concrete expressions

EEEEExpressionsCONCRETEA P o r t f o l i o o f C o n c r e t e D e s i g n P o s s i b i l i t i e s

Published by

The Concrete Network

www.concretenetwork.com

Editor

Khara Betz

Graphic Design & Layout

Christina Wilkinson

Sabre Design & Publishing

To order additional copies of this magazine,

visit www.shopconcretenetwork.com

On the Cover: SUPER STONE, INC.

Concrete Expressions is published by Concrete Network

Inc. Copyright © 2004. Any photographs, artwork or copy

prepared by Concrete Expressions may not be reproduced

by any means including electronic and duplication is strictly

prohibited without prior written permission of the publisher.

All rights reserved.

www.concre tene twork .com

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Dear Reader,

To say there has been an explosion in decorative concrete is quite the understatement!

Homeowners are hiring decorative concrete specialists to color, stain, score, stamp, overlay, or otherwise decorate their fl oors, countertops, pool decks, entries, driveways, and walkways around their homes.

Explore the options available with concrete! Within these pages, you’ll fi nd a variety of design ideas and beautiful photographs of concrete both indoors and outdoors.

Gather ideas and utilize the Concrete Network as your number one source for residential concrete information! Visit www.concretenetwork.com and download free online catalogs fi lled with photos and information and use the design tool to select colors and patterns for driveways, patios, pool decks, and entries. You can also read about featured contractors and artisans and view their latest projects.

The future of concrete is bright! Read on about the many uses of concrete and then call the contractor nearest you to get started on creating your own concrete project!

Khara BetzConcrete Network

PORTLAND CEMENT ASSOCIATION

BRICKFORM RAFCO PRODUCTS

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PHOTOS ON PAGE 3

TOP LEFT INSET PHOTO OF EXPOSED AGGREGATE- JS FRAZER CONSTRUCTION

CENTER RIGHT INSET PHOTO- BRICKFORM RAFCO PRODUCTS

BOTTOM INSET PHOTO- CONCRETE IMPRESSIONS

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4 INTERIOR FLOORS It’s Not Just a Cold, Gray Slab Anymore!

8 CONCRETE COUNTERTOPS Concrete in the Kitchen—A Recipe for a Great Investment

12 PATIOS Today’s Backyard Patio—An Outdoor Living Room

15 POOL DECKS Pool Trends—One Piece of the Backyard Puzzle

18 THE CONCRETE NETWORK The Ideas, Information and Inspiration

20 DRIVEWAYS No More Plain, Gray Driveways

23 RESOURCES

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SUPER-KRETE PRODUCTS

It’s Not Just a

Cold, Gray Slab Cold, Gray Slab


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CONCRETE FLOORS — in stained, colored, painted, and personalized glory — are popping up in retail stores, trendy restaurants, offi ces, and homes everywhere. One of the most common places you’ll see decorative concrete these days is under your feet. Whether it’s acid-stained, painted, overlays, microtoppings, radiant fl oors, or a unique personal fl oor, concrete offers a range unlike any other material.

Cold, Gray Slab ANYMORE!

Benefi ts of Concrete Interior Floors

• Ability to Customize – Each concrete fl oor is unique, with no predetermined color palette to limit designs.

• Cost-Effective – Concrete fl oors are cost effective, comparing favorably in price to wood fl ooring and ceramic or quarry tile.

• Low Maintenance – Regular maintenance generally involves periodic dusting or damp mopping.

• Great with Passive Solar Designs – Concrete fl ooring is often acentral component of passive solar home designs. The concrete slab absorbs the heat of the sun during the day and releases the stored heat as needed at night.

DECORATIVE CONCRETE INSTITUTE


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www.wirsbo.com

RADIANT FLOOR HEATING – Comfort You Can Feel!

Concrete doesn’t have to be cold anymore! You can create a warm, comfortable atmosphere in your home with a radiant fl oor heating system.

