Seal Garage Floor or Not? – Pros and Cons of Concrete Sealing

There is probably no other floor as hardworking as garage floors are. It carries the weight of the vehicle and all other stored items in the garage. It is exposed to spilled oil, chemicals, and grease. It acquires holes, cracks, and dents upon contact with falling tools. All these are just some of the reasons why professional concrete contractors recommend concrete sealing the garage floor. Here is a brief look at the pros and cons of concrete sealers.

Pros of Concrete Sealing

• Sealers help a concrete garage floor repel moisture. Concrete is a very porous material. A layer of sealer seals the pores, keeping it from absorbing any moisture on it.
• A layer or two of sealer will help extend the lifespan of a garage floor. It serves as a protective layer that keeps damaging elements at bay.
• Sealing the garage floor helps enhance its aesthetics. Epoxy flooring, for example, dries to a really high gloss, making the floor look polished and shiny.
• If you have a colored concrete garage flooring, sealers can help keep the color from fading, flaking, or peeling off.
• Sealers keep any type of liquid from staining the garage floor. Remember how easy it was for grease and oil to leave ugly stain marks on the floor? With a layer of sealer, the grease and oil stay on the surface, making it easy to wipe away completely.

Cons of Concrete Sealing

• Sealer application is an additional expense for the homeowner. The wider the floor area, the more sealer is needed, the more expensive it will be.
• Some concrete sealers dry glossy, making the surface less slip-resistant. However, fine aggregate can be added to add some kind of non-skid texture when it dries.
• Sealers will dull and fade after a few years. Faster if the garage floor experiences heavy vehicle and foot traffic. It would need to be reapplied every couple of years or so.
• Sealing products can not be used on newly poured concrete. Homeowners would have to wait 28 to 30 days when the concrete has completely cured. Applying the sealer too early will be detrimental to the durability of the new concrete slab.
• Most sealers are made of chemicals that can be dangerous to both humans and the environment. Environment-friendly versions are being developed nowadays but it costs more than traditional sealing products.

Read More Here: Seal Garage Floor or Not? – Pros and Cons of Concrete Sealing

Garage Floors Philadelphia, PA | (717) 245-2829

Watch on YouTube here: Garage Floors Philadelphia, PA | (717) 245-2829
Via https://www.youtube.com/user/SundekofPA

Creative & Smart Garage Organization Ideas

When people organize the house, more often than not, all unwanted stuff go to the garage. It becomes some sort of storage room with all the stuff propped up against the wall, sitting on the garage floors, or shoved into cabinets ready to burst open. This is one reason why the garage is often messy and disorganized. The solution to a cleaner and more organized garage is not to move stored stuff to another room. There are smart and creative ways to make it beautiful, spacious, and functional.

Creative Pegboards

A pegboard is one of the most versatile materials around. You often see them in department store displays. While it is not a new option for garages, it can be made more creative and fun. Instead of leaving it white or brown, why not paint over it in a color that matches the rest of the garage? It would look more connected and more stunning this way. You might also want to use pegboards on cabinet doors to double the storage option of cabinets.

Improved Garage Flooring

No matter how spic and span the garage is, it would still look messy if the garage floor is dirty, stained, and damaged. Transforming it into an epoxy flooring can help make it easier to the eyes for a longer time. The great thing about the epoxy coating is that it is a lot easier to clean and maintain, thus, making it easier for you to organize the entire garage. Epoxy is also an effect concrete sealing material that covers up minor damage on a concrete garage floor.

Adding Caster Wheels

Caster wheels, like those found under swivel chairs, make anything portable. If you work in the garage a lot and need more than one item at a time, putting all those stuff in a bin with caster wheels make it easier to move it around. This way, you won’t have to walk back and forth getting and returning every single item you use. Make sure to apply concrete sealers on your garage floor to keep it from acquiring wheel marks.

Handy Mason Jars

If you have leftover paint, don’t leave them in their original cans. Not only will this take up space, the cans will also be a lot more difficult to open when you need it. Instead, transfer leftover paint in clear glass mason jars. It saves space and makes it easier for you to find the right paint color you need. Mason jars are also great for storing small items like nails, hooks, and the like.

