PROTECT AND ENHANCE STAMPED AND COLORED SURFACES WITH CCI-1000 CONCRETE & MASONRY SEALER
When it comes to preserving the beauty and longevity of decorative concrete, sealing is a crucial step that often gets overlooked. Whether you’re working with stamped patterns or coloured finishes, an effective sealer not only enhances the appearance but also extends the lifespan of your surface. One such high-performance product trusted by professionals across Canada is CCI-1000, a water-based concrete sealer from Concreation Canada Inc.
Why Sealing Concrete Surfaces is Essential?
Concrete, though durable, is still porous and prone to wear over time. Exposure to moisture, UV rays, chemicals, and freeze-thaw cycles can lead to discolouration, surface erosion, and even structural damage. That’s where a water-based concrete sealer like CCI-1000 comes in—it acts as a protective layer, shielding the surface from daily wear and tear while enriching its visual appeal.
Whether you’re dealing with coloured concrete, stamped concrete, or any decorative surface, sealing is the key to locking in the aesthetics and preventing costly repairs in the long run.
What Makes CCI-1000 Concrete & Masonry Sealers Stand Out?
CCI-1000 Sealer is specifically formulated to meet the unique needs of decorative concrete surfaces. It’s a premium water-based acrylic sealer that offers excellent film-forming properties while remaining breathable. This means it protects against moisture penetration without trapping it underneath—ideal for climates with fluctuating temperatures.
This product is especially recommended as a concrete sealer for stamped concrete, where preserving intricate patterns and textures is essential. CCI-1000 enhances the colour depth, enriches surface texture, and provides a natural, satin sheen that won’t yellow over time.
Ideal for Coloured and Stamped Concrete Surfaces
If you’re working with coloured concrete, maintaining the vibrancy of the pigment is critical. Over time, UV exposure can fade these finishes, leaving the surface dull and uneven. CCI-1000 is designed as a coloured concrete sealer, offering excellent UV resistance while amplifying the natural tones of the surface.
Similarly, in stamped concrete, where the beauty lies in its detailed textures and patterns, sealing plays a dual role—protection and enhancement. CCI-1000 ensures that the intricacy of your stamped design is not only preserved but visually elevated with a subtle, professional finish.
Safe, Durable, and Environmentally Friendly
Being water-based, CCI-1000 is low in VOCs, making it safer for applicators and more environmentally responsible. Unlike solvent-based sealers, it doesn’t produce harsh fumes, allowing for easier indoor and outdoor application. The result is a long-lasting protective coat that won’t peel or flake under normal wear.
It’s the perfect solution for residential patios, walkways, pool decks, and commercial surfaces alike—anywhere that decorative concrete needs long-term care and aesthetic preservation.
Discover More at Concreation Canada Inc.
As a trusted leader in decorative concrete solutions, Concreation Canada Inc provides innovative, tested, and industry-approved products. The CCI-1000 Concrete & Masonry Sealer reflects our commitment to quality, performance, and sustainability in every project.
For more details, visit: CCI-1000 Concrete & Masonry Sealer
Main Site: Concreation Canada Inc
Best Coloured Concrete Sealer Online at Best Price || Concreation Canada
Concrete surfaces deserve more than just durability—they deserve style, protection, and longevity. With the best coloured concrete sealer online at the best price, you can transform dull concrete into vibrant, weather-resistant masterpieces. At Concreation Canada, we bring you a wide range of professional-grade concrete sealers, ideal for driveways, patios, floors, and more.
What is a Coloured Concrete Sealer?
A coloured concrete sealer is a protective coating infused with pigment that not only seals but also enhances the look of concrete. It offers a dual benefit—color enrichment and surface protection. Whether you want to give your patio a rustic brown tone or your driveway a modern charcoal finish, coloured sealers offer both aesthetic and practical value. These sealers are commonly used for stamped concrete, exposed aggregate, and decorative overlays.
Why Choose a Coloured Concrete Sealer?
Using a coloured concrete sealer comes with several advantages:.
Customers across Canada love how our sealers have transformed their garage floors, commercial walkways, and pool decks—adding color, character, and protection all in one go.
