Greetings!
Do you want to be on the cutting edge when it comes to using decorative concrete outdoors, and dare to go beyond a simple ho-hum driveway or patio slab? Creative contractors are always experimenting with new looks and applications for outdoor concrete, often in response to the desires and changing lifestyles of their customers. Here are some of the hottest trends we've been noticing at The Concrete Network, based on recent outdoor projects concrete contractors have shared with us. Hopefully, they will spark your imagination and embolden you to take on projects that rise above the ordinary and break new ground.
Jim Peterson,
The Concrete Network
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Going back to nature
With the growing concerns about our environment and preserving our natural resources, more homeowners are using concrete because it's a sustainable, eco-friendly building material. Plus, it also has an organic look and feel that can enhance and even mimic the surrounding environment.
See these projects for ideas:
Concrete Mimics Natural Stone
Natural Pool Designs Brought to Life
Concrete Lava Rock Driveway
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Creating backyard adventures
More people are taking "staycations" in their own backyards and using concrete to create mini theme parks, complete with faux-rock water features, concrete garden bridges, fire pits, a scuplted concrete pool with water slides, and even a ship-wrecked concrete boat.
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Outdoor fireplaces
Outdoor fireplaces continue to grow in popularity, with the trend in outdoor rooms fueling the fire. According to Scott Cohen of The Green Scene, homeowners are catching on to the fact that concrete fireplaces and
other outdoor enhancements are a great way to add value to a home. Learn more.
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Custom concrete furniture
With its year-round weather resistance and ability to be molded into any shape, concrete is being used to create permanent backyard furniture, from patio tables and benches to outdoor concrete pool tables. This custom concrete furniture lasts a lifetime and never needs to be painted or refinished. See more examples.
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