Although traditional concrete is a high-performance material that has many applications in the construction world, its plain, grey appearance isn't the most visually appealing. The good news is that concrete structures can now be made to look more stunning and beautiful, thanks to the availability of different decorative concreting techniques.

Here are some options you have for improving the look of your concrete. 

Coloured concrete

Why settle for the plain grey colour of concrete when you can choose from an almost endless range of colours? You can never go wrong with adding colour to concrete. Coloured concrete not only enhances the aesthetic of your structures but can improve their functionality too. For instance, bright colours help to reflect light, improving illumination inside buildings.

Coloured concrete can be achieved in different ways. The appropriate method will depend on the depth of the desired colour. 

Stamped concrete

If you want to achieve the look of brick, stone, tile or even wood while still enjoying the benefits that regular concrete provides, stamped concrete is an excellent option for you. This type of decorative concreting involves taking a mould of stamp and imprinting it on the concrete surface to imitate the look of other construction materials.

Since it is installed before the concrete has fully cured, it lends itself to virtually endless customisation possibilities.

Polished concrete

As the name implies, this decorative concrete option will give your concrete surfaces a shiny appearance and smooth texture. It is ideal for commercial and industrial floors because of its ability to withstand heavy foot traffic or even heavy machines like forklift trucks. 

What's more, the high-gloss finish of polished concrete makes smaller spaces appear larger while improving natural illumination, possibly saving money on lighting bills.

Exposed aggregate concrete

As the name implies, this decorative concrete finishing option involves exposing the stones or aggregates in concrete. This can be achieved by removing the top layer of the concrete structure or introducing aggregates on the surface of freshly-poured concrete.

Exposed aggregate concrete is commonly used in driveways, footpaths, patios and other structures that require high values of slip or skid resistance – that is, coarser surfaces.

When it comes to improving the appearance and beauty of concrete surfaces, you have many options to choose from. Each decorative concreting option has specific pros and cons that should be carefully considered before making a final decision. Contact a decorative concrete specialist if you need professional assistance with your project.

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