Mark Celebuski Concrete Decor

Author: Mark Celebuski

How to Bend Glass-Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Concrete Art Vol. 15 No. 1 - January 2015 by Mark Celebuski Comments are Disabled

Most people don’t think of concrete as being bendable but it is, even in its hardened state. That said, bending and warping concrete is more manageable while it is still in its plastic state.

7 Tips to Take Your Concrete Countertops to the Next Level

Turn your little concrete countertop shop into a that big business by getting your projects out the door sooner.

Are You Ready to Be a Project Manager?

Business & Technology Vol. 14 No. 4 - May/June 2014 by Mark Celebuski Comments are Disabled

You’ve worked hard, become skilled at making things, developed relationships with architects, gotten specified on a commercial project, bid to all of the generals involved and been told the winning bidder is going to go with you. Now what?

Why Strength Matters in Concrete Countertops

Concrete Countertops Vol. 13 No. 8 - November/December 2013 by Mark Celebuski Comments are Disabled

How strong do concrete countertops have to be? The answer is not a simple one. It depends upon how you define strength, what your intended use is and your sealer choice.

Choosing the Best Densifier for Your Polishing Project

Concrete Polishing Vol. 12 No. 7 - October 2012 by Mark Celebuski Comments are Disabled

How strong (in compression or psi) does concrete have to be to take a polish without densifier? Getting an answer for this one was pretty straightforward — 5,000 psi to 6,000 psi, depending on the aggregate.

Pouring a Concrete Countertop in Place at a College Bar

Concrete Sealers Concrete Countertops Vol. 11 No. 6 - August/September 2011 by Mark Celebuski Comments are Disabled

The owner, an old concrete contractor, wanted to replace the two bars with concrete. The goal was to add ambience and character to the bar with a material that could be hosed down along with the floors. The owner also wanted seamless tops, making this a good candidate for pouring in place.

Wet-casting an Apron-front Sink Without the Corner Cracks

Tips & How-Tos Concrete Countertops Vol. 11 No. 5 - July 2011 by Mark Celebuski Comments are Disabled

One thing I noticed is that it seemed like a lot of the wet-cast apron-front sinks I cast had developed very fine hairline cracks in the corners. The cracks never opened up but would show up when the sinks got wet. I don’t know if the sinks cracked during striping and handling or from concrete shrinkage later — all I knew was I had to stop them.

How to Fix Bug Holes in Concrete Countertops in One Step

Concrete Repair & Restoration Concrete Countertops Vol. 11 No. 3 - April 2011 by Mark Celebuski Comments are Disabled

There are few things more frustrating about making concrete countertops than dealing with bug holes. They seem to always show up and are seemingly just about impossible to fill completely. You think you’ve got them all filled, only to have bug holes show up after final polishing.

Preparing Your Concrete Countertops for Topical Sealers

Tips & How-Tos Concrete Sealers Concrete Countertops Vol. 11 No. 2 - February/March 2011 by Mark Celebuski Comments are Disabled

The steps you take with your wet-cast or GFRC countertops prior to sealing them will affect sealer success more than the actual application of the sealer. It’s important to gain an understanding of what your concrete is doing, or more importantly, what you are doing with your concrete.

High-Performance Mix Design — Understanding GFRC Mixes

Tips & How-Tos Recipes Concrete Countertops Vol. 10 No. 7 - October 2010 by Mark Celebuski Comments are Disabled

GFRC is a combination of fine aggregate, cement, water, polymer, chemical admixtures and glass fiber. The key to GFRC is the glass-fiber reinforcement. The fibers take the place of steel in a wet-cast mix. They allow GFRC to develop much higher flexural strengths than typical wet-cast concrete, allowing you to cast thinner, lighter sections and pieces.