Decorative Concrete

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The Art of Custom Concrete Sandblasting: Creating Unique Designs, Images, and Text in Concrete

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A new trend has entered the realm of decorative concrete!

Concrete has long been valued for its durability, but it's also an incredibly versatile medium for creative expression. One of the most captivating techniques for adding unique designs, images, and text to concrete surfaces is sandblasting. This process transforms standard concrete into a canvas, allowing artisans to etch detailed patterns, images and text that elevate the material beyond its functional purpose. Let’s explore sandblasting in decorative concrete, how it works, and why it’s becoming a favorite in the world of concrete artistry.

What is Sandblasted Concrete?

Sandblasting involves projecting fine particles at high velocity onto a concrete surface in order to etch the surface. This process removes layers of the surface to create varying depths and textures. By controlling the speed, angle, and type of abrasive, skilled craftsmen (and women) can create intricate patterns and text, or even detailed imagery, into the concrete. The result is a beautifully crafted, durable piece of artwork.

The Art of Detail: Sandblasting Design for Precision

Achieving a stunning sandblasted design on concrete requires a combination of skill, patience, and a deep understanding of the tools and materials involved. Skilled artisans use custom stencils to protect certain areas of the concrete, allowing them to selectively expose only the areas they want to etch. This technique allows for incredible precision, even with complex designs, and helps to create sharp contrasts between sandblasted and untouched areas. But there are a few items to keep in mind when designing sandblasted concrete:

  1. The surface shouldn’t be too rough. Either a smooth troweled finish or a light broom finish is ideal.

  2. Stay away from hairy fiber - if possible, use concrete with a micro fibermesh in the mix.

  3. Font size and details matter. Sandblasting is an abrasive process, and even the most skilled artisan can’t prevent small details from getting blasted away in the process, Review you desired design with the installation team to manage expectations and feasibility. Small details or centers of some letters (a’s, o’s, p’s etc…) can become tricky if the font size is too small.

  4. The surface must be clean. The blast mats used have a sticky back to adhere to the concrete during the blasting process - if the surface is dirty - the mats won’t stick!

  5. Temperature matters - the concrete surface should be at least be above 45*, ideally above 60* so that the mats can stick properly.

  6. Designs can be stained for additional contrast and design.





Common Applications

Sandblasting is popular in both functional and decorative applications. Here are some areas where this technique shines:

  • Public Art and Murals - Sandblasted murals can turn a plain concrete wall into a visually stunning public artwork, celebrating community culture or history.

  • Wayfinding and Signage - Sandblasted concrete signs provide a durable, weather-resistant way to display essential information. This can be done on both horizontal and vertical surfaces.

  • Memorials and Monuments - The longevity of concrete makes it an ideal surface to create long-lasting messages and tributes.

  • Personalized Driveways and Walkways - Homeowners and businesses alike are starting to use sandblasting to personalize concrete surfaces with their family name, family crest, company logo, or custom patterns.

  • Parks and Playgrounds - Schools and municipalities have discovered the art of sandblasting and use it to create playful, long-lasting games, logos, signage, and more!

The Benefits of Sandblasting in Decorative Concrete

The sandblasting technique offers several advantages:

  • Durability - Because the design is etched directly into the concrete, it won’t fade, peel, or wear away with time, even in harsh weather conditions. Stains that are applied to the sandblast design may fade, but can be touched up.

  • Customization - Sandblasting allows for almost unlimited customization. From intricate patterns to bold logos, it’s an ideal technique for one-of-a-kind designs.

  • Low Maintenance - Sandblasted surfaces are easy to maintain. The technique produces a surface that resists wear, whether in high-traffic areas or under constant exposure to the elements.

  • Adds Value - Sandblasting can increase the aesthetic and market value of a property. Whether for a public space, business, or residential area, it provides a unique, lasting artistic appeal.

Why Sandblasting is an Artform

Sandblasting concrete combines artistry with the durability of concrete. The artist has to carefully plan the design with a vision of how it will appear on a concrete surface. Each stage of sandblasting requires control and attention to detail, making it a meticulous process. In the hands of a skilled artisan, sandblasting can turn a basic concrete slab into a masterpiece that conveys emotion, brand identity, or cultural significance.

