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MARCH 2014

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Tools for Sawcutting Patterns in Concrete
Sawcutting videos
Stamps are handy for creating faux stone looks in concrete, but many contractors prefer to cut stone patterns by hand using specialized sawcutting tools that allow you to cut intricate free-form designs in concrete. If you're working with existing or hardened concrete, cutting the pattern is often your only option unless you plan on applying an overlay. Watch this series of videos to learn more about the decorative sawcutting equipment available and how to use it.

Concrete Sawcutting Videos 

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Design Ideas for Faux Stone Concrete Patios

  

Medusa of ancient Greek mythology was said to have eyes that could turn anything into stone. Concrete contractors can cast a similar spell by transforming ordinary concrete patios into natural stone of all types, using techniques such as hand carving, stamps, and texturing skins. Using concrete as a replacement for a traditional stone patio is not only cost effective, it also eliminates some of stone's inherent drawbacks. Laying a stone patio can be a labor-intensive process, since each piece must be placed individually. With concrete, the entire patio can be poured in one step and then stamped or scored with a stone-like pattern. Even existing patios can be given a faux stone finish by applying a concrete overlay. Here are examples of the many design options. 

   

Jim Peterson,
The Concrete Network
Faux travertine patio

Faux Stone Patterns
Because of its versatility, nearly all types of stone patios can be recreated using concrete. Slate and flagstone are the most popular concrete patio patterns, but other attractive options include travertine, random-cut fieldstone and European cobblestone.
Or you can simply replicate the texture of stone using special texturing skins that have indistinct pattern lines. For this beautiful patio and outdoor entertaining area, travertine stamps and stone-textured form liners were used to to create a high-end look for a reasonable cost.   

Faux slate patio

Faux Stone Colors 

To reproduce the natural color variations of stone, you can choose from a wide variety of coloring options including stains, dry-shake color hardeners, antiquing agents, and integral colors. Often using a combination of colors or coloring methods will produce the most realistic results. This faux stone concrete patio was installed for about half the cost of a natural slate patio by using an Old English Slate pattern and variegated color accents to replicate those found in natural slate.
Flagstone overlay

Faux Stone Overlays
Concrete patios that mimic stone or slate can be poured new, or you can resurface an existing concrete slab with a stampable overlay. Many manufacturers have made stamps that perfectly replicate slate, flagstone, cobblestone, and more. Another popular technique is to sawcut overlays

into organic shapes to mimic natural hand-laid stone.See these examples: 
Faux Stone Overlay Matches Existing Pool Deck 

Decorative Sawcuts and Staining Mimic Hand-Laid Stone

Faux Flagstone Overlay