Residential concrete "prettifying" ideas ?

[Deschodt]

I have this concrete area in front of the house, 1/2 covered 1/2 exposed, that came with some sort of thin stucco layer added on, giving it a very slight textured look (honestly like a wall stucco except non slip and sandier). The thing is slowly dissapearing, each pressure wash takes away some of the sandy/orangy color, high traffic areas and under the gate wheel are slowly reverting back to grey (thinner there). It looks like crap. The rest of the area is brick - same level..

What's the best thing to do ? I like those modern big "concrete rectangles surrounded by gravel" look but that means breaking up what's there most likely ( adding on top would mean having to level of the rest of area, raising the gate). Mega job.

I could tile with something thin, but not sure how that looks as there's some texture left that may require flattening or more cement under to level out, and slight sloping from 3 directions leading to a drain in the center, I fear tile would look "meh" because it may make the slight slopes more obvious, a bit like a shower pan. Also tiling over that "junk" - not sure how good adhesion would be long term...

I read up on micro concrete coatings - could work - slight grind, coat of whatever color/stamping... I had a coat of stamped material done in a previous driveway (but then the guy robbed me so that tech is now associated with a ripoff in my head)..

I could deck but again it'd then be higher than the brick on the rest of the area.

Anyone did something similar recently and can recommend options, stuff I'm not thinking of, or what have you ? I should post a pic but I am embarrassed...

[Deschodt]

Hell, not that embarrassed after all - ugliest area

[john70t]

I wouldn't hire anyone but a specialist (unless yer really bold) but acid stained concrete can be done in a number of ways. Tight patterns, organic, faux stone, etc. Not sure how long it holds up but I really like the look. I've seen wax and epoxy topcoats.
https://www.concretedecor.net/decorativeconcretearticles/vol-14-no-3-april-2014/victoria-simpson-collins-capitol-decorative-concrete/

[gregpark]

Where in CA are you? If you're in the SF bay area I've got a buddy who specializes in what you're after. He can make it look like whatever you want. It's not a cheap procedure but it'll last

[LWJ]

We just hired a top shelf concrete contractor for front steps. It was a huge project and ungodly expensive. But, our house gets compliments almost daily. It looks killer. We somehow found THE guy. We had to wait. I sold a kidney. But it turned out spectacular.

Advice? Find the guy. A pro will have the answer.

[Tidybuoy]

If you can get all the stucco stuff off, I think I would just stain it. And stain the area behind the gate to match. I can't really tell in the photo is the texture is part of the stucco or the concrete itself. And, if the concrete outside the gate is your driveway, then I would leave that gray.

My driveway got stained tan and it looks much better than plain gray but the concrete is also textured to look like stone.

[cjh]

Do they epoxy coat the driveways in CA like they do in the suburbs of Phoenix, AZ? With the weather they have in AZ, epoxy coatings seem to hold up pretty well on outside concrete.