Cool Epoxy Coffee Table Designs for 2018

 Have you been trying to change the look of your living room lately? Its centerpiece is the coffee table. Do you want a nice one that didn’t cost a fortune? You can build one yourself using cheap materials from a local DIY shop.

Make Sure it is the Right Size

Any slab of wood you can get is a good core material. Grab one that is the right size for your living room. Too small would make it irrelevant and out of place. Too big would take too much valuable space. You want the height of the coffee table to be about the same height as the cushions on your sofa. Its length should be almost as long as your sofa, about two-thirds to make it very accessible. And make sure you have enough space between it and the surrounding seats.

Prep the Material Thoroughly

Thoroughly sand the wood slab. It may require minor cuts before sanding. Sand all sides and edges. It is a good habit to fill cracks and knots with tung oil. You can find one at your local DIY shop or hardware. This helps a lot in preventing air bubbles from forming after epoxy is applied. Tung oil hardens upon exposure to air. The transparent coat fills and protects the wood and also adds a deeper tone to it.

Apply the Epoxy

You may use a natural colored piece of wood or one that’s painted. Next, you want about 1 gallon epoxy resin. You will need to coat the wood with epoxy all over. Now make sure you have plastic covering the floor underneath the wood slab for protection. But make sure the wood surface is level, as epoxy is self-leveling and will run to the lowest side. All the epoxy would run off the table. Use a leveling tool and flatten it using a wood plane.

Now you’re ready to mix the epoxy parts A and B. Pour both parts into one container. Mix for 8 minutes, or follow the instructions on the container.

Pour epoxy on top of the wood slab and use a squeegee to spread it all over. Use a brush to spread on the sides too. Use torch or heat gun to remove air bubbles.
As the epoxy dries continue to wipe the drips from the bottom so you don’t have to sand them off once they dry. You can use a brush to do this.

If the wood slab is painted, you can add color flakes while the epoxy is wet. You can choose from different colors creating different effects when mixed. Grab a handful of the color flakes and toss them above the wood slab.

Pouring plain clear epoxy on black wood creates a lovely glass effect once it hardens. You can add color pigments of varying colors to create a nice marble effect. Make sure you use gloves as it can get really messy. You can add vinyl stickers then apply a clear coat on top. You can use all the colors of the rainbow. Blue and black would make a nice marble effect.

Don’t Forget the Legs

Now for the legs, you can use 1-inch diameter pipe and matching floor flanges for the feet and table support. Make sure the pipe lengths are about the height of the cushions on your sofa.

This is just one nice project you can do using epoxy. And it’s a nice way to match your epoxy resin flooring design or color since epoxy floors project a minimalist, uncluttered and vibrant theme to any room.

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How to Make a Concrete Patio Look Like an Outdoor Rug

A concrete patio is very common in Austin, TX. It is one of the most affordable and durable materials but there is no denying that it does not look as appealing as other paving materials. If you find yourself staring one day and realize that you are sick and tired of that plain gray slab right outside your door, there is a way to change that up. Here are budget-friendly ways how you could make the concrete surface look like it has an outdoor rug on it:

Create Patterns with Concrete Patio Stains

Staining concrete patio is one of the most popular methods of coloring concrete. It penetrates deep into the slab so you won’t have to worry about any peeling, fading, or flaking. Although acid stains are more popular because of the impressive effects it creates, water-based stains are more appropriate for acquiring an “outdoor rug” look. Hire a professional to create the patterns you want. They may do this manually or use stencils for more meticulous designs. A layer of concrete patio sealer is highly recommended. Not only does this add a bit of shine, it also makes the color richer and stay on longer.

Paint Over It

Using paint is also a good idea if you want to make the patio a lot more decorative. Just make sure that the surface is very clean before applying paint. This type of coloring agent is topical so expect the color to stay on top of the slab. This is ideal for low-traffic patios because paint easily peels and scratches off. Popular patterns are stripes and checks. It is highly recommended to ask a pro for the best outdoor paint to use to make sure it is durable enough to withstand outdoor elements. Also, a layer of protective sealer or finisher could add extra protection.

