a lot cheaper than repair.

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5 Amazing Stained Concrete Application Techniques

Concrete staining is just one of the many ways to add color to a concrete deck. It is one of the most preferred because the colors are rich, deep, and long-lasting. It can be used on both indoor and outdoor concrete surfaces. Aside from making a plain concrete surface more decorative, stained concrete can also be used to hide imperfections through unique application techniques.

Application Technique

This is the most common method of applying a concrete stain. The stain is first applied on the edges using a brush. This needs to be done carefully to keep the stain from going to the walls and to make sure that the edges are covered well. The rest of the surface is covered with stain using a nap roller. Once dry, apply another layer, then rinse thoroughly after the second layer has dried. Apply a sealer once completely dry.

Blending Technique

Using two or more colors, each stain is applied on the surface using a sprayer. You spray one spot with one color then spray another color on a small spot beside the one you previously sprayed on, and so on. The goal here is to acquire a marbled look. Make sure to spray wet on wet. The colors may mix and blend a little and that is perfectly fine. Apply a sealer when it has all dried.

Misting Technique

This combines the application technique and misting. The first two solid layers are applied on the concrete slab first, creating a base color. For the third layer, use a sprayer to mist the surface with another color. This should be done lightly so that only specks of the second color can be seen against the base color. You can mist addition colors if you desire. Seal after it has all dried.

Sponge or Rag Technique

First, apply a base coat using the application technique. Then, using a rag or sponge, apply your second color randomly. You may also rag or sponge in a pattern. Let it dry before you apply another layer of sponged or ragged color. When everything has dried, apply a good sealer on top.

Stenciling Technique

Using tape or a pre-made stencil, you can stain patterns on a concrete surface with ease. Let’s say you have a plain concrete floor. You can stick a brick pattern on the concrete using tape. The stain is then applied using a nap roller or spray. When everything has dried, you can remove the tape you have placed. Those areas that were covered with tape will have a different color, thus, emphasizing the pattern even more.

The design possibilities are almost endless with a stained concrete floor. No matter which technique you choose to go with, the colors are guaranteed to be rich and long-lasting.

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4 Hacks in Cleaning the Garage Flooring

More often than not, the garage is the last room in the house that anyone would want to clean. People have become so used to storing unused items in the garage that things pile up and turn the garage into a disaster zone. While it is advisable to clean the garage flooring regularly, things may come up and you may get busy at times that you can’t always find time to do it. When you do, here are cool hacks you could use to make cleaning a lot easier.

• Take Everything Out of the Garage

Any item or equipment you have on the floor, take it out of the garage before you clean the floor. Cleaning just the exposed areas is not really cleaning since you dust and dirt might still be present under lawnmowers, old vacuums, or boxes of old clothing. Move everything off of the garage floor first. It would be a lot easier to clean the entire floor altogether than to do it in sections, moving stuff in between.

• Cover Electrical Outlets

If you must pressure wash or rinse using a garden hose, make sure to cover any electrical outlet that you have in the garage. Chances are, water may splatter into it and that is highly dangerous.

• Reorganize the Entire Garage

After cleaning, you would not want to bring the same old clutter back on the floor, would you? The best way to maintain the cleanliness is to reorganize all the stuff in the garage. Use peg boards to set up hanging hooks on the walls. If possible, move everything to the walls, in boxes or bins, and on shelves. Make sure that each item has its rightful place. This way, you can quickly and easily clean the garage flooring.

• Sawdust and Kitty Litter for Oil and Grease Spills

Forget about scrubbing and using specially formulated products. Sawdust and kitty litter are actually a lot more effective in absorbing oil and grease that have stained the garage floor. This is also a good solution for getting rid of standing water. They effectively absorb water when left for a few hours. All you have to do is sweep it away and the oil, grease, or water is gone.

Cleaning the garage flooring is important in extending its lifespan. Simply by keeping it free from dust, dirt, and spills, you help maintain its durability and appearance. Hope these hacks can help you out the next time you clean your garage flooring.

