DIY printed concrete. How to make decorative concrete yourself using flex technology Printed concrete forms

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Recently, there has been an interest in decorative concrete coating, which is actively used in landscape design. It will be useful for the reader to know that you can make decorative concrete with your own hands. Having mastered the flex-technology of creating concrete, you can amazingly transform your suburban real estate. The advantages of decorative concrete, which every modern person notes for himself, are: an individual approach to the territory, quality, durability, the ability to choose a non-standard type of coating. The decorative composition can imitate wood, stone, marble, granite and other natural surfaces.

DIY decorative concrete technology

It is known that in order to obtain high-quality concrete, it is necessary to apply cement of a certain class (M 400, M 500)... To significantly improve the quality of the coating, modern material is often used - fiberglass.

Two ways to obtain decorative concrete

• vibration casting to obtain a textured surface;
• vibrocompression with fine aggregate to obtain slab elements.

Coloring concrete

To obtain a colored decorative product, it is necessary to use colors. This operation has its own nuances. So, to obtain a bright color, white Portland cement should be preferred. The color of the used quartz sand (dark, light tone) also matters. In order to clearly express the structural composition of the future decorative coating, fragments of ceramics, glass, granite chips, basalt, anthracite, etc. are added to it. To express the textured surface, compositions that slow down the hardening of concrete are used. For a vivid development of the pattern, surface treatment with hydrochloric acid can be used.

The formation of a decorative coating begins at the final stage of surface finishing. It was at this time that coloring pigments and other special formulations.

The application of a surface decorative layer can be done in various ways:

• spraying;
• staining with a stencil;
• stamping.

Before starting the spraying process, stir the concrete surface vertically. A spray gun and pigment are required to apply a special paint layer. To get a deeper color of the surface, staining is carried out in several layers. Using this method, when the paint enters into a chemical reaction with concrete, you can imitate the look of natural stone, brick, etc.

Due to the use of stencils and dyes, there is a possibility getting a specific image... In retail outlets, you can purchase reusable stencils of various shapes. If you could not get the necessary drawing, you can make a stencil for concrete yourself. The material for this can be varied - plywood, plastic and even cardboard. The final step is the application of the fixing impregnation layer.

Stamped (printed) concrete

The most popular way to obtain decorative concrete is stamping... The final version is often referred to as printed concrete. Seals or stamps are made from silicone, rubber or polyurethane. According to the technology, the stamps are pressed into the still plastic surface of the concrete, and removed after it has solidified. Before using the stamps, the concrete is treated with a coloring pigment, a moisture-resistant additive and a fixer, and after removing the stamps, fixing compounds are applied to the embossed surfaces. Seals are used on horizontal and vertical surfaces.

Manufacturers often keep the composition of this or that stamped mixture a secret.

How concrete garden paths are created

High quality decorative art concrete contains white sand, high grade cement and a significant number of plasticizers.

In order to start the independent production of art-concrete, you need to take care of the room... The industrial area must have an area of ​​at least 50 m2. For optimal drying of concrete, the room needs ventilation and heating in winter. To engage in the production of printed concrete, for example, for paving garden paths, it is necessary to purchase a concrete mixer, a stamp and a vibrating table. Raw materials: cement grade M. 400, plasticizers, sand, pigments.

Outdoors, when paving garden paths, it is necessary to act at a temperature not lower than + 5C.

Before embarking on large-scale changes to the site, you should prepare a project. A new garden path, an area in front of a garage or a recreation area must be prepared for concreting.

The process of creating pressed concrete for a garden path

1. Armed with stakes and a construction cord, make markings and determine the boundaries of the future decorative concrete coating.

2. Start to remove the soil layer, 20 cm deep. On the border around the perimeter, formwork is installed (board or specially knitted boards).

3. Organize a drainage layer of sand and crushed stone of the middle fraction.

4. Laying of a waterproofing layer made of polyethylene.

5. Additionally, you can use polypropylene fiber to create a reinforcing layer, where material is required for 1m2 600 gr.

