The world's foremost resource on decorative concrete
Unlike water and oil, glass and concrete do mix and can marry well under the right circumstances. On the other hand, the union may not remain solvent if the chemistry isn’t there to deter the main reason this coupling would meet its demise: alkali-silica reaction (ASR).
In decorative concrete, a common question is, “Is it form before function, or function before form?” This question is more complex now — despite the answer, consumers ask if the construction materials used are sustainable. Is there such a thing as a low-carbon swimming pool, a low-carbon countertop or an environmentally friendly polished concrete floor?
Shawn Halverson, CEO of Surfacing Solutions Inc.in Temecula, California, talks about the time some years ago when he took a break from construction after working in the structural concrete industry for about 21 years, beginning in the mid-1970s. Then, this phenomenon called decorative concrete emerged as a major player in the trade, and Halverson became intrigued.
The Concrete Countertop Institute has announced brand new classes for aspiring creative concrete professionals.
Concrete placement is never easy, with many variables such as wind, sun, ambient temperature and humidity to consider as they all affect each pour. The mix design and consideration of the actual makeup of the concrete and possible additives are just as important.
More demand means better ingredients — but are they really all that different from floor sealers?
The ideal concrete countertop sealer is a product that provides protection from stains, looks and feels like bare concrete and is safe to use.
In Las Vegas the tendency might be to look up at all the bright lights. But if that’s all you do, you’re likely to miss some exceptional magic right under your feet. In the glitzy theme world of Las Vegas, concrete is everywhere.
After 15 years of heavy tourist traffic along Las Vegas Boulevard, one of the first seamless texture projects in Las Vegas was ready for a facelift.
I think we can all agree we’d be happy if the decorative concrete industry were bigger. You know, if the pie were just a little bit bigger. What are we doing as an industry to positively influence the decorative market? What are you doing as a contractor, material supplier or manufacturer to help grow the pie?
When Brandon Gore of Gore Design Co., now located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, accepted a job furnishing a huge outdoor patio on the top floor of a client’s building in Phoenix, Arizona, there were three massive cranes on the job site. Together with the landscape architect, Gore’s design of concrete […]
