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We at Elite Crete have decided to start writing a series of blogs to help the number people that are thinking of or have recently started an imprinted concrete business, established contractors looking to further their knowledge and skill-set, or those to try some DIY patterned concrete in their home. This is in the hope of raising the profile of decorative concrete in the UK, to the point that it currently is in the US, where architects and specifiers include decorative concrete in their plans much more often.
They will describe how we have developed our own strategy and techniques over a period of 15+ years of fitting imprinted concrete, and 20+ years of manufacturing the colour hardener and release agents. All things discussed in these blogs have the foundation of knowledge gathered from various sources in the UK and US, with the latter being widely recognised to be at the forefront of the new techniques and equipment related to the decorative concrete industry.
We will not only be covering all aspects of stamped concrete, but also many other area related to decorative concrete including, concrete counter tops, acid staining, vertical applications, concrete mouldings and more.
Archives
- November 25, 2017
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[...]Read More
- November 24, 2017
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[...]Read More
Recommended reading
1. Should you reseal exterior decorative concrete?
2. Prepping Your Finished Concrete Surface for a Sealer
3. Advantages of Water-based Acrylic Concrete Sealers
4. There is a Difference Between Sealing and Resealing Decorative Concrete
5. What Causes Hot-tire Pickup on Stamped Concrete?
6. Getting Started in Concrete Stamping
7. Debunking Common Decorative Concrete Myths
8. What's The Best Way to Strip Sealers from Stamped Concrete?
- November 23, 2017
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[...]Read More
- November 22, 2017
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[...]Read More
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Elite Crete UK Unit 6, Bredbury Court, Ashton Road, Bredbury
Stockport SK6 2QB
Email: sales@elitecrete.co.uk
Tel: 0161 494 7070