How Concreation Canada Helps with Coloured Concrete Sealers
Concreation Canada is your trusted destination for buying the best coloured concrete sealer online at competitive prices. Here’s why professionals and homeowners alike choose us:
Explore our popular products like the Solvent-Based Acrylic Coloured Sealer and Water-Based Pigmented Sealer—designed to meet diverse residential and commercial needs.
FAQs
Can I apply a coloured concrete sealer myself?
Yes! With basic tools and proper surface prep, most of our sealers are DIY-friendly.
How long does the sealer last?
Depending on usage and exposure, our coloured sealers typically last 2–5 years before reapplication is needed.
Is the sealer safe for indoor use?
Absolutely. Our low-VOC and water-based options are ideal for indoor applications.
Do coloured sealers change the texture of the concrete?
They enhance color and finish but do not significantly alter the surface texture.
Where do you deliver in Canada?
We deliver nationwide across Canada, right to your doorstep.
Conclusion:
Whether you’re enhancing a backyard patio or sealing a commercial floor, Concreation Canada brings you the best coloured concrete sealer online at the best price. Our expert-approved range delivers beauty and protection in one simple solution.
Visit Concreation Canada today and discover the perfect coloured concrete sealer for your next project!
Enhance Your Concrete Projects with Concrete Colour Hardener: The Durable Solution by Concreation Canada
In the world of decorative concrete, strength and aesthetics go hand in hand. Whether it’s a residential driveway, a commercial walkway, or a stamped patio, contractors and property owners alike seek surfaces that are both visually appealing and highly durable. At Concreation Canada, we specialize in delivering premium solutions to meet this exact need—starting with our top-quality concrete colour hardener.
What is Concrete Colour Hardener?
Concrete colour hardener is a dry-shake material broadcast onto freshly poured concrete. It is designed to improve the strength, surface density, and color consistency of the concrete surface. Unlike integral color—which is mixed into the entire concrete batch—colour hardener is applied directly to the surface, giving it richer pigmentation and improved durability.
Concreation Canada’s concrete colour hardener is trusted by professionals across Canada. Our formulation is designed to withstand the harshest weather conditions, high foot traffic, and the demands of heavy equipment, making it ideal for both residential and commercial applications.
Benefits of Using Concrete Colour Hardener
One of the biggest advantages of using concrete colour hardener is surface durability. Since it increases the surface strength significantly, it resists abrasion better than standard concrete. This is especially important in high-traffic zones such as driveways, garage floors, pool decks, and commercial areas.
Another key benefit is colour vibrancy and consistency. Because the pigment is concentrated on the surface, the color appears more vivid and true to design intent. Concreation offers a wide selection of standard colours, and custom colours are also available upon request.
How It Works With Other Products Like Concrete Release
When using concrete colour hardener in stamped concrete applications, pairing it with a high-quality concrete release agent is crucial. Concrete release prevents the stamping tools from sticking to the surface, allowing for clean patterns and impressions without damaging the finish.
Concreation Canada provides top-tier concrete release powders and liquids formulated to complement our colour hardeners. These products not only aid in the stamping process but also add depth and contrast to the stamped pattern, enhancing the overall visual effect.
Seal the Surface with a Silane Sealer
To maximize the life of any decorative concrete surface, it’s essential to apply a reliable sealer. Our silane sealer is the perfect solution. Silane-based sealers are known for their excellent penetrating abilities and long-lasting protection against water, oil, salts, and freeze-thaw damage.
Unlike surface film sealers, silane sealers penetrate deep into the concrete, forming a hydrophobic barrier that doesn’t alter the appearance of the surface. When applied after installing concrete colour hardener and completing the stamping and release process, silane sealers help preserve the colour, reduce maintenance needs, and extend the lifespan of the concrete.
Why Choose Concreation Canada?
At Concreation Canada, we take pride in offering high-performance products tailored for professionals in the decorative concrete industry. From our premium concrete colour hardener to our dependable concrete release agents and silane sealers, we ensure that each product delivers on both quality and performance.