If you do choose to put a real rug on it, make sure that it is one designed for outdoor use. You still might want to have the concrete patio sealed or finished with a clear coat before putting a rug over it. This makes the slab look more pleasant. It also lowers the natural porosity of concrete, which is its strong ability to absorb dirt and moisture. This way, you can rest assured that it won’t easily stain, discolor, or absorb anything that could wreak havoc within the slab.

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Top 3 Highly Recommended Pool Deck Resurfacing Solutions by Top Contractors

A swimming pool is definitely beneficial to any homeowner. It is a great place for taking laps, which is good exercise even for the elderly. It is a wonderful place to relax after a long day’s work. It is also a cool place to hold a party or a simple gathering of family and friends. Top contractors that specialize in pool decks highly suggest making the deck comfortable to walk on and very slip-resistant. It should be durable enough to withstand use and exposure to outdoor elements. For revamping concrete pool decks, here are the top solutions that made it on the list of reputable contractors’ faves:

Spray Knockdown Texture

There are many good things about this pool deck coating that must be mentioned. One is the very slip-resistant texture it creates once sprayed and knocked down on a concrete slab. This is similar to a stucco drywall, but with a friendlier texture. The spray texture provides enough grip to prevent slips and falls but comfortable enough to walk on even without shoes or flip-flops. Another must-mention attribute is its low-temperature surface. Even under a scorching sun, the surface stays cool to the touch.

Stamped Concrete Overlay

Although this is associated more with patios, it is also ideal for pool decks. It offers a wide range of patterns to choose from and each one is great to use around the pool. Some of the popular designs are flagstone, travertine, brick, pavers, tile, fractured slate, ashlar, and more. The imprinted patterns created after stamping the overlay make the deck slip-resistant. If you want a more decorative look than what a spray texture provides, then stamping is the right choice. The patterns can be further enhanced with concrete staining. You have the option to have the entire deck stamped or just specific sections, like borders and copings.

Stained Concrete

Plain concrete pool decks can be made more interesting with a fresh color. But instead of paint, which is a common coloring material, concrete stain is a more effective option. Acid stains can make the deck look like one whole stone slab. You can choose a color that matches or complements the design of the house or swimming pool. If worried about slip-resistance, a sealer with very fine abrasives can be applied on top of the colored deck to make the surface more slip-resistant.

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Top 5 Pool Deck Material Options for Residential and Commercial Pools

Gone are the days when we had to make do with a plain concrete pool deck. There are so many pool deck material options nowadays that creating a pool area has become more than just adding a facility, but improving the value of the property and the lives of the people who own it as well. Here are the top options for pool decks:

 

Stamped Concrete

A stamped concrete overlay is highly customizable. It offers a wide range of patterns that can be colored to your liking. An overlay can be installed quickly and easily on an existing pool deck. Some people are concerned about its slip-resistance but the stamped patterns promote enough grip to make it non-skid. You can add fine abrasives to the sealer coat to enhance its grip even further.

Natural Stone

Stone is quite a luxurious choice especially if the material needs to be imported from another city or state. The most common types of stone used on pool decks are flagstone and slate. These are long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing, and damaged stones can be easily replaced. As it is a luxurious option, it is also high maintenance. The surface needs to be resealed every season.

Travertine

This high-end material comes in a wide range of colors that do not fade. It stays cool to the touch and is highly slip-resistant. It is a popular option, being able to withstand extreme temperatures and freeze-thaw cycles. However, it needs to be resealed regularly because it is a very soft kind of stone. Travertine installation is labor-intensive and tedious.

Pavers

Also considered as a popular material among homeowners, pavers are affordable yet very durable. They come in various shapes and in a limited number of colors. Pavers are laid out beside each other without using grout. This makes it easier to replace any damaged piece without harming the surrounding pieces. All you have to do is pull the piece out and replace with another. The only downside to pavers is that it can be quite rough to hands and bare feet.