6. The concrete mixture is poured onto the prepared place from the concrete mixer and rammed using the vibrating screed device. To remove excess air, the surface is rolled with a construction roller, and then smoothed. The decorative appearance of concrete is achieved in this case by introducing coloring pigments or large fractions of granite, marble, etc. into the working mixture.

Approximate mix composition of decorative printed concrete on a vertical surface

What is needed to create DIY printed concrete:

Working vertical surface should be prepared... To do this, remove the old finish, close up cracks, blow off dust and primer. A primer is required for a special purpose (for concrete), which does not form a sticky film on the working surface.

Further, one should proceed from the thickness of the decorative framing layer. If it is planned to be more than 3-5 cm, then there is a need to organize a reinforcing mesh. Such a plaster network will not allow the decor to crack or crumble.

Important when making a mixture yourself use a special composition of putty, white cement with a plasticizer or tile adhesive. If there is no plasticizer in the composition, you can add it yourself. It is not recommended for beginners to add PVA without previous positive experience, because inaccurate dosage may affect the final result.

With a spatula, a concrete layer is applied to the working surface with a thickness of 1 cm to 5 cm and then an embossing form is applied. A wooden strip is used to level the surface. It will take 60-70 minutes for embossing.

Determine when to take off the form you can by the touch of your fingers on the concrete... If no glue remains on the fingers, the mold can be removed. To prevent the print from sticking to the decorative layer, it should be processed from the inside with a special. separator or soapy water. When the specified time has passed, the mold is pressed into the cement, tapped a little with a rubber hammer and removed. To make special depressions and create a relief, clear edges, special tools are used during the first days after mixing decorative cement.

Next, they start painting the surface. For this, colored pigments are mixed with an impregnation fixer. Then the dye mixture is applied with a paint brush or spray. There are technologies according to which pigments are added directly to concrete, only their content should not exceed 5% of the total composition of the mixture. Flex technology implies the creation of various surfaces. For example, it looks like a natural stone, where special compounds are often used to create artificial aging.

DIY decorative block

You can create a print with your own hands using silicone sealant and wooden box... The height of the sides of the box must be at least 12 cm, and the presence of acetic acid is required at the base of the sealant. After that, the box is generously filled with sealant, carefully straightened with a brush dipped in water. Lay the tiles face down on a layer of sealant and wait until the material hardens.

In order for the tile to move away from the sealant layer without problems after hardening, it is recommended to lubricate it with grease. Instead of finished tiles, you can use natural stones of a suitable size directly. The stones are pressed into the silicone according to the planned pattern. When the seal or stamp for future decorative concrete slabs is ready, you can start paving garden paths and cladding the walls of buildings.

In order to get a decorative concrete block, you can proceed as follows:

1. prepare one tile with imitation of natural stone;
2. 3 parts of quartz sand;
3. 1 part white cement;
4. 2 parts of granite chips;
5. take a plasticizer (no more than 5% of the total mass).

The consistency of the ready-mixed concrete should be such that it slowly slides off the trowel. To speed up the workflow, it is recommended to make several molds for the printed concrete.

Artistic concrete

Very popular artistic concrete due to the simultaneous execution of an architectural and aesthetic function.

The composition of a colored mixture with a decorative function can pursue several goals simultaneously: constructively - geometric, artistic-sculptural, and stamped-artistic. The plasticity of the mass makes it possible to simulate various natural surfaces (use of stamps and seals).

Pressed concrete is obtained by the principle of the press, which can also be modified by adding plasticizers and mineral additives.

Any decorative cement, after hardening, needs a protective fixing layer, which will protect the product in the future from abrasion, mechanical damage, ultraviolet rays, natural precipitation, etc.

By changing the composition of the mixture of decorative concrete or technology, one obtains:

Building material manufacturers have gone further and created new products that can be safely used for decorative purposes. Such a product is composite boards, which successfully imitate decorative concrete externally. A distinctive feature of such materials is light weight, a wide choice of colors and textures, but a lower degree of strength and a short service life.

