Call us (713) 941-2661

admin, Author at Stamped Artistry - Page 5 of 7

Feb 06
1

Pool Renovation with Stamped Concrete

Posted by | Pool Renovations | No Comments

Pool-deckSwimming pools add touches of extra fun and beauty to homes. You and your children find hours of fun together, or you may enjoy relaxing in the water, or out of it. Yet, over time even the nicest pool could use a renovation.

You don’t have to have a pool like every other in the neighborhood. There are many possibilities for its appearance. Pool renovation with stamped concrete is just one example. Colorful stamped concrete has the potential to be a beautiful addition to your pool area. In addition to being decorative, it is lasting and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance.

Stamped concrete can handle the outdoor elements and time, as well as chlorinated pool water. Of course, slipping is always a concern around the pool, particularly for parents. You can easily get some traction by having nonskid elements added to mixes and sealants.

You also have many options for design, which isn’t always so with other materials. Stamped concrete can come in many colors and textures. With some help, you can design patterns and shapes, choose from stains and pigments, and get creative. A contrasting pool border adds some originality to a design. You can have light colors that help prevent the area from becoming too hot in the sun, or darker shades to match your aesthetic preferences. Extend the stamped concrete by adding some steps, or a path to a nearby small seating area so that the adults can sit out near the pool and enjoy the sun while the kids play in the water.

Have you been considering updating your pool area? It’s still early in the year, but summer will be here before you know it. Try pool renovation with stamped concrete. Call us at Stamped Artistry and tell us about your dream swimming pool, and let us help you make it come true.

Jan 12
0

Add Flair with Metallic Flooring

Posted by | Metallic Floors | No Comments

MetallicsHave you considered metallic flooring? It may not be as odd as you think. In recent years, metallic color varieties have increased according to demand. Metallic flooring has become more popular lately; it’s as easy to install as any other type of flooring, not too costly, almost any flooring specialist can help you, and it adds a special something to your business, or anywhere you choose to put it.

Metallic flooring had some popularity in the 90s. Thanks to more color availability, they’re being offered and installed more often again. If you have been considering some changes, they may add the perfect touch of color to your home—a flair for the new year.

These floors, when installed well, are durable. They resist all sorts of wear, including abrasions, impacts, and chemicals. You don’t need to wax, and after a long period has passed, you get back any shine lost by a simple refinishing. They are particularly great for sprucing up a business where there is a lot of foot traffic, such as a restaurant or bar.

Metallic floors are created with a combination of pigmented primer and then a metallic pigment base coat. Colors can vary widely; you can have a solid color primer, or a primer with metallic shine, and then yet another color, or metallic base coat. Then, a coating will have to be sprayed, and after a day the top coat is added. Finishes can be glossy or satin.

Consider adding some shine and flair to your floor for the coming year. Metallic flooring is not passé—thanks to the range of colors and styles you can create something simple, or something wild. Call or come to us at Stamped Artistry, and let us show you the possibilities for this stylish flooring system so we can get started now.

Dec 28
0

Holidays on the Patio

Posted by | Stamped Concrete | No Comments

IMG_20131204_121759The holidays are passing, but we are still gathering for the New Year and other reasons this season. Just because the temperatures are down for many doesn’t mean that the patio has to be left out in the cold. If you are having friends and family over this season, there are ways to holidays on the patio and make it people-ready, even if the weather outside seems frightful.

Stamped concrete is as nice as any indoor floor.

You can set up a table on the patio—large or small—and offer your guests dinner, drinks, and more, and not have to worry about spills, unstable tables, or anything else. Stamped concrete is nice enough for indoor floors and strong enough for the outdoors. It is easily cleaned, too. Don’t feel like your guests must be inside because the patio isn’t as nice. Stamped concrete, among other types of patio flooring, is just perfect.

You can have counters and more for cooking outside.

Have you ever thought that you wanted more than an outdoor grill? Perhaps you wanted counter tops, a sink, and a stove. Well, concrete countertops are excellent for a patio counter that surrounds all of those other things. You can cook and serve out on the patio with concrete countertops of almost any color and style you can imagine.

You can safely warm things up with a fire.

There are plenty of options for keeping the patio warm when it’s cold. You can light a fire in a patio pit or stove, get an outdoor-safe space heater, and more. Additionally, you can make, or buy, drapes or netting that surrounds the patio area and helps keep the warmth where you want it. Candles make for lovely mood lighting and add to the more comfortable temperature.

If you want some help prepping for holidays on the patio, we can help you spruce up your patio floors and countertops. Call us now and don’t wait. The year will soon be over.

