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5 Outdoor Decorative Concrete Projects Chattanooga for Spring

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decorative concrete projects ChattanoogaSpring is in the air, and everyone is itching to spend time outdoors. Maybe you’re planning a little spring cleaning or even some home renovation efforts to improve your space just in time for the upcoming season. If you’re looking to enhance your property out of doors, we’ve got several ideas to inspire you. Check out these six outdoor decorative concrete projects Chattanooga for spring, and get everything you need to complete them to plan at Power Rental & Sales.

1– Patio Project

Maybe you have an old patio that needs a facelift or you’re looking to add a new patio space to your outdoor living area. Either way, there are lots of ways to make your patio both unique and functional with decorative concrete. From stained concrete to stamped concrete options, you can get really creative with the layout, look, and feel of your patio project. Decorative concrete is a great option as it’s both cost effective and versatile. Add value and aesthetic appeal to your home with a patio project this spring.

2– Decorative Concrete Stepping Stones

Create a beautiful and unique path from your home to your patio or through the yard to your pool! This is such an open-ended project with endless possibilities. Build a pathway anywhere on your property with beautifully molded or stamped concrete stepping stones that will add style and function to your yard. Get creative with it, and make your yard an oasis that’s custom crafted to your personal style preferences with the help of versatile concrete. Try these outdoor decorative concrete projects Chattanooga

3– Decorative Concrete Planters

Every plant enthusiast knows that concrete planters can be very pricey, but who’s to say you can’t DIY them? You absolutely can. Create your own DIY decorative concrete planters for your yard that vary in size, shape, and style. Create small accents or large pieces that serve as focal points for your favorite yard plants.

4– Concrete Fire Pit

Another great decorative concrete project is a custom fire pit. You’ll love the ambiance created within your outdoor space when you add a functional and attractive custom concrete fire pit to gather around with family and friends. Add value to your home, and extend the use of your yard or patio further into the year with an addition like this, and get creative with its custom concrete construction.

5– Decorative Concrete Furniture

Decorative concrete is a great option for outdoor furniture. It’s weather resistant, durable, and cost effective, plus you can get creative with custom pieces that suit your needs and personal style. Tables, chairs, benches, and more– you can create your own patio set with unique style and incredible function. Your guests will ask where you got it, and you can tell them you made it yourself! Find all the supplies and tools you need for your decorative concrete projects this spring season at Power Rental & Sales. We’ve got tools, equipment, stains, and more ready to make your DIY projects a success!

Benefits of Decorative Concrete Floors

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Decorative concrete floors can create a bold, modern look. Decorative concrete floors have become increasingly popular in recent years, and it isn’t hard to understand why. Completely customizable, decorative concrete floors offer a great alternative to other flooring materials such as linoleum, hardwood, stone, marble, carpet, or tile. The benefits are incredible, and the design possibilities are endless. If your home or business space has concrete subfloors, exposing them and applying a decorative treatment of your choice offers an option that is both economical and environmentally friendly.

Benefits of Decorative Concrete Floors

If you’re considering decorative concrete floor options for your space, there are a lot of advantages that come along with this flooring type.
  1. They can be tailored to suit nearly any budget.
  2. There are unlimited creative options for the aesthetic of the flooring.
  3. They are low maintenance.
  4. If properly cared for, they will last for decades.
  5. Concrete is moisture resistant when properly sealed.
  6. They reduce allergens in the home.
  7. They are pet friendly.
  8. They can be heated with a radiant system.
  9. They have low VOCs.
Get everything you need for your next decorative concrete flooring project from products to tools and equipment from Power Rental & Sales! Decorative concrete floors are notoriously low maintenance.

Other Factors to Note

Though there are many benefits that come along with concrete flooring choices, there are some other things to be aware of such as the fact that concrete flooring does require resealing occasionally to keep it in good condition. It can also come off as cold in some rooms or circumstances, needing area rugs for warmth and coziness. Decorative concrete flooring can also become slippery when wet–more so than other flooring types– so it’s important to be careful about slipping.

