How to Afford Decorative Concrete on a Budget
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Hi ,
With the unlimited decorative options available
for concrete, it's easy to be like a kid in a candy store and want everything
that appeals to you. However, the more decorative goodies you put into your
project, the more expensive it will be due to higher material and labor costs.
So how do you satisfy your aesthetic sweet tooth without blowing your budget? Avoid temptation by using just one or
two simple decorative treatments. Here, we give you six great ideas for achieving economical but elegant
looks throughout your home.
Jim Peterson,
The Concrete Network
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SIX MONEY-SAVING TIPS
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1. For interior concrete floors, opt for a basic one-color stain application with a coat of sealer
rather than more elaborate treatments, advises Bob Harris of The Decorative
Concrete Institute and author of Bob Harris' Guide to Stained Concrete Interior Floors. "When the
contractor proposes decorative sawcuts, contrasting stain colors or intricate
graphics, this increases the labor as well as the material cost," he says.
See
"What Will I Pay for Stained Concrete?"
2. Instead of installing a stamped concrete
driveway combining multiple colors and patterns, c  onsider going with one
integral color or one color of hardener. Another economical way to add
decorative flair is to stencil the concrete with a decorative border.
3. Use an economical but attractive exposed-aggregate
or rock-salt finish
for patios, sidewalks and other exterior pavements.
 4. Polished concrete flooring is an economical
alternative to marble or granite and will give you the same mirrorlike finish.
5. If you're building a concrete fireplace
surround, take into account that intricate details and curves will
usually boost the cost. Turn some curves in your design into
straight lines, and minimize the detail work. See "Ten Tips for Designing a Concrete Fireplace".
6. With concrete countertops, the final
cost often depends on the creativity and  time required by the artisan to
incorporate special details.Things that can add to the bottom line: irregular or curved shapes, thicker 2-inch concrete, integral
drain boards, custom edges and back splashes. See "Concrete Countertop Pricing".
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