Read Full Article Here: Creative & Smart Garage Organization Ideas

Concrete Driveway Philadelphia, PA | (717) 245-2829

Watch on YouTube here: Concrete Driveway Philadelphia, PA | (717) 245-2829
Via https://www.youtube.com/user/SundekofPA

Popular Stamped Concrete Patterns for a Driveway

Planning a driveway renovation should not be taken lightly. It is a major element in enhancing curb appeal. Because it often involves a wide area, a concrete driveway is the most practical option. But who says you have to endure a boring concrete surface just to keep costs at bay? Decorative stamped concrete overlay is the best option if you are after aesthetics and affordability. Plus, it’s such a bonus that it is durable and easy to maintain as well. Here are some of the most popular patterns for concrete stamping an overlay on a driveway:

Cobblestone

Originally used in the European part of the globe, cobblestone roads consisted of smooth rocks placed together like pavers. The pattern it creates is interesting and impressive to look at. It also provides enough traction to make it an ideal design for dirt roads. It is one of the most popular driveway resurfacing patterns for these reasons. It looks good on any driveway, regardless of the theme and concept of its architectural design.

Brick

Nothing is as timeless as brick itself. It can be used on walls and pavements. On a concrete overlay, a stamped brick pattern come in several variations. You can choose for a simple running brick pattern or a herringbone pattern for a more interesting and decorative look. There is also the option of a basketweave or a fan pattern. The possibilities are endless.

Ashlar

The great thing about an ashlar pattern is that it can be designed to look like a traditional paving material or a modern geometric surface. Incorporating an ashlar pattern with natural stone is great for homes with a more classical or traditional aesthetic. If your home is more on the contemporary side, you might want to incorporate ashlar with shades of gray, black, and white and with a smoother surface like that of bricks.

Slate

Slate can be used with a wide range of stamped patterns, such as ashlar and tile. You may also stamp a fractured slate pattern seamlessly or just some minimal scoring or engraving. One popular use for a slate pattern is to use it on the whole driveway and then choose another pattern, like a brick pattern, to line the edges or to break the monotony for every few meters or so. This can be made more customized and a lot more realistic with manual concrete staining.

Originally Published Here: Popular Stamped Concrete Patterns for a Driveway

Stamped Concrete Patterns for Patio Makeover

The patio is an important area of a house. It is an outdoor living space where people can hang out, relax, and entertain guests. It is important to keep the concrete surface in good condition so as to enhance the enjoyment and comfort of those using it. This is what decorative concrete resurfacing is for. One of the most popular patio makeover solutions is the use of a stamped concrete overlay. It is aesthetic, durable, and economical. What’s not to like? Here are some of the most popular patterns that stamped concrete contractors offer:

Ashlar

This features the pattern of finely cut masonry. It shows a pattern of individual stones with edges cut to a straight line. The stones are in random sizes but all with hard, finely cut edges. This pattern can be stamped on plain concrete and then sealed. But some prefer the pattern to be incorporated with a stained concrete overlay, with each stone having different hues or different shades of one color.

Fractured Slate

This pattern aims to mimic the look of a dense, fine-grained metamorphic rock. Slate, when broken or fractured, retains its natural stone look because it maintains its almost flat surface. Expansion joints or score lines can be added to the overlay with this pattern. It can be left gray or stained with a bluish purple or bluish green color to replicate the stone more accurately.

 

Cobblestone

Cobblestone is a naturally rounded rock used on roads in the olden times. Each stone is larger than a pebble but not as big as a boulder. These stones are laid out on streets and then sealed in place with mortar. This pattern looks good on patios, adding a bit of classic paving beauty to it.

 

Flagstone

Flagstone, or flat stone, is known for its thin slab-like appearance, It is naturally flat so there isn’t much need to trim it down to a walkable surface. These are cut randomly and looks better with irregular shapes. The stamped flagstone pattern makes the patio look natural without the expensive cost that comes with real stone. This is often stained to achieve a more realistic aesthetic.

Brick

Probably the most common paving material used on patios, brick is also available for a stamped overlay surface. These are easier to do since the pattern is quite equal and uniform all throughout. This pattern can also be used as a border or frame around the patio area.

 

Learn More Here: Stamped Concrete Patterns for Patio Makeover

Decorative Concrete Philadelphia, PA (717) 245-2829

Watch on YouTube here: Decorative Concrete Philadelphia, PA (717) 245-2829
Via https://www.youtube.com/user/SundekofPA