Eco-friendly manor: Printed (stamped) concrete is not inferior in decorative qualities to paving slabs, and surpasses it in durability. It has a higher resistance to mechanical and climatic influences than conventional concrete. And most importantly, it is great for making garden paths and playgrounds with your own hands.

As an alternative to decorative paving slabs, you can purchase or make your own printed concrete. Printed concrete technology allows you to create a decorative garden path surface that mimics stone, wood flooring, paving stones or even animal skins.

Thus, printed concrete provides a unique opportunity to combine the flooring pattern with the overall architectural design of a building.

History of technology creation

Various concretes developed for decorative purposes appeared in the United States in the middle of the last century. Initially, this development was intended for the design and arrangement of the runways of military airfields. But printed concrete has proven to be a very reliable and durable coating.

He quickly gained popularity with urban planning companies, and then - with private customers. Printed concrete technology has transformed the look of cities and small towns, reconciling the architectural styles of past centuries with modern office centers and shopping pavilions.

Pros of using

The advantages of stamped concrete are represented by the following qualities:

• gradual spread of decorative concrete;
• absolute environmental friendliness of the process. The technology for the production of printed concrete does not provide for the use of harmful and toxic substances, and even during long-term operation, the coating of decorative concrete is absolutely safe for humans and the environment;
• the surface of the coating, made of stamped concrete, is resistant to aggressive media and can be easily cleaned with improvised means;
• decorative concrete coating is able to maintain its qualities in the temperature range from -50 ° C to + 50 ° C, while maintaining the brightness of colors and the internal structure of concrete;
• in comparison with natural materials, stamped concrete has a low cost price and a longer service life;
• the main stages of production and installation are quite simple and do not require special skills and knowledge.

Stages of making decorative coating

If you want to create a colorful and high-quality coating in your yard, then decorative concrete is exactly what you need. But in order not to complicate your life, you should adhere to the established technology in the manufacture of decorative concrete and take into account the advice of specialists.

Site and formwork preparation

In order to make printed concrete, a warm, dry day is chosen. The air temperature should not be lower than + 5 ° C, the minimum humidity will facilitate quick drying of the workpieces. With the help of pegs and a rope, they enclose the area chosen for covering.

In the selected area, the top layer of soil is removed. If the coating is intended only for pedestrians, remove a layer of about 158 ​​cm.

For the site on which the movement of vehicles is envisaged, the soil is removed to a depth of 20 cm.

A mixture of crushed stone and sand is poured into the resulting formwork. The resulting pillow is carefully tamped. A plastic wrap is laid on top of the compacted pillow with an overlap of about 10 cm, and a reinforcing mesh is placed on top.

Kneading

For the production of printed concrete, Portland cement of the M400 or M500 brand with the addition of various plasticizers is best suited. For decorative coating, it is recommended to add polypropylene fiber to concrete.

0.6 kg of this additive is enough for one cube of concrete. Polypropylene fiber significantly increases the service life of ready-made concrete and prevents the formation of chips and cracks on its surface. To make decorative concrete with your own hands, you need the following components:

• three pieces of sand;
• three parts of crushed stone, fraction 5-20 mm;
• plasticizer C-3 - 0.5% on dry matter basis. It should be noted that the plasticizer is added to the mixture in the form of an aqueous solution;
• Portland cement M-400;
• polypropylene fiber 0.6 kg per 1 cubic meter

The mixture prepared in this way is laid out in the formwork, distributed and compacted. For the smoothness and evenness of the surface layer, a rule is used. You can also roll the surface of the hardening mixture with a roller, this will ensure that small particles of hardened printed concrete are brought to the surface, and large parts of the mixture are deposited.

Along the entire perimeter of the formwork, the surface is smoothed with a corner trowel.

