The concrete industry at large designs mixes using the volumetric method. Fresh concrete is sold by volume, generally by the cubic yard, which is how we will look at it. Divide cubic yard volumes by 27 to get cubic foot volumes.
Tips & How-Tos
Industry veterans, entrepreneurs and decorative concrete artisans reveal findings, divulge lessons learned and outline methods used to help advance the industry as a whole.
Tips and Hints from the Concrete Pros
A small sampling of helpful hints shared at demonstrations sponsored by the Decorative Concrete Council during the recent annual meeting of the American Society of Concrete Contractors.
Calcium Carbonate Spots Under Sealed Concrete
As new concrete hydrates, it creates calcium hydroxide. When the calcium hydroxide comes in contact with carbon dioxide in the air, it creates calcium carbonate (free salts).
Decorative Concrete Tips: Creating Images with Dyes Prior to Acid Staining
Using traditional materials create a one of a kind masterpiece on a concrete floor.
Concrete Tips: Using PVC Pipe to Draw Curves for Saw-cutting
Here’s a novel, fast and inexpensive way of saw-cutting curves on concrete overlays or toppings, using a 1⁄4" diameter PVC pipe, 4" grinder and shop-vac.
Decorative Concrete Tips: Using a Grid to Transfer Art to Concrete
Use this decorative technique to transfer art to a concrete patio using a grid method is an effiicient and foolproof way to get the perfect look you and your customer are after.
Decorative Concrete Tips: Concrete Stenciling Vertical Surfaces
If you are stenciling fresh-poured concrete there may be vertical surfaces you also want to stencil, such as step fronts or the lips around the edge of a patio where you may want the pattern to roll over the edge. Various contractors use different techniques to tackle these challenging surfaces.
Estimate Thickness of Polishable Overlays Correctly
Correctly estimating the thickness needed to get the job done right is one of the biggest issues a contractor faces when applying a polishable overlay.
The Bottom Line on Solvent Sealers for Concrete
CCI Flooring Inc. in Crest Hill, Ill. installs and distributes sealing products. The company is involved in more than 500 decorative concrete jobs per year. CCI President Bob Bauer worked with solvent-based sealers from 15 different top suppliers before settling on a product he likes.
Tip: Using Concrete Sealers to Create Color Effects
On a project where different colors are desired, a simple solution is to use a solvent sealer in the darker field and a water-based sealer or a stand-alone wax (for interior projects) in the lighter field.
