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Concrete Facts – Decorative Concrete Effects to Spice Up Your Home

When a person thinks of concrete art, they usually envision a child’s handprint in a slab of wet concrete. While this is cute, this is not the basis of age old concrete art. Concrete really is the making of various home decors and materials used to spice up your home. Countertops, sculptures, fountains, bird baths, and even whirlpools can be made from concrete. Tabletops and fireplace hearths are often made of concrete as well. You would never know, however, and that is the fun of it. It is a type of art.

For example, whirlpools and countertops have a look of marble. However, many of the marble looking countertops are really a form of artistically engineered concrete. Most people would never know the difference.

There are many aspects to this form of art. For instance, there are many colors to choose when deciding to purchase concrete art. Black, gray, brown, dark blue, green, are some of the colors. These are enhanced by one of three different finishes. Those types of finishes are named as follows:

Deepground

Softground

Troweled

. These are three different concrete affects that at texture to any surface in your house.

The texture and color accompanied by at least eight different edging styles. The following is a list of eight different edge types:

Back level

Bevel

Pencil

Standard

Double Bevel

Agee

Bullnose

Double Round

Care of the concrete unit is very simple. It would include the following techniques:

Rewax periodically. Wax once within 2 months of the installation, and once every 3-6 months after that.

Make sure spills are wiped up quickly. This will ensure no stains. Mild soap without ammonia or other abrasive chemicals is recommended. Stone soap can be purchase for ongoing conditioning of the surface.

Felt or rubber feet pads are recommended to go underneath objects place on the surface. (Ex: unglazed ceramic pots). This will help retain the coloration of the concrete surface, and reduce the chance of scratching.

Make sure a cutting board is used. Cutting on the surface can scratch it.

Note that the finish of some types of concrete art has natural cracks in them. This is not considered a factory defect, but rather a normal part of the texture. Keep this in mind when shopping for a concrete countertop, sink or other piece of concrete art.

There are also more advanced designs of concrete art. One is a concrete piece with a rough texture and little animal imprints it. These would be ideal for a large concrete engraved art to hang on the wall in a front hall. The same type of art can be placed on the front walk. A different imprint such as floral imprints would be ideal for this purpose. Another design that would look elegant on a front porch surface would be different shapes of plant leaves painted on it.

Another more advanced form of concrete art is the balustrade look applied to window ledges. This is very elegant, and can come in a variety of colors. A balustrade in ivory added to a brick building would look very chique. In fact, concrete can be made into a brick style for the look of a natural brick style. This would also make a home look very stylish.

For larger homes, driveways, foyers, walkways, and vestibules can also be design with concrete. It creates a very confident and professional home. It gives the huge home the look of an upscale hotel.

Places to find more information about concrete art include the following.

Internet

Concrete art manufacturers

Local concrete are dealers

Contractor services

Local Phone book

Referrals from friends

This is definitely not an all inclusive list of the types of concrete art and how they can spice up a person’s home. However it is a great start.

There are more than enough resources for someone who wants to learn more about this type of art. Furthermore, most of the information regarding concrete art is only a phone call or a click away. Anyone who wants to learn more about how concrete art can improve your home decor will learn about it in no time.

Curing Concrete – Three Points to Ponder before Mixing

Mixing concrete is a challenge, but it can be done without hiring a professional. However, there are three points to consider before creating concrete. You have to decide how you are going to mix your concrete. You also have to prepare your site, and then, you need to know how to pour the concrete.

The summary of how to plan the concrete adventure is created below:

Decide how you will mix your concrete Mixing concrete is not the hardest job in the world, but it does require dedication. You need to decide if it is worth it to you to save only about 10-20%. Some advantages to doing it yourself are the satisfaction of creating something of your own. Furthermore, you can create your own outdoor concrete sidewalk art if you want to. The most fun parts of mixing concrete can be mixing, molding, and shaping the concrete from its powder form, into a usable form. Also, mixing concrete can remind you of times when you were a child, and you played in wet sand or mud.

Mixing the concrete. If you really are up to mixing your own concrete, you are going to need to know how to make it. It consists of 1 part Portland cement, san, and crushed stone, to 24 parts water. If you need a mixture, you can by a small drum style mixer for under $300. You can reinforce the strength of your concrete with special fibers. You can ask for these at the desk where you would normally buy a ready-made concrete mix. Another item you can ask for is air entrainment. You can either have the ready made concrete company do this for you, or you can use an air hose if you have one. The pressure should help send a steady stream of air bubbles into your mixture. This will reduce concrete flaking as a result of frost.

Prepare the site. If you live in a frost-prone area you will find this information most useful. Start preparing your site by replacing the soil directly under the area with a compacted layer of crushed stone. This improves drainage, and eliminates the heaving hazard. You should go about 6 to 12 inches under. This does not replace all the soil under the frost line, but it will remove the most active soil. The reason you have to do this is because solid freezes. Frozen soil causes concrete flaking. Therefore it is wise to following these instructions if you live in a frost inducing area. Then, used a gas powered compactor to compress the stone. This will help prevent settling. Then you will have to build concrete forms. 2×6 concrete forms are ideal you will continue to build a form. Please look up concrete forming at your local library for further instruction. On how to build a concrete form.

Pour the concrete. Once your concrete form is built, you will then be able to pour your concrete into it. Work the concrete into the corners with a garden rake. Then, halfway up the sides of the form. Then, lay some mesh down. After the mesh is laid, lay more concrete down. For further pouring instructions, please search your library or internet for complete concrete planning.

This is not a complete list of what to think about before beginning a concrete project. However, this article will help you decide how to plan for your concrete project. There is a lot involved in this, and you have to know what you are doing. Another option to preparing concrete slabs is to either buy ready made mix. Also, you can hire cement drivers, and have someone build the form yourself.

However, if you enjoy playing with mud like substances this concrete job is definitely for you. Even if you only save 10-20% of what it would cost to buy ready made concrete, at least you are saving money. It can cost thousands of dollars to hire contractors to do this for y you. 10-20% saved would be at least a few hundred dollars. This is more money that can be used elsewhere. Not only that, but this project is more fun!