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.
Top Cast is a water-based, film-forming surface retarder that saves time by eliminating the need for covering the surface even when it rains. The product, available in thirteen depths of etch, is designed for poured-in-place flatwork and the top surface of precast panels.
Liquid and powder aren’t a contractor’s only choices when considering release agents, and Richard Smith’s contracting company seems to have explored many of the alternatives.
To decorative concrete contractors, surface retarders are valuable tools for both pragmatic and aesthetic reasons. They’re easy to work with, relatively inexpensive — especially considering the costly alternatives of sandblasting or acid washing — and can be used to create endless textures and designs.
The Sparkle Grain System is an eye-catching, black sparkle concrete finish that can be applied with color hardeners or by itself.It aids with slip resistance and is designed for sidewalks, driveways, ramps, public buildings, wineries, schools, etc., to name a few.
Photo Courtesy of Ralston Concrete
Historically, repurposing glass for use in concrete mixtures has simply involved crushing and grinding the glass to a smaller size. Resizing alone doesn’t bring glass processing far enough to create a functional raw material for the concrete industry.
Superplasticizers can be a godsend when working with concrete. Here is a list of the many advantages to using them in your concrete work.
Decorative concrete played a role in the construction of a Native American landmark in Ignacio, Colo., that drew hundreds to its opening ceremony in May.
The tragedy created a bond between the boys’ mothers, Milena Sellers-Phillips and Maria Keever. When Sellers-Phillips participated in the search for a murdered girl in 2010, the experience renewed her desire for a public memorial to Jonathan and Charlie.
Experts offer some rock-solid advice. Any concrete mix is an attempt to balance cost, placeability and setting time while maintaining the necessary qualities of strength and durability.
Just when you thought you were going to install another exposed aggregate pool deck, your clients inform you they want the concrete to “glow” with stone accents. Don’t hit the panic button! If you’ve never worked with a glowing medium before, glow-in-the-dark stones in concrete can be a breeze. Glow […]