Dec 02
0

Creative with Concrete for Holidays

Posted by | Stamped Concrete | No Comments

IMG_20131204_121759The holidays mean family and food. Many a household around the country will be full of people eating, drinking, and making merry—or, in a few cases, surviving the family get-together. If you’re hosting, you want your home to look its best. Concrete flooring and counter-tops could be just the thing.

More than a few messes will probably be made. Children aren’t the only ones who make messes; cooking often makes a mess, as does eating, and even adults have their accidents. Fortunately, whatever style of concrete you may choose for your kitchen floor, dining room floor, or kitchen countertops, you will find it is very easy to clean. All you need to do is pick up and wipe, or mop, and you’re finished. You don’t have to worry about water or cleaning materials injuring the floor the way you would with wood floors.

Your home will still be entirely presentable with concrete. Concrete does not equal grey and stone-like, and is not necessarily the stuff you see in basements and on sidewalks. In fact, there are a wide variety of styles from which you can choose. You can find something easily to match your home’s appearance. Colors, overlays, finishes, and much more add character and style to your home. Whether indoors, or on the patio or deck, your holiday presentation will look as beautiful as you want it to.

Concrete can handle you and your family’s holidays. Whether Christmas, New Year’s Eve parties, and any other celebration, or reason to celebrate, concrete not only remains strong and easy to clean, but can be polished, stained, and made to look its best so that you can be proud of your home. Enjoy your upcoming feast. Call us at Stamped Artistry and ask about the great things we can do with concrete in your home.

Nov 17
0

Stamped Concrete Through the Seasons

Posted by | Stamped Concrete | No Comments

Stamped-Overlay-(1)There are many advantages to having stamped concrete as the floor of your outdoor patio. These reasons—variety of design, lesser cost, durability, etc.—continue to be valid and, as fall and winter approach, the list continues to grow. In many locations, the changing weather brings moisture, leaves, and more that litter patios and decks. Fortunately, stamped concrete floors resist the elements well are easy to clean.

The weather does not have to stop you from enjoying the patio. Stamped concrete retains its attractiveness through the seasons. The options for this type of flooring consist of designs that have all the beauty of an indoor floor. Solid craftsmanship and durable materials prevent weather-related damage. You can continue to entertain on your patio throughout the year.

If dirt, leaves, and moisture start to clutter your patio, cleaning is easy. Stamped concrete patios can be swept, rinsed, and washed with cleansers, some of which are specially formulated to maintain the life of your patio. Of course, if you’re concerned about rain ruining your plans, some patio coverage allows you to continue enjoying the space. If things get chilly, you can add a charming, wood burning patio heater, or any other type you prefer, without any risk of damaging your patio.

Stamped concrete is an excellent way to make sure you have use of your patio anytime you please. It will last through the seasons, can withstand the weather, and is easy to clean. You can enjoy your patio year-round; just add what you need to make it warm, dry, and comfortable.

If you want stamped concrete for your outdoor patio or space, contact Stamped Artistry. We have a wide selection of patio and flooring options for you. Enjoy the fall weather and coming Thanksgiving with your family on your lovely, cozy concrete patio.

Oct 20
0

The Retaining Wall

Posted by | Uncategorized | No Comments

walls01-homeportfolio2What is a retaining wall? You have probably seen one, even if you didn’t know it by name. A retaining wall is a decorative structure that also holds soil behind it, much like a dam. It is used to create the appearance of two ground levels, creating an attractive, interesting “cliff.”

These structures are created with a variety of materials, depending upon the desired look. You can have blocks of any stable stone, concrete in any form, wood, rocks, and more that match the home, or any other important feature. Wood is a common choice, as it is a little less expensive than many other materials, but it must be maintained and generally does not last as long as more resilient materials. Stone and concrete are more stable, but the process of installation can be costly and time-consuming.

Other than the appearance, the type of soil being supported makes a difference in the choice of materials, as well, as do changes in the dirt during the seasons. The weight of the soil—black soil, rocky soil, sand, etc.—must not exceed what the materials can support at the wall’s height. Gravity retaining walls are the type that need no extra reinforcement to handle the soil’s weight. They are heavy enough on their own so they offer plenty of support, and may be shorter since they don’t require additional height or materials for strengthening. Reinforced retaining walls, however, must have some extra support to hold the soil. This could mean more materials, or more height.

A strong, lasting retaining wall could be an attractive, unique feature for your yard, garden, or any other appropriate place. Take a look at the Stamped Artistry website, or call us and tell us what you’re interested in doing. We’re happy to help you design something new.

Oct 05
0

Epoxy Flakes and Flooring

Posted by | Epoxy Flakes | No Comments

MetallicsHave you ever heard of epoxy flakes? Perhaps not, but you have seen them. Epoxy flakes are the spots—flakes—of colors that you sometimes see on hard floors. They not only provide decorative coloring with a wide range of options, but they protect the floor from various wear and tear.