As decorative concrete continues to evolve, sandblasting remains a versatile technique, helping us see concrete as more than just a building material. It’s a powerful artform that opens doors to creative possibilities in modern construction and design.

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For those looking to make a bold and artistic statement with their concrete surfaces, sandblasting offers a blend of durability, customization, and elegance. Whether for commercial spaces or personal projects, this technique is perfect for those who see the potential of concrete as a canvas for unique, enduring works of art.


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What is exposed aggregate

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Exposed aggregate has been here a good 30 plus years. It’s nothing new. However, the evolution of exposed aggregate concrete is fascinating. In the beginning, exposed aggregate was achieved by washing off the surface of the concrete before it set up, and a bit later people used acid to expose aggregate, and others used good old fashioned cola (no joke, the sugar in the soda actually retards the surface!). As you can imagine, the results varied - and so has the reputation and popularity of exposed aggregate.

Traditional exposed aggregate concrete

Traditional exposed aggregate concrete


Thankfully, the science and expertise in the industry has transformed this finish into something more predictable and consistent. With the use of surface retarders or deactivators, experienced contractors can now dial in the level of the exposure and produce more consistent exposed aggregate finishes. People can now get everything from extremely coarse aggregate exposure to a light sand - acid etched finished concrete through the use of surface retarders. A surface retarder is a liquid that is sprayed on the surface after the concrete is troweled smooth but before it is hard. There is still a timing element to it, but the chemistry in the retarder is pre-guaged to the desired level of exposure. The surface deactivator or retarder slows down the curing of just the top layer of the concrete. This slowing down of the curing allows the entire slab to cure as designed, but leaves the very top surface soft. Then, either later that day or the next day (depending of time of pour and the weather), the top layer (the skin of the concrete) is washed off to expose the sand and/or rock in the concrete - providing a consistent exposed aggregate concrete finish.

Rose Mirror Exposed Aggregate

Rose Mirror Exposed Aggregate


Because of this evolution in the exposed aggregate finish, this now opens the door for even more creativity. Hence why we launched our Mira line. Mira takes the beauty of exposed aggregate concrete and allows everyone to customize the finish to their specific project. With Mira, you can create customized exposed aggregate concrete by adjusting the colors and even adding in your own choice of rock or recycled glass to be exposed. The possibilities are limitless! Design your own decorative exposed aggregate concrete today on www.miraconcrete.com.

Custom decorative exposed aggregate concrete

Custom decorative exposed aggregate concrete

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9th & Colorado Block 8

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We met with Saunders early-on at a DBE event they hosted on-site at the 9th & Colorado development site. As we learned about each other, we received the opportunity to team up with them with the decorative concrete for Block 8 of the development. With sand finish concrete and stained sand finish concrete, we worked with Saunders to create a top quality decorative concrete finishes for this project. Complete with terrace steps, a driveway, walls, and sidewalks, the sand finish was perfect for this application. Thank you Saunders for the opportunity to rise to the challenge as a small disadvantaged business in Denver to work with you on this remarkable project - we look forward to many more!

9th & Colorado Sand Finish Concrete

15 Unique Ways to Incorporate Neon Colors Into Your Home

First featured on Redfin by Ryan Castillo on September 14, 2021

Neon Sign Home Decor

We’re all used to the classic white and creme color schemes. And while they are common in many households, let’s face it, sometimes they can be outright boring. If you are looking to liven up your house with something fresh, unique, and totally out of the box, why not add a splash of neon color? There are many ways to add fluorescents to give your home some personality and set it apart from the rest.

 

To help you get started, we reached out to experts across North America, from Kansas City, KS to Brampton, ON, to give us their best tips on incorporating neon colors into your home. From adding neon tiles to light up your pool to commissioning a neon art sculpture as a focal piece, keep reading to get inspired. 

