Concrete > Decorative Concrete | For Construction Pros

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Economists Predict Rocky Road to Recovery for Construction Industry

Dodge Data & Analytics forecasts that the U.S. infrastructure segment won't return to normal levels until 2023.

Consider workers' weights, weight of tools and materials taken up ladders.

March Ladder Safety Month Focuses on Securing The Leading Cause of Fatal Falls in Construction

Lack of training on proper use of ladders is the primary cause of more than 81% of fall injuries treated in US emergency departments, and the safety industry is working especially hard this month to get free training to those who work with ladders

5 Tips to Optimize Concrete Forming Panel Performance

5 Tips to Optimize Concrete Forming Panel Performance

APA-trademarked panels can be used repeatedly with proper care. Maximize concrete form lifetime—and your budget—with these five tips.

View from inside the Vukovar Water Tower, Croatia, during the renovation phase.

Cortec MCI Technology Utilized to Preserve Croatian War Monument

After almost being destroyed during the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s, the Vukovar Water Tower has been rejuvenated as a memorial monument with the help of corrosion inhibitors on the reinforced concrete.

As a memorial to the frontline workers of COVID-19. The Ocoee Health-Center includes a plaque that reads as follows: 'This courtyard is dedicated to the frontline healthcare workers who went above and beyond during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. 'In appreciation for you extraordinary service, loyalty, and commitment to your profession and community.'' It then lists the companies and suppliers involved in the project and then a 'thank you.'

3 Decorative Concrete Contractors That Gave Back to Their Community

How three Bomanite-licensed decorative concrete contractors - Edwards Concrete Bomanite, Texas Bomanite, and Colorado Hardscapes - made a difference in their communities.

A vanity made with GFRC.

The Steps and Materials Needed for Your Next GFRC Project

Decorative concrete pioneer Buddy Rhodes offers expertise into the materials and steps for a typical GFRC project using the Spray Technique with a hand laid backer mix.

The winner of the 2020 WOW! Award was Superior Gunite, of Lake View Terrace. The use of shotcrete allowed access for placement as well as the ability to carve the wet concrete to match the look of the previous precast panels.

The 2020 Decorative Concrete Award Winners

The winners of the Decorative Concrete Council's Decorative Concrete Awards competition were recognized at the American Society of Concrete Contractors Annual (virtual) Conference on September 24, 2020.

Valley Children's Hospital solicits strong design-build contractors in central California.

Customization Defines Decorative Concrete Solutions for Valley Children's Healthcare

Engaging the Design-Build contracting methodology is one reliable way to complete roughly 100 facility improvement projects a year.

When you mix high dosage levels of macro fibers in concrete, one of challenges is to achieve a good blending between concrete and fiber.

How High Dosage Levels of Macro Fibers Are Improving Concrete Slabs

Slab-on-grade floor and pavement panels shrink less and have almost no curl.

Noxcrete 4

Tips for Optimal Concrete Stripping

New biodegradable solvents offer another solution without the harmful waste, specialized equipment or extended dry times.

Ameripolish SmartFloor Refinement System.

Ameripolish Smartfloor Refinement System

The SmartFloor Refinement System concept is engineered to provide a high-aesthetic floor that is an easy and economical way to utilize any polishing machines, including power trowels.

Rockett's glass overlay.

Rockett's Glass Overlay

Rockett’s Polished Overlay is a patent-pending process creating high-impact, enduring decorative polished concrete floors and installations.

Smith FS351 DCS Electric Self-Propelled Scarifier.

Smith FS351 DCS Electric Self-Propelled Scarifier

Smith's FS351 DCS series of heavy-duty, self-propelled drum scarifiers are designed to tackle the most demanding removal and surface preparation jobs.

Make sure you have a marketing plan in place to help focus your marketing efforts, suggests L.M. Scofield's Cam Villar. Whether in depth or simple, make sure to at least include the market you want to serve and who your target audience will be.

Marketing Polished and Stained Decorative Concrete Floors

When it comes to marketing polished or stained decorative concrete floors contractors should focus on promoting the benefits as well as the aesthetics.

Pictured here is a warehouse/distribution center application using a lithium siliconate densifier.

Densifiers Demystified

A concrete densifier is a chemical solution that, when applied to a concrete surface, increases surface density by sealing pores.

A critical element in creating Pacific Point Preserve, which resembles a fishing wharf along the Pacific Coast, was incorporating a home for the Asian small-clawed otters.

Creating a World of Fantasy, Fun Through Pre-Blended Stucco

To bring realistic animal habitats to life and build seemingly unimaginable park rides, contractors have turned to advanced formula pre-blended stuccos.

