By Daich Coatings.

How SpreadRock® can be used to create a unique finish. 

Carl Schmitzer was unhappy with boring gray patio options presented to him by his condo association. So he took matters into his own hands. Now, after creating a unique stenciled patio, he’s the envy of his neighbors.

“Who knew plain old concrete could look so good?” says Carl, a Minneapolis resident. “I was inspired by videos on YouTube. When I found the SpreadRock® product online I knew I wanted to try this for myself. And I knew I wanted to make it uniquely mine by stenciling over the surface.”

Real stone coating

SpreadRock, a Daich Coatings product, provides an elegantly authentic speckled granite coating ideal for porches, steps, walkways and entrances. The product can also be applied to bathroom and basement floors, accent walls and pool decks.

The quick and easy standing squeegee trowel application means people can apply the product from a comfortable standing position. After rolling on a coat of Textured Primer and letting it dry for two hours, a squeegee is then used to apply two thin coats of SpreadRock. Once cured for 24 hours, everything is top-coated with a clear sealer.

Patience pays off

Schmitzer took his time properly cleaning and repairing his old concrete patio. He then added two layers of Raw Gray Textured Primer with interlocking bond technology. Once dry, he taped down the faux grout lines and applied SpreadRock in Anvil Gray. To assure success, he then applied a sealer followed by a masonry primer.

“Once the ‘foundation’ was finished I worked to personalize the patio by applying the stencils,” says Carl. “This requires a good deal of patience. However, if you can paint and do basic tile work, you can do this project.”

In addition to having patience, Carl advises others to watch videos to see how the process works. He recommends having two stencils and to clean them off after each use to achieve clear, crisp lines. Plus, you’ll need stencil tampers and rough surface tape. “This is a process that takes awhile,” says Carl. “Having a friend to help is a good idea.”

Stenciling success

To create the contrasting stencil work on his SpreadRock, Carl used the leftover Textured Primer and stucco masonry paint. Then he added several coats of sealer to protect his completed project.

“I really appreciate how flexible and easy-to-use the Daich Coatings products were for this project,” says Carl. “By planning out the work and moving ahead steadily I achieved exactly what I wanted — a unique patio design that’s anything but boring!”

SpreadRock is tested to have exceptional decorative and protective benefits when applied to concrete, masonry and other surfaces. The coating can be spread on with an easy trowel application on both horizontal and vertical surfaces. Available in Mocha, Anvil, Ice Grey, Brownstone, Flint Grey, Sandstone and Sante Fe, SpreadRock resists rain, snow, salt, chemicals, mold, mildew, UV light and hot tire pickup, along with excessive heat and bitter cold temperatures.

By Daich Coatings.

Check out these affordable solutions for worn-out concrete.

Looking for a fast and easy way to enhance a home exterior project? You can offer these unique projects that add instant curb appeal to your customer’s property while helping increase the value of their home.

Remember, before starting any exterior project, proper preparation is key. For cracked concrete, Daich Coatings’ Rock Patch™ is a must-have first step. This pre-mixed polymer/stone formula is ready-to-use straight from the container and serves as a filler, leveler and resurfacer. Once it dries, you can confidently proceed with concrete projects.

Project 1 - Transform sidewalks and pathways

Give sidewalks and walkways the look of tile or natural stone with the SpreadStone™ Decorative Concrete Resurfacing Kit. This all-in-one kit includes a specialized applicator for creating stunning decorative effects.

SpreadStone’s pre-mixed real stone coating resists cracks, impacts, abrasions and chemicals. The product rolls on easily over primed seamless or stenciled surfaces. For added design, a second coat in a contrasting color can be applied. Choose from five finishes: Lake Rock, Cold Gold Slate, Midnight Slate, Sun Ledge and Summit Grey. Kit covering 100 square feet of space sells for $155, resulting in an average of $1.70 per square foot of coverage.

Project 2 - Upgrade porches with granite elegance

SpreadRock® Granite Stone Coating delivers an elegantly authentic speckled granite finish, perfect for porch makeovers. An easy trowel application works on both horizontal and vertical surfaces, and its real stone composition ensures strong adhesion, flexibility and long-lasting durability.

Available in colors like Mocha, Anvil, Ice Grey, Brownstone, Flint Grey, Sandstone and Sante Fe, SpreadRock withstands rain, snow, salt, chemicals, mold, mildew, UV rays, hot tire pickup and extreme temperatures. One gallon sells for $54.48, resulting in an average of $3.04 per square foot of coverage.

