Concrete Decor's Current Articles

Growth, increased profits, value and quality are a few words I hear thrown around in the decorative concrete industry these days. It seems, and rightly so, many want to grow their business and increase their value and sustainability in the marketplace by providing quality work.

In the heart of northern Michigan wine country near Traverse City, Mari Vineyards opened for business in May 2016. The 31,000-square-foot facility was equipped with the usual amenities of a first-rate winery as well as an extensive underground barrel-aging area that has the qualities of a cave.

Located in the Silver Lot, in front of the South Hall, the third annual Decorative Concrete LIVE! will showcase the power of concrete through innovative construction applications Jan. 22-25 at World of Concrete 2019 in Las Vegas.

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.

Too often mixing decorative overlays becomes an afterthought or path of least resistance process. This is the drill and paddle I have used for years, so it must be OK. Worse yet, and I am guilty of this, those of us on the training and manufacturing side default to whatever mixer is provided when we show up for a product demonstration.

This issue of blotchy and inconsistent color and gloss created by a sealer is not that uncommon. There are multiple factors that can create this appearance, but the two most common are application — how the sealer was applied — and surface — what the sealer is being applied to in regard to density and porosity.

Bob Harris is probably best known as founder and president of the Decorative Concrete Institute. But one of his side passions is faux finishing.

For contractors and clients looking to improve an existing slab, fix failing concrete or just put some extra decorative oomph onto a surface, cementitious overlays are tops.

On their own or combined with acid stains, dyes offer color options that allow the imagination to soar. Plus, they can be a lifesaver when your acid staining job goes south.

Amidst a myriad of decorative coatings for concrete, PlateAll Metal Coating emerges. PlateAll can transform a rather ordinary concrete surface into one that resembles solid cast metal with many of its attributes.  

The project was a lot simpler than the one Baltz ended up with. “I was first approached to do some hardscape and subbase for a network of brick or paver stone terraces,” he recalls. “The connecting walkways were going to be asphalt.” He can’t hide the disdain in his voice when he makes that last statement.

This former Intel employee traded semiconductors for stains and stencils — and now he's making his mark at churches, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville Cafes, and everywhere in between.

Here are a few products designed specifically to help cool down exterior concrete surfaces.

Concrete is a fantastic material with which to work and design. It is one of the few building materials we can create and control to suit our wants and needs. Mix design, reinforcing technique and casting method are interrelated and influence everything from performance, cost and ease of fabrication to aesthetics and transportability.

Let’s face it, working concrete is a hard job. It’s hard on the hands, the back and especially the knees. Fortunately, for some contractors there’s an option that allows them to stand upright and still complete their jobs.

There are many stereotypes associated with sales professionals. There's the slick-dealing used-car salesman type who makes people feel suspicious. There's the natural-born salesman who walks into the room and is instantly everyone's new best friend, with talents in every area and the best jokes. Then, there's the talesman, the unknowingly annoying salesman.

As a contractor with extensive experience with all types of outdoor fire features, and as an expert witness in situations where something’s gone terribly wrong, I’d like to share some of the basic guidelines I use to maximize both safety and enjoyment of buidling concrete fire pits.

Know what you are defining with your tests and work descriptions. Your intent is that the architect/owner/GC will be taking you at your word as a professional, an expert.