Concrete Engraving – What is it?

Concrete engraving is the act of remodeling existing (cured) concrete by cutting patterns and texture into the surface. Engraved designs and patterns simulate building materials such as brick, tile, stone, pavers or a ranging variety of graphic elements. Geometric patterns with straight, circular or serpentine lines and custom designs are cut directly into the surface of the concrete.  Decorative concrete engraving adds depth and dimension plus it is commonly used as a color separation technique.

Several tools have been designed specifically for or adapted for concrete engraving. Intersecting lines and graphic elements are easily controlled with precision tools which have appropriate cutters. Dust control, for many reasons is a necessity. Most engraving tools have shrouds and guards which attach to standard shop vacuums. Pneumatic tools have combination water/vacuum dust control. The bottom of the engraved area is as visually important as the surface, making accurate depth control essential.  Engraved kerfs may range from very narrow to very wide, depending on the design parameters.  Kerf depths are typically 1/16th, 3/32nds or 1/8th inch deep.  Depth of the engraved lines can be purely aesthetic or functional. A deeper engraving is required in order to hold sufficient amounts of an epoxy or grout in the recessed area.

Depending on several things like temperature and humidity, with few exceptions, stains and sealers require a 30 to 45 day cure time. Concrete hydrates during cure. As it cures moisture dissipates from the slab. If it is sealed too soon the water vapors may build up and push the stain and sealer off. How soon a pattern can be engraved or cut also depends on several things like temperature, humidity, aggregate type, and the type of cut. You should wait at least 7 days before decorative engraving.

Green Benefits.

Existing concrete is an energy bank where huge amounts of fuel and man-hours are stored. Existing concrete contains the energy used to mine, manufacture and transport cement, aggregate and multiple other ingredients. Those ingredients are delivered to an energy consuming batch plant to be dumped into an energy consuming truck to transport to a job site where large amounts of fuel were consumed in preparation to place the concrete.  Then more man power with more fuel was consumed to form, pour and finish that same concrete.   Existing concrete should be remodeled and enhanced in-situ to save fuel, energy and man-power.  Concrete, either new or vintage, can be reused and re-purposed more than once before end of lits life.

Can my concrete be engraved:

Nearly any existing finish or surface can be used although the pattern should complement the surface.  For instance, a highly textured flagstone pattern will look best for pitted and/or cracked slabs but a smooth tile look would not.  Existing concrete should be thoroughly cleaned before processing.