With years of industry experience and a strong reputation for reliability, Concreation Canada is your go-to partner for enhancing concrete surfaces that last and impress.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to elevate your next concrete project with vibrant colors, enhanced durability, and long-term protection, Concreation Canada has you covered. Our expert-recommended concrete colour hardener, supported by premium concrete release and silane sealer solutions, ensures beautiful, long-lasting results every time.
Explore our full range of concrete products today at www.concreationcanada.com and transform your surfaces with confidence.
Things to consider when picking Concrete Colouring Solutions
In today’s growing hardscape designs, we find so many alternatives to applying standard grey concrete to landscapes and interior finishes.
We continue to see a growth in decorative concrete both inside and out. With this in mind, we look for different ways to change the look of this grey finish to enhance and beautify the finished product.
There are several options available to disguise the fact that you have a concrete finish based on the type of installation, and the look that you are trying to obtain.
The option you choose will depend on the use of the finished installation from warehouse floor to decorative walls.
I will try to explain how the different types of Concrete beautification process’ and when they should be used. Your choices are Concrete Colour Hardeners, Concrete Integrated or Integral Colours, Dyes and Stains, and Epoxies.
Since, we at Concreation Canada Inc. specialize in Colour Hardeners I will start there.
What Is a Colour Hardener
Colour Hardeners are dry shake powders that are applied and blended into the surface of freshly applied concrete to add colour, strength, and abrasion resistance.
It does this through a blend of pozzolans (admixtures), cement, pigments and sand. The sand and cement are just used as a delivery method to apply the pigments and pozzolans to the surface and aid in the blending of these products into the freshly poured concrete installations.
While the pigments, a mixture of synthetic and natural oxides, supply the colour, the pozzolans are used to perform tasks like densifying the surface, making it more resistant to abrasion.
These pozzolans or polymer admixtures react with unreacted Calcium Hydrate in the curing cement to add more Calcium Silicate Hydrates. The Calcium Silicate Hydrates create stronger bonds between the sand and other aggregates in the cement mixture to strengthen and densify the surface while still allowing the cement to breath and cure properly.
Why Use Colour Hardeners
Colour hardeners are used in several different circumstances.
The most used purpose is in the Stamped Concrete Industry. Stamping a concrete surface allows you to change the look and feel of a concrete installation. In today’s industry a skilled stamp concrete installer can achieve the look of Natural Stones, Paving Stones or even Wood Flooring.
Colour Hardeners are also used to finish interior polished floors from Warehouses, Stores or residential basements. Leaving a strong and resilient surface for not only light, but heavy traffic areas as well.
Colour Hardeners can and are also used on sidewalks, driveways and porches where an exterior broom finish will be applied. Again, strengthening and densifying the surface for improved wear resistance as well as beautifying the overall appearance of the concrete installation.
What Can Go Wrong
As with any additive, there are always things that can detract from the finished product.
This Dry Shake material uses the bleed water from green (fresh) concrete to activate the product to allow it to penetrate anywhere from 6 to 12 mm (1/4 to ½ inch) based on the ability of the installer and the product that they have decided to use. Due to this fact, the type of cement mixture used can affect the ability of this product to bond. In colder climates when Cold Weather Concrete is used, there is not enough moisture in the concrete for the Hardener to properly blend into the surface resulting in the creation of a SKIN like toping which could scale, flake, and pop off.
When using Colour Hardeners on Curbing, Walkways, or driveways, there is a potential for damage to the concrete installation. When this happens the GREY cement base will be visible through the damaged area. This brings us to our next topic.
What is Integrated (Integral) Colour
Integrated or Integral Colours are Synthetic or Natural Oxides that are added to the cement prior to the installation. These products are available in either liquid or powder form and are added to the Concrete, Sand, and Stone mixture. These products are used to coat the admixture in colour and disguise the grey cement base.
Why Use Integral Colour
The use of Integral Colour is to tint the entire installation. This is beneficial when pouring walls, support pillars or any other type of installation where forms are in use and you cannot apply colour using Colour Hardeners. It is important to remember that using Integral Colour does not affect the properties of the Concrete Mix. It does not perform any type of Hardening or densifying.
Integral Colour admixtures can only amount to no more than 5% of the total weight of the cement in the concrete mix. This is typically advertised as the Load Percentage.
