Concrete Restoration Contest 2006
Concrete Decor's first annual Concrete Restoration Contest attracted quality submissions from all over the country. In the end, the four winning entries represented four different ways to approach a concrete restoration job.

Exterior: First Place:
Unique Concrete, based in West Milford, N.J., for pool deck restorations in Butler, Greenwood Lake and Lake Denmark, N.J. If concrete restoration means taking a failing slab of concrete and thoroughly restoring it to health, these pool decks are terrific examples.

In The Artist's Words:
Barry Fisher, Unique Concrete
The resurfacing or restoration of existing concrete surfaces is a cost-effective way to upgrade areas that have failed due to spalling, settling, cracking, and so on, while creating a more decorative appearance at the same time. After we address structural problems, we cover everything with a minimum of 1 1/2 inch of integrally colored, steel-and-fiber-reinforced concrete that we texture and imprint with deep impressions. These impressions are created with our own "cookie-cutter" stamping tools, of which we offer 14 different patterns. The impressions are later grouted. The existing concrete is considered nothing more than a superior sub-base. By not removing it, we are more forgiving to the landscape areas and are less likely to disturb the structural integrity of pools.

The integral color is made with synthetic iron oxides purchased from Lanxess. The synthetic fibers are 3/4-inch and 1 1/2-inch purchased from Nycon. Sealers are purchased from QC Construction Products. The imprinting tools we make ourselves.

In one project (shown in the top two photos at right), the objective was to eliminate the diving board area and resurface the remaining concrete in a decorative way. By pouring a minimum thickness of 1 1/2 inch and pouring certain areas thicker when necessary, we were able to reestablish proper pitch over settled and patched areas. We considered the existing concrete to be nothing more than a superior sub-base. 

The two photos below them show a second project. Here, the objective was to eliminate the wooden deck on grade and add on to all sides of the pool to create a larger entertaining area. The work produced one continuous visually appealing look without endangering the structural integrity of a 25-year-old pool. The deck was removed and replaced with a concrete slab that corresponded to the height of the existing concrete. Everything was then covered with 1 1/2 inches of integrally colored fiber and steel-reinforced concrete.

In another project (not shown), the objective was to resurface the existing concrete and old metal coping. The new surface reestablished pitch on areas that didn't drain well and other areas that had excessive pitch due to settling. All existing concrete was basically structurally sound (except the perimeter brick, which was delaminating), thus providing a superior sub-base to resurface. The concrete in a fourth project (also not shown) was cracked and settled in some areas, creating sections that didn't drain. Additionally, certain areas were poured with no pitch, and others had settled extensively. With our process, we were able to reestablish the surface in a decorative way to shed water properly.
www.uniqueconcretenj.com

Exterior: Second Place
Emerald Coast Concrete Resurfacing Inc., based in Milton, Fla., for backyard pool area in Gulf Breeze, Fla.

Some concrete rehab projects are bigger deals than others, but every project is a big deal to somebody. The work of this husband-and-wife outfit addressed and transformed this backyard pool area from fountain to fireplace.

In The Artist's Words:
Corinne Brown, Emerald Coast Concrete Resurfacing Inc.
We had a unique opportunity come up from a customer. We needed to perform a miracle on an area that was adjacent to a pool deck... The miracle was to correct this very boring and unattractive area. He wanted his children to be attracted to play and run through his sprinkler fountain.

The challenges we encountered... just a few! What job doesn't have them! Well to start with, we had a very large drain in the center that was black (not white) which really stood out. We had eight sprinkler box heads to incorporate into the design that where not centered across from each other perfectly. And to top it all off, the sprinkler fountain area was not centered to fit the slab.

The solution... we needed a good design that: 1) would help hide the problems areas, 2) would attract children to the area to play in the sprinklers, and 3) center the pad area so it looks like it was designed this way.

After some careful thinking, and a lot of input between the customer and I, we both believed we nailed it down! We thought like kids: Seashells... Bubbles... Dolphins... Oh My!... We decided to inlay seashells at every sprinkler box as if the shells were shooting the water out when the fountain was on. The bubbles were added to fill the area between the seashells and to give the design some type of form to help hide the offset boxes.... We decided to put the dolphins swimming around the drain as if, God forbid, the dolphins were swimming away down the drain! Besides just having fun with the design, we needed the dolphins to tie the bubbles to the shells to complete the work with balance in color....
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