Project 3 - Beautify and protect exterior steps and walkways

RollerRock® Rollable Stone Coating is an ideal solution for exterior steps and walkways. This real stone coating, available in 15 colors, creates a clean, speckled stone appearance and requires no primer.

Using a Stone Texture Roller, you can achieve a rustic, textured, anti-slip surface. Apply two coats three to four hours apart, then finish with a clear sealer like TracSafe® Anti-Slip Sealer the next day for enhanced safety and longevity. One gallon sells for $59.95, resulting in an average of $1.66 per square foot of coverage.

Project 4 - The cover-up: Revitalize concrete surfaces

For all worn-out concrete surfaces, Terrazzo® Decorative Granite Resurfacer offers a transformative solution. Made with real stone, one gallon covers up to 60 square feet and conceals hairline cracks and minor imperfections. Two coats, applied a few hours apart, yields a beautiful, watertight granite finish.

Terrazzo adheres to concrete, masonry, linoleum, vinyl and tile, and is tested for resistance to water, salt, chemicals, impacts, abrasions, hot tire pickup, mold, mildew and freeze-thaw cycles. Seven color options, such as Glacier, Moonscape and Pearl Grey are available to match any style. One gallon sells for $59.95, resulting in an average of $2.67 per square foot of coverage.

Project 5 - Pool deck protection: Get ready for summer

Off-season preparations for pool deck surfaces are essential for any property with a swimming pool. TracSafe® Anti-Slip Sealer significantly reduces the risk of slips and falls with anti-slip ratings up to twice the OSHA standard. Easy to install by rolling on two coats a few hours apart, TracSafe provides uniform slip resistance in both wet and dry conditions, suitable for bare feet and common footwear alike. One gallon sells for $61.95.

Daich Coatings primers and decorative concrete products are available at Amazon.com, Lowe’s®, The Home Depot® or online at www.daichcoatings.com.

Daich Coatings introduces eight new sparkly colors.

Sleek and smooth, the new elegant surface finish in the Optima Series of the SpreadStone™ Mineral Select Countertop Finishing Kit from Daich Coatings brings homeowners an entirely different option for their countertops. Eight new colors in the Optima Series provide a soft palette of stone colors with a sparkly, highly-polished look for kitchen and bathroom countertops, coffee tables and other surfaces.

The new colors include: Agate Grey, Black Pearl, Crystal Jade, Dover White, Sea Spray, Stone Lace, Stone Mist and Sun Kiss.

“The Optima Series gives a new option to homeowners looking for a sleek, polished look to their countertop,” according to Peter Daich, president of Daich Coatings. “No artistic skills are needed with this project. Laying down the stone surface is as easy as painting. This kit can upgrade any old wood, laminate, Formica® or tile countertop with very little effort and at an extremely affordable price of $199.”

The original SpreadStone™ Mineral Select Countertop Finishing Kits, available in 10 real stone textured finishes, are the most popular and best-selling countertop kits offered by Daich Coatings. The completed surface is a real stone finish with a coarseness controlled by the DIY installer. Now, with the Optima Series, the option exists for different real stone colors plus a final clear coating of urethane to be applied, capturing the beautiful stone finish and providing a smooth-as-glass overlay.

Weekend countertop replacement

The easy-application process takes just three days from start to finish. After prepping the area, on day one the primer and two stone coats are applied.

After allowing for drying, on day two the surface is easily sanded smooth, remove dust and apply conditioner to harden the stone, then roll on epoxy coating. Again, after cure time, on day three spot sanding any rough surfaces and finally adding a clear urethane topcoat to shield the surface. After two hours the countertop is dried and finished, with normal use resuming the next day!

Both the original and Optima Series of the SpreadStone Mineral Select Countertop Finishing Kits cover up to 40 square feet of space. Kits come complete with all applicator tools and coatings. Finished countertops are heat and impact resistant, plus water repellant, and wipe clean with common household cleaners.

“With the introduction of the Optima Series, people now have two great style options for transforming their countertop surfaces at a very affordable price,” says Daich. “We’re confident that even people who have applied the textured countertop kit in the past will be enticed to update their surfaces with the new silky-smooth Optima Series kits!”

Daich Coatings is known for offering award-winning DIY project kits and products that allow both homeowners and contractors to enhance properties. The company is a leader in the development and manufacture of decorative stone coatings, high-performance paints and architectural maintenance products.

