ReleaseWire Connect

Calgary Concrete has just released a fantastic new concrete coloring agent called Tru Tique. Calgary Concrete Tru Tique is an ultra simple water based antiquing color wash solution designed to provide that natural, two-tone mottled effect normally obtained by the use of colored release agents. Tru Tique is unique in that it is perfect for coloring new surfaces or for rejuvenating existing textured surfaces that have faded over time. Using it is as simplistic as mixing a small amount of dry powder into a designated amount of water and liberally applying to the surface and be allowed to dry. Once dry you can safely apply a professional quality decorative concrete sealer. Now you can take that 10yr old, color faded patio, and in a few short hours restore it to the look that it had on day one. The process is simple and requires almost no special skills. Color will provide contrast by running off the high spots and settling in the low areas and being allowed to dry before resealing. Multiple colors may be used for even more effect. When the desired look is achieved, seal the surface with an appropriate sealer such as Tru Impressions Stampsheen. Currently 16 colors, matching the current antique release pallet. Coverage is 1500-3000 square feet. Available direct or at a distributor near you.

A colored and stamped concrete patio is the perfect decorative "flooring" for outdoor entertaining areas, offering all the beauty of an indoor floor along with the superior durability and weather resistance of exterior concrete. More homeowners are also realizing that a stamped concrete patio can give them the high-end look of natural stone, but at a much lower price tag. “We charge around $12 per square foot for stamped concrete, while pavers typically cost around $20 per square foot, and real flagstone or bluestone approaches $30,” says C.J. Salzano of Salzano Custom Concrete, Centreville, Va. What’s more, the money you save by installing a stamped concrete patio can be set aside for other enhancements to the outdoor space, such as a pergola or concrete fire pit.

Although stamped concrete is often faster and more convenient to install than brick or stone, it's still a complicated process requiring the right tools, materials, expertise and jobsite conditions to ensure a successful outcome. A lot of steps are involved in stamping concrete, and crews only have a short window of time to complete them before the fresh concrete begins to harden. In addition to placing and impressing each stamp, they must broadcast color hardener over the surface and apply a release agent to the stamps so they won’t stick. After the concrete sets, more work must be done, including installing joints, doing detail work, and applying a sealer. (See this step-by-step overview of the stamping process.)

Adding to the value of decorative stamped concrete is the material's inherent strength and endurance. Like conventional concrete, stamped concrete will provide decades of service when properly installed and maintained, even when exposed to harsh winter weather conditions.