Wirsbo Radiant Floors circulate warm water through PEX tubing embedded in the fl oor of your home. The heat radiates up through the fl oor, warming the people, furnishings and air in the room. The warmth stays down around where the people are, not up at the ceiling or lost to the outdoors every time a door or window is opened. It’s a comfortable, even heat where cold spots and drafts are eliminated.

The Benefi ts of Wirsbo Radiant Floor Heating• Provides your family with warm fl ooring and more

comfort for less money. • Reduce energy costs by 10-40%• Enjoy an even, quiet warmth without the hum and

visibility of a forced air system.• A healthier home – radiant heat does not spread

dust, pollen or germs as forced air systems do and is less likely to dry out your breathing passages and skin.

• Radiant systems can keep your family cozy and comfortable and often increase the resale value of your home.

For Architectural Specifi cationswww.wirsbo.com

Click on Architects & Engineers link

DIAMOND D CONCRETE

[www.concre tene twork .com]

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For more information, go to the interior concrete fl oors section at

www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/interiorfl oors.

You can view online or print a free interior concrete fl oors catalog at www.concretenetwork.com/catalogs.

Review patterns, styles and colors, and then fi nd a contractor in your area to get the job done.

www.concretenetwork.com/


QC CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS

Design Ideas: Patterns, Styles and Colors

Old World Beauty – Modern Day Luxury

www.kemiko.com

Kemiko Concrete Products transform ordinary concrete slabs into luxurious fl oors, creating stunning, multi-hued color variations and an uneven surface that looks perfectly aged. Whether working with a neo-classic, southwestern, eclectic, or strictly traditional decor, Kemiko adapts to enhance any setting.

Kemiko Color Chart


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Bob Harris’ Guide to Stained

Concrete Interior Floors

is a 100 page, full-color resource with valuable, detailed

information, including tips and tricks from Bob Harris, for contractors doing stained concrete interior fl oors. This unique and

comprehensive guide is the fi rst in a series of guides on popular decorative concrete topics.

Price $35

Purchase Bob Harris’ Guide to Stained Concrete Interior Floorsat www.shopconcretenetwork.com

Malay Tan

Vintage Umber Stain

Black Stain

Aqua Blue Stain

English Red Stain

Golden Wheat Stain

Green Lawn Stain

Cola Stain

DIAMOND D CONCRETE

Concrete

In the Kitchen — A RECIPE FOR A GREAT INVESTMENT


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When it comes to remodeling the kitchen, one of the major considerations is the countertop. Although there are a variety of countertop materials avail-able, many homeowners feel confi ned by the harsh limitations of materials like granite, or they want a more natural, customized look that laminates and other products don’t provide. Concrete countertops are the answer!

Benefi ts of Concrete Countertops

• Concrete can be molded into any shape, colored to match virtually any hue and can be fi nished with a smooth or rough surface.• Concrete countertops can be left looking natural to complement materi-als like wood, stone, and brick. Or, concrete can be treated with chemical stains, coloring pigments, aggregates, and epoxy coatings to achieve a variety of custom looks.• Concrete countertops can be custom-tinted to match an existing color scheme, and they can be personalized with embellishments such as stone, seashells, artifacts, personal mementos, trivets and stainless steel heat racks.

KALDARI


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If you’re undergoing a total kitchen remodel, then it’s a perfect time to work in concrete, whether it’s a countertop for your primary work space, a top for a new or existing island, or a concrete sink. You can select concrete colors and textures that will blend well with new appli-ances, new fl ooring, and can be the inspiration for new wall colors and lighting fi xtures.

Surface fi nishes range from high gloss, smooth as glass or with various texturing or veining. Many homeowners are taking advantage of concrete’s fl exibility and its ability to incorporate other functional features such as integral sinks, drainboards, and butcher blocks.

Various types of surfaces can be created in a concrete countertop. A veined surface is gently textured, revealing marble-like veining in the countertop that is still smooth enough to roll a piecrust or write a let-ter. A steel trowel surface is a smooth, mostly monochromatic surface notable for its obvious trowel marks and subtle variations of light and dark (think of an Italian plastered wall). A terrazzo surface has glass or marble chips worked into the background to create a two-toned mottled effect, adding textural interest under the smooth surface.

