Doug Carlton Concrete Decor

Author: Doug Carlton

Hybrid Concrete Sealer Promises a Change for the Better

Concrete Coatings Concrete Sealers Vol. 16 No. 1 - January 2016 by Doug Carlton Comments are Disabled

It’s no secret that most people think sealers are the Achilles’ heel of decorative concrete. You can do nearly everything perfectly while installing your concrete masterpiece only to have something like a sealer decimate all your good efforts.

Managing Your Decorative Concrete Business for Profit

Business & Technology Vol. 15 No. 4 - May/June 2015 by Doug Carlton Comments are Disabled

By my estimation, nearly 80 percent of all decorative concrete businesses fail to reach full earning potential, thanks to some form of mismanagement. Don’t feel bad. This percentage elevates when we combine all other construction trades into the equation.

Transitioning Your Concrete Business into Pool Construction

Outdoor Spaces Business & Technology Vol. 14 No. 8 - November/December 2014 by Doug Carlton Comments are Disabled

The success of your decorative concrete future hinges on one word: anticipation. The ability to anticipate where to find the potential buyers of services over the next year or two is one few professionals even consider.

The Most Important Part of Decorative Concrete Contracting is Communication

Business & Technology Vol. 14 No. 7 - October 2014 by Doug Carlton Comments are Disabled

An amazing thing happened in 2011. Twitter users in Washington, D.C., tweeted news of an earthquake as it was happening, warning folks in New York City 30 seconds before they even felt it.

How Texture Stamp Mats Changed the Decorative Concrete Game

Stamping & Texturing Concrete Vol. 14 No. 6 - August/September 2014 by Doug Carlton Comments are Disabled

Before texture stamping, stamping professionals were limited to interlocking stamp patterns and all of the frustration and anxiety that accompany them. Flash forward to 2014, and numerous opportunities exist to showcase your decorative talent, thanks to the many variations of texture stamp tools.

How to Get Started in the Decorative Concrete Industry

Business & Technology Vol. 14 No. 5 - July 2014 by Doug Carlton Comments are Disabled

Far too many skilled decorative professionals falsely believe their success hinges on their expertise. Most feel the more they know about concrete counters, polishing or staining, the better their odds are of being viewed as successful artisans or, maybe better put, successful artisanal business owners. Sure, expertise is important, but it’s only a fraction of what you need.

Things to Consider When Planning Your First Concrete Hardscape

Outdoor Spaces Tips & How-Tos Vertical & Carved Concrete Vol. 14 No. 4 - May/June 2014 by Doug Carlton Comments are Disabled

Nailing this balance project after project takes great effort, but the reward is far more than monetary. Concrete hardscapes last decades, and so do the reputation of the concrete artisans who successfully pave their way into decorative history.

Should You Overlay or Replace That Cracked Concrete Surface?

Concrete Maintenance Concrete Overlays & Toppings Vol. 14 No. 3 - April 2014 by Doug Carlton Comments are Disabled

First Federal Savings Bank, Sheridan, Wyo., asked Doug Carlton if there was an overlay that could improve their cracked, uneven parking lot. He told them no. The crack pattern shows a problem beyond random cracking. He guessed that the concrete is too thin or not properly reinforced, or that the subgrade had failed.

Three Steps to a Successful Decorative Concrete Sample

Business & Technology Vol. 14 No. 2 - February/March 2014 by Doug Carlton Comments are Disabled

Today’s lesson is one each decorative concrete professional must heed: Creating the perfect project sample is the path to your artistic future.

The Difference Between Sealing and Resealing Decorative Concrete

Concrete Sealers Vol. 15 No. 1 - January 2015 by Doug Carlton Comments are Disabled

Few things can compare to freshly sealed concrete. Hues of hidden color explode the minute a coat of fresh sealer makes contact with the concrete’s surface. Customers smile with satisfaction and concrete artisans swell with pride.