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Using Honed Concrete Outdoors

Using honed concrete outdoors provides a sleek and polished finish for entertaining areas and pathways.

The honed finish can be applied to coloured concrete and exposed aggregate to create a contemporary space customised to the unique colour scheme and surrounds of your home.

So, what exactly is honed concrete? How do you implement it, and why choose it over other options? To answer those questions, here are some tips, tricks and suggestions for creating and maintaining a gorgeous outdoor area with the use of honed concrete.

 

Creating honed concrete

The process of honing concrete is achieved through grinding the top layer of the concrete to reveal a natural stone and a flat matt finish.

This surface is naturally slip resistant and suitable for all weather conditions, making it ideal for both indoors and outdoors.

Honed concrete is crafted to be low maintenance, easy to clean, allergy-friendly, hardwearing and has a high thermal mass, making it comfortable all year round.

And just like polished concrete, getting the honed concrete look is more affordable than you might think.

 

Myth Busted

We see a lot of concern and misconception among customers about the safety of using honed concrete outdoors.

Contrary to popular belief, honed concrete is naturally slip resistant.

Although the stunning sleek look of honed concrete may appear otherwise, honed concrete is suitable for uncovered outdoor areas and pool surrounds.

Professional installation and finishing along with proper maintenance and care will ensure a safe outdoor landscaping option that stands the test of time.

Of course, any surface can become difficult to walk on if wet, so always ensure your outdoor area, although weatherproof, is routinely cleared of water run-off.

 

Maintenance

Decorative outdoor concrete, like honed concrete, is easy to clean and maintain.

Regular sweeping or light hosing is adequate for cleaning concrete, but if in doubt, always ask a professional concrete installer what other options they recommend.

Honed concrete is an increasingly popular outdoor landscaping and building material, providing a unique and customisable solution for backyards, patios, paths and pool surrounds.

Visit our website to see the Geostone honed concrete product range available in your area and be sure to visit our blog archive for more information about decorative concrete.

Tame Your Garden With Concrete

Gardens and outdoor areas can be a lot of work, but you can easily tame your garden with decorative concrete.

Regardless of how large or small the area, landscaping is an exciting makeover process that gives a sense of order and personalised style to your outdoor space.

One of the most effective materials for landscaping is concrete, which can be used to turn any backyard into a modern and inviting garden oasis.

Decorative concrete options such as coloured concrete and exposed aggregate with natural stone can be used in a wide variety of ways to add beauty and functionality, from paths and patios, to retaining walls and pool surrounds.

These are just some of the tips for using concrete to tame your garden, and create a low-maintenance and welcoming outdoor area.

Paths:

Concrete paths are one of the simplest ways to bring order to a garden and draw the eye to a linear passageway through the outdoor area.

Using decorative concrete gives any space a sense of individuality and structure.

You can select from a range of concrete colours and finishes to create landscaping that complements your home and the local surrounds.

The use of decorative concrete isn’t limited to the backyard. Coloured concrete and exposed aggregate are popular options for decorative concrete driveways too.

Plants and foliage:

Concrete planters and pots can be used to bring order and form to a garden, while creating a neutral and natural colour palette.

Textured concrete such as exposed aggregate can be used to decorate empty corners, or to create a focal point in a patio.

Vertical garden walls can be used in small gardens, courtyards and balconies, adding a natural decorative effect.

Using concrete in your garden can also help to control plant growth and minimise weeds, creating a low maintenance space while embracing plant life.

Decorative additions:

Decorative concrete features can be added to any garden or outdoor area, livening up the space while creating unity and flow.

Concrete sculptures and vases can be positioned to create an organised and welcoming look, while garden screens and water features help to section and divide a garden.

If space saving is a priority, then more streamlined or taller concrete ornaments can be used.

Overall, sectioning off and ordering your outdoor area helps to tame the garden, creating an inviting and peaceful space.

Patios and entertaining areas:

Enjoying the great outdoors is a big part of life in Australia. And most homeowners want an attractive outdoor area to entertain friends and family.

Decorative concrete can be used for everything from patios to swimming pool surrounds, allowing you to choose concrete colours and aggregates to complement your home.

There are many ways to further beautify a concrete patio including lighting, furniture and further landscaping. You could even consider a concrete bench seat with added cushions for a luxe earthy look.

Garden beds and borders:

Concrete can be used to create decorative borders or patterns.  Additionally, using concrete to create garden beds and borders provides greater weed resistance, reduced mosquito breeding, and a greater sense of style.

So, is there a limit to just how much of a garden should be remodelled with concrete? The balance is perfected by combining decorative concrete and stone with other natural materials and plenty of fresh natural greenery.

With such a wide selection of colours and finishes to choose from, decorative concrete is the perfect option for creating a unique garden that remains inviting and visually appealing for years to come.

For more information, tips and tricks on using decorative concrete indoors or out, visit the Geostone blog archive or contact us today.