Concrete Decor's Current Articles

By no means an inclusive list of interesting finds, there was plenty to explore at the 2019 Concrete Decor Show at the Arlington Convention Center in the shape of products and tools.

The atmosphere was inviting and the modest but eager crowd engaged at the 2019 Concrete Decor Show in Arlington, Texas, Oct. 28-31. Many of those who attended reported it was a great time to reconnect with old friends, establish new contacts, discover products and tools, and witness some of the industry’s elite — such as Troy Lemon, Emil Gera, Rick Lobdell, Cindee Lundin and Jake Brady — lead workshops on the convention floor.

The founder and owner of Epoxy Artisan in Bradenton, Florida, Elton John Strawderman says his goal in life is to be the best craftsman possible with his chosen medium: epoxy on concrete.

The use of polymer-modified cement products in the decorative concrete industry is common practice. Unfortunately, these products are also commonly misunderstood. This article will cover what they are, how they work, what they do.

Right at the start, we decided that the focal point of the kitchen would be the island. At that time we were unsure about what material we would use for the island top, so we went on a quest. We spent several days visiting virtually all of the natural stone distributors in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

There is a huge difference between amorphous silica and crystalline silica as far as your health and your concrete is concerned. The difference between the two is at the atomic level.

Until now, contractors have thrown shake-on color hardener onto concrete mainly by hand. It’s tradition, and contractors love tradition. But by its nature, throwing the color can be inefficient, wasteful, and expose workers to possible health risks associated with inhaling airborne silicates.

There have always been ways to make new projects blend into their older surroundings, but Sophisticated Finishes by Triangle Coatings Inc. offers a truly aged look.

Robert Salinas, 58, jokes that he has 50 years of concrete experience. That’s not too far off from the truth, because as a youngster he recalls helping to place concrete for the pool company his uncle and father worked at in San Antonio, Texas.

Kemiko products were used by architectural greats such as Frank Lloyd Wright before decorative concrete even had a name. The company continues to thrive and grow with the times.

How the decorative concrete revolution is starting to push tilt-up walls into the 21st century.

When good floor coatings go bad, moisture is often the culprit.

Even cured concrete can emit enough moisture to blister, cloud or delaminate a coating, especially when a slab with no vapor barrier sits on ground with poor drainage. The manufacturers of overlays, microcoatings, sealers and specialty coatings set moisture tolerance limits for their products.

Most decorative concrete artisans don’t submit their work into juried art shows, but that’s the world that Thomas Lancaster is trying to ease into.

It’s going to take the industry by storm. It’s a game changer. Revolutionary. In the case of polishing concrete with power trowel machinery, all those phrases might well prove true. Or, maybe not. Revolutionary? You could make that claim. Game changer? Yes, but...

That intriguing disk is an Aztec calendar colored with SS products. Coyne Edmison, general manager of The Stamp Store, a retailer affiliated with SS, sent us the rest of the story.

It is easy to understand the benefits of polished concrete. The word about polished concrete is out and we have done a great job of promoting the industry. Polished concrete is growing. The marketing has been great and many contractors are jumping on board. And the consumers are seeing a great product.

What do you do when your client asks for polished concrete walls? Not many contractors have responded to that request in the affirmative so far, but some are starting to ask, “Why not?”

Make your concrete surfaces not only beautiful but safe to walk on as well.