Applying a decorative layer

Before applying the top decorative layer, the working surface is treated with a fixer. About 70% of the required amount of fixer is manually applied to the matt concrete surface and smoothed with an aluminum trowel. After that, scatter the rest of the fixer and smooth the surface with a steel trowel.

The next step is to apply the hardener. This component is a mixture of permanent pigments, filler and binder. Rub each layer of hardener into the surface until the outer layer of printed concrete is smooth and evenly colored.

Creation of a relief or simulation on a surface

If your task was to make the surface of stamped concrete embossed, imitating a stone, board or brick, after applying the hardener, the wet surface should be processed with special presses that will give the concrete the required shape.

This operation should be carried out with concrete that has not yet hardened, while its surface is easy to finger pressure.

Styling

The prepared matrices are placed on the concrete surface. The first row is usually laid along the outer edge of the formwork. To achieve perfectly straight lines, the matrices should be closely pressed together. For the final hardening of decorative concrete, it will take about two days. After that, the concrete surface is cleaned, the excess material is removed with stiff brushes with long bristles. The surface is washed and dried.

Applying an acrylic layer

For the final finishing of decorative concrete, a protective acrylic layer is applied to its surface. This measure of protection will reduce the harmful effects of the environment and significantly increase the life of the printed concrete.

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Making printed concrete with your own hands will require special attention, careful selection of components and strict adherence to technology. But such a coating will wonderfully decorate the interior of your house or summer cottage and will give the architectural ensemble of your home its own unique flavor. published

The modern technology of stamped decorative concrete allows to obtain a unique durable coating on such surfaces as: gypsum, plaster, OSB, brick, cement screed. This method consists in applying a special solution to the building structure, leveling it and applying a special shape that gives the desired texture. In order to obtain a high-quality and clear print, a plasticizer and other components are added to the concrete, at the end the surface is treated with hydrophobic or silicate impregnations. Without exception, the entire stamping process is easy to carry out by yourself, it is only important to comply with the requirements of the technology: prepare the base, evenly apply the hardener and separator, apply the molds tightly, rinse the concrete and cover it with a protective varnish. Matrices are reusable and are sold in a set to speed up work.

To create stamped or printed concrete, a mortar that is more flexible than usual is required. For this purpose, the colored hardener and the separating components, most often in the form of powders, are distributed over the maximally leveled surface. After a certain period of time, the consistency begins to resemble plasticine and does not stick to hands and forms. To create the necessary relief, ready-made stamps are used, the inner side of which imitates brickwork, natural stone, wood, floral patterns or aged surfaces. Many forms are made by pouring on natural materials, which allows you to get spectacular and most natural textures.

Stamped concrete technology is simple, but some steps have to be done very quickly. The process also requires accuracy and certain skills in working with building mixes, mistakes are difficult to eliminate, at the time of pressing, great attention is paid to the boundaries between the stamps being laid. It is important to choose the correct spacing for applying and removing the mold, it takes effort to get a clear print. It is advisable to use sealing tools and more expensive, but convenient stamps with grooves and handles (costing from 3,500 rubles for 1 piece, a set - from 7,000). The finished surface finally hardens only after a day, but it is better to eliminate embossing defects immediately after removing the adjacent forms.

The benefits include:

1. Durability and strength of the coating.
2. Resistance to ultraviolet light, pressure and temperature drops, external aggressive influences.
3. Unique texture, wide range of stamps and colors.
4. Affordable material cost, concrete is several times cheaper than tiles or decorative stone.
5. Environmental friendliness and ease of use.
6. Anti-slip properties.
7. Ease of installation, all work can be done independently.

Range

Two types of stamps are used for decorative concrete and plaster:

• Flexible polyurethane (silicone), allowing you to create textures of any complexity (down to the smallest details) and easily removable.
• Plastic, with high rigidity, for sidewalks or paving stones, strictly conveying the geometric shape.