LUCIONI ARTS

EYCON SURFACING


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THE ULTIMATE EDGE, INC.

DEX STUDIOS


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For more information, go to the concrete countertop section at

www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/countertops.

You can also view online or print a free concrete countertop catalog at www.concretenetwork.com/catalogs.


THE ULTIMATE EDGE, INC.

DIAMOND D CONCRETE

DISTINCTIVE CONCRETE


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Today’s Today’s

Backyard Patio — AN OUTDOOR LIVING ROOM

Backyards are being transformed into luxurious extensions of the house. They’re the new favorite room to relax, entertain, and cook. And the heart and soul of the backyard resort area is the concrete patio.

• Backyards are quickly becoming outdoor living rooms. An increasing number of homeowners are going all out with outdoor kitchens, furnished seating areas, fi replaces, decorative concrete patios, pizza ovens, elaborate water features, and more.

• While many concrete patios are designed to complement the outdoor landscape and native greenery, patios are now becoming an extension of the house. Oftentimes, the indoor décor fl ows right into the outdoor patio. Concrete can be shaped to enhance the look and feel of the transformation from the indoors to the outdoors.

• Concrete patios are durable and can stand up to a range of weather conditions found across the country. Whereas traditional pavers and cobble-stone settle unevenly during the freeze/thaw cycle of winter, concrete can be reinforced with steel, giving it the necessary tensile strength to resist the constant heaving produced by the freezing and thawing of the ground.

SUPER STONE, INC.


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Stamped concrete imparts texture and pattern to concrete, giving it the look and feel of stone, brick, slate and other textured materials.

Colors and patterns for stamped concrete are often chosen to blend with other stone or tile elements at the residence. Complex designs incorporating steps, courtyards, and fountains can be achieved. Stamped concrete can also be blended with other decorative concrete elements such as exposed aggregate fi nishes and acid-etch staining.

Combining concrete with other materials, like brick, tile, or fl ag-stone, is also popular. And wood, steel, or copper dividers can be used as control joints to help prevent cracking.

Some of the more common stamped patternsinclude the patterns to the right >

COURTESY OF CONCRETE IMPRESSIONS

CONCRETE IMPRESSIONS


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www.heatnglo-lifestyle.com

Transform your backyard into an outdoor living room! One of the easiest and affordable ways to create your backyard retreat is with an outdoor wood burn-ing fi replace. Heat-N-Glo® offers an innovative collection of outdoor stainless steel fi replaces that create a fun and functional outdoor space, plus add value to your home.

For more information, go to the concrete patio section at http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/concrete_patio/ You can also view online or print a free concrete patio catalog at www.concretenetwork.com/catalogs.


go to the concrete patio section at

COLORADO HARDSCAPES

POOL TRENDS:

One Piece of theBACKYARD PUZZLE

It used to be that if you had a pool, it consumed most of the back yard. But today, that trend is shifting. Many people want to vacation in their own back yards and pools are just part of the big picture. Nowadays, the pool isn’t the focal point of the back yard, but just one part of an extended living area.

Pools are becoming more specialized with a strong focus on aesthetics, transforming the pool and backyard area into a mini-resort with lighting and sound, spas, waterfalls, fountains, and decorative decks.

Deck areas surrounding a pool can run the gamut from poured in place concrete, broom fi nish concrete, exposed aggregate, tile, to brick pavers or natural stone masonry. Different materials have their own strengths and weaknesses, and varying costs.

For example, fl agstone, sometimes known as “bluestone,” offers a sleek and traditional look. However, very sunny regions will often heat fl agstone to uncomfortable levels, particularly for young children. While many different colors and patterns are available with brick decks, brick, too, can be a hot, sometimes slippery surface.

Decorative concrete pool decks are an ideal answer!