From real stone finishes to anti-slip sealers, Daich Coatings offers a wide variety of cost-effective surface solutions for residential and commercial properties. Products may be purchased with free shipping from www.daichcoatings.com.

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn about the state of the outdoor industry by reading our top OCS articles for April. 

In the outdoor contracting world, April showers don’t just herald in May flowers; they usher in the busiest season of work for contractors. And here at OutdoorCoffeeShop™ (OCS), it has been a busy time for our team as we make sure that we are publishing articles and information that will help contractors succeed this summer. And, in case you’ve been too busy preparing for the upcoming busy season, we’ve made a shortlist of the top articles published in April 2026 so you can catch up quickly.  

A couple of articles on this top five list focused on products that will help contractors work more efficiently in the field. In one, Content Coordinator Dani Sheehan dove into how HandiFoam®'s Gasket Foam simultaneously simplifies the process of sealing while also improving long-term results. Dani also wrote an article about DYCO’s Pool Deck Waterborne Acrylic Stain, highlighting the product’s ability to “improve appearance while adding protection, extending the surface life, reducing maintenance needs and leaving outdoor spaces looking polished all season long.” 

Also on our shortlist is an article from Senior Content Producer Emma Peterson that focuses on making the office part of outdoor contractors’ operations more efficient. Specifically, the article explores an innovative management strategy called fractional executive placement. 

Read all of April 2026’s top articles 

5 - 2 winning SpreadRock® exterior projects by Daich Coatings 

4 - A better seal starts here by Dani Sheehan 

3 - Refresh pools and pool decks for summer by Dani Sheehan 

2 - How contractors are supporting families through partnership with Ronald McDonald House by Dani Sheehan 

1 - The importance of thinking outside the box by Emma Peterson

By Emma Peterson. 

Peter Daich shares the story behind Daich Coatings’ durable, affordable renewal solutions. 

In a new episode of  From the Ground Up™, Karol Weyman sat down with Peter Daich, the president of Daich Coatings, to talk about their 40-year history of creating innovative stone coatings, high-performance paints and architectural maintenance products. Peter shared a bit of background about the company:  

My father got the company started in the early 90s. He had a background in the chemical industry for years and when our house’s foundation walls, retaining walls and patio needed some work, he used his knowledge to create a coating to use... I remember watching him do it and I was wowed by how great it looked and then how great it stood up to time.  

From that DIY project solution, came Daich Coatings. Today, contractors and homeowners alike can use Daich products to renew surfaces. As Peter put it, “We're big believers in the fact that surfaces like a patio or a front porch or a pool deck that are not really in the greatest shape are not always something that has to be torn completely apart and rebuilt. Instead, you can renew it for a fraction of the cost of going in and completely ripping it out.” 

And by choosing Daich products for renewal, you are not only getting an affordable solution, but you are also getting a durable and strong solution. Peter explained, “To be clear, renewal isn’t a shortcut that’ll come back and be a problem later. Our products have been designed to last and have been shown to last and keep your surface beautiful over a period of 30 years.”  

Want to learn more about Daich Coatings and their incredible coatings products? Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recorded conversation!  

By Daich Coatings.

Learn how this homeowner brought new life to their backyard.

In sunny southern California, where outdoor living takes place most of the year, Anthony B. had a challenge. His backyard barbecue kitchen center and seating area were showing signs of aging. He knew there had to be “refresher options” available and decided to tackle the job.

“After eight years of continual use, it was almost impossible to clean the dirt and grease off the barbecue counter,” says Anthony. “There were small cracks showing and aged water stains on the sides. I knew there had to be a product in the marketplace that could solve these problems.”

New surfaces

Anthony searched the internet for solutions. The Daich Coatings website convinced him to do a trial run.

“I purchased one gallon of RollerRock® in a deep gray Lava Rock color for under $60,” says Anthony. “I was literally amazed at how good it looked on the countertop and how easy it was to apply. I immediately ordered more products to coat the concrete seating area near my fire pit.”

The real stone coating of RollerRock resists freeze/thaw conditions, mold, mildew, water and UV rays. Traditionally used on horizontal surfaces (like walkways and driveways), the durable product also resists salt, chemical, impact and abrasion, along with hot tire pickup. Available in 15 colors, RollerRock is laboratory tested to provide up to double the recommended OSHA slip-resistance rating.

Coating the sides

Once he got started, there was no stopping Anthony. “I ordered gallons of VertiStone® Roll-On Wall Texture for the stucco sides of both the barbeque kitchen and the seating area,” says Anthony. “Those sides were originally smooth stucco, and the kitchen tops were solid concrete. The years of wear, dirt and grime have all been erased with the Daich Coatings products.”