Using Integral Colour in conjunction with a colour hardener will give you the benefits of both worlds. The integral colour will colour the concrete installation through and through while the Colour Hardener will strengthen and densify the surface. This is ideal for Walkways, Driveways, Curbing, and Heavy Traffic Floors where the potential for surface damage can occur.
What Can Go Wrong
When using Integral Colour you need to be wary of Load Percentage. Any amount over the 5% threshold will diminish the strength of the cured concrete. It is also to know what Load Percentage is required in order to achieve the finished Colour that you choose. A 1% load will leave the concrete colour looking washed out. Generally speaking, a 3% load is the ideal.
At Concreation Canada we have removed the guess work of Load Percentage away. When you order Concreation Canada CCI-200 Integracon we create a Water-Soluble bag of pigments for you that will generate the colour of your choice in 1 cubic meter of concrete.
All integral Colours are susceptible to the addition of water to the concrete mix in order to increase the flow time. Liquid Based Integral Colours are more susceptible to the addition of water to the concrete mix. The water will dilute and wash the pigments off the cement leaving you looking at the standard grey colour of the cement.
You can STAMP or Impress an installation of Integrally Colour Concrete, but you need to remember that you will not get any of the hardening advantages of using a Colour Hardener.
What are Epoxy Coatings
Epoxy Coatings are a thick layer of Epoxy Resin that is applied to the surface of the concrete installation. These resins are designed to create a Strong covering of the surface to guard against abrasion, corrosion and chemical spills. These coatings are generally painted or sprayed on and dry quickly to form a dense surface.
Why use Epoxy Coatings
Epoxy coatings create a strong durable moisture resistant surface for your concrete installation. They can withstand heavy traffic and will seldom fail. Chemical and oil spills are easily removed with this type of topical coating and are generally applied to concrete floors in warehouse environments allowing for a simple, cost effective, clean appearance that will generally never fail.
Epoxy Coatings have a flexible design element. Colouring can be easily added to tint the coating to meet your needs or design choices. Aggregates can also be added to give shine a sparkle to the finish.
What Can Go Wrong
Epoxy Coatings are only as strong as their foundations. These coatings will not stabilize your concrete structure and if your concrete is compromised after the installation the coating will also chip, crack or peel off.
Be wary of your saw cuts and joints in your concrete surfaces. These joints are designed to relieve pressure on the concrete installation allowing the concrete to contract and expand. If there is a lot of motion at these locations, it will cause the coating to crack or peal.
What Are Concrete Dyes or Stains
Concrete Stains are Acids that use a chemical reaction with the minerals in the concrete to create different colours. There are two different types of chemical stains for concrete, Reactive and Non-Reactive.
Reactive Stains, Better known as Acid Stains. The acids force reactions with the minerals in the concrete to create colours. This process can take up to an hour and once complete the Concrete will need to be brought back to a PH neutral state using some type of neutralizer such as Baking Soda.
Non-Reactive Stains, also known as Water Based Stains or Dye’s, are more like paint that bonds and coats the surface like a paint.
Why Use Concrete Stains
Concrete Stains leave a translucent colour surface to the finish. They are used to decorate a concrete surface after the final set. This gives the ability to customize your concrete installation after the installation to suite the décor elements during finalization. Since Non-Reactive Stains are topical you can change the appearance by stripping the surface and applying a different stain.
What Can Go Wrong
Reactive Concrete Stains create the colours using the admixtures in the concrete. Due to the Batching process the way the stain will react to the concrete will change from pour to pour. Reactive stains will also react differently to the age of the concrete. This makes the final colour outcome very unpredictable.
Non-Reactive Concrete Stains will wear quickly. Epoxy based stains are not recommended for exterior use as the tend to have adverse reactions to the climate and will not last as long.
The Final Thought
Although there are several options to change the look of your concrete installation. The final choice of how to colour your concrete should be based on what you will be doing with it. Each option has merit and will leave a lasting impression on the outcome.
Colouring Concrete is not a simple process and should be left to a skilled professional. Applying the colouring solution requires training and experience, baring this in mind, with proper workmanship it will increase the longevity of your installation. Concrete is meant to last forever.
