Blogs and Posts
Making your perfect project
1 – PREPARING YOUR BASE
These articles will lay out the general principles of how to lay imprinted concrete from start to finish. If you are an established fitter and looking to expand your knowledge, further blogs will be available focussing in more detail on each aspect of the process, sharing the tips and tricks that the experience we at Elite Crete have picked…
2 – PLACING OF CONCRETE
When the concrete is delivered don’t allow the concrete to be tipped away from the job, this would result in the concrete being moved twice, place the concrete direct onto the area to be laid, if this is not possible, chute it into wheelbarrows and move directly to the are to be laid. There should be at least one…
3 – TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Specialised tools have been developed not only to create the desired effect, but to help lay and screed the concrete within the time available. The main two specialist tools for patterning imprinting are: ROLLER BUG/ROLLER TAMPER In order for the surface of the concrete to be properly prepared, the aggregate and stone has to be below the surface, large…
4 – APPLYING THE COLOUR
Application of the colour is most commonly done via the broadcast method, where handfuls of t he colour hardener is thrown over the surface, keeping your hands low as if the colour is being rolled on. Other methods include using an applicator, similar to a colander and shaking over the surface, this can be difficult to get adequate coverage…
5 – READY FOR PRINTING
Once you have reached the stage where all the colour is trowelled in, time should be available, prior to printing, to clean off equipment and surrounding areas. In normal conditions and having used the correct equipment, you should have reached this stage before the concrete has set. It takes experience to handle large areas even with plenty help, beginners…
6 – STAMPING THE CONCRETE
When placing the imprinting mats the first few mats are crucial, not only for the correct alignment but also in withstanding your weight without distortion. From start to finish the imprinting stage should take no longer than 1 hour for 30 m2 i.e 3 m3 of concrete. In the summer the concrete laid can go from soft to a…
7 – WASHING DOWN
Prior to washing down crack control joints should be installed at this stage. These should be cut with a circular diamond-edged blade. Cuts should be at least a quarter of the thickness of the slab deep, and there should be one every 20m2 dependent on shape. During the summer washing down can usually be done after 24 hours, in…
8 – SEALING
When sealing the very best time to seal is when the concrete has fully cured and all the moisture has left naturally, this is typically 28 days. As you can imagine this guideline is rarely kept to, therefore if it must be sealed sooner at least 7 days should have passed since printing. This is because the type of…