10 Design Ideas for Diamond Cut Concrete

Cutting diamond patterns into concrete is an easy, cost-effective way to give a plain concrete slab an upscale appearance. Unlike concrete stamping, this decorative scoring technique is accomplished using simple cutting tools, rather than expensive pattern stamps, to create a grid of intersecting diagonal lines in the concrete surface. The pattern can further be enhanced by concrete stains or dyes and a variety of textured finishes, allowing you to achieve looks ranging from high-end tile to natural cut stone.

Diamond cut concrete patterns work well with a variety of architectural styles, offering a timeless look that complements both classic and modern designs. Indoors, they are often used to add elegance to the floors of entryways and foyers. Outdoors, diamond patterns can be cut into concrete patios, driveways, and walkways to give an ordinary slab greater character and curb appeal. Check out these stunning diamond cut concrete projects for ideas of how to use this look to enhance your own home.

DIAMOND CUT DRIVEWAYS

Brickform, a division of Solomon Colors, Inc.

Faux Tile Effect

Sawcutting a diamond tile pattern into a concrete driveway gives it the look of an elegant outdoor floor, with the joints serving as faux grout lines. To create an attractive, skid-resistant surface, you can finish the concrete with a spray-textured coating or give it a rock salt finish.

Acid Stain Flooring in Litchfield Park, AZ

Stained and Scored Driveway

A diamond cut pattern is a great way to break up the monotony of a long driveway and requires much less labor to install than a stamped pattern. Staining the concrete and setting it off with a contrasting border really boosts this driveway’s curb appeal.

Gkrete in Dripping Springs, TX

Black-on-Black Driveway

This concrete driveway was diamond cut and colored with black and diluted black stains to replicate the elegant look of natural black slate tiles without the sky-high price tag. Not only are slate paving stones significantly more expensive than the cost of a decorative concrete driveway (commanding as much $40 per square foot) they are labor-intensive to install because every piece must be laid by hand.

DIAMOND CUT PATIOS

Brickform, a division of Solomon Colors, Inc.

Faux Stone Patio

Using diamond cut concrete as a replacement for a traditional stone patio is not only cost effective, it also is less labor intensive to install because the entire patio can be poured in one step and scored with the desired pattern. Get more design ideas for faux stone concrete patios.

Architectural Concrete & Design in Draper, UT

Checkerboard Effect

Checkerboard patterns are becoming increasingly popular in both modern and traditional outdoor designs. This one was created by diamond cutting the concrete and then applying two different colors of stain to alternating sections. Tip: When stain colors will change at a pattern line, cut the line first to form a barrier to stain movement, which will result in a crisper design.

Artcon Decorative Concrete in Hamilton, MT

Large-Scale Diamond Pattern

To make a small patio look larger, score the diamond pattern into large sections to minimize the number of intersecting lines. Here the cuts not only serve as a decorative element, they also function as control joints. (Learn more about the types of joints in concrete slabs.)

QC Construction Products in Madera, CA

Diamond-Patterned “Rug”

A diamond pattern cut in the center of this patio gives the effect of a faux outdoor rug and designates the area as a zone for outdoor dining and entertaining. Brick pillars around the perimeter create additional ambiance and intimacy. Get more tips for designing multipurpose outdoor living spaces that function as a gathering space for family and friends.

DIAMOND CUT FLOORS

RS Concrete Solutions in Strathroy, ON

Marble-Look Floor

A scored and stained diamond-patterned floor offers the elegant look of high-end marble but at a much lower cost (see What Do Concrete Floors Cost?) For more distinct marbling effects, you can stain the entire floor one color and spot stain over it with a diluted solution of the same or a different color.

Demmeret & Associates in Glendale, CA

Multicolored Diamond Cut Floor

Each diamond of this acid stained floor uses a different color at various dilutions to create unique mottling effects. The painstaking process required staining each section of the floor individually, but the results were well worth the effort. Read more about how this project was done.

Brickform, a division of Solomon Colors, Inc.

Faux Travertine Floor

By combining diamond cutting with texture skins, it’s possible to mimic the look of travertine flooring without paying the high cost of quarried stone. To give this kitchen greater warmth and ambiance, a dark brown stain was applied to create natural-looking color variations.

HOW DO YOU CREATE A DIAMOND CUT PATTERN?

Diamond patterns in concrete are relatively easy to make because they consist of simple, straight lines. But unlike standard square or rectangular shapes, the pattern lines are cut at a 45-degree angle to the slab perimeter.

Many tools are available for cutting diamond pattern lines into concrete including grinders, hand-held saws, and early-entry saws designed specifically for scoring newly placed concrete (see Scored Concrete and Sawcutting). Although the cuts are typically made after the concrete hardens, you can also create a diamond pattern in fresh concrete by using a groover to make the lines instead of a saw. The cuts do not have to be as deep as those for control joints. Generally 1/4 to 1/2 inch is sufficient.

CAN YOU CUT A DIAMOND PATTERN IN EXISTING CONCRETE?

As long as the concrete is in good condition and structurally sound, you can sawcut a diamond pattern in existing concrete to upgrade the look. Another option is to cover the concrete with a decorative overlay so you have a fresh, new canvas to work with. Once the overlay cures, you can cut it into a diamond pattern just as you would with standard concrete.

ARE THERE OTHER WAYS TO GIVE CONCRETE A DIAMOND PATTERN?

Instead of cutting lines into concrete, you can create a diamond design by using concrete stains or paints along with stencils or even painter’s tape laid in a diamond-grid pattern (see Stenciling Concrete Floors).

As an alternative to poured concrete, you can also can use precast concrete tiles to create diamond-patterned slabs. An advantage of using concrete tiles is that they are easy to lay in any pattern you choose without the need for cutting.

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