Being a little biased I feel that using a mix of Integral and Colour Hardeners is the best way to permanently colour your concrete and leave a strong, durable, scratch resistant surface that will stand the test of time.
Concrete is more than Cement
Assembled by Danny Masci
With everyone ranting on how Concrete finishes are the most cost-effective way to create hardscapes there are a few things that people need to know to make sure that their hardscape is as beautiful and as long lasting as it can be.
Here at Concreation Canada Inc. our business is Concrete Colouring and Overlay solutions. So, our focus is in how to make sure your concrete hardscape is the best that it can be. With this in mind, we need to understand what additives are used and how they react in the curing.
Concrete sets in stages. These stages will vary in time based on ambient temperature and humidity as well as the concrete mix itself. In most cases you can walk on a poured concrete installation 24 to 48 hours. Heavy traffic needs to be avoided for 7 days when the concrete is about 70% cured, with the full strength of the concrete being realized after 28 days. Controlling the moisture in the concrete is the most critical part of the curing process. Not enough water and the concrete will never get to full strength. Too much water and the surface will remain weak and cause flaking.
Strength in the concrete is based on a combination of Air Void Clustering and the amount of unreacted Calcium Hydroxide in the cured concrete. Cement Manufacturers use Concrete Add Mixtures called Pozzolans to control the Chemical Reaction of transforming Calcium Hydroxide to Calcium Silicate Hydrates. These products control the water requirements in the mix and increase strength to the final finish.
Pozzolans are created as a by product of other industries or are man made. These products effect the concrete in different ways. They are also known as Admixtures.
Accelerating Admixtures are used to speed up the curing process. They do this buy increasing the heat within the concrete to speed up the chemical forming process. They are primarily used in colder weather. The most common of these products are Calcium Chlorides. As you can imagine, having Calcium Chlorides can also increase the corrosion of steel reinforcements in the concrete. There are other options available at a higher cost. Calcium Nitrate and Calcium Nitrite can both be used and will prevent corrosion. The issue is that they fall under Environmental Acts and are heavily regulated.
Retarding Admixtures and Plasticizers work to retain moisture and improve workability of the Concrete. These are generally used in Hot Conditions to increase the set time. Fly Ash, Slag, and VCAS are some examples of this type of Admixture. Fly Ash is a by product of coal burning plants. Slag is a by product of Metal Blast Furnace, and VCAS (Vitrified Calcium Aluminio-Silicate) is a man-made product. These products are used as a direct cement Replacement. They also create better chemical bonds in the concrete to improve Flexural Strength, Compressive Strength, and Abrasion Resistance. Be cautious when using Fly Ash when the ambient temperature is on the low side. Fly Ash based cement will not properly cure under colder conditions and will never realize full strength. If you are to use Fly Ash in colder weather make sure to use Warming blankets during the curing process.
The final Pozzolan to be discussed here will be Silica Fume. This product is considered a Superplasticizer and a Corrosion Inhibitor. This is a by-product created during the creation of silicon metals and ferrosilicon alloys. Consisting of mostly Silicon Dioxide, Silica Fume reacts with Calcium Hydrates in the Concrete Mix to create Calcium Silicate Hydrates. This chemical reaction increases the strength of the concrete while also closing the Air Voids to external corrosive materials while maintaining a high flowability of the wet concrete before setting allowing for long PUMP ranges.
This article is designed to be used as informational only. Remember to check with your Municipal, Provincial, and Federal guidelines when designing your concrete hardscapes. Concrete Mix and Admixture standards are controlled by:
ASTM C1679 and ASTM C1753 - Performance of Cementitious Materials and Admixture Combinations. CSA-A23.1-14 and CSA-A24.1-14 - Concrete Materials and Methods of Concrete Construction/Test methods and Standard Practices for Concrete. ACI 211.1-91 (2009) - Standard Practice for Selecting Proportions for Normal, Heavyweight, and Mass Concrete (Reapproved 2009).
Information is derived using: The Concrete Network (http://www.concretenetwork.com) Slag Cement Association (http://www.slagcement.org) The Concrete Countertop Institute (http://concretecountertopinstitute.com) Portland Cement Association (http://www.cement.org) Norchem (http://www.norchem.com)
Your Finish Is Only As Good As Your Care. Part 3.
