The world's foremost resource on decorative concrete
In this industry we’ve all seen our share of old and faded colored concrete that has been bleached out by the elements and is in need of some type of color fix or restoration. That was the condition of the existing stamped concrete at Diablo Grande Golf Course & Country Club, near Patterson, Calif.
Steelhead trout rivers, bear dens, salmon runs, bighorn sheep ledges, Jurassic fossils – all hallmarks of eastern Washington state. All available for touching, climbing, wading and digging at the Discovery Playground in Mirabeau Point Park, maintained by the City of Spokane Valley, Washington.
Dylan Lauger has become a master in modern, industrial, experimental concrete furniture design and other artistic concrete skills while living on a remote peninsula in Wisconsin. Among other achievements, he once designed and cast an 8-foot-long GFRC sturgeon as a submission for a local arts competition.
Once upon a time, there was a polished concrete job that was easy. It started out with a new, flawless install, a clean, even slab ready to grind. The client closed the building for a few days, providing ample, uninterrupted time to do the job. There were no hurdles. There were no surprises. Everything went according to plan.
Concrete Coatings is a Sundek dealer owned by Scott Burley, Will’s uncle. It’s a decorative concrete resurfacing contractor handling pool decks, patios, terraces and other exterior surfaces for commercial and residential customers in metropolitan New Orleans, south Louisiana and other points along the Gulf Coast.
There are few things you can add to decorative concrete that are as impactful – or as unpredictable – as light. Just like water, light is a natural entity with subtleties and effects that unfold in unexpected ways. Light can create an environment without help from structure, shape or texture.
Outdoor kitchens are becoming more and more popular, and special considerations must be made in order to ensure concrete’s durability, longevity and aesthetics in these applications.
This gorgeous interior finish echoes the classic look of Belgium stonework by combining a handful of texture skins with a variety of innovative touches that add to the concrete floor’s natural look.
The best training and the best products mean nothing if we can’t find projects to prove our talent, right? I’m not going to sugarcoat our plight – I have been peddling decorative concrete for nearly 20 years and have never seen as many challenges as the ones we face today. Having said that, my goal is to have the best year possible, and I’m going to let you in on a secret as to how this will be done.
Membership in an industry association or society offers numerous opportunities for education, peer networking, and accessing a wealth of information that helps us grow professionally. There are several organizations that support concrete contractors and concrete construction.
