Houses
It's not just about style, discover the advantages of rustic burnt cement and exposed concrete finishes, techniques that are above trends and have become timeless.
You've probably seen some examples of the rustic, sometimes minimalist, some industrial and some brutalist façades that we love on Instagram. Know that it's not just style, these façade finishes have their advantages.
Concrete conveys strength and can give a rustic or industrial look to the decor. If you want a rustic yet cozy reference, consider an exterior wall project made of washed or worn cement, or simply exposed, as in the case of concrete walls.
The great advantage, apart from its imposing beauty, is undoubtedly its durability. Unlike paints that need to be reapplied from time to time because they lose their color due to the sun's rays, cement ages "very well, thank you". Its color does not change.
What can happen is that spots of black crust appear when sealant or resin is not reapplied. And they can simply be washed off.
Brazilian modernism, for example, used this material in famous works, such as the Assis Chateaubriand Museum of Art in São Paulo (Masp).
At home, it can appear in different forms, such as burnt cement on floors, walls and countertops, façades and ceilings.
What is burnt cement?
The technique is ancient and gives your walls an aged look, evoking the charm of a country house.
Despite being the result of an old technique, it is widely used in modern projects.
Burnt cement is a technique that mixes cement mortar, water and sand. That's it.
The result is a very smooth surface, with patches of gray, some porosity and a rough finish, as well as a cold touch, which are its defining characteristics.
It needs to be applied on an already leveled surface, so that it is as flat as possible, in a process similar to that of the subfloor.
Despite the name, no fire or other heat source is actually used to achieve the desired result.
The "burnt" effect, i.e. the stains that appear, comes from the dry cement powder applied to the still damp mortar, whether on the floor or the wall.
This has become a well-known technique because it is simple and inexpensive. What's more, as it forms a cool surface, it's ideal for hot regions.
Not to mention the fact that it doesn't absorb water, which is interesting outdoors where drainage is required.
Nowadays, there are ready-made products from paint companies that imitate this finish.
Here are some examples
Burnt cement is also very durable, which makes it very popular in country houses, farms and ranches, for example.
In fact, this is a technique that is gaining in popularity. Nowadays, it can be found in more sophisticated projects that seek out rusticity with a touch of warmth.
Exposed concrete
Another style developed at the height of modernism is the brutalist style, which uses exposed walls or structural elements such as pillars and beams. The concrete construction technique is old, but has made a comeback with this style.
With the development of construction technology, pre-cast structures have emerged and with them the exposure of concrete has gained more strength.
Take a look at the examples
