Posted by admin on April 1st, 2008 in Home Improvement
Insulating Concrete Forms, also known as ICF construction, is a concrete building system that offers superior strength, energy efficiency, durability and comfort compared to traditional construction methods. Although it has been predominantly used in the residential market during the past decade, commercial applications are rapidly increasing.
There are several other concrete home building systems, including masonry, reusable forms and pre-cast products. This article focuses on ICF technology and not on any specific manufacturer in the ICF industry.
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The Basics Of Insulating Concrete Form Construction Technology
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Posted by admin on March 28th, 2008 in Home Improvement
All homeowners want the concrete surfaces in their homes to last a very long time and as a result of these, different ways of protecting concrete surfaces have been developed. Apart from making sure that concrete is mixed using the right amount of “ingredients,” another effective way of making concrete surfaces last longer is to add certain chemicals that protect concrete surfaces during the finishing process. One of the most popular is concrete sealant, which has proven to be effective in making concrete surfaces last longer.
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Posted by admin on March 27th, 2008 in Home Improvement
Slab-on-grade foundations are concrete slabs poured directly on the ground with no space between the ground and the concrete. This most often occurs in areas where the ground is not subject to freezing and therefore not likely to heave. There are derivations of this where frost underneath the structure is controlled with foam insulation or hydronic (hot-water) heating systems incorporated into the slab to prevent the ground below from freezing. However, it is usually not typically economically favorable to use the slab-on-grade in very cold climates. There is at type called a Frost protected Slab that is standard in Sweden and is gaining acceptance here.
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Posted by admin on March 5th, 2008 in Home Improvement
Calculating the amount of concrete you require for your project can be a very confusing exercise.
Pre-mix concrete comes in 60 lb. and 80 lb. Bags. A 60 lb. bag provides 0.45 cubic feet of cured concrete and an 80 lb. bag provides 0.6 cubic feet of cured concrete.
If you have mixed concrete delivered, it is sold by the yard (which is a cubic yard = 27 cubic feet).
Square or Rectangle Slab
Following are the formulas to calculate how much concrete you will require for a square or rectangular shaped pour:
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How Much Concrete Do I Need For My Project? Concrete Calculator
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Posted by admin on February 18th, 2008 in Home Improvement
If you have lots of concrete around your home, then perhaps you’ve considered the idea of doing something to make it a little more attractive. Many people have heard of paints or coating agents, but the idea of concrete acid staining is unfamiliar to most. Basically, it involves coloring the concrete by causing a chemical reaction on the concrete’s surface.
Concrete acid stain causes a chemical reaction by mixing acid, water and inorganic salts. There are already minerals present in the concrete, and once they are mixed with the three added ingredients, the concrete changes color. It doesn’t matter whether your concrete is new or old; it works beautifully either way. If you take the time after acid staining to protect the concrete, then the effect will last for a very long time.
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Concrete Acid Stain - Cheer Up Your Concrete
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Posted by admin on February 12th, 2008 in Home Improvement
Concrete molds have always been popular for working with concrete. They can be made of a number of different types of materials. A couple of factors determine which one is most suitable for the job you want to do. These include the area that you’ll be working with, the size of the job, and what type of look you’re after.
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Posted by admin on February 5th, 2008 in Home Improvement
When you are considering the flooring for your new home there are many things to keep in mind. Most of us are working on a budget so we want something that looks good, will last a long time, and not require a lot of maintenance. One of the newer trends in flooring is using stained concrete. Here are a few tips on how to decide if using stained concrete is a realistic option for your home.
Not Just Shades of Grey Anymore
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Is Stained Concrete Flooring A Good Option?
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Posted by admin on February 3rd, 2008 in Home Improvement
Concrete is considered as one of the most strong and durable building materials because the right mix of concrete can withstand different weather conditions and the usual wear and tear that take their toll on some of the less sturdy building materials. However, concrete is not indestructible, as there are a number of factors that can make it very vulnerable to wear and tear. One of these is the porous nature of concrete surfaces that allows moisture to be absorbed by the concrete. However, the wrong mix of concrete, which in effect would make it more porous would allow substantial amounts of water to be absorbed by the concrete and could cause flaking on the concrete surface. Instances like this require that specific measures be taken to remedy the problem — one of the most effective is to install a concrete overlay.
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Posted by admin on January 20th, 2008 in Home Improvement
Concrete’s use in kitchens and bathrooms may still be considered relatively “modern” design-wise by some homeowners. But while concrete can be used to create a modern or minimal look, it’s also perfectly adaptable to a more traditional setting — where it was so extensively used in the first place.
Concrete can act as a substitute for more traditional materials. Rather than just using concrete to explicitly re-create something from the past, you can also combine it with other elements to suggest a timeless quality. In my work, I always strive to strike a balance between innovation and emotion, between spare contemporary and warm traditional. Adding mosaic tile along the front edge of a concrete surface, inlaying bits of tile along a backsplash, or even embedding a fossil in a countertop all connect us to the past.
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How To Use Concrete In A Traditional Kitchen
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Posted by admin on January 14th, 2008 in Home Improvement
When it comes to holding back tons of dirt, you basically have two choices. Hire a mason contractor and have a traditional concrete block wall constructed, or you can do it yourself with interlocking (or segmented) retaining wall blocks.
The use of retaining wall blocks as opposed to traditional concrete retaining wall construction is increasing in popularity. You may notice many new commercial construction projects that are using the stacking blocks method of retaining wall construction for many reasons.
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