Transform concrete to granite

By Matt Weafer
Messenger-Inquirer

Concrete is a basic building block in modern construction. Whether it’s a basement floor, garage or driveway, concrete is the starting point for millions of homes.

Despite its economic and structural benefits, concrete is not all that attractive in its raw form.

But new trends such as concrete stamping and staining have moved into Owensboro.

Ward Pedley, Jr. offers an unlimited amount of options to decorate concrete. Pedley can do anything from etching and staining the floor to resemble cobblestone to using a diamond polish and acid staining to convert a basic concrete basement into an elegant granite-style floor.

For both indoors and out, concrete stamping and staining enhances the appearance of concrete and the home.

Rather than just painting concrete with glossy gray for the basement or tiling over it, Pedley’s 600-pound diamond polishers can transform an old but sturdy floor into a gleaming work of art.

Refurbishing an old concrete floor is more economical than pouring a new floor and enhances the look and value of the home.

“(Polishing) is an economical alternative to granite flooring by all means,” Pedley said.
It has nearly the same durability and appearance of granite.

“As if concrete is not hard enough, diamond polishing will make concrete harder,” he said.

The polished concrete will resist scratches and requires less maintenance.

“It’s not maintenance-free,” Pedley said, “but it has very reduced maintenance. Nothing is maintenance-free. Everything’s got to be cleaned.”

The options in concrete embellishment are limitless, Pedley said.

With stamping and stenciling he can mimic cobblestone, brick, slate or random stone. With sealer and dye, the designs look realistic and much more elegant than plain concrete.

With pattern stamping or stenciling, after the polishing and staining the concrete is “probably better than cobblestone,” Pedley said.

Diamond polishing makes existing concrete more durable. When laying new concrete, Pedley reinforces it with wire.

Concrete is a much better option than loose stone, Pedley said. “It’s a better method because you don’t have any erosion or weeds growing up through rock,” he said.

Concrete is also cheaper than loose stone and composed of recycled material.

For the exterior a number of options are available as well. A recent trend, Pedley said, is people stamping and staining patios and sidewalks.

Another popular trend is acid staining.

Pedley polishes the concrete with the diamond polisher which opens pores in the concrete. He then adds an acid stain, which creates a chemical reaction between metallic salts, reacting with lime producing unpredictable patterns usually in earth tones — brown red and green. He then neutralizes the acids and seals the concrete.

The diamond segments in the diamond polisher “bring back a new floor,” he said.
Acid staining also works on smaller pieces of concrete for countertops. And the acid staining is much cheaper than granite.

The diamond polishing and acid staining are available for outdoors as well, but the concrete will not be polished as well, Pedley said, otherwise the concrete would be too slick.

Since diamond polishing refreshes the concrete and makes it sturdier, the concrete is actually comparable to the durability of granite.

Any other patterns or pictures can be added to the concrete, as well.

“I’ve got saws that cut anything,” he said, “flagstone or medallions.”

Color and pattern are limitless as well. “Any pattern,” he said. “I know that sounds broad but it’s true.”

Some businesses he said apply logos to the concrete and then add sealer.

“There’s no end to what you can do,” Pedley said. “We can produce any pattern anybody can want.”

Reprinted with permission from the Messenger-Inquirer.