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Top 2 Concrete Sealers for Stamped Concrete Surfaces

One of the most popular in decorative concrete trends today is stamped concrete. Stamp mats that are premade with patterns are stamped onto fresh concrete to make an imprint. One reason why this is a popular paving method is that it is less expensive, it can replicate high-end materials, it is durable, and very easy to maintain. The maintenance, however, often relies on the finish of the stamped concrete surface. Concrete is a very porous material. Although durable on its own, it is highly recommended to apply a sealer as a final layer. This way, the entire slab is protected from harmful elements like moisture, weeds, moss, mold, and more.

High-Gloss Concrete Sealers

If you want your concrete space to be shiny, a high-gloss sealer is what you need. This is the most common type of sealer used on stamped surfaces because, aside from adding shine, it also makes the color of a stained surface richer and more appealing. Some of the benefits of a high-gloss sealer include its high resistance to UV rays and it is breathable. If you are not a fan of high-gloss, there are less shinier versions like semi-gloss and matte.

Penetrating Concrete Sealers

If you want the protective features of a sealer but also want to retain the look of your stamped concrete surface, a penetrating kind is what you need to have. This type of sealer will retain the look and color of the stamped surface but will still provide the much-needed protection. How? The sealer penetrates into the slab and a chemical reaction will take place just right below the surface. This reaction will create a hydrophobic barrier in the pores of the concrete slab that will repel any water that would try to penetrate the slab. It is effective in preventing damage caused by moisture, ice, mold, mildew, and even efflorescence.

When opting for stamped concrete, make sure to have it sealed when it has cured well enough. Although this is optional, most contractors would recommend it. Unsealed concrete gets worn out and damaged easily. If you care enough for your investment, seal it. It may incur additional costs but it is nothing compared to the benefits that you will reap from a well-protected stamped concrete surface. Consult a pro for other types of concrete sealers that you could use on your outdoor concrete spaces.

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Beginner’s Guide on How To Acid Stain Concrete Patios

Acid staining is one of the most popular ways of adding color to concrete. It can be used on both indoor and outdoor surfaces. Using it on a concrete patio guarantees a more appealing outdoor living space and a higher property resale value. If this decorative application is new to you, here is a step-by-the-step guide on the acid staining process:

• Step 1: Clean the Concrete Patio

It is important to remove any dirt, oil, or grease on the concrete patio as these could keep the stain from adhering to the concrete slab. Pressure washing is highly recommended as it is quite effective in removing tough and stubborn dirt.

• Step 2: Apply the Stain

Use a brush to apply the stain along edges, walls, corners, and hard-to-reach areas. Once those areas have been covered, use a spray to apply the stain to larger areas. If there are spots missed, use a brush to fill in those spots. Leave the stain to dry for at least 4 hours. Commonly, an acid stain requires another two coats to fully acquire the desired color effect. If you do decide to add more coats, make sure to let the stain dry in between.

• Step 3: Rinse the Stained Surface

Test one small area to check if the stain has adhered as it should. If the color stays, use a pressure washer to rinse the stain off of the patio. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear. If you must, use a broom to scrub lightly across the surface to make sure that all stain residue is removed.

• Step 4: Neutralize the Surface

Neutralizing aims to normalize the pH of the patio as it has recently been treated with an acid-based material. To do this, mix two cups of ammonia with five gallons of water. For added cleaning effect, add a few drops of dishwashing soap. Apply this on the surface and use a broom to lightly scrub the solution on the surface. Use the pressure washer again to rinse it off until the water is clear of color and soap.

• Step 5: Apply a Concrete Sealer

Using a brush or roller brush, apply about 2 to 3 coats of concrete sealer on the thoroughly dried concrete patio. The sealer will serve as a protective layer while enhancing the color of the stain and adding a bit of shine for a more appealing look.

Although the process seems simple and easy, it is highly recommended to hire a professional contractor to acid stain a concrete patio. This would ensure that the process is done properly, the right material is used, the necessary tools and safety gear are worn, and the results, long-lasting.

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