Your Finish Is Only As Good As Your Care.
Part 3.
In colder climates we have issues with maintaining our hardscape surfaces. With freeze thaw cycles and different ice melting products available how do we know what is best for our concrete hardscapes?
The goal is to offer you, the client, tips for the best looking and longest lasting finish for your concrete hardscape installation.
This article describes the effects of different ice melting products and what the potential effects of these process will be on your concrete hardscapes.
There are 4 basic types of De-icing products and each will affect the concrete in different ways and will eventually cause scaling of the surface.
SODIUM CHLORIDE (ROCK SALT) is the most common de-icing product available. This is generally used by most cities and municipalities on roads and sidewalks. The watery BRINE solution created is the most corrosive and damaging of all Ice Melting options.
CALCIUM CHLORIDE is generally a white pellet product. This product was originally marketed as a safe ice melt product for concrete pavers and concrete walkways. This is the most commonly used product for Impressed Concrete. It will work in temperatures as low as -30 C.
Potassium Chloride has been developed to be safe to plants and will not irritate your skin. It is generally marketed as a Pet Friendly Ice Melting product. This combination melts more slowly than the others and will not work if the temperature drops below -10 C.
Magnesium Chloride is the newest form of De-icing product. Its composition is deemed to be the least harmful of all de-icing products. It has the highest melting point and will not work under -6 C.
DO NOT USE Ice Melting Products.
I know this is hard to fathom but products that melt ice are very bad on Concrete and Hardscape surfaces. You should not use any type of melting products on concrete surfaces for at least 12 months on new installations. If you must then you need to use as little as possible and clean off any slush or excess as soon as possible.
It is not the De-Icing product that damages the surface but the melted slush that sits on the surface of the concrete. This slush finds it’s way into the concrete pours and will then freeze causing the surface to flake off. Using a High Quality Silicate Based Penetrating Sealer will help deter this.
The length of time required to cure concrete will vary based on the weather and the Concrete Mix but is generally 28 days. After 7 days, concrete has usually reached about 65% of its full hardness. After 14 days it typically reaches about 90%, and the final 10% is around the 28-day mark.
With any concrete surface and more so with Decorative Concrete, Freeze Thaw Cycles will cause the surface to FLAKE. This FLAKING process is called Scaling. Concrete will eventually form a ROCK-HARD surface, but this is performed over time. Concrete completely sets in about 28 days but will continue to harden over the following months. During this time, it is important to protect the surface so that you do not see the scaling.
Using De-Icing products creates a FALSE Environment of Freeze-Thaw cycles. Potentially hundreds per day. These cycles can force water into the surface of the concrete causing scaling.
Some contractors have written in their contracts and clearly advise their customers of the dangers of using these de-icing chemicals to the concrete surface. This education will help prevent damage, call backs and result in a better-looking job and less callback’s.
Your Finish Is Only As Good As Your Care. Part 2.
Your Finish Is Only As Good As Your Care.
Part 2.
Sealing with Water Based Sealer
In colder climates we have issues with maintaining our hardscape surfaces. With freeze thaw cycles and different ice melting products available how do we know what is best for our concrete hardscapes?
The goal is to offer you, the client, tips for the best looking and longest lasting finish for your concrete hardscape installation.
WATER BASED PENETRATING SEALER
Water Based Sealers are created using silanes, siloxanes, silicates and siliconates. These are very small particles which fill the air gaps within the concrete surface and PENETRATE becoming part of the concrete. A chemical bond is formed leaving the concrete with a hydrophobic surface (repelling water). The finished look of the hardscape is a more MATTE or NATURAL finish. This Natural Finish does not adversely affect the Slip Resistance of the concrete or hardscape surface.
With its breathable abilities these types of sealers can be applied prior to the completion of the curing process. The concrete surface retains its ability to allow moisture and heat to be released. It is still recommended to allow the concrete to cure for at least 7 days prior to applying.
The length of time required to cure concrete will vary based on the weather and the Concrete Mix but is generally 28 days. After 7 days, concrete has usually reached about 65% of its full hardness. After 14 days it typically reaches about 90%, and the final 10% is around the 28-day mark.
