As a child, who wasn’t thrilled to see the wood forms come out indicating a new sidewalk, driveway or even basement was about to be poured? Today, we know concrete can do so much more, and certainly the forms that helped shape it have changed, too.
Concrete Placing
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.
Two Ways to Get Radiant Heat in your Concrete
Have you come across clients who are considering polished, stamped or stained concrete flooring, but who hesitate because concrete is a naturally cold surface?
Getting Creative with Finishing Brooms
Consider the broom finish. Because steel trowel finishes are “slippery when wet,” the broom finish has been used for years to create nonskid surfaces on driveways, garage floors, sidewalks and loading docks. It’s not necessarily pretty, but it works — it’s a utilitarian texture.
Inspired Designs Using Tilt-up Concrete Construction
How the decorative concrete revolution is starting to push tilt-up walls into the 21st century.
How to Seed Glass Aggregate: Tips from a Pro
Harry Gressette of Grescon Construction LLC in Charleston, S.C., puts enough glass in his concrete each year to fill two tractor trailers. So he knows the ins and outs of exposed glass aggregate.
Are You Waiting Too Long To Cut Your Control Joints in Fresh Concrete?
Decorative concrete contractor Tom Ralston has probably never met you, but even so, he suspects you’re waiting too long before cutting your control joints. “Saw-cutting concrete is usually done long after the concrete has been poured or has set up,” he says. “It’s kind of like locking the gate after the horse has left.”
Cement Has Now Been Successfully Reinforced Using Plastic Waste
Researchers have successfully reinforced concrete with plastic waste, paving way for the first large-scale sustainable construction practice.
Why Add Accelerating Admixtures to Concrete
A primer on accelerators and their use in decorative concrete. Accelerators are one of the most popular kinds of chemical admixtures. Like water reducers, retarders and plasticizers, when added to a concrete batch either immediately before or during mixing.
Xtra-Flex Concrete Forms by Metal Forms Corp.
People who work with concrete know that creative forming is essential for a high-quality finished product. It can sometimes be the most arduous part of concrete work, especially when curves and circles are involved.
Control Finish, from Fritz-Pak Corp.
Exterior decorative concrete projects lend themselves well to areas of the country with warm, dry climates where the client can enjoy their outdoor space year-round. Unfortunately warm temperatures can also impact the workability of concrete.
Recent
CIM Program Celebrates 30 Years of Developing Future Leaders
SESCO Cement Announces Rick Van Eyk as the CEO
PROSOCO breaks new ground with ICC‑ES listing for Blok‑Guard and anti‑graffiti products
American Concrete Institute Spring 2026 ACI Concrete Convention breaks attendance record in Rosemont, Ill.
Expanding Product Capabilities Following Strategic Acquisitions of Artcrete and Haivala
