Enhanced Concrete Placement
Involving us with a placement team is like pairing great trim carpenters with good framers when building a house. This work needs to be planned before pouring concrete so contact us now using the form below or by phone at (830) 798-2717.
How we started enhanced concrete placement projects
element7concrete was frequently brought in to correct stamped concrete projects where the original placement fell short of expectations. Through this work, the team developed a clear understanding of the limitations of overlay materials—namely that they do not achieve the same hardness or long-term aging characteristics as properly placed concrete.
As a result, when builders began requesting overlay bids for new construction, element7concrete proposed a more effective approach: eliminate the overlay altogether and stamp the concrete while it was still fresh. By allowing the placement contractor to focus on dirt work, grading, and slope, and bringing in element7concrete at the critical finishing stage, projects achieved superior durability and detail while reducing material costs. This process proved highly successful, with the element7concrete team stepping in at the moment precision mattered most to deliver consistently higher-quality results.
Concrete placement can be enhanced with:
Integral Color (oxide pigments added to concrete trucks 10 minutes before placement)
Color Hardener (mixture of sand, cement, and pigments allowing for light and very consistent colors)
Texture skin stamping (pressing urethane mats with the texture of slate or granite into concrete before it hardens)
Pattern stamping (pressing urethane mats with the texture of wood planks, flagstone, tile, etc. into concrete before it hardens)
Antiquing stain (imparting an accent color while stamping)
Integral Color
Integral color is pigment added to an entire batch of wet concrete: using it correctly requires some math and careful measuring.
Integral concrete color is achieved by adding measured pigment directly into the full batch of wet concrete, coloring the material all the way through rather than just at the surface. Proper application requires precise calculations, consistent batching, and careful mixing to ensure uniform color and predictable results. When done correctly, integral color produces long-lasting, fade-resistant concrete that maintains its appearance even as the surface wears over time.
Concrete Color Hardener
Color Hardener makes it possible to create surfaces lighter than normal concrete.
Photo courtesy of Butterfield Color, Inc.
The images above and at left depicts color hardener being broadcast and troweled in to the wet concrete.
With color hardener it is possible to make surfaces lighter than normal concrete. There is no white integral color that could overcome the color from the sand and rocks of the concrete. Additionally, it will even out the color of multiple pours, as you seen below in the photos of this 20,000 s/ft driveway.
Example: White Color Hardener with Black dye
In the photos below we used a dry-shake color hardener in Nantucket White and then amid the polishing process we used a light loading of Black Surelock Dye from Ameripolish. The movement and variegation makes for a great finished floor.
Color Options
What’s exciting about color hardener is that there are so many colors to choose from. Below are a few of the many colors available. You are sure to find the one that pairs perfectly with your home’s aesthetic and your design preferences.
Texture Skin Stamping + Scored
Texture skins are 4’ square mats created by casting urethane against granite, slate, bluestone, or quartzite. The mats take on the texture of the stone, and then are used to impart that texture in concrete before it hardens.
We love texture skin stamping and scoring because it is honest. Rather than mimic flagstone, we think it is better to be inspired by the texture of flagstone, but make something that is world-class decorative concrete rather than imitation anything.
Pattern Stamping
These stamps mimic pavers, cobblestone, brick, slate, flagstone, tile, wood and more.
Click below to see patterns available.
Antiquing Stain
For Textured Stained Concrete
Antiquing Stain enhances texture and gives a secondary color, especially in the low spots of stamped concrete.
Acrylic Concrete Sealer
Sealing with an acrylic sealer helps protect concrete from dusting, tire-marks, and stains. Most decorative concrete finishes don’t look great until they are sealed. Sealer wears out over time: expect to re-apply every 5 years or so.
Get Started With Your Home’s Transformation Today
Ready to elevate your concrete? Let our concrete experts work on your next project. We have special offers and discounts available. Call us at 830-798-2717 or request a quote below for your concrete transformation.