All stamps have different degrees of rigidity and are not afraid of alkaline influences. The first variety has more advantages; with proper care, they serve for a long time and do not lose their original shape, do not need pretreatment or lubrication with oils. But the denser the stamp, the clearer the relief pattern turns out, with too soft it is more difficult to work. Good reviews have polyurethane matrices with a hardness of at least 80 units. Shore.

Description of technology

The process of creating stamped concrete with your own hands occurs in the following sequence:

1. Preparation of the base, reinforcement and pouring of the site.
2. Even distribution of the colored hardener.
3. Release agent application.
4. Concrete stamping.
5. Elimination of defects, cutting of shrinkage seams.
6. Flushing.
7. Application of the fixing composition.

Preparation of the concrete base

The site is marked with pegs and a cord, it is advisable to provide boundaries, taking into account the placement of stamps, including corner elements. Further, the process takes place in the usual sequence: soil selection, filling and tamping of crushed stone, laying the formwork, reinforcement (the mesh is raised 2-3 cm above the ground level), mixing and pouring the solution. For this type of construction work, concrete is required, with a strength of at least M350. The horizontal level must be checked, the maximum possible evenness and uniformity of the surface is achieved, the top layer is smoothed with a trowel.

1. The use of powder formulations.

The colored hardener is applied to fresh concrete in two layers, with an interval of 5-10 minutes. It is a powder mixture of tinting pigments, a binder modifier, ground particles of quartz, granite and pure river sand. This additive gives the concrete color, strength and density, it is distributed as uniformly as possible, in small portions, from a height of 1–1.2 m. The second layer is needed to achieve uniformity of coloring, after scattering the powder, the entire surface is leveled with a steel float.

The next step is to apply a release agent to prevent the stamps from sticking to the concrete. This substance (powder or special liquid formulations) also serves as an additional dye, significantly increasing the decorative effect of the coating. It is recommended not to scatter it by hand, but to apply it with a wide, long-handled brush (shake at the same level). At the end of this stage, the corners of the site are lightly sanded with sandpaper.

2. Stamping.

The process begins after the concrete has acquired the necessary plasticity, it should be 5–6 cm under the fingers, but not stick to the hands. When the correct consistency is reached, the stamp fully supports the weight of one person, but does not sink into the solution. The forms are stacked one by one; for the convenience of using the sets, they are often numbered. To work with vertical surfaces, the easiest way is to order and buy a polyurethane stamp with medium hardness; to prevent concrete from flowing down on the wall, shallow horizontal dashes are made with a spatula. Unlike hard plastic dies, silicone dies are not lubricated with any oils. For a better compaction, a vibrating screed is applied or passed over them from above. After stamping, the surface is left at rest for a day until complete hardening.

3. Final processing.

First of all, the quality of the joints is checked, in case of displacement, the defects are smoothed out with a roller or, conversely, are eliminated with a spatula. To prevent the formation of cracks, shrinkage seams are provided (a cutter or grinder is used). Next, the hardened surface is washed: first with clean water, then with a solution of hydrochloric acid (to create streaks). At this stage, the pores of the stamped concrete are opened and prepared for treatment with a sealant. After a day, a varnish or silicate impregnation with hydrophobic properties is applied to the surface, it enhances saturation and shine, simplifies concrete maintenance and additionally protects it from aggressive influences and cracks. For high-quality protection, at least 2 layers of sealant are required; it is allowed to start operation only after it has completely dried.

The cost

Form type	Number of stamps in the set, pcs	Shore hardness, units	Coverage area, m2	Price for 1 piece, rubles	Set cost, ruble
Chalet. Imitation of wild stone, for interior and exterior walls	3	80	0,33	4 800	12 000
Mini-stamps Breeze, crumpled paper / foil texture	2	60	0,11	2 800	4 800
Italian stone	1		0,2	7 000
Classic slate. The kit is equipped with insert handles	2	80	0,36	6 900	12 000
Old granite. Large format flexible die for plaster and concrete	1		1,5	18 000
Wall form, imitation brick		85	0,203	3 500
Compass, round decorative insert with a diameter of 1.2 m			1,23	14 000

Comments:

Decorative concrete is widely used in modern construction, with its help they decorate the facades of buildings, fill floors in industrial and residential premises, make garden paths and playgrounds.

