Patterned concrete driveways are becoming increasingly popular because they offer an easy way of creating an appealing design for your driveway or floor.
Patterned concrete floors are low maintenance and are perfect for large open spaces. However, cutting even patterns into concrete is a painstaking task.
You can create scored concrete patterns using a handheld saw, but you will need to work carefully. It can be so easy to make a mistake and ruin the whole job!
Stains and Cuts
To get the best look for your concrete it is a good idea to use a combination of stains and cuts.
Stained concrete will have a nice textured look to it and is more colourful than unstained concrete. You can then score a pattern on top.
How to Stain and Saw Your Concrete
The exact method that you use will depend on the plan for the final design.
If you expect the floor to be all one colour, then you can pour and stain the concrete, then cut the lines into the concrete once the staining is done.
However, if you want multiple colours that will change at the line, you should cut the concrete then stain it because this will give you a crisper look[1].
Cutting Techniques
Cutting concrete can be tricky. For best results, you should mark out the area you want to cut with a guide, and then cut following that guide.
It is much easier to cut straight lines than it is to cut curved ones, and a continuous straight cut will be easier too.
When cutting, try to be gentle. Don’t push too hard, and don’t twist the blade. Try not to let the blade spin in the cut, as this could cause excessive wear on the blade[2].
Smaller cuts that are done for cosmetic purposes can kick up a lot of dust and debris, which may be harmful to your eyes and lungs.
Safety glasses are a must when cutting concrete, and it is a good idea to wear a mask or respirator that is rated appropriately for the job.
This will help to protect you from the dust that is kicked up while you are cutting[3].
Radial Cuts
If you need to make more detailed cuts then you will need a saw that is designed for the job.
Small cuts can be made by hand, but for longer cuts, you may want to use a trolley to guide the saw in a straight line.
There are also special tools for making radial cuts which may be useful as well.
Choosing the right tools for the job is a must because cutting concrete for decorative purposes requires more skill than just ‘following the lines’.
You may need several different sizes of blades to cut a detailed pattern. Some blades will be more suitable for bevelled edges, while others will be better for straight lines[4].
Some cuts can be made with angle grinders, but this is hard to do this if you are a beginner. Angle grinders are handy for touch-ups, but they produce a lot of dust.
This means that it is harder to see what you are doing when you are making longer cuts. One mistake and the whole job could be ruined.
Cutting circles can be done with a saw that has a centre pivot attachment.
This turns a complex and detailed job into something that can be done relatively easily by one person.
However, it is still important to measure, mark and review every cut before it is made. It is very hard to undo mistakes.
If you are looking for a specialist concrete cutting company who uses only the best practices to get the job done right, then please call us at Megasaw on 1300 920 419 or contact us through our website https://www.megasaw.com.au/contact-us/