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FAUX FLAGSTONE METHODS (CONTINUED)

COLORING
Iron-oxide pigment has been used for hundreds of years in coloring concrete, brick, block and pottery. It is noted for its strength in holding up to UV rays. Great examples of the rich and magnificent colors of iron-oxide pigment can be found in rock formations in and around Sedona, the Grand Canyon and the Arizona-Utah border. 

By applying iron-oxide pigment you can create a very natural blend of earth tones, that holds up very well to UV Rays. Iron-oxide pigment gives you the flexibility to create subtle changes in color or extreme color changes. The pigment also naturally reacts with the texture in each stone to create a natural variation of color. Thus, this technique gives the flexibility of designing slight to extreme color variations in each stone.

Also, acrylic can add a glossy or florescent look to your faux flagstone. Furthermore, if damage is done to the surface, acrylic stains are much more difficult to touch up, particularly if the surface is relatively flat and smooth. 

Most companies don’t use iron-oxide pigment because they find it difficult to apply. A company who installs this type of flagstone must hire craftsmen with significantly more skills than the average laborer, incur more labor cost at each project, and spend more money and time training and maintaining employees. Concrete Texturing estimates it spends $1.00 - $1.25 per square foot more per job using the free-cut method in comparison to using tape or template methods.

While the business of concrete surfacing or concrete coatings is categorized under the construction trades, the employees of Concrete Texturing do not view themselves as just contractors. In our hearts and minds we follow the standards and codes of an artisan who wants to make a lasting impression. Concrete Texturing objective is to create the most realistic, artistically pleasing faux flagstone. We know our long-term success is dependent upon producing a product that people want and want to tell others about. 

FAUX FLAGSTONE VS. REAL FLAGSTONE   
Price of real flagstone ranges from $8.00 - $15.00 per sq. ft. depending on the quality of flagstone and quality of craftsmen. Flagstone that is in the $8.00 to $9.00 range usually is not very durable and tends to scale and deteriorate fairly quickly. It does not handle very well and is very porous. (Meaning it is very prone to staining.) Interior flagstone usually ranges from $12.00 - $18.00 per square foot, because of difficulty in applying the flagstone and the higher quality stone that is much more desirable.

Surface Elevation- Faux flagstone elevates your surface 1/16” to 1/8“. Real flagstone usually elevates your surface approximately 2”.

Have you ever tried to get a flagstone installer to come back and touch up flagstone? Customers tell me its impossible. Concrete Texturing offers a service that will come and touch-up your faux flagstone and reseal it.

Real flagstone grout dries up and crumbles over time. With faux flagstone, there is no more crumbling grout to worry about. 

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