Decorative concrete is produced using colored cements and special aggregates.

Concrete decor is used to imitate natural stone, brickwork, animal skins, etc. The manufacturing technology is quite simple, but it requires experience in working with concrete and certain knowledge.

DIY printed concrete on a vertical surface

You will need:

• cement based glue or putty;
• polyurethane stamping mold;
• aluminum trowel;
• putty knife;
• dry pigments;
• spray;
• impregnation fixer;
• concrete primer.

After cleaning the walls from the old finish, the surface must be primed.

DIY decorative concrete is not as difficult a task as it might seem at first glance. The first step is to prepare the surface: completely remove the old finish, putty potholes and cracks, clean it of dirt and dust, be sure to remove grease stains. After that, the wall is primed with a special primer for concrete, which does not form a sticky film on the surface. If the future concrete layer is 3-5 cm, then it is advisable to attach a plaster mesh to the wall - this will improve the adhesion of materials and prevent their possible shedding or cracking. If the stamping is to be carried out on a 1-2 cm layer of concrete, then additional reinforcement can be dispensed with.

Decorative printed concrete is made from white cement-based tile adhesive or putty, which must contain a plasticizer. Experts do not recommend making your own cement mortar for vertical stamping, since non-observance of the proportions can lead to its cracking and shedding.

If there is no plasticizer in the glue or putty, then you can add it yourself, observing the instructions on the package. Some craftsmen use PVA glue instead of a plasticizer, but this must be done competently, so it is better for beginners not to risk it.

The concrete layer must be applied to the wall with a trowel.

The concrete mortar is applied with a spatula to the wall, the layer thickness can vary from 1 to 5 cm (depending on the chosen form for embossing). The surface is leveled with a flat wooden lath, left for 50-70 minutes.

Embossing begins when, when the fingers are touched, there will be no glue mark on them. To prevent the form from sticking, it is moistened with soapy water or a special separator. The mold is pressed against the cement, tapped with a mallet or other suitable tool, held for a while, then carefully pulled out. In this way, the entire wall is decorated.

In order to paint a concrete stone, it is necessary to mix dry pigments with a carrier impregnation. The dye is applied to the wall using a spray bottle or paint brush.

Some masters add pigments directly to the concrete solution, but in this case it should be remembered that their amount should not exceed 5% of the total mass. You can paint a decorative stone with special acid dyes, it all depends on your imagination and wishes.

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DIY decorative blocks

You will need:

• silicone sealant;
• wooden box;
• purchased tiles for a stone - 1 pc .;
• white cement - 1 part;
• quartz sand - 3 parts;
• marble or granite chips - 2 parts;
• plasticizer - 0.5%.

You can make decorative concrete blocks with your own hands. The first step is to make the shape. For this purpose, you will need a box made of wooden boards (at least 12 cm high), as well as a silicone sealant based on acetic acid. The box is filled with silicone sealant (thick layer), so that there are no voids, the mass is pressed with a flat brush dipped in water. Store tiles imitating a stone (face down) are laid on the sealant, left until the material has completely solidified.

In order for the tile not to stick to the sealant, it is pre-lubricated with grease.

If you were unable to purchase a ready-made sample, then you can proceed as follows: fill the box with silicone, put natural stones on top at a short distance from each other, leave until the silicone completely hardens, and then remove the stones. The form is ready, you can make blocks for walls and garden paths.

Next, you need to make a concrete solution: white cement is mixed with sand and stone chips, water and a plasticizer are added. The solution should not be too liquid; it should slide off the instrument slowly. Part of the concrete is poured into a silicone mold, a reinforcing mesh is laid, after which the remaining solution is poured, and left until the material is completely dry. In order for the business to move faster, it is necessary to make several silicone molds. The finished blocks can be used for facades, floors and garden paths.