Without mixing, prep work or multi-step labor-intensive processes, VertiStone quickly transforms a surface. By using decorative textured brushes and the stone coating, different finishes can easily be achieved, including smooth polished marble, natural suede, parchment, dream lace and linen.

VertiStone tints to thousands of colors and can be applied directly onto drywall, block, masonry and concrete surfaces. Designed for both interior and exterior use, the fast-drying finish features extremely low VOCs and is odorless. The breathable finish does not encourage mold and mildew, so it can be used in high humidity areas of the home, such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Protecting the surfaces

To protect the newly-coated surfaces, Anthony applied coats of Hi-Build Ultra Clear Coat. The tough, protective coating resists water, U/V rays, chemicals, impact and abrasion. It also resists mold and mildew, hot tire pickup and salt.

Anthony shared some closing thoughts: 

I’m so pleased with the outcome of the backyard projects that I’m moving forward with a new front porch project. I’ve ordered RollerRock to make the porch look better than new. And, I have a friend who needs to redo his second story patio floor. He’s using RollerRock and I’ve offered to help. I’ve become addicted to the fast success that can be achieved with the Daich Coatings products. They’re easy to use, do the job they’re supposed to do, look great and are reasonably priced. You can’t really ask for much more!

By Daich Coatings.

These customers "were floored" with this product. 

Tina and Pat O’Mara were tired of the “million little cracks” in their outdoor patio. While they didn’t want to spend a lot of money to replace the concrete surface, they really liked the idea of improving the ugly backyard seating area.

"I did research online and was impressed with the reviews I saw on Daich products,” says Tina, a resident of Bensalem, Pennsylvania. “We ordered both Rock Patch™ to fill the cracks and two for the SpreadStone™ Decorative Concrete Resurfacer Kits to give the patio a new look. We were floored! This process takes a little time, but it’s easy to do. And, it’s so worth the money. It’s an excellent value for the dollars!”

Transformation time

Tina and her husband ordered the Summit Grey color of SpreadStone. After filling the cracks and leveling off the Rock Patch, they added the primer, base coat and accent coat from the kit. They used the grout tape in the middle section of the patio to block off different sized rectangles.

“This area turned out looking like stamped concrete,” says Tina. “It’s just beautiful. Our patio looks brand new. I simply can’t say enough good things about this product. We were able to do the transformation in four days, and that’s even with a rain delay!”

Next up for Pat and Tina? With the left-over SpreadStone they have from the patio, they’re eager to tackle another area of their home exterior – the front porch!

By Daich Coatings.

Grab this innovative idea from two retirees to increase your business!   

John and Leslie Gordon found themselves frustrated and concerned with their back courtyard. A few years ago, a contractor did a poor installation job on their stamped concrete patio. They watched as the severely pitted concrete seemed to flake and deteriorate away every day.

Problem patio

When they considered removing and replacing the concrete, they were faced with a project that would cost thousands of dollars. To complicate matters, they have a large screened-in porch located in a corner of the patio. This means they need to keep the level of the patio the same to open the door to that room.

The couple, who are residents of Ontario, Canada, shared a bit about how they found Daich products, "We did a considerable amount of research on our options. We found out about Daich Coatings and contacted Paul Bordin. He provided extraordinary customer service. We sent Paul photos of the patio. Then he got to work with his colleague Angelo to come up with a solution that saved us money and looks great.”

Daich Coatings solution

For the Gordon’s patio surface, Paul and Angelo recommended the tough, decorative RollerRock® textured concrete coating made from real stone. The high-performance formula resists water, stains and impact, plus handles everything from harsh UV rays to sub-zero winter conditions.

To prep the surface for the project, John power washed the patio and let it dry thoroughly. Then he applied DaiHard® Max Industrial Strength Epoxy Clear Coat with a squeegee.

“I tried as best I could to fill in all of the imperfections with the epoxy,” says John. “My wife followed me, rolling in the Textured Primer in a Dolphin Gray while the epoxy was still wet. After that coat was dry, we applied a coat of primer. After drying, that was followed by two coats of RollerRock in Warm Grey with a Stone Textured Roller. Then we finished the project with two coats of Garage and Driveway Concrete Sealer.”

Mission possible!

