The world's foremost resource on decorative concrete
Instead of pouring concrete, concrete installers place concrete where they want it to go. And there are right ways and wrong ways to do this.
Maximizing the performance of decorative concrete requires a deep understanding of both the materials involved and the innovative technologies that enhance their properties. Although concrete is a remarkably versatile and durable building material, it presents several inherent challenges that must be addressed in order to ensure optimal workability, strength and […]
To call Carolina Bomanite’s Wilson Nature Center project a towering mountain to climb might just be an understatement. For starters, there’s the terrain – a steep climb up one of the highest peaks in the Southern Appalachians – Grandfather Mountain in the Blue Ridge range of western North Carolina. Left: […]
Fiber-reinforced concrete is an increasingly popular choice for flatwork and elevated construction—from precast and ready-mix concrete to shotcrete. Fibers make concrete resistant to cracking from plastic and drying shrinkage, leading to a durable product with a longer lifespan. Some fiber types even greatly reduce construction time and, in some applications, […]
Western Specialty Contractors – Cleveland Branch recently installed a concrete equipment pad to support Tap Packaging + Design’s newest printing machine. The industrial printing facility has been based in the Cleveland area for nearly 120 years. Located in a 208,000-square-foot modern production facility, Tap offers a variety of equipment and […]
Laticrete expanded its Spartacote line of resinous floor coatings for decorative and protective applications with an all-new, industry-first Spartacote Universal Pigment System. The revolutionary, first-of-its-kind color system is compatible with all clear Spartacote epoxy, urethane and polyaspartic products. Also, it’s formulated with highly concentrated pigments, providing improved color customization, vibrant […]
Although most perceive concrete as a dry dense substance, the inherently porous material more closely resembles a hard sponge. Microscopic voids and capillaries make up much of concrete’s matrix. As the material is poured and placed, these voids allow air and moisture to flow through it. This could lead to […]
When properly installed, concrete is one of the most durable and long-lasting products construction pros can use. When used as finished flooring, concrete should have control joints saw cut into its surface shortly after placement. Control joints can be thought of as deliberate cracks cut into concrete floors. They allow […]
Concrete is one of the most durable building materials on the market. However, there are many factors that come into play when maximizing concrete’s strength and longevity. In fact, the steps taken after pouring the concrete have just as much impact on its durability as the concrete mix design and […]
Work on Globe Life Field — the Texas Rangers’ brand-new retractable-roof baseball ballpark in Arlington, Texas — was nearing completion when BEAM Concrete Construction, the decorative concrete subcontractor, hit a snag, color-matching concrete. Try as it might, the company couldn’t produce integrally colored concrete that would match the expanse placed […]
Twenty-first century methodology, with its advanced tools and state-of-the-art technology, has successfully constructed today’s looming cities. With skyscrapers growing taller by the day and buildings getting fancier, we’re neglecting the generation of an enormous pile of construction scrap in the form of concrete waste. Here are some benefits of concrete […]
