Vol. 3 No. 6 - December/January 2004

Concrete is porous and it needs to breathe to let moisture escape. When applied at the manufacturer’s recommended rate, most concrete sealers will remain breathable. However, a blushing problem can occur when sealers are over-applied or reapplied too often. Blushing is a white film that forms when moisture is trapped between the concrete and the sealer.

Ardex high-tech flooring solution, LT-65 Lite-Tech, is engineered with the strength of portland cement yet weighs only 65 pounds per cubic foot -- less than half the weight of normal concrete.

Smart Chairs were designed by contractors for contractors. Constructed with recycled high-strength polypropylene plastic, the chairs are designed to support steel, eliminate wire ties and stop steel displacement.

Airspeed Skateparks’ work was featured on the cover of last year’s World of Concrete issue. Since that time they have started incorporating both color and texture into their work, and decorative concrete has become a valuable extension of their skate park design services.

Products and training from Colormaker will help you turn an ordinary floor into an artistic creation.

A new training school in Oregon joins others around the country in promoting excellence in the trades.

From Cairo to Seoul, this contractor has taught the basics of concrete around the world. Michael Archambault was more than a casual contender. Back in the '70s, before he was 25 years old, the sassy lad who grew up in San Diego had Houston by its concrete tail. He not only owned a Patterned Concrete Industries franchise but eventually bought out the mother company and served as president.

Don't let moisture problems put a wet blanket on your concrete work. Here are some solutions.

While both liquid and powder release agents separate stamp from concrete, only the powders come with color. Liquid release agents are usually clear. If you want to tint with them, you have to add the pigment yourself.

Masks, gloves and goggles protect your body from the damaging effects of concrete dust and chemicals used in beautifying concrete.

Does black pigment really affect air entrainment? It all depends on what type you are using.

Black is widely used in the concrete industry. It can be mixed to darken other pigments, and it can be used alone to make light grays, dark grays or straight black.

Stamped overlays are a versatile solution for many flooring needs. Experts share their tips for success.

From skate parks to highway barriers, concrete walls are taking on a new look. Rather than monstrous monoliths of flat concrete looming on the horizon, extraordinary three-dimensional creations are popping up in cities and suburbs, along highways and beaches, next to mountains and in deserts — as one-of-a-kind works of art.