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• Pool Decks can be stamped with a variety of patterns that resemble brick, slate, fl agstone, stone, tile, and even wood.

• Stenciling can give a deck texture and any pattern imaginable. The fi nished deck can sport an attractive look of brick or stone with a contrasting grout line. Edges of plain, matching or contrasting pat-terns can be added and even applied to steps. Decorative features — special designs, company logos, monograms — can also be part of the stenciling.

• The coping of the pool deck is the material that caps the pool shell wall. Poured concrete allows the coping to be one unit with the pool deck, incorporating the coping right over the edge of the pool so there is no break in the fi nish on the horizontal plane. This method can help to make a small area around the pool look much bigger, and give the deck cleaner lines.

• Exposed aggregates help convert pool deck surfaces from plain fi n-ishes to a component of outdoor landscaping. The concrete-based mix incorporates differently shaped and colored pebbles and stones, which rise to the surface once the concrete is applied. The rock (aggregate) in the concrete mix is exposed by either water pressure, chemical ap-plication, or by sandblasting.


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For more information, go to

the concrete pool decks section at http://http://http:/ www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/pool_decks/

You can also view online or print a free concrete pool decks catalog at www.concretenetwork.com/catalogs.


information,the concrete pool decks section

at http://http://http:/ www.concretenetwork.com/

TOM RALSTON CONCRETE

Building Boulders:Faux Rock Creates a Fancy

Water FeatureOne of the hottest trends in the decorative concrete industry is the use of faux rock—a synthetic product molded from fi ber-reinforced concrete, polymer-modifi ed concrete, or other materials—to create durable, realistic landscaping and water features.

Rock and stone have long been valued as natural, distinc-tive landscaping elements. But imagine the equipment, effort, and expense that would be required to haul large boulders weighing at least a ton each into a backyard and then to stack them around an in-ground pool or pond water feature.

That’s why more and more landscape and swimming pool designers and contractors are turning to faux rock for water feature construction. Not only can artifi cial rocks be molded, textured, and colored to exactly replicate the look and feel of real rock formations, they also can be built on-site, eliminating the inconvenience and expense of hauling in material to build a water feature.


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DAVIS COLORS


The Ideas, Information The Ideas, Information The Ideas, Information The Ideas, Information The Ideas, Information AND INSPIRATION


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Site visitors can choose a metro area and view the concrete construction services and concrete products that are available in the area and obtain full contact information for the listed businesses.

Extensive Articles and Information – Our web site’s extensive articles and directories constitute a repository of infor-mation and are a resource about the industry’s products and ser-vices, including concrete home construction, stamping and other decorative concrete products, resurfacing products, concrete stains, boom pumps, and literally hundreds of other products.

Free Online Design Tool – Design a driveway, patio, pool deck or entry using our Free Online Design Tool which allows you to select the colors and patterns of your choice!

The Concrete Network is an information resource on popular decorative concrete topics such as concrete countertops, stained concrete interior fl oors, stamped concrete, pool decks, driveways, patios and more.

The Concrete Network provides the information, colors, patterns and styles available and then links buyers with local concrete contractors to get the job done.

Find a Contractor – Use our directory to fi nd a contractor in your area for your concrete project. Our nationwide directory lists concrete contractors and other industry suppliers and experts in 58 specialties in 164 metro areas. The directory is organized by area and specialty, such as patios, pool decks, driveways, countertops, acid-stained fl oors, stamped concrete, and water features, among many others.



Over 500,000 people visited the Concrete Network online in March 2004.

Visit www.concretenetwork.com today!


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Free Online Catalogs – Want to know more about the avail-able options and benefi ts of decorative concrete for your home project? Download any of our ten online catalogs fi lled with infor-mation and beautiful photographs about interior fl oors, concrete countertops, driveways, patios, pool decks, and more!

Weekly Article about Featured Contractors – Read professional articles written each week about one of the contrac-tor members of the Concrete Network. These fabulous artisans build outrageous pool decks, patios, interior fl oors, countertops, and more!