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Decorative concrete garden paths

You will need:

• cement grade M 300-500;
• quartz sand;
• crushed stone;
• plasticizer;
• roller;
• vibrating screed;
• polyethylene film;
• ramming tool;
• reinforcing fiber;
• trowels;
• stamping form;
• colored fixer;
• disconnector;
• protective impregnation.

Decorative printed concrete can be used to create a beautiful garden path. The first step is to mark the future alley; for this purpose, use a rope and pegs. After that, a layer of turf 15-20 cm is removed, all weeds are carefully uprooted, formwork is installed around the entire perimeter, then the ground is tamped. A layer of sand and crushed stone is poured, tamped again, the surface is covered with plastic wrap, at the joints the canvas is overlapped.

To make a concrete solution, take 1 part of cement, mix with 3 parts of sand and gravel, add water (about 2 parts) and a plasticizer (0.5%). It is advisable to add reinforcing fiber to the solution at the rate of 0.5 kg per 1 m³. Stir the solution until smooth, leave for about 5 minutes, then mix again. The ready-made concrete is poured into the formwork, distributed over the entire surface using a vibrating screed, then it is passed over it with a roller. After such manipulation, sand and crushed stone are evenly distributed over the surface: a fine filler rises, a large one goes down.

After about 60-70 minutes, when the concrete has set, but still remains damp, distribute most of the colored fixer over the surface, smooth it with a simple and angled trowel, and then pour the rest of the dye. Before embossing begins, a special disconnector is applied over the fixer. Then they take a form for embossing, press it with force into the surface of the track, and then carefully remove it. Thus, embossing is done over the entire surface.

Decorative concrete was widely used in the second half of the 20th century. The first technology was mastered by American builders of military airfields, whose primary task was to achieve a durable, wear-resistant coating in a short time. High operational and decorative characteristics of the coating have made it popular in the domestic sphere: today, decorative concrete is used for interior and exterior decoration of private houses and summer cottages, landscape design. What you need to know in order to make a concrete decorative coating with your hands - read the article.

Printed (decorative) concrete is colored concrete, on which, even before the mortar hardens, a relief impression is applied, imitating the texture of natural wood, stone, brick, tiles, etc.

Due to its availability, strength and attractive appearance, pressed concrete has a wide range of applications. Today, concrete decorative surfaces are used for finishing floors and walls of both residential premises and adjacent territories (decor of areas near swimming pools, garden paths, finishing of gazebos), and industrial facilities, shopping and entertainment and exhibition complexes, indoor and outdoor areas of gas stations, airports, train stations, etc.

Decorative concrete is also irreplaceable for the restoration of antique surfaces, when it is impossible to find an identical material: with the help of special shapes and colors, you can quickly and easily obtain a product that imitates old masonry.

Stamped concrete: advantages

In addition to its wide range of applications and beautiful appearance, decorative concrete coating has many other advantages related to its performance.

So, the main advantages of stamped concrete include:

• The ability of the material to withstand high loads. Printed concrete for residential use is capable of withstanding a load of 400-500 kg per cubic meter.
• Resistance of the coating to moisture (corrosion), UV radiation.
• Resistance of concrete to sudden changes in temperature (up to indicators from -40 to +40 degrees Celsius).
• Frost resistance. The coating easily withstands over 300 seasons.
• The ability of the coating to tolerate, without changing the appearance, the effects of acid-base and oil products, fats.
• Durability. The service life of the concrete base is at least 25 years.

At the same time, decorative concrete has a rich color palette and a wide selection of textures (if necessary, a textured print in the form of plants, graphic images, complex patterns can be applied to the coating).

What are the stamps for concrete

The relief pattern is applied to concrete using special stamps. It is thanks to them that you can get a surface that imitates wood, masonry, paving stones. At the same time, the drawing can be anything.

