Control joints are cuts placed into the concrete at the time of pouring, or shortly after, to control random cracking in concrete. This works by creating a weakened area in the slab — concrete cracks follow the path of least resistance.
Staining & Coloring Concrete
Concrete’s natural color can be altered with powder or liquid stains, dyes and colored hardeners, as well as aggregates such as ground glass and stone.
Using Concrete Antiquing Systems with Multiple Color Options
Welcome to the new age of antiquing stamped concrete. When it comes to antiquing and/or providing accent colors on stamped concrete, installers today have more options than ever.
Land of 10,000 Lakes Inspires Carved Concrete Mural
Sisters Cindee Lundin and Chenoa Pickrain were raised on a dairy farm near Perham, Minnesota. Lundin is an expert in faux finishing and horizontal and vertical carved concrete. Pickrain is a graphic designer and photographer. Together, they brainstormed how to improve the drab brick facade of a historic building in […]
How Do You Combat Efflorescence on a Stained, Sealed Concrete Floor?
In our home in Houston, we have a stained concrete slab-on-grade floor covered with white powder. We had the floor tested and the white powder was identified as salts escaping and clouding the floor.
Decorative Concrete Techniques: Stencils and Acid Etching
A surface-preparation product called The Profiler from Surface Gel Tek can be used to create an etched effect with stencils. In these photos, Dane Hantz of Dane Concrete Design in Prescott, Arizona, demonstrates the technique. The surface was a steel-troweled concrete floor in a home. Hantz wanted to create a 60-linear-foot border around the room.
Wisconsin: Not the Epicenter for Decorative Concrete
Wisconsin is not exactly the epicenter of the decorative concrete universe, but this determined contractor is making a splash with his beautiful work.
A Concrete Contractor with a Philosophy of Candid Communication
Glen Roman would rather walk away from a project opportunity than put his name on a risky installation. “Sometimes the best money you ever make is from the job you didn’t do,” he says.
Staining Concrete Recipe: The Third Dimension
With a subtle two-level texture coat and a wild 3-D geometric pattern, this staining technique delivers a unique, captivating concrete floor finish.
Recipe: Old-World Charm Look With Acid Stain
A super-simple application technique that achieves a classic old-world finish, inspired by the multihued patina found in the palaces and cathedrals of Europe
How Much Color Should I Use in My Concrete?
Integral colors are calculated by loadings based on total cementitious materials used per yard of concrete. Common loadings are 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent and 4 percent.
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
