From S. Kim on December 4th, 2009 in Concrete
Dexterity is a lightweight concrete made up of 38 percent recycled plastic, cement and fiber. Less weighty than traditional concrete, it's a suitable material for tile. And
DEX Studios, the company where it all began, is letting it ripple with their lines of sustainable, sculptural tile that come in eight attractive colors: graphite, cayenne, taupe, light gray, chill (blue), chocolate, white and leaf. ...
Continue reading Remodel with Seductive Concrete Tile
December 15th, 2008 in Concrete
It is pretty uncommon for a home not to have concrete somewhere on the property. Concrete is used for flooring, patios and sidewalks, foundations, basements, retaining walls, and the list goes on from there. An invaluable material, you want to be sure to keep yours in top-notch shape.
To help you out a bit, we’ve created a new category in our CalFinder Home Improvement Library. Concrete is relatively low maintenance, but occasionally does require repair. We’ve researched various methods for cleaning concrete, such as pressure washing, abrasive blasting, flame cleaning, water blasting, chemical cleaning, and mechanical cleaning. Additionally, we touch briefly on how to maintain its structural integrity by repairing cracks and installing reinforcements. If you want to dress it up a bit, there are a few tips for staining and sealing as well.
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You may be surprised at how dirty your concrete has become, even if you don't see any drastic stains. Dirt slowly accumulates on the porous concrete, so slowly that it often goes unnoticed until it is cleaned, and the difference can be amazing to the previously unaware homeowner. It is a good idea to schedule regular cleaning of concrete surfaces to prolong the life and look of your driveway, patio, or other surface.
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May 20th, 2008 in Concrete
Concrete is known to be a solid surface, one that will last a long time. Modern methods of installing concrete require measures to reduce cracking, staining, and other deterioration. However, how do you deal with old patios, driveways surfaces, and sidewalks that have not aged quite so well?
Tearing out old concrete requires nothing short of a jack hammer, a strong back, and a lot of clean-up. It definitely can be done, but won’t always be a fun project. So why not consider a few alternatives before you get out that sledge hammer?
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May 19th, 2008 in Concrete
When most of us think of concrete flooring, a big, dull gray slab comes to mind and we're not so far off. Most concrete flooring hangs out in the garage or outside and is gray and flat. But in reality there are several decorative concrete possibilities available to the adventurous homeowner. Here are five options for your perusing.
Concrete has the valuable ability to simulate other, more expensive materials. Great for sunrooms or any indoor room, decorative finishes and stamped patterns for concrete can achieve the look of wood, slate, granite, marble, tile, and more at a much lower price.
Concrete can also be made in many different textures, from a polished smoothness to a rough gravel texture. For a more natural look you could go with an exposed aggregate finish or you can have any kind of stone embedded into the surface -- your pick.
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