Today, to obtain high-quality impressions on concrete, the following types of stamps are used:

1. Silicone (polyurethane) stamps are flexible stamps that can be used to obtain a texture of any complexity. Their advantages include a long service life. In addition, silicone dies do not need to be lubricated with oil: the formliner can be easily removed without any lubricant.
2. Plastic - rigid stamps, which are distinguished by the ability to clearly and accurately convey the geometric shape. Most often, they are used to imitate paving stones, brickwork. Hard stamps can be used both on the floor and on a vertical surface.

Separately, a stencil for concrete is distinguished - a form that represents a contour for pouring concrete. It is very simple to work with such a stencil: it is laid on the ground, then filled with a solution, waiting for solidification and removed, rearranging further. Thus, you can make a garden path, decorate a porch, a gazebo floor or a terrace.

You can buy ready-made molds in many hardware stores and on the Internet (for example, in the Damascus online store). In addition, products can be made from available materials yourself.

DIY decorative concrete

Stamped, decorative concrete, due to its high performance and attractive appearance, is an ideal solution for decorating the backyard of a private house, dacha. You can order the laying of paths using decorative concrete from specialized companies, or you can save money and make artistic concrete without professional help, with your own hands. To complete the work, you will need a solution, a stamp or a stencil, a tool (building level, fasteners for a stencil, a grater for decorative concrete).

The technology for creating relief prints includes the following stages:

1. Preparation of the base. In order to obtain a high-quality concrete coating, a layer of soil with a height of 100 mm is removed from the area for pouring. After that, the formwork of the desired shape is mounted and the earth is covered with rubble.
2. Pouring the mixture. Depending on the type of stamps, concrete is poured into a stencil or laid out on crushed stone. In order for the surface to come out even, use a building level.
3. Decorating. To obtain an attractive wood or stone look, concrete is coated with free-flowing dyes. To fix the result, use a colored hardener (to give the surface a rich color, plaster or "wet stone" effect, use a special varnish for stone and concrete, which can be ordered on the Damascus website).
4. Printing. If a stencil was not used to create the relief, then the pattern is applied to a flat concrete surface using stamps.
5. Cleaning the coating. The relief surface is washed after 2-3 days with a solution of hydrochloric acid.
6. Application of a protective UV and moisture resistant layer (most often acrylic fixer is used for this).

In this way, high quality, attractive stamped concrete can be obtained, which will last for several decades. The design of the coating depends on the landscape design of the site, the decoration of the house, and the personal taste preferences of the owner of the apartment.

A dry mix for the preparation of press concrete can be purchased at any building materials store (you can choose Flex Concrete material from budget options), or you can prepare it yourself.

How to make printed concrete: technology and formulation

Mix for decorative concrete production includes sand and crushed stone, Portland cement, plasticizer. An important ingredient is polypropylene fiber, which increases the lifespan of the embossed coating, prevents cracking and chipping. The ingredient is taken in an amount of 600 grams per cubic meter of solution.

For the manufacture of decorative printed concrete, it is better to choose Portland cement of the M400 and M500 / D20 brands, which are moisture and frost resistant, capable of withstanding loads of 400 and 500 kg per cubic meter.

The choice of plasticizer depends on the type of the future product. So, experts recommend choosing a superplasticizer for the production of paving slabs. For a garden path, a temperature-resistant, explosion-proof and fire-safe plasticizer C3 is suitable.

It is worth remembering that the plasticizer should be added to the concrete mixture in the form of an aqueous solution.

The composition prepared from such ingredients is placed in the formwork, spread using a decorative concrete trowel and compacted. The recipe for ready-made mixtures is indicated on the labels.

DIY decorative concrete (video)

Decorative concrete is an affordable way to create attractive and durable finishes on both horizontal and vertical surfaces. Modern production of molds and dies for decorative concrete makes it possible to obtain a detailed relief of any type and complexity. At the same time, the work can be done without outside help, and the stamps and the mixture can be made by yourself!