Materials used in home design have come and gone—and come back again—over the years. Stucco, tile or tin roofing, board and batten siding, terrazzo, Formica and track lighting are all examples of out-dated materials that have come back for another round as the latest in “retro.”
One material that was never quite out of style, and is now enjoying new life, is concrete. In fact, concrete is one of the most exciting “new” materials in home design today. When used appropriately, decorative concrete can greatly enhance both the appearance and resale value of your home.

Concrete is a natural material, made of a combination of cement, sand, water and gravel. It is not particularly expensive, and wears well through changes in weather. It takes color, shape, scoring and imprinting, and can be inlaid, wrapped, and mixed with other materials to add flair or to allow for expansion.

Outdoors, concrete is the perfect material for driveways, borders, patios, terraces, porches and walkways. While brick and natural stone have become quite expensive, concrete is affordable and can be accented with stone, slate or brick. A relatively new process, integral color dying, mixes color in concrete before it is laid. Because the color is computer-controlled, it is predictable and consistent throughout the slab. The resulting material resists fading and chipping, and is especially good for use in high-traffic areas such as driveways and walkways.

Less-trafficked areas color nicely with a process called acid staining, which imposes color on the concrete’s surface. Acid staining can produce stunning results, as it allows imperfections to show through for a more natural and organic effect. The finished product often looks aged, marbleized and very rich. Surfaces that are rough or broom-finished for added traction and safety can be acid stained, as well.

Pavestone is a pre-formed concrete product. These man-made pavers are very hard, are UV colorfast, do not mildew and come in a wide variety of styles, ranging in pattern from brick to slate to cobblestone to fieldstone. Pavestones vary in size from pavers to huge wall stones. A single style can be used effectively, or a mix of pavers can be combined for a more varied pattern. Dionne Richard, owner of Outdoor Solutions in Covington, notes that pavers are quite popular, as they are easy to repair. This fact was emphasized after damage from Hurricane Katrina. “If a tree falls down and pavers pop up because of it, you just put them right back,” she says.

Indoors, concrete can be an excellent flooring solution. Jim Lynch, of Lynch Floor Company, finds it easier to stain concrete when it has been installed for that purpose. In existing rooms where there has only been carpet without glue, a simple cleaning process may be all that is necessary. Where there are remnants of glue or grout, light sanding or cement overlay may be necessary. According to Lynch, some imperfections or staining can add to the character of the floor. Once the surface is ready to be stained, two coats of color and two coats of sealer are applied in stages. When all is dry, a high-speed buffer adds the finishing patina and brings the floor to life.

Michelle Hill recently acid-stained the floors in two rooms for about $100. She says that the process was quite easy. After thoroughly cleaning the slab in her 25-year-old home, she applied a color called Black Coffee. Her new floors now have an aged tortoise-shell look, with imperfections only improving the floor’s character.

Because concrete is such an adaptable material, decorative treatments are possible, both indoors and out. Stamping or imprinting new slabs can create the look of natural stone. Scoring, too, is a wonderful way of patterning concrete. Scoring can be done on new or existing concrete, though it can be messy in an existing home.

Virginia Provosty Bessent of Via Matris is enthusiastic about the beauty and versatility of concrete, describing it as organic and real, a wonderful medium for almost any use. While her favorite current concrete project is for the countertop of an outdoor kitchen, she likes it for indoor countertops, as well. She uses it for patios, drives, borders and walkways, often personalizing a project by inlaying shards, stones, tile and memorabilia. Other special touches include imprinting with leaves and other natural objects, leaving space for mosses to grow, and creating surface texture with the grains of wooden planks. When scoring concrete, she uses curves, as well as straight lines. These lines often delineate differing fields of color, which is especially important when she is marrying concrete to the colors of a particular environment.

My own current concrete projects include a scored concrete terrace, some pathways and a patio made of inexpensive stones from Home Depot. I plan to acid-stain my terrace and to plant grasses and moss between the stones. If all goes well, I may become confident enough to acid-stain some interior floors. Stay tuned—and let me know if you try any brave or exotic concrete projects in your home environment!

Regular contributor Betsy Mattox Tarkington, a northshore native, is a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker TEC. For more information, contact her at 373-6186.