The Look

Also commonly known as color flakes, epoxy flakes are recognizable as spots, or other shapes of color spread about and layered over one another for a burst of color embedded into the floor material. This type of flooring allows for a lot of customization; the owner can choose from almost any color combination and flake size.

The Materials and Uses

These flakes are a combination of materials, including acrylic resin, vinyl resin, and polymers. The flakes are usually small—less than an inch in diameter. They add more than color, too. They add long-term protection from:

  • General wear and tear.
  • Chemical damage.
  • Moisture damage and corrosion.
  • Loud noises—they offer mild soundproofing.

These flakes are particularly useful for flooring that experiences a lot of foot and other types of traffic such as:

  • Industrial facilities and warehouses.
  • Garage flooring—both commercial and home.
  • Professional and residential workshops.
  • Patio and other outdoor flooring.

It is possible to install epoxy flakes on your own, but having a professional do it is always a much better choice. A flooring professional can get you the precise colors you want, mix them more exactly, and find the absolute best options for you through in-depth discussions about details of which you may not be aware.

Call us at Stamped Artistry and let us be the professionals who show you more of what epoxy flakes can do for your floors. We can help you get creative and make the most of what epoxy flakes have to offer.

Sep 21
0

Revitalize Your Patio with a Concrete Overlay

Posted by | Concrete Overlays | No Comments

Stamped-Overlay-(1)There are still plenty of warm days left in the seasons. Even as fall approaches, there will be ample opportunities to sit out on your outdoor patio with friends and food, or coffee and a good book. This means reasons to consider a patio revitalization. If your patio is concrete, a concrete overlay may be precisely what you need.

Concrete does not have to be grey and boring. There are many options for a concrete overlay that can be a patio floor makeover. You can choose simple, single colors, stamped designs, multicolored options, textured, and more. Even worn, cracked concrete can be polished, removed if necessary, strengthened, and made stunning with new concrete overlays.

The Process

First, your chosen professional will make certain that your current patio concrete and materials are sound. If your patio is badly damaged with too many cracks, or too soft, you may have to go beyond resurfacing and replace the concrete altogether.

Once the concrete base has been prepared, either by polishing or replacing, the decorative overlay can be laid. The concrete is resurfaced with a concrete mixture, made to suit your specifications, and stamped with designs, should that be your preference.

These overlays can be stamped to look like stone, and to hold specific shapes and patterns. They can be sprayed for texture and gloss, but they are generally made to be slip-free. The designs and combinations are almost limitless. Though it is concrete, it is far from what people see in their minds when they think of concrete.

We have the experience necessary to design and build the perfect patio for you. Even if you don’t currently have a concrete patio, you may want one when you see how beautiful the overlays can be. Take a look at our website and some of what we offer in concrete overlays, and then contact us for more. Tell us what you want, and we can make your dream patio a reality.

 

Sep 08
0

Concrete Can Allow for Free-Form & Creative Countertops

Posted by | Concrete Countertops | No Comments

concrete1Whether you are designing an indoor space for cooking, or an outdoor space for cooking, you are probably going to want to have durable and strong countertops in your indoor or outdoor kitchen. Many people also want to have countertops that look attractive and that add to the design aesthetics of the space.  The good news is, concrete can make it possible for you to have creative countertops  in any shape or style you like.

With many countertop options like granite and quartz, you are dealing with rock that cannot be easily manipulated. This limits, to some degree, the shape and size of your countertop space.  Concrete, on the other hand, can be molded into a wide variety of different forms. You can truly personalize your countertops by creating a free-form countertop, a rounded countertop, a countertop with an integrated sink, and so much more.  The sky is the limit when it comes to concrete, so check out Stamped Artistry today to see what we can do for you.

Aug 10
0

Adding an Outdoor Kitchen: Consider Concrete Countertops

Posted by | Uncategorized | No Comments

outdoor kitchenAn outdoor kitchen has increasingly become a popular addition to many homes. An outdoor kitchen allows you to truly create an outside living space. You can make your kitchen as simple, or as fancy as you want with grills and accessory burners, built in refrigerators, sinks, and a whole host of other appliances designed to make outdoor cooking easy.  However, you will need to make sure your outdoor kitchen is appropriately designed, made out of high quality materials, and attractive. Using concrete–and especially concrete countertops–can help you to create an outdoor kitchen which looks beautiful and which is functional, as well. Concrete is a great material for use in construction of an outdoor kitchen because it can be molded into different shapes and styles and because your concrete countertops can be any color you like. Contact Stamped Artistry today to learn more about your options for creating a beautiful outdoor kitchen.