The world's foremost resource on decorative concrete
Architects, designers, customers, owners and most of your staff use the words dye and stain interchangeably. Is there a difference when it comes to choosing a topical colorant? And if so, why does it matter? Turns out the answer is yes and it matters. Stains are ground, insoluble pigment particles […]
Although often said, it always surprises me when contractors say they can’t find good laborers — people who want to work. Or, put another way, people who want to learn a trade, especially one like decorative concrete. I find every aspect of this trade fascinating. On any given construction project, […]
Ben Bass, a second-generation concrete contractor, grew up surrounded by plain-gray concrete. While his dad, who passed away in 2007, was alive he urged his son to get into the decorative side of concrete. But it wasn’t until about two-and-a-half years ago that Bass realized his father knew best. About […]
Maybe some power tool users are tired of getting the third degree about using third-party replacement batteries. But they should consider that they might be headed for third-degree burns—or worse—if they keep it up. Battery safety is paramount for contractors and there is simply no adequate replacement for using the […]
“Virginia is for Lovers,” the iconic state slogan first introduced in 1969, still makes the rounds in the Old Dominion. So when the owners of Comstock Cos. in Northern Virginia reached out to Dylan Myers to make a LOVE sculpture for its Reston location, he jumped at the opportunity. After […]
In our day-to-day work, a lot of what we do is very tactical. We work up a proposal, order new materials or have equipment maintained. Although important to survive and grow in the long term, sometimes we must step back and think more strategically. An easy way to take a […]
Sometimes two heads are better than four, especially when you’re dealing with concrete polishing jobs under 5,000 square feet. For grinding that involves spaces from residential basements and garages to small commercial offices and bathrooms, the two-headed Terrco Concrete Grinder 701-S is top of the list for many seasoned contractors. […]
A giant-sized concrete gear table inspired by Ayn Rand’s novel, “Atlas Shrugged,” greets all who venture into the lobby of 145 Palisade St. in Dobbs Ferry, New York. Located on the banks of the Hudson River, the repurposed commercial building once housed the circa 1853 Anchor Brewing Co. However, today […]
When Hutton, a large design-build firm based in Wichita, Kansas, outgrew its headquarters, owner Ben Hutton naturally turned to his own resources. He called on Hutton’s in-house architecture and design team to draw up plans for a new facility. In addition, he knew he needed some commercial protection systems in […]
As we discussed in Concrete 101, concrete is a hard, durable surface made up of cement, aggregate and water. It’s the single, largest, volume-building material used worldwide. All totaled, that equates to about 10 billion tons a year. For the most part, concrete does its job, and we hardly ever […]
