10/15/2013

Coloured Concrete

Metro Mix Concrete Visit: http://www.metromixconcrete.com.au

COLOURED CONCRETE
Concrete is the most durable, catchy and cost-effective material available in the market. It is the best flooring option that one could choose upon as it provides amazing transformation and worth the money paid for. The manufacturers are now offering an infinite number of colouring techniques and wide palette of shades for the customers to choose from. It is important to communicate with your contractor prior to the install of the concrete regarding the colour and design options that will suit your flooring and enhance its richness.

ASPECTS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING COLOURED CONCRETE FLOORING

Concrete Colour Charts Can Be Unreliable The concrete colour charts can be deceptive and need not specify the final outcomes exactly. Asking for a trial application for the concrete mix that you are going to use would be a wise choice as the colour of the concrete widely depends upon various factors like the condition of the concrete, its original colour, the usage of right polish and colouring equipments.

Concrete Colouring Generates Luxurious Richness Decide on what look you want to achieve for your floor with colouring and explain it clearly to your contractor to choose upon the best combination of colours for your design needs.
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Consistency Matters The cement type and its brand, aggregates, water-cement ratio has considerable impact on the consistency in every patch of your flooring project. Colour variations can be caused when unique batches of concrete vary and also during the operational timings like curing and staining methods.

Custom Hues Can Also Be Formulated If you cannot find the exact colour for your floor, ask the contractor for custom colour matching to suit your project or design scheme. And, the custom hues are achieved by mixing two or more colours.

HOW COLOURED CONCRETE CAN REJUVENATE DULL FLOORING

Select The Right Concrete Finishing Tool The look of your concrete floor can be updated by asking for colouring options from the contractor. The colour variations can be caused by various factors like Inconsistencies in the finishing practices Timing of operations Decoration Methods
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Unlimited Colour Options Once there were only limited colour choices, but now the manufacturers are offering unlimited colour choices to suit your homes interior and exterior.

Elegance Choose on the best colour options and you need not worry about the hassle of maintaining the floor, as this creative option will keep the floor away from rotting or cracking.

Make Your State ment With The Decorative Option Using the same colour or finish for the concrete as those of elements like the window, walls, porch lights, etc. will create a sophisticated look.

A Welcoming Entrance The decorative colouring options added to the entrance of a home adds value to it and complements the style.

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Consider Roof Colours The colour of your concrete if matches the paint colour on the wa ll or when it repeats the hues from the brick will produce a cohesive look.

COMMON CONCRETE PROBLEMS, CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS

The few common concrete problems are Scaling, Shrinkage, Discolouration and Crazing.

1. DISCOLOURATION The concrete should have the same colour after the pour, unless high quality colour pigment is added specifically. Improper placement or variations in the finishing operations, excessive or hard troweling may cause discolourations.

Ways to Prevent Discolouration The set time of concrete can be accelerated and the strength can be increased with Calcium chloride. Liquid chloride will not cause discolouration and the usage of Calcium chloride flakes can cause dark spots as they are difficult to dissolve. Constant subgrade should be maintained for placement, finishing and the cure of concrete.

2. SCALING The flaking or peeling of the finished concrete as a result of exposure to freezing and thawing is called as Scaling. Generally it starts within a small area and expands gradually.

Causes For Scaling The use of little air entrained concrete. The finishing operation performed when there is bleed water is on the surface. Weak surface skin is caused because of insufficient curing.

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Ways To Prevent It Delay the finishing operation until all standing water has evaporated or removed. Use low slump and air-entrained concrete, which is to be exposed to the freezing and thawing cycles. Protect the Concrete against harsh winter environments by the usage of silane or siloxane-based breathable concrete sealer or water-repellant to prevent the newly placed concrete from becoming saturated with water. Avoid the usage of salt or any other harsh chemicals once the concrete has finished especially during the first winter.

3. PLASTIC SHRINKAGE The cracks formed before the concrete is set (i.e., is still plastic) is called as Plastic shrinkage. The cracks form a random pattern or simply parallel to each other and will not be evident until the next day. The small and shallow cracks in the initial stages with subsequent movement will increase the size and seriously impair the performance of the concrete.

Causes For Plastic Shrinkage Bleeding is a process in which moisture rises to the surface during the placement of concrete. When the water dries, the surface is subjected to cracks, when the rate of evaporation is quicker than it is replaced by further bleeding.

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The rate of evaporation of bleed water is determined by several environmental factors like high temperatures, low humidity and high wind.

Ways To Prevent It Dampen the subgrade and forms Reduce the wind velocity by erecting wind breaks Minimize placing and finishing time Curing promptly after finishing

4. CRAZING The development of a network of fine random cracks or fissures on the surface of the concrete caused by the shrinkage of the surface layer is called as crazing.

Causes For Crazing The rapid moisture loss results in crazing. Usage of too much placing tools, dry cement or rapid drying of the concrete surface. Poor or inadequate curing. The frequent cause is sprinkling cement on the surface to dry up the bleed water.

Ways To Prevent It Usage of evaporation retardants or fog spray. Cure the concrete immediately. Use moderate slump concrete with reduced bleeding characteristics. Do not finish concrete before it has completed bleeding. Do not dust cement to absorb bleed water on the surface. Do not sprinkle water on the surface while finishing concrete.

The common ways to avoid these problems are to start out with the high quality mix, proper finishing of the concrete, treating the concrete right once it is placed.

For More Details Contact Us: http://www.metromixconcrete.com.au/

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