How to Add Glass Accents to a Concrete Patio
Concrete with recycled glass accents are a popular trend. Transform a plain concrete patio by adding an inlay of chopped colored glass as part of pouring the concrete. It may be more expensive than plain or stamped concrete, but if you know how to pour concrete, it's a project you can do yourself. Choose any combination of colored glass to create the look you desire. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Add an acrylic fortifier to the concrete mix to help the glass bond to the concrete and to improve water resistance. Build the forms and pour the concrete as you normally would.
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Strike off the concrete, but don't rough trowel it yet.
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Sprinkle glass chips across the concrete in the pattern and amount you desire. If you have multiple sizes of chips, add the largest first, then the mediums and finally the smallest pieces.
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Tamp the glass down into the concrete using a float.
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Use a trowel to press the glass lightly into the concrete. Only go far enough that the glass is embedded. If you push it in too deep, it will take too much grinding later.
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Let the concrete cure as long as needed, usually 7-14 days. Keep it covered in plastic for the first week to trap the moisture.
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Grind the concrete down to the desired level of glass exposure. Use progressive levels of grit until you have achieved your desired finish.
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Seal the patio to protect it from damage.
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