What can I do to keep concrete surfaces looking nice as they age?
I was asking myself that same question about a week ago. And the answer comes down to maintenance. You can also use certain treatments to make the concrete more resistant.
Most of what makes old concrete look ugly has to do with it getting dirty, gaining stains, and developing cracks. And all three can be prevented or minimized by sealing the concrete. Sealants can be used on their own or as part of a decorative process — check out these epoxy flakes for an example: https://www.staintech.com/flake-epoxy/ — and they help protect the concrete from the outside world.
The resulting sealed concrete is easier to clean and maintain. And the sealant helps keep moisture out of the concrete, which is a common reason for cracks developing over time. Especially in areas where temperature changes can make water expand or evaporate inside the concrete.
If you don’t want to bother with sealing the concrete, you can still greatly improve its longevity by keeping it clean using products made for concrete surfaces.