Decorative Concrete Floor Maintenance

Decorative concrete floors do require some upkeep, particularly when used in areas that get heavy foot traffic or wear and tear– like in commercial or retail settings in particular. Of course as mentioned, there are a lot of options for finishing your concrete floor, and the style of flooring will dictate the type of care required. Generally speaking, concrete floors should be swept regularly to free them of dust and debris. Exterior surfaces should also be scrubbed or pressure washed about once per year, using a mild detergent. If you notice your decorative concrete floors are starting to lose their shine, a reapplication of sealer should restore the sheen. Some concrete flooring can also benefit from waxes and polishes to act as a buffer between their surfaces and generally wear and tear. If you have any questions about proper maintenance for your specific decorative concrete flooring, talk with our team at Power Rental & Sales, and our staff can help address your concerns. Decorative concrete floors offer endless options for design and aesthetic.

Popular Finishing Options for Concrete Floors

As discussed, part of the beauty of decorative concrete floors is the limitless design options that come along with them. Some popular finishing options include:
  • Acid stain for a bold look and a mottled, variegated finish
  • Water-based stain offers a subtle palette of colors in a full spectrum.
  • Fast stain is a fast-drying, eco-friendly option that offers a flecked and highly variegated finish.
  • Acrylic sealer provides a thin, protective film on the surface of the flooring for uniform color and a matte finish.
  • Standard epoxy is great for highly-trafficked areas indoors if you want a high-shine, glossy look.
  • Metallic epoxy, much like the standard epoxy option, but with a brilliant metallic effect and unique coloring.
  • Terrazzo or granite epoxy is a good option if you want a textured finish, and it’s available in a range of pattern options.
Our team at Power Rental & Sales is here to help you get all the supplies you need to complete your concrete projects successfully and beautifully.

Benefits of Decorative Stamped Concrete

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Decorative stamped concrete patio Many contractors and homeowners are taking note of the benefits of decorative stamped concrete for homes and businesses, and it isn’t difficult to see why that is. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, this option comes with a whole host of other advantages that have contributed to its increasing popularity in recent years.

Benefits of Stamped Concrete

  1. Stamped concrete patterns can add a unique look to building projects
  2. Available in an endless variety of custom pattern and color combinations so you can make the look completely yours
  3. Beautifully finished surfaces add instant curb appeal to properties
  4. Durability and longevity of products add value
  5. Versatile enough to be used for anything from patios to driveways and sidewalks and more
  6. Low maintenance
  7. Extremely cost effective allowing you to achieve looks that would otherwise be incredibly expensive
  8. Adds resale value to your home or building
  9. Can perfectly compliment architecture
  10. Makes an impression, and serves as a conversation piece

How It’s Done

So we know that decorative stamped concrete is equal parts functional and customizable to fit nearly any design aesthetic, but how exactly do you achieve these amazing stamped concrete looks? Essentially, concrete is poured as usual, then different tools are used to stamp patterns, textures, and designs into the wet concrete before it hardens and dries. Concrete can be made to mimic the look of basically any other material on the market with incredible results. Choose from tile, pavers, cobblestone, brick, and even wood-like finishes for your stamped concrete project. You can achieve the look you want while still reaping the additional benefits that come along with using concrete– customizable, affordable, frost resistant, and even weed deterrent, stamped concrete is often a superior choice for home and construction projects. Stamped concrete is extremely durable and low maintenance

Easy Installation, Easy Care

Stamped concrete is also less susceptible to wear and tear, which means it’s very easy for homeowners to maintain. Because concrete is so durable, you will not have to worry about frequent upkeep or repaving when it comes to your pool decks, driveways, sidewalks, and more. Ease of installation is another benefit, and when installed properly, stamped concrete can last as long as 25 years, so you really get your money’s worth with these projects.

Decorative Concrete Supplies

Get all your stamped concrete and decorative concrete products, tools, and prepping and finishing equipment through Power Rental & Sales. We have everything you need from concrete stains to trowels and stamps so you can make concrete beautiful. Contact our team with any questions or to order supplies for your next decorative concrete project in Chattanooga, Nashville, or Huntsville!