Water Based Silicate Sealers are also more VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) compliant. They are virtually odourless and are great on interior surfaces as well. Concreation offers a GreenSil Primer (WA), for protection on newer/greener concrete and GreenSil Sealer (WSR) for concrete cured for 14 days or more.
Application of Water Based Sealers is more forgiving than Solvent Based. After the water has evaporated any leftover residue can be wiped off to leave a clean surface. Water Based Acrylic sealers require a little more care in application. Because the Acrylic is topical you still need to follow the thin application procedures (as Per ConcreteNetwork.com). Tests shows that these products have a longer life cycle per application but can turn cloudy during high moisture conditions. This discolouration will disappear when the surface dries.
When using a Water Based Silicate Sealer, you can add a Solvent Based Acrylic Sealer or Water Based Acrylic Sealer only after the concrete has been allowed to fully cure (no less than 28 days). Water Based Silicate Sealers SHOULD NEVER be applied over an existing TOPICAL or Acrylic Based Sealer. The Topical Sealer must be completely removed, and the pores of the surface open, before applying a Water Based Silicate Sealer. Re-Applying Water Based sealers can be done when required based on the wear of the hardscape surface again, providing the surface of the concrete is clean and the pores are open.
Your Finish Is Only As Good As Your Care. PART 1.
Your Finish Is Only As Good As Your Care.
Part 1.
In colder climates we have issues with maintaining our hardscape surfaces. With freeze thaw cycles and different ice melting products available how do we know what is best for our concrete hardscapes?
The goal is to offer you, the client, tips for the best looking and longest lasting finish for your concrete hardscape installation.
Sealing with Solvent Based Sealers
Solvent Based sealers contain acrylic particles mixed with solvents that COAT the surface. Because of the nature of Acrylic, it has the effect of leaving a WET LOOK on the surface and enhancing the existing colour on the concrete. Acrylic sealers are sometimes available in different levels of gloss from matte to high gloss.
Due to the nature of topical acrylic sealers it is NOT RECOMMENDED to apply them to uncured concrete. The length of time required to cure concrete will vary based on the weather and the concrete mix but is generally 28 days. After 7 days, concrete has usually reached about 65% of its full hardness. After 14 days it typically reaches about 90%, and the final 10% is around the 28-day mark.
The government regulates the amount of solids in these Solvent Based Sealers in order to control the VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds). A LOW VOC Sealer must have less than 350 g/l or 35% solid content. The better sealers available will be between 18% and 24% solid content. CCI-1000 Driveway Sealer is approximately 20% solids which when applied with 1 coat provides excellent protection with minimal slip factor. Depending on the amount of traffic, sun exposure etc. reapplication is required typically every 2 to 4 years.
Acrylic Sealer should always be applied in thin coats. It is recommended that the thickness of the Acrylic does not exceed 2mm (as Per ConcreteNetwork.com). Signs of over application range from cloudiness of the finish too bubbles that may eventually cause the sealer to flake off and also an increase in the SLIP FACTOR of the concrete when applied too thick.
Anti-slip additives can be used to increase the Slip Resistance. A caveat of these Anti-Slip additives is they can decrease the life of the sealer and increase the chance of separation of the Acrylic from the concrete surface depending on which product you choose. Try to avoid any additives made from PVC particles, as they have proven to be problematic. It is safe to stick with fine silica sand, which is available at Concreation Canada.
It is important to be aware that acrylic sealers will not protect against exposure to some de-icing agents. Advise your clients not to use these the first winter and after if ever used, to rinse off the concrete surface after they’ve done their job to avoid damage to the sealer and eventually the concrete surface.
See our next article on Water Base Penetrating Sealers for some tips on prevention of this sort of damage and future articles on De-Icing Agents on Decorative Concrete.
Planning Your First Hardscape? Prioritize Harmony and Blending
I would like to thank Doug Carlton of Carlton Construction in Wyoming for putting this article together. Have a read, print it out, use it to help your design. It has a lot of very useful information about designing your Hard Scape projects.