Picture of the Week – View the latest awesome projects completed by contractor members of the Concrete Network. Their unique work is featured each week.

Concrete Artisans – Read about the latest designs by fea-tured artisans, and see how art has become a prominent part of decorative concrete design.

Industry Trends & Products – Keep up-to-date with the latest developments and advancements happening in the decorative concrete industry. Learn about new products, new techniques and more each week!

Shop Concrete Network Online – Visit www.shopconcretenetwork.com <http://www.shopconcretenetwork.com/> for decorative concrete related products.


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• Staining – A method for coloring decorative concrete is through chemical stains. They penetrate the concrete surface to create beautiful color tones in concrete. Stains react directly with the concrete’s minerals and produce uneven, mottled, and variegated color effects.

• Colored Concrete – One of the biggest draws of decorative concrete driveways is the expansive range of colors available. Because of ever-advancing technology and incredible chemical techniques, concrete can be colored in just about any hueimaginable.

No More

Plain, Gray Plain, Gray Plain, Gray Plain, Gray Plain, Gray Plain, Gray Plain, Gray Plain, Gray Plain, Gray Plain, Gray Plain, Gray DRIVEWAYS

Today’s homeowners take great pride in their home, and are fully aware of the “curb appeal” it exudes. One of the most effective ways to enhance the look of a home is by gracing it with a decorative concrete driveway.

• Because concrete can be forged into a range of textures, colors, and pat-terns, it is a versatile part of an overall landscape design and can increase the value of your home.

• Decorative concrete driveways will not sink or buckle like driveways made from other materials that use a paver system or stone that has been grouted.

• You won’t have grass, dirt, or weeds growing up through the grout joints, which frequently happens when using natural stone, which has to be “locked” together with mortar.


PORTLAND CEMENT ASSOCIATION


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Choose and Download the Colors of Your ChoiceThe Digital Color Chart for Concrete

The Concrete Palette™ by Davis Colors is the fi rst computer-visualizing software tool that turns custom concrete colors viewed on a computer monitor into colors cast in concrete. The Concrete PaletteTM has over 17,000 colors to choose from, with 10 different dosage (intensity) rates.

With the Concrete Palette™ you can view a “virtual sample tile” and then see what the color looks like in different sample paving or architectural concrete project photos. You can enlarge the photo and see the impact of small color changes using the “color tuner” button. After selecting a color, you can request a sample concrete swatch or order a custom-made concrete tile sample by clicking the “Get Sample” button.

The Concrete Palette™ is specifi cally calibrated to work together with Davis Colors’ Chameleon™ automatic color dosing system and Hydro-tint liquid color pigments. The Chameleon™ system is used in Ready Mix plants to automate the addition of color much like a tinting system does in a paint store. These colors are mixed into the concrete for use in stamped concrete, decorative concrete, tilt-up and anywhere else concrete is used.

The Concrete Palette™ software is free! The Concrete Palette™ will run on Win-dows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, and Windows XP with at least the follow-ing hardware:

• 128 Megabytes of RAM • At least 15 Megabytes disk space available • True Color monitor or video card (please note that the Concrete Palette will not run if your monitor is not set to True Color)



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For more information, go to the con-crete driveways section at http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/concrete_driveways/

You can also view online or print a free concrete driveways catalog at www.concretenetwork.com/catalogs.



Kemiko Concrete ProductsP O Box 1109Leonard, TX 75452903-587-3708 Phonewww.kemiko.com

Davis ColorsWest:3700 East Olympic Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90023800-356-4848www.daviscolors.com

East:7101 Muirkirk RoadBeltsville, MD 20705800-638-4444www.daviscolors.com

Wirsbo Uponor Wirsbo Company5925 148th Street WestApple Valley, Minnesota 55124952-891-2000 Phonewww.wirsbo.com

Concrete Network11375 Oak Hill LaneYucaipa, CA 92399(866) 380-7754www.concretenetwork.com


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EXPLORE the Options Available with Concrete!

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