Technological advancements and a growing demand for buildings that are not only functional but also visually appealing have led to innovations that enhance the aesthetic impact of concrete.

Chryso Southern Africa business unit development manager: concrete aesthetics Michelle Fick explains that customers now have access to a wide range of solutions tailored to various applications, aimed at making concrete both durable and beautiful.

“To achieve the desired aesthetic impact, it is essential to consider how the concrete is applied,” says Fick. “That is why we offer a comprehensive suite of solutions, including surface retarders, integral pigments, surface treatments, curing compounds and demoulding oils.”

These products can be used in combination to enhance the aesthetics of even the most basic concrete features such as pillars or floors, regardless of the project’s scale or complexity.

Colour consistency is a key requirement when using concrete for decorative purposes and Chryso says its integral iron oxide pigments provide vibrant durable colour throughout the concrete mass, so that chips or abrasions won’t reveal an underlying colour difference.

Surface quality is another priority, and the company notes that its plasticisers and superplasticisers improve the workability and flow of a concrete mix, reducing surface defects and ensuring a smooth high quality finish. To further strengthen and enhance surface performance, the company also offers densifiers and hardeners that provide improved abrasion resistance. In addition, its release agents support a clean separation from formwork, enabling a finish with consistent colour and texture.

Viscosity-modifying admixtures such as CHRYSO Quad 20 improve cohesion, preventing issues such as segregation or honeycombing and ensuring a consistent texture.

The problem of efflorescence, which is a white powdery residue that can appear on concrete surfaces, can be addressed with the use of products such as CHRYSO Fuge B, a waterproofing admixture engineered to block pores and reduce the risk of moisture ingress. The company also offers water-repellent surface treatments, such as dry-coat sealers, which prevent water from reacting with free lime, which causes efflorescence.

To further enhance surface finishing and consistency, CHRYSO FiniSafe can be applied just before the final finishing operation to enhance surface uniformity. Fick stresses that the success of any aesthetic concrete application depends on best practice. “We always recommend proper concrete trials before commencing a project, especially for large-scale applications, to confirm the best combination of admixtures and placement methods,” she says.