 

1) Install neon tiles to light up your pool

Today, neon or iridescent glass tile inside of pools is a popular request. These glass tiles are often used to accent a pool. The reflection of light, combined with water, creates a dynamic visual. – Turner Ceramic Tile

2) Paint terra cotta pots with fun neon colors 

I like to use painter’s tape to create stencils on the pot, paint the pot, and then see what shapes and patterns are revealed. Place your neon-colored pots on your patio for a pop of color or bring them into office spaces, bathrooms, or laundry rooms where an unexpected splash of color could brighten up the space. – Nina Harada

3) Add neon colors to your bar to showcase your personality

Neon is a fun element to add to a bar area at your home and is a way to express yourself with a funky saying or a nod to your initials or name. I’ve been digging the moody vibes with dark painted walls or cool wallpaper, in a bar area, and feel like adding a neon sign adds a great pop. – Kelsey Rae Designs

4) Spruce up your space with neon-colored fruit platters

While you can always incorporate neon colors into the kid’s room, a more sophisticated use is in accent pieces. I’ve seen people with very modern grey kitchens use a fruit bowl or decorative platters in a neon tone to liven up the place.  – Family Floors Toledo

5) Use neon colors to contrast natural elements in your home

Because neon is an unnatural color, it combines nicely with natural materials, like wood or marble. For example, a work of art with neon works well in a room with a wooden or marble table, or wooden floor. – Ronald Hunter

6) Incorporate neon artwork to fit your personal style

Artwork is a fantastic way to incorporate neon colors into your living space. Hand-picked art pieces help showcase one’s personal style and creativity. With the perfect piece, you can tie in your room decor while featuring your home’s personality. – Prints Giclee

7) Turn your favorite art piece into a neon sign 

You don’t need to fly to the Vatican to get a glimpse of The Creation of Adam on the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling. If you’re a fine art connoisseur, have your favorite works of art customized into a neon sign. Using neon signs is an easier and more affordable way to add culture to your home decor. – Neonize

8) Purchase a custom neon sign to liven up your home office

We’ve all gotten sick of staring at the same four walls over the past year and a half. How about adding a custom neon sign to liven up your home office? Consider a fun and offbeat saying or sentence to brighten up your day-to-day. – Little Blue Design Deer

9) Light up with space with one-of-a-kind neon phrases 

The walls of your home should be a reflection of your personality, and adding phrases like “Hello Gorgeous”, “My Happy Place”, or “Everything is Going to be Okay” on your wall to match your internal thoughts with your external design can make a space glow. – Mary Jo McGonagle  

10) Try neon decorative concrete to light up the ground 

Homeowners can add neon colors to their decorative concrete by adding glow-in-the-dark aggregates to their concrete paving. When fully charged, these aggregates can appear neon green or neon blue in the dark, adding fun pizzaz to a concrete walkway, driveway, or patio. – The Art of Concrete, LLC

11) Create a neon art gallery to glow up a room

Forget dull lighting, uninspired floor or table lamps, and beige lampshades with no personality. Create an indoor illuminated art gallery, a funky retro look, or glow up any room with neon colors that sparks conversations. – Echo Neon

12) Go with different neon colors based on your mood

A pop of neon can liven your mood – be it through a painting on the wall, an accent piece like an end table or chair, or even just pops of fluorescent in the form of everyday items, like a vase or a picture frame. The best colors to use depend on your preference, but fluorescent yellow is known to bring on a sunny disposition, fluorescent pink can brighten even the dreariest of days, and fluorescent green can evoke a sense of both nature and excitement in anyone who looks at it. – DayGlo Color Corp.

13) Commission a neon sculpture to transform your space 

Neon sculptures, aside from their sheer beauty, can transform spaces by incorporating light, color, and design in a flexible way and evokes a multi-sensory response that may improve mood and cognitive performances. The neon colors are your mood board – turn to green for strength, blue for peace, purple to de-stress, red for “in search of love”. – Mash Gallery

14) Play with neon fabrics to upgrade your design

Sheer fabrics and raised paint surfaces can add extra excitement to neon-colored home decor. When using neon fabric for a ribbon chandelier or drapes, include some sheer neon ribbons or fabric that will play beautifully with both sunlight in the day and blacklight UV for that fab pop of neon at night. – Simply Sparkles Lights

15) Find inspiration for neon colors from your favorite movies 

There is no better place to find inspiration for adding neon pops of color into your home than from the movies. When the electric color of neon lighting hits the big screen a film becomes instantly iconic and atmospheric, and neon can create a sense of urban, moody drama in your home too. One example is in Blade Runner, where neon is used to create strong light and dark contrasts characteristic of film-noir. – Paula Benson, Founder and Editor of FilmandFurniture.com


