Scoring Score the concrete. Beautiful and Realistic.
If you intend to score a pattern into the concrete, you should do so before final cleaning. Scoring is just that. A slight 1/16" deep or less score in the concrete to replicate a mortared joint. If you cut the concrete deeper, then it will only collect dirt. You can use a skill saw or a 4 1/2" angle grinder with a diamond blade and a straightedge.
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Measure your lines out, mark each end with a pencil, and chalkline, using blue chalk. Never use red chalk as it stains the concrete.
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Use a straight edge of some sort ( 2 x 4 board, piece of angle iron, etc.) Holding the straight edge firmly and the proper distance from the line to ensure the diamond blade is on the line, score away. As your saw or grinder will not score completely to the wall, you will need to cut a border around the walls and take your pattern scoring to the border lines.
Tip. A 4 1/2" grinder to score the lines, is much faster and you can use a flat straight edge.
Tip. Use a diamond blade. Masonry blades, though cheaper, get smaller as they go.
Tip. You can get flat and angle iron type straightedges that are made from aluminum, at Lowes.
Tip. You can cut the lines deeper and mortar them in later, which looks very realistic. Just be sure to clean up the mortar mess as you go, once mortar dries, that's about it.
To do this, just cut the concrete a little deeper, apply the stain, wash the residue, apply one coat of sealer, mortar the saw cuty in and clean the mortar mess, apply second coat of sealer, apply two coats of wax. Allow sufficient drying and cure times between steps.
Tip. You could really use a helper or two for this step, someone to hold the chalkline and the straightedge.
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