The world's foremost resource on decorative concrete
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of assisting contractors with thousands of issues—sometimes simple, sometimes baffling, and occasionally the kind that leaves many scratching their heads. What I’ve learned is that every problem tells a story—a story involving timing, chemistry, environment, craftsmanship, or sometimes pure luck. And while troubleshooting […]
Ever wonder where 21 square feet per bag or 300 square feet per gallon comes from? Coverage or application spread rates aren’t just a made-up number or educated guess. Determining coverage rates is always based on a mathematical constant known as the Theoretical Coverage Rate of a Coating. This in […]
All concrete cracks, but still it’s the most used paving material in the world. Why does it crack? And what steps can you take when preparing for concrete cracks? For those of us in the industry, we know why but explaining that to an owner who just paid a bunch […]
Stamped concrete, also known as textured or embossed concrete, is the most recognized decorative concrete finish. It is also often the first thing people think of when saying the term “decorative concrete.” It is often considered the foundation of decorative concrete. A case can be made that in 1970 the […]
As I write this article, I’m on day 11 of a 15-day self-quarantine. On a recent ski trip, I was in close contact with people that had come from a known virus hot spot. In an abundance of caution, my family and I went into a self-imposed lockdown. In a […]
Very recently I discovered that my home state of Colorado will lower VOC limits for Architectural Industrial and Maintenance (AIM) coatings effective May 20, 2020. At this point, they will adopt the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) VOC limits. I’m a bit embarrassed to say that, though the new law passed […]
The first time I delivered “Trends in Decorative Concrete” was at the Concrete Decor Show in Fort Worth, Texas, in February 2014. It was initially created to present a quick snapshot of what was trending in our industry, targeting primarily the design community. At the time, I never anticipated the […]
Is there value in having a dedicated trade show for the decorative concrete industry? The short answer is yes. There’s tremendous value in having an industry-focused show. While there are decorative-devoted pavilions at other shows, they are just that — areas within other events.
Most of the country is still shaking off the effects of a long cold winter followed by a wet spring. Eventually the temperature will rise, and the long hot days of summer will be upon us. With that in mind now would be a good time to review warm weather practices.
The 28-day curing time is standard in the concrete industry and comes into play on almost every project, including the application of most decorative sealers, coatings, stains and toppings. Is that because the concrete needs to have a certain strength, or is there something else going on?
