The world's foremost resource on decorative concrete
Instead of pouring concrete, concrete installers place concrete where they want it to go. And there are right ways and wrong ways to do this.
The rapid expansion of cloud computing, AI and high-performance data processing is reshaping the physical infrastructure that supports the digital economy. Across North America and around the world, new hyperscale data centers are being constructed at an unprecedented pace. These innovative facilities house thousands of servers, cooling systems and electrical […]
For much of my career as a concrete contractor, my crews and I have focused on creating the best product we could for our customers. We established this through years of trial and error, regular training, and eventually implementation of practices that ensured we could produce the best aesthetics and […]
For 25 years, Concrete Decor has promoted products that impart color and texture to concrete. Editorially, the magazine’s focus on quality workmanship rewards product manufacturers and those who use the product for their tireless efforts to improve and maintain quality standards. Today, as a result, new and old concrete surfaces […]
Just like Kermit the Frog said, “It’s not easy being green.” Who knew concrete and frogs had so much in common? To develop the green mix design used at the Port St. Lucie, Florida, heart sculpture, a lot of brainstorming and testing had to take place before it could even […]
When you think of what the concrete work surrounding the world’s largest heart sculpture might look like, you may envision red. However, in reality, it’s white in color—but the mix design is as green as could be. Back in spring 2024, Rich Rhoades, vice president of Adena Corp. in Florida, […]
Why the Smallest Choices Shape the Biggest Results At first glance, aggregates seem like background players in a concrete mix, just sand, stone, and gravel filling space. But to those who’ve spent their careers in decorative and architectural concrete, the truth is clear: aggregates are not filler. They are the […]
The Illusion of Strength Concrete has long been the symbol of durability — an unyielding surface beneath our feet, our buildings, and our infrastructure. To most, its strength seems obvious and dependable, but in reality the concrete we build with today is not the same as the concrete of a […]
Maximizing the performance of decorative concrete requires a deep understanding of both the materials involved and the innovative technologies that enhance their properties. Although concrete is a remarkably versatile and durable building material, it presents several inherent challenges that must be addressed in order to ensure optimal workability, strength and […]
To call Carolina Bomanite’s Wilson Nature Center project a towering mountain to climb might just be an understatement. For starters, there’s the terrain – a steep climb up one of the highest peaks in the Southern Appalachians – Grandfather Mountain in the Blue Ridge range of western North Carolina. Left: […]
Fiber-reinforced concrete is an increasingly popular choice for flatwork and elevated construction—from precast and ready-mix concrete to shotcrete. Fibers make concrete resistant to cracking from plastic and drying shrinkage, leading to a durable product with a longer lifespan. Some fiber types even greatly reduce construction time and, in some applications, […]
