Decorative concrete care in winter is simple but vital. Cold weather and deicing chemicals are a significant threat to concrete. Follow these guidelines to keep your concrete in good condition.
Wood Stamped Concrete Alternative To High Lumber Prices
When lumber prices are high, wood stamped concrete is a great alternative. It's more durable, requires less upkeep, and is sometimes cheaper to install.
Stains a great way to add color to existing concrete. There are many different stained concrete pros and cons based on the product and application you choose.
Best Penetrating Concrete Sealer for Decorative Concrete
Learn how to choose the right penetrating sealer for your project. Even the best penetrating concrete sealers are only as good as application choice and method.
VOCs are found in many building products. These volatile organic compounds can contribute to a wide range of environmental and health issues. Many agencies are regulating VOCs to combat these effects. These changes are having a significant impact on the construction industry.
Join us for an educational product demonstration at our new facility serving the Texas market. This demonstration will include proper use and application of Integral Colors, Color Hardener, Liquid Release, Antique-It, DAY1 Finishing Aid, Surface Deactivator, Concrete Dimensions Stencils, and UltraFiber 500.
Tinted sealer is a common tool for correcting and adding color to architectural concrete. Using just the sealer, you can correct colored concrete that has gone wrong or add new color to a slab.
Why Hydrophilic Fiber Matters - The Hydration Benefits of UltraFiber 500
UltraFiber 500 is incredibly hydrophilic by nature, meaning is readily attracts and absorbs water. This is in stark contrast to synthetic fibers - such as polypropylene fibers and glass fibers - which are almost universally hydrophobic, repelling water.
Determining how to choose concrete finish options can be tricky. Use this guide to help decide between broom finish concrete, salt finish concrete, and other colored concrete floors. There is a wide range of architectural and decorative concrete finishes available for residential and commercial applications.
Tilt-Up Construction allows architects to design practical, strong, and resilient structures. Incorporating color also makes these utilitarian structures visually pleasing. Read more to find out how Solomon Colors integral color and DAY1 Finishing Aid were used to improve an office building.
Brickform Cem-Coat was successfully used to repair washed out, faded integral color at the entrance to this hotel. Cem-Coat was able to closely match the desired original color and create a durable surface that can easily withstand near constant vehicle traffic.
Decorative Concrete Adds Value For Concrete Producers and Suppliers
Value Added is the cornerstone of a successful business. In order to make money, on a good or service, you have to be able to sell it for more than it cost you. The best way to add value is to make something more desirable. By improving a product’s utility or perceived value, the customer wants it more and is willing to either pay a premium or buy larger quantities. These changes in behavior result in more earnings for the seller and, ideally, a happier customer.
A Dispenser For Every Occasion: The QuickColor System
The QuickColor granular system allows Ready Mix producers and decorative suppliers to sell bagged color while retaining the efficiencies gained by a ColorSelect liquid and granular system. Bagged pigment is a viable alternative for producers and distributors that do a low volume of color, but it can be a logistical hassle for higher volume businesses. You need not sacrifice the ability to offer prepackaged color, however. This is where the QuickColor granular system comes in.
Solomon Colors Dispensers Are The Efficient Choice
Efficiency is the name of the game when it comes to Solomon Colors dispensers. Here are just a few ways a Solomon Colors ColorSelect of QuickColor system helps you gain efficiency in your colored concrete options.
The advent of retarding agents make exposed aggregate a more attractive design option. In the past, exposed aggregate finishes were achieved by broadcasting stone over wet concrete and pressing it in or by removing (mechanically or with acid) the surface of cured concrete. These were labor intensive and/or yielded inconsistent results. Chemical retarders eliminated these concerns. They prevented the cement reaction at the top of the slab and making it easier to remove the paste. This process was further simplified by retarders with set depths, such as Surface Deactivator.
Why Gray Matters? The Reason for Gray Pigment and Hardeners
Concrete is naturally gray. Why do so many companies offer gray integral color or gray decorative hardeners? This simple question has a simple answer... though it may not be the one you'd expect.
Color Matching Concrete Part 1: Can I Match Integral Color?
Is it possible to color matching integral color? What factors are at play? What methods are most reliable for matching color? All of these are valid questions when repairing and expanding projects. Read more for details. More parts to come.
Color Matching Concrete Part 2: Why Doesn't My Color Match?
Despite best efforts, concrete color will not always match. Knowing the cause makes correction easier and more cost effective. Read more for a few common reasons color does not match. Stay on the lookout for the final part.
Color Matching Concrete Part 3: Fixing Mismatched Colored Concrete
Fixing mismatched color is easier than one would expect. A number of techniques and products exist to correct almost any color related error. Read more for just a few of these time, effort, and money saving options.
Choosing the right texture and color for your stamped concrete patio, driveway, or pool can be a daunting task. Follow these six simple steps and you will be on the way to a satisfying result.
7 Reasons Contractors Should Do Decorative Concrete
"Decorative concrete seems like too much work! Why should I do it?" This is something we hear from contractors all the time. Often, when a contractor is scheduling regular flatwork jobs left and right, he doesn’t see the value in doing more. If you’re willing to take the time to do it right, decorative concrete can grow your business. Read more to see the 7 reasons it might be a smart decision to move into decorative concrete.
Polished concrete is leading the way when it comes to architecturally specified floor finishes. The many unique features of polished concrete floors are attracting more than just architects and designers. Home owners have placed polished concrete as one of the most desirable and must have flooring surfaces.
More Than Just Looks: 7 Reasons Beyond Appearance to Use Decorative Concrete
We often spend time talking about how good decorative concrete looks. It is an aesthetically driven product. Yet, to focus on appearance alone sells decorative concrete short. Here are a few more reasons decorative concrete might be the right choice:
What's the big deal behind mortar color. It seems like such a small detail to be so concerned about. Click more to find out why you should really consider the color of your mortar.
Colorful Infrastructure: How Colored Concrete Can Make Your City Look Better
Typically, when people think colored concrete, a couple things come to mind. First, they think of residential pool decks, patios, and more. Second, most people will be reminded of large commercial projects such as majestic office buildings and fun theme parks. But those are hardly the limits of colored concrete. Infrastructure, industrial structures, and other less ”glamorous” projects can make excellent use of colored concrete. Color can add different properties and performances to the concrete.
Creating and designing retail spaces is a difficult task. Build cost, maintenance cost, durability, and visual design must all be weighed to maximize the utility and effectiveness of the space. The type of merchandise, expected traffic levels, and desired image must all be carefully considered. Concrete is a natural choice for retail spaces – especially big box stores, grocery stores, hardware stores, and value oriented retailers. Concrete is durable and cost effective. In the pursuit of these two qualities, designers may neglect appearance… generally to their misfortune.
The Eternal Debate: Color Hardener vs Integral Color
Color Hardener and Integral Color are two distinct options for achieving the same goal - coloring concrete. Each presents a specific set of pros and cons that will help inform your decision. Read on to find which is best for your application.
