One of the first decorative concrete contractors in the Boston area, Bill Guthro built his business in a town known for winter weather.
Topics
The New Age of Coloring Concrete
Hang up the phone if you are one of the many decorative concretists that are about to embark on any form of colored concrete. If you are somewhat new to the whole coloring thing, please give this article a close look.
The Growth of Green Practices in Decorative Concrete
There are new profit opportunities in polished concrete for the decorative concrete contractor. This is a fact, and every decorative concrete contractor should look into polished concrete. However, nothing ever caused more people to go broke than too much optimism and too little planning.
Taking a Concrete Patio To The Next Level
When a pair of homeowners put their heads together with concrete maestro Tom Ralston, the result was three levels of outdoor grandeur.
Looking Back at the Year in Polished Concrete
Peter Wagner looks back on the industry of polished concrete during the Great Recession all while keeping perspective and hope of the future in mind.
The Science of Thin, Polymer-Modified Toppings
Polymers aren’t as colorful as pigments, acids and other raw materials used in decorative concrete. But because they help thin cemetitious toppings hold together, they are just as important.
Eco-friendly Reinforcement Fiber for Concrete
With all the talk about “green” products lately, it’s only natural that somebody has created an eco-friendly reinforcement fiber for concrete.
The synthetic fibers of NyconG, from New Nycon Inc., are made from 100 percent reclaimed post-consumer and post-industrial waste carpet.
Cement Alternatives for Concrete
Since manufacturing portland cement damages the environment, more and more concrete makers are giving alternatives a chance. According to the LEED certification system, concrete has several green qualities, including a long lifetime and recyclability. Portland cement, one of concrete’s primary ingredients, is another story.
When Cold Temperatures Affect Sealers
As we transition from fall to winter, the days get shorter, the leaves fall into the concrete we are trying to finish, and the temperatures start dropping. The concrete blankets come out and cold-weather concrete practices start to take place. The changes in how concrete is placed should also trigger changes in how sealers are applied.
Pricing a Polished Concrete Job
Pricing a polished concrete job is hardly cut and dried. There are many things to consider. There are more obvious factors, such as labor, fuel (diesel will probably be your largest expense next to labor), tooling, and travel expenses. There are also various factors about the floor itself that must be considered.