Homeowners who build on concrete slabs can now achieve the look of wood thanks to Kasella's artistry. Grain design for each plank is applied by hand.

Polished Concrete Plus Creates Wood Grain Finishes

When placing concrete began to take its toll on Jeff Kasella’s body, he found a way to add beauty to the slabs others placed.

The Moscone Center improvements, specifically with regard to the polished concrete scope, in San Francisco, California is a lesson to specifications that don’t always meet owner expectations and how a great general contractor, great architect, and an experienced concrete subcontractor can communicate and come together to drive the project in a successful direction for all parties.

The Gestation of a Polished Concrete Project

The Moscone Center improvements, specifically to the polished concrete scope, is a lesson to specifications that don’t always meet expectations but how communication between parties can drive the project in a successful direction for all parties.

Grasscrete.

Grasscrete

Manufactured by Sustainable Paving Systems, of Fair Oaks, California, Grasscrete offers a solid, drivable surface that allows direct access to the soil, water, and sunlight required to sustain vegetation.

The view of Lahofer Winery from the vineyards.

Concrete a Main Feature of Lahofer Winery

Though thoroughly modern in form, Lahofer Winery in Dobšice, Czech Republic, takes cues from the vineyards of old.

When slabs on ground are polished, non-uniform exposure of aggregate is a result of high spots cause by slab curling. Deflection of many suspended slabs exceeds the upward movement at curled slabs, so polishing may result in even larger areas that exhibit such non-uniform aggregate exposure.

Why Polishing Suspended Concrete Slabs is More Likely to Disappoint Customers

Polished-concrete specifications are based on experience with slabs-on-grade, so contractors must help project owners understand how results will likely vary when polishing suspended slabs

5 Tips to Optimize Concrete Forming Panel Performance

5 Tips to Optimize Concrete Forming Panel Performance

APA-trademarked panels can be used repeatedly with proper care. Maximize concrete form lifetime—and your budget—with these five tips.

Keystone Stonegate No Cut Design L Shaped Grill Station (002)

Keystone Hardscapes Pre-Sorted Pallets for Easy Install

The new fireplaces and grill stations combine the elegant, weathered beauty of Keystone Hardscapes’ popular Stonegate retaining wall system in pre-sorted pallets that make installation easy.

Pastor Josh Moore assists Roy Mathis of GranQuartz during the polishing process.

SmartFloor Power Trowel Cuts Down Polishing Time at Florida Church

Ameripolish’s SmartFloor Refinement System uses composite resin abrasives technology for polished concrete floors with high DOI.

W. R. Meadows Hydralastic 836 SL.

W.R. Meadows Hydralastic 836 SL

The company's newest single-component, cold-applied, solvent-free, water-activated, waterproofing system.

Superabrasive has launched their new Elite Series of LAVINA Dust Extractors

Superabrasive Elite Series of LAVINA Dust Extractors

Superabrasive has launched their new Elite Series of LAVINA Dust Extractors, including electric and propane models for use with different size grinders.

Pictured, an outdoor living space where acid stains were used to etch the concrete surface.

Understand the Differences Between Concrete Dyes, Stains and Pigments

When it comes to imparting color on a concrete surface, understanding the product options is critical in order to achieve the finished look your customer desires

Adobe Stock 87146790

Research Says Self-healing Concrete Market Size Worth $305 Billion in 7 Years

A report by Grand View Research Inc. shows the global self-healing concrete market is expected to reach USD $305.38 billion by 2027.

The One South First (Domino Sugar) project was a 42-story commerical/residential building featuring punched window openings - demonstrating an important advancement in the use of 3D-printed forms.

The Winner of the PCI Sidney Freedman Craftsmanship Award

The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute announced the winner of the ninth annual Sidney Freedman Craftsmanship Award - The Gate Precast Company for Domino Sugar (New York City) project

When you mix high dosage levels of macro fibers in concrete, one of challenges is to achieve a good blending between concrete and fiber.

How High Dosage Levels of Macro Fibers Are Improving Concrete Slabs

Slab-on-grade floor and pavement panels shrink less and have almost no curl.

Brickform Refresh.

Brickform Refresh

Recolor and restore concrete with Brickform Refresh. Brickform Refresh is a solvent based penetrating, polysiloxane stain with excellent water repellency to be used for re-coloring and sealing exterior concrete surfaces.

SASE Trifecta Diamond Pads.

SASE Trifecta Diamond Pads

SASE Trifecta Diamond pads mount to a high speed burnisher to restore shine or burnish in guard.

Pecora-Deck HB1000 Series.

Pecora-Deck HB1000 Series

Pecora’s full line of traffic coatings protect wearing surfaces like concrete or plywood from vehicular and pedestrian traffic abrasion.