The world's foremost resource on decorative concrete
Any baker can tell you that a good frosting hides a multitude of sins when it comes to cakes. The same holds true with overlays on a concrete slab. The evolution of toppings and coatings has arrived as the public embraces the idea of fixing existing concrete. Whether for a […]
Imagine the convenience and versatility of decorative concrete finishes that you can apply to either walls or floors. Actually, it’s not a matter for the imagination. Such decorative finishes already exist. A more striking facet of these materials, however, may well be their role in enhancing visual effects in certain […]
Polishable overlays are a popular alternative to polished concrete where the existing concrete slab isn’t a good candidate for regular polishing. Infilling trenches, patching, spalling and removing existing modular floor coverings often result in a concrete surface that doesn’t meet with customer approval. Additionally, wavy concrete and edge curl will […]
A baker knows when there’s a disaster in the kitchen. However, sometimes a little bit of icing can go a long way toward redemption. Concrete contractors have a similar option with overlays and an unsightly slab: The overlaid section not only looks better, but the chemistry behind today’s concrete overlays […]
Installing overlays onto existing concrete is a cost-effective way to update concrete surfaces by eliminating tear-out costs, minimizing product expense and reducing the manpower needed to overhaul the look and integrity of the existing surface. Overlays for concrete today run the gamut, so there are plenty to choose from. The […]
Concrete overlays’ strength comes from combining specific amounts of portland cement, sand, water and polymer. Sand type is an important component in decorative concrete and concrete overlays because overlays are typically applied thinner than standard concrete, yet still need to withstand the forces of foot and automobile traffic. Research and […]
Duraamen recently released its new Terrazzi Sprayable Polished Concrete Floor System, an innovative technology that helps eliminate poor results and reduce the costs and installation time of polished concrete floors.
Shawn Halverson, CEO of Surfacing Solutions Inc.in Temecula, California, talks about the time some years ago when he took a break from construction after working in the structural concrete industry for about 21 years, beginning in the mid-1970s. Then, this phenomenon called decorative concrete emerged as a major player in the trade, and Halverson became intrigued.
They wanted to polish the concrete floors at their new location on Weybosset Street, in Providence, R.I. One problem — the substrate in the building was gypcrete and not polishable. Typical overlay products won’t bond to gypcrete. A clear-cut job was becoming complex.
GST International Inc. is best known for its concrete cleaners and sealers, but the company has been working on developing the ultimate cementitious overlay for a decade and a half. They think they’ve finally cracked the case.