Originally published on Redfin.com 

Grasscrete

Did you know you can create a drivable surface that is pervious and can grow landscaping? One of my favorite, but often underutilized, concrete innovations is Grasscrete. Grasscrete is a monolithic concrete slab that is continuously reinforced, but has voids for drainage and vegetation. Because it is a full-depth concrete slab poured monolithically AND it has reinforcement continuous throughout the entire concrete slab, it is strong enough for fire trucks to drive on and have their riggers out on it. It is a great solution for temporary access roads, drive lanes, overflow parking, drainage structures and so much more. There are also options to create decorative surfaces on the concrete portion of the Grasscrete - stay tuned in the near future for more on that! But for now, The Art of Concrete is your go-to contractor for cast-in-place pervious solutions such as Grasscrete.

Sand Finish Concrete

Sand Finish Concrete

Sand finish concrete in Colorado has been around for awhile now, but it’s beauty is still captivating designers across the state. What is so appealing about sand finish? When done right, sand finish is a decorative concrete finish that doesn’t break the budget like a stamped concrete could. The beauty of sand finish concrete is that it utilizes the beauty from within the concrete mix and exposes just the sand surface. When done properly, the concrete flatwork has a consistent sand finish across the surface. This sand finish provides excellent traction yet is comfortable on bare feet. It also pre-ages the wear surface. If you walk around town and study some of the old concrete, you will notice that much of the sand is showing - but more in the wear-patterns of traffic than a full consistent exposure. This pre-aging of the concrete actually gives the end-user a more durable surface that is also less susceptible to freeze-thaw spalling than a traditional broom finish. Sand finish can also be achieved vertically - giving great design potential. And in Colorado, we are blessed with beautiful natural sands that add great color to even uncolored concrete.

But are all sand finishes created equally? Unfortunately, they are not. When selecting a sand-finish contractor, you want to choose one in which you can visit past projects so you can see the surfaces for yourself. Sand finish should be sealed, it should be fairly consistent, and it should not be fuzzy. Just like when selecting any concrete contractor, you want one with a crew that is experienced in the finishes you are wanting to achieve. When choosing a qualified contractor, you minimize headaches of poor drainage, poor workmanship, or sloppy work. At The Art of Concrete, our crews are very experienced in sand finish and other decorative concrete finishes. They pay attention to the details. For sand finish, it is a multiple step process to achieve the final desired results, in which our crews are highly proficient. Some examples of The Art of Concrete’s sand finish installation that you can visit include:

39th Avenue Reconstruction in Denver, CO

North Wynkoop near the Mission Ballroom in Denver, CO

RiNo Park in Denver, CO

Meadows Town Center in Castle Rock, CO

John Meade Park in Cherry Hills Village

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RiNo Park - Connecting People in a Time of Disconnect

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RiNo Park in Downtown Denver

Denver’s Five Points and River North Arts district buzzes with new life and growth. Development is blossoming all along Brighton Boulevard, from Downtown Denver all the way to the National Western Complex. It is an exciting time to be building in Denver. Part of the great transformation of that corridor is the land along the South Platter River. For far too long it has been a blighted part of town. Luckily, Denver has better visionaries than myself, and they saw the potential of breathing life into all aspects of that corridor. This year, RiNo Park emerged in 3.5 acres of land that was historically occupied by rail, warehouse and manufacturing industries. The City of Denver and Wenk and Associates saw the space as a great opportunity for growth for Denver Five Points and the Arts District. With a couple of old buildings sitting on the land and desolate land, it was time for a facelift. That’s when Iron Woman Construction and The Art of Concrete came on the scene to make the vision a reality.

The land that the new RiNo Park emerged from was neglected for quite some time. Because of that, it had been a refuge for some homeless as well as a haven for drug users to gather. Unfortunately with that, came a less than secure job site. The team was warned early on during a Preconstruction meeting that things will get stolen, and the thieves will use bolt cutters. After construction fences were cut, trailers were broken into and locks were busted, the team got wise to placing some heavy-duty shipping containers with anti-theft locks on them. Once the security of job supplies, equipment and materials was resolved, the team made great headway… and then CoVid19 hit. No one could have predicted the impact that this virus would make. Meetings suddenly went virtual, crews were spaced more apart, cleanliness because an even higher priority than before, and the support staff for all parties was reduced to working remotely – many while juggling the new realities of home-schooling and/or working from home. Some supplies got delayed, some crews got put on hold, COVid19 tried its best to slow this and many other projects down. However, the team at RiNo Park was very persistent, they communicated regularly and pushed through each challenge the virus threw at them one at a time.

