Vol. 12 No. 5 - July 2012

Metallic coatings can be tricky and that is why we gathered some tips and tricks from some professionals who have more than dabbled in their fair share of metallics.

Curiosity: Stay eternally curious about better methods, collaborative opportunities and advances in sustainability.
Artistry: Remember that concrete is an artisan’s canvas.
Innovation: Employ state-of-the-art techniques to achieve a very dense and reliable concrete product.

Thanks to new products and growing consumer interest, metallic-infused concrete coatings have everyone’s attention

Making sales is arguably the most fundamental function of business. Maintaining an effective and relevant sales strategy is absolutely critical since it directly impacts your top-line (gross sales) growth more than any other function. Here are seven actions you can implement today to win more decorative concrete jobs and increase sales.

Concrete tables and countertops are held to a higher standard of appearance, feel and performance than floors and walls. And the final element of the finished piece — the interface between the concrete and the customer — is the coating.

Cheng Concrete has announced the winners of its 2012 Circle of Distinction Design Challenge, honoring design and craftsmanship in cast decorative concrete created by members of the Cheng Concrete Exchange.

The Museum of Art/Fort Lauderdale likes to say “there is always something new and different at the Museum,” but until recently, that claim did not apply to the building’s exterior.

As the popularity of metallic floors blossoms, more and more installers are beginning to buy their metallic pigments directly from other sources to save some money and several companies have added metallic pigment products to their lineup.

In this outdoors construction project, weather was always going to be a factor. Considering the sensitive nature of the walls, precautions for polishing under certain wet or temperature conditions was critical to achieving desired results.

What is ground and polished concrete? How do we determine the difference between a topical-polished floor, in which a product has been applied to the floor to seal it, and a mechanical polish with bonded abrasives?

Remember the ship from "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest"? Or the John Harvard statue that students gathered around during the hazing scene in "The Social Network"? What about the boat dock from the Hollywood version of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"?

When you think about it, the relatively low percentage of callbacks and problems compared to the overall amount of work performed says a lot about the caliber of installers and the industry as a whole.

These metallic coatings and additives add color and visual flair to concrete surfaces. More are introduced every year.

Some materials you handle as a concrete worker can be hazardous to your health, including the concrete itself. Wet concrete can burn your skin, while concrete dust can hurt your lungs.

Acid stain is comparatively pretty safe — but there are still some safety procedures you should consider.

Some mistakenly view the decorative concrete world as 100 percent committed to overlays, stain and polished concrete, but counting out concrete stamping is a mistake. Stamped concrete is the cornerstone of decorative concrete, and my belief is that this will not change anytime soon.