The world's foremost resource on decorative concrete
Decorative work is a growing part of this groundbreaking company, where business savvy meets design expertise.
When Adobe Coatings of Mesa, Ariz., was brought in to create new concrete floors for Christ’s Greenfield Lutheran Church in Gilbert, Ariz., the original plan was to use acid stain for the entire project. One hitch: The 11,000-square-foot project included some balcony space.
Green was a hot topic at this year’s World of Concrete show. It seemed that every exhibitor had some mention of green in their displays. In some cases this seemed to be little more than lip service, but in other cases, some very real steps are being taken towards greener concrete.
A high-strength cementitious material gave contractors exactly what they needed to restore this venerable and historic building.
Today’s contractors who love the look of acid stains but loathe the labor and time required to get the job done have more ways than ever before to bypass the troublesome application using safer-for-all water routes.
One of concrete’s few downsides is the amount of waiting a contractor, and customer, must do while the concrete sets or coatings dry. Some of that waiting time is now significantly reduced, thanks to RapidShield from Epmar Corp., a subsidiary of Quaker Chemical Corp.
Unlike acid stains, which achieve their natural good looks with a chemical reaction, today’s water-based copycats often rely on employing proper techniques.
If you missed this year’s World of Concrete in Las Vegas, let me bring you up to date on what is happening in the decorative concrete industry. The decorative all-stars were out in full force and they certainly delivered and the decorative concrete information highway ran straight through Las Vegas this year.
Surface prep is not the most creative part of a decorative concrete project, but it’s also rarely the same old grind.
The familiar mottled patterns of these stains are still in demand. What’s more, contractors have new ways to try for that look.