What made this project successful and what helped it overcome the challenges that came with the virus and the less than ideal locations was the excellence in project execution and the team approach. The entire team met weekly. Before CoVid hit, it was mostly in-person meetings on-site with everyone involved. When CoVid hit, those calls turned to Zoom, but still happened regularly and aided in the success of the project. Even to the vary end, The Art of Concrete met on-site well after punch list items were complete to meet with Iron Woman and Denver one more time to walk the project and verify everything that was installed and to ensure all parties were taken care of properly and can all walk away from the job content that it was executed fairly and accurately.

The Art of Concrete is a newer company and one of the reasons they were brought on the project is because they are a MWBE, DBE and SBE Company, which helped fill the City’s goals for the project of small disadvantaged firm participation. But because of their infancy, they need to get creative on how to handle a sizable project with the limited resources they have. They are going into their third year of business, and with that they have a great team of people, however, they don’t have a full army of people. One thing they have learned this year is the power of flexibility with manpower.

Another area of innovation was the reuse of the concrete slab used in the new Maker’s Plaza. The existing building was partially exposed to open up into the park and create a welcoming plaza. Because the building foundation, walls and floors were in decent shape, the team recognized early on it would be wasteful to tear it all out only to replace it with new material. So, when it came to time address the concrete slab that had been interior for so long and it is now intended to be part of the exterior part of the park, the design team leaned on The Art of Concrete’s expertise on how to maintain the history and integrity of the slab but ensuring it was a safe surface for an exterior surface here in Colorado. Any sort of overlay or coating was instantly out because it would hide the beautifully aged slab that helps tell the story of the space. So it came down to texturizing the slab in a way that would provide enough traction in Colorado’s changing weather scenarios, while not altering the appearance dramatically or require much additional maintenance. With a serious of grinders and different techniques, the Art of Concrete’s team created enough of a profile on the concrete slab while maintaining the same general appearance of the slab. Anyone who walked the project today wouldn’t think twice about the slab being any different than the one that was there through the entire history of the rest of the building. It was executed perfectly.

The buildings add to the charm of the space, but were not part of the original plans. Initially they were going to tear the buildings down, but the community asked to keep them, so the City listened and integrated them into the design of the park. The buildings will house local artist studios, a library, a restaurant and a makers space. One of the buildings was opened up as part of the park. The Art of Concrete exposed the concrete floor, made it suitable for an exterior surface, and now the interior building is now exterior complete with porch swing style benches, seating and recycled art pieces. Rather than tearing out the old and replacing it with new, the team redesigned the old to be incorporated with the new. The park cuts right through what once was an old police building and now connects the spaces beautifully.

The park itself is a contribution to the community. Mayor Michael Hancock stated, “Part of the whole 5 points concept and whole RiNo Vision, that we are creating a new destination for Denver and all people and that is a phenomenal opportunity.” The park is helping Denver to fulfill it’s goal to have a park within walking distance of ever Denver resident. The park breathes life into an area that desperately needed a green space. It is the first green space of its kind in an area that historically has been occupied by warehouses, rail and manufacturing industries. The playground and park features reused scraps from industrial neighbors and transformed them into art pieces. One of the goals of this park was to be a community hub and connect people to the outdoors and open spaces, and it does that and makes the City of Denver more beautiful. Happy Haynes, the Executive Director of Denver Parks and Rec said, “This whole corridor along I-70 and in this industrial area was a forgotten place, and with this park it is going to be a destination”, and as Mayor Michael Hancock recognized in the parks ribbon cutting ceremony: “This is a project for the people”.

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Meadows Town Center

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The Art of Concrete completed the concrete installation out at Meadows Town Center in Castle Rock with GH Phipps Construction and Design Workshop. With a custom concrete fire pit, custom concrete walls, a complex custom concrete shade structure and standard broom finish concrete flatwork, the entire park came together with artistic detail while using standard uncolored concrete as a medium. The vertical elements combined custom boardform finish and sand finish on for the walls. The Art of Concrete was honored to be part of this team and are excited about the value added to the community with this park.