With the available time of retirees, and the guidance of Daich Coatings experts, the Gordons easily finished the DIY project. Days after completing the beautifully textured concrete surface, friends stopped by. They thought the couple had installed a layer of concrete over the previous surface.

“No, we told them … just RollerRock at a fraction of the cost of a new patio!” says John. “And, because the layers did not appreciably raise the level of the surface, we have no trouble opening the door to our screen porch. We’re impressed with Daich Coatings products. The surface appears super-strong and durable. And, right from the start we also had strong support from Paul and the customer service team. That’s a winning combination!”

By Daich Coatings.

Get a fast fix for concrete cracks with this innovative product.

SpreadRock is a big two-time winner at Kent McIntire’s house in Clarkston, Michigan. After researching products that help transform his dull, faded and stained front concrete porch, Kent liked the reviews he read on SpreadRock® Granite Stone Coating. He watched the videos and was impressed. So, he ordered the product and got to work.

Project #1

“After power washing and sealing the cracks on the front porch, I applied the primer,” says Kent. “Then I applied two coats of SpreadRock in the Brownstone color. After that dried, I used the TracSafe® Anti-Slip Sealer for two coats to finish the project.”

Project #2

The porch project was so successful that Kent went on to update an area in front of his garage doors with a trench drain. After taking a week to fix the cracks and re-grade the area to ensure proper drainage, he again repeated the steps from the front porch, using the same products.

“For both areas I used the trowel method as it allowed me to have more control of coverage as I was spreading it,” says Kent. “I troweled on about an 8-10 square-foot area at a time. Then I used a squeegee to smooth out any ridges or rough spots.”

Product review

Kent relates that the process was fairly easy for both projects. He’s pleased that the Brownstone color he selected matches the brick color on his house perfectly.

“I give the SpreadRock product 5 stars based on ease of use and final look,” says Kent. “My biggest tip is to use a trowel to spread the product and a squeegee to smooth out the trowel marks. The other thing I did that I thought was quite sensible is that I used all products from the same company. I wanted to be sure to avoid any potential unexpected chemical reactions or other incompatibilities should that arise. Using all Daich products made these two projects turn out terrific!”

TracSafe Anti-Slip Color Coat All-in-One is an odorless water-based technology that bonds firmly to all types of flooring materials.

Adding beauty and safety to concrete surfaces has never been easier. Daich Coatings has introduced the new TracSafe® Anti-Slip Color Coat All-in-One product featuring pre-mixed colorful stone coating and an anti-slip sealer, together in one container! The real stone formula rolls on effortlessly to renew old surfaces — both indoors and outside — with new color and anti-slip safety.

​Available in one- and three-gallon containers with free shipping from www.daichcoatings.com, The Home Depot, Lowes and Amazon, the product starts at just $78.99. Five attractive colors include Clay Brick, Cream, Graphite, Shell Grey and Terracotta.

​“The all-in-one nature of this durable product means you save on time, labor and cost,” says Peter Daich, president of Daich Coatings. “Prep the area, roll down two layers of TracSafe Anti-Slip Color Coat All-in-One and you’re finished!”

Inside and outdoor safety

According to Daich, there’s no need to seal the surface unless you want more sheen or to add an extra level of safety protection if you’re covering a very high-traffic area. He adds that preparation is simple with mopping interior floors and letting them dry (such as utility areas, basement floors, laundry rooms and garages). Or for exterior surfaces (such as patios, pool decks, walkways, steps and balconies), pressure wash and let fully dry before applying the product.

​“The anti-slip coating technology with TracSafe® lays down a uniform foot traction surface with highly effective slip resistance properties in both wet and dry conditions,” says Daich. “This protection occurs with bare feet along with common footwear.

​“So, with one product, you’re adding a high-performing decorative stone-based resin system that strengthens and protects the surface with your choice of color while at the same time help protect people who walk on it from slip and fall mishaps. This is a winning combination from a winning product!”

Product details

​TracSafe Anti-Slip Color Coat All-in-One is an odorless water-based technology that bonds firmly to all types of flooring materials, including concrete, masonry, stone and pavers, tile, vinyl, linoleum and pre-painted surfaces. The tested product is designed to last with outstanding resistance to sun, snow, water, salt, chemicals, snow shoveling, foot and vehicle traffic.

From real stone finishes to anti-slip sealers, Daich Coatings offers a wide variety of cost-effective
surface solutions for residential and commercial properties. Products may be purchased with free shipping from Lowe’s®, The Home Depot®, Amazon and at www.daichcoatings.com.