A pleasing hardscape is no accident. It is the culmination of preplanning and design that works harmoniously with a surrounding structure. A hardscape should never stand out, nor should it be so insignificant that it can easily be ignored. Nailing this balance project after project takes great effort, but the reward is far more than monetary. Concrete hardscapes last decades, and so do the reputation of the concrete artisans who successfully pave their way into decorative history.
Over the next few paragraphs this article will describe why some decorative concrete hardscape projects look appealing and why some don’t. The lesson of past mistakes, both mine and others’, can enhance your opportunity to transform shades of color into eye-catching spaces of hardscape elegance.
If you plan to make a living by way of decorative concrete, you will eventually have to completely grasp a hardscape’s blend of natural color and design. Please don’t underestimate this concept, because a failure to grasp the need for pleasing combinations will often lead to an unnatural blend of hardscape and structure, which will result in a less-than-appealing outcome. If you remember only one point please let it be this: The structure or building always dictates color hue and design, but only after functionality. This also means that the hardscape should not be a shrine to your flamboyant artistic concrete ability.
The design
Rarely will a project’s decision maker produce a complete set of working plans that include color, texture, pattern or finish. This is far too often left to the hardscape artist — you — who in return must muddle through many design options before unloading the first tool onsite. Seasoned decorative concrete professionals often refer to this period as “front-end work.” This part of the hardscape design process could take one afternoon or it could take months, depending on the complexity of the project or decision maker. It is never recommended that you rush through the front-end design stage of any project.
The top two components to consider when designing a hardscape project are functionality and taste. For instance, an aggressive cobble stamp pattern is not a good idea when designing the hardscape for a local assisted living project, nor is including too many elevation changes or narrow pathways. The intended function of the project should supersede all other design considerations.
The design plan should include three components; flow, texture and color. Flow involves the formation of the hardscape and the course of travel through it. The purpose and function of the hardscape project should dictate the hardscape’s configuration. For instance, a patio area should comfortably hold tables and chairs for seating but not be overtextured so that surfaces are unleveled. Walkways or pathways should connect to the patio with flow that is organic but does not encroach upon the patio’s seating arrangement. This transition from patio to pathway is a great opportunity to introduce another pattern, texture, band, color, or anything else that the decision maker finds functionally appealing.
Expansive, or wide, hardscape areas will need multiple forms or shapes of interest. Large areas of concrete hardscape are less appealing without shapes of contrasting texture, pattern or color.
The opposite is true with long, narrow pathways or walkways. Design linear hardscapes for narrow pathways that include interlocking imprint stamping or a tightly spaced transverse pattern of some kind. Keep straight formwork crisp and free-flowing curves smooth. Regardless of the design, the texture must be consistent in the pattern’s depth and layout parallel to the abutting structure.
The abutting structure should play a major role in both design and color. Some architectural building designs will limit pattern and texture choices. For example, a colonial home will look odd with a Paris fan stamp pattern but fine with a brushed finish over a colored concrete surface. Of all stamp patterns, texture patterns are most universal and compliment a wide variety of architectural designs and structures.
Let the structure’s facing elevation help determine a hardscape’s design. Pay close attention to the building’s architecture, shape and style.
The color
Color is the catalyst of an appealing hardscape project. Again, a hardscape color hinges on the structure’s hue and should never compete with it. The hardscape color, or colors, should be at least a shade lighter than the dominant structure color, and the only exception is a secondary release, or antiquing, hardscape color. This can sometimes be challenging in new construction because many times the hardscape is installed before the structure receives its permanent color. Be sure the decision maker chooses at least the structure’s dominant color before finalizing hardscape hues.
Color is a vital part of a hardscape’s natural order. The hardscape must organically blend with all landscape surroundings, in good harmony. Many people who are new to the decorative concrete profession find it all too tempting to use a hardscape to grab attention. This seldom works and is rarely recommended outside of theme parks. Keep colors natural when designing in a natural environment and watch how many favorable comments arise from those who truly enjoy the appeal of a professionally planned hardscape project.
New colours for 2018
Concreation Canada is proud of the exciting new colours we have added for the 2018 season. Can’t wait to see the creative ways you decide to use them.
As a proud member of the Toronto Construction Association, Concreation Canada has provided homeowners and municipalities across Ontario with the best architectural concrete products available.