Brick

Bricks are often used on borders and copings, but rarely on the entire deck. This material, like pavers, can be easily removed and replaced. It comes in one shape but can be arranged in many different patterns like running brick, stacked bond, herringbone, and more. Brick is a long-lasting material that can withstand most damaging elements. It is, however, very porous so it needs to be sealed and resealed regularly.

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A Guide to Planning Your Pool Deck Design

A swimming pool is probably the most awesome addition you can install in your backyard space. It is a source of fun, relaxation, and even stress relief. An awesome pool deserves an equally awesome pool deck. Planning one is not an easy feat. It involves a lot of elements and each one needs to suit your needs and wants perfectly. There is also the challenge of deciding on one or two types of material out of a huge selection. Not to mention having to choose the right color palette for the entire deck. Before you pull out your hair from frustration, check out this short guide to help you make small but meaningful decisions and to create an overall design concept.

• What Theme Do You Have in Mind?

A theme is important because it draws every element together. If you just design on a whim, there is a huge chance that it would be chaotic. By sticking to one concept, you are able to make all the elements in a pool deck harmonize with each other. Say, you want a tropical theme. Then you think natural stone, greenery, sandy white or beige deck colors, and anything that gives the impression of beach and sun.

• Would You Like to Include Greenery?

Softscape is optional, however, there are many benefits to having some plants around the pool area. If you do not have a green thumb, there is no need to set up a garden. You can just have pots of plants strategically placed in different areas around the pool deck.

• Do You Want a Shaded Area on the Deck?

It is important to think ahead for this because you would need to determine which area of the deck would actually benefit from a shade. This means you have to monitor the pool area for a day as the sun moves. You have to observe how the rays of the sun fall on the pool deck. You can go from a simple hanging fabric to a more elaborate one, like a cabana.

• What Source of Light Do You Prefer?

Lighting is a crucial element in any outdoor pool deck. Aside from its contribution to the aesthetic appeal of the deck when night falls, it also makes the area safe and secure. There are many options for lighting. You can add lamp posts or hang fixtures on the exterior of the house. Lights in the pool are also highly recommended. Use LED lights as they illuminate better and are very energy-efficient. If you prefer something more outdoorsy, tiki lights, torches, and fire pits are great options.

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5 Stamped Concrete Overlay Ideas

When you think of upgrading your property, the first thing you may think about is to remodel. The second thing that comes to your mind is the cost that comes with it. However, there are various ways you could minimize expenses without scrimping on results. One such way is opting for stamped concrete overlay. This involves the application of stamped overlay patterns on existing concrete, which means you can keep the old floor, thus, saving yourself from having to pay for a new pour. There are many options for you if you choose to go with a decorative concrete overlay. Here are some great ideas to get you started:

Stand Out with Replicated Stone or Wood Surfaces

If you want your floors to really stand out beautifully while you get to enjoy extra time away from maintenance and extra money from the economic cost of stamped concrete, opt for stamped concrete. The great thing about concrete stamp patterns is that these are designed to replicate the look of natural stone or wood without the hassles of maintaining real stones and wood.

Encourage an Architectural Style Match-Up

Your floors should complement the architectural style of your home to make it look connected. Whether you live in an old world or modern home, there is a concrete pattern that would match it perfectly.

Highlight Key Areas like Walkways and Focal Points

Walkways may just be a surface to walk upon but it can make or break the curb appeal of any property. By having decorative concrete contractors install an overlay and stamp it with a pattern, you get to highlight important areas on your outdoor space. This can also be done to enhance a focal point, like a water feature, much further.

Accentuate Plain Surfaces with Decorative Borders

A concrete pool deck enhancement is something gaining popularity nowadays. One good idea to increase aesthetic appeal is to accentuate the area with a decorative border around the pool or the walkway leading to the deck. You can also have stamped overlay patterns on the coping, if you want.

Break Flow with Contrasting Stamped Overlay Patterns

Let’s say you have a wide commercial property with lots of walking space. Although a uniform look on the floor is acceptable, it is not a head-turning asset. Eliminate this and similar problems with stamped concrete overlays. Make it more interesting by choosing a contrasting pattern and a color that complements the establishment as a whole.

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