How to Use a Walk-Behind Trowel

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How to Use a Walk-Behind Trowel In the world of concrete projects, walk behind power trowels are very common pieces of equipment used in the finishing process. Trowels come in a variety of different sizes, and even ride-on power trowels are available. If you’re unfamiliar with how to use a walk-behind trowel, this run down should help you get acquainted with the particulars of safe operation for your concrete projects to come.

Getting To Know the Equipment

Most walk behind trowels are gas powered, and as such there are some important things to remember before you start them up. Make sure the machine has a sufficient amount of engine oil, and check the gearbox oil as well. Some trowels have gearboxes with view areas that make this a simple check. You’ll also want to ensure your spider arms are greased properly before every use. Staying on top of these simple maintenance items will help keep your power trowel in great working condition.

Starting the Power Trowel

Start the engine, remembering to use the choke if the engine is cold. Most power trowels will start without any throttle use, and will idle without spinning blades. After starting the engine, it’s time to get the blades going too. To achieve this, you increase the speed by adjusting the throttle control on the handle. The blades should start to spin on the floor, and you can adjust their speed with throttle control.

Walk-Behind Trowel Operation

Once the engine is on and the blades are spinning, you’ll be able to get a feel for how the trowel steers. Move the unit to the right by applying a little pressure on the handle. Conversely, lift the handle to move the unit to the left. These are the basics of trowel steering. The more you operate it, the better feel you’ll get for the amount of pressure required to change directions and steer the unit effectively. One thing to consider is that the trowel will handle differently depending on the type of surface it’s on. When on dry concrete, there is much less resistance than on wet concrete, so the experience of steering will differ greatly. This is definitely a learn by experience kind of task, and the more practice you have with the walk-behind trowel, the more effectively you’ll be able to control it. Best of luck with all your concrete projects, and contact our team at Power Rental & Sales with questions or product needs!

Polished Concrete Flooring

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Polished concrete flooring can help create a beautifully contemporary space. Put away the floor wax, cause with polished concrete flooring material you’ll never have to wax your floors again. This flooring type comes in an almost limitless slew of design options with many other benefits as well. With the right knowledge and equipment, you can transform your flooring with polished concrete options that will both elevate and simplify your space.

Benefits of Polished Concrete

  1. Superior durability and performance
  2. Smooth, high-shine finish
  3. Cost effective
  4. Easy to maintain
  5. Not as vulnerable to damage as other flooring types
  6. Easy to clean
  7. Available in a wide variety of designs and colors

Cost of Polished Concrete Flooring

Polished concrete flooring is a cost-effective option, though cost will vary depending on factors like your design choices as well as the state of your current flooring. That said you can expect to pay anywhere from $3 to $12 per square foot. Sometimes pricing for residential projects can be slightly higher because of the need for smaller equipment suitable for tighter spaces.

Maintenance

The beautiful shine of polished concrete floors does require a bit of upkeep, but fortunately less maintenance than a lot of alternative flooring types. Polished concrete is extremely durable throughout its life. Routine maintenance consists of simply keeping the flooring free from dust and debris which can potentially degrade the surface over time. Dust and damp mopping is all you need to keep your polished concrete floors looking their best for years to come.

Dress It Up

You can also enhance the look of your polished concrete flooring with the use of concrete dyes. This type of flooring dye comes in a broad range of colors, more so than acid stains, and unlike those stains, these dyes are not chemically reactive with concrete materials– which means the results yielded are more predictable in appearance. Polished concrete flooring looks great and functions well in residential and commercial applications.

Applications for Polished Concrete

Polished concrete floors are great for both commercial and residential applications. Some spaces this flooring type works particularly well in include:
  • Automobile showrooms
  • Hotels and restaurants
  • Retail stores
  • Office buildings
  • Large warehouses
  • Warehouse outlet buildings
  • And private residences
If you are considering a polished concrete flooring project, get in touch with our expert team at Power Rental & Sales. We have all the supplies, dyes, tools, and equipment you could need to get your project up and running. Visit one of our locations in Chattanooga, Nashville, or Huntsville today. We can also ship! Cheers to your next decorative concrete project.