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Benefits of Utilizing Pre-Cast Concrete

Pre Cast Concrete 101

The advantages of using precast concrete. (Photo Credits)

Precast concrete is one way to fully utilize concrete in any construction project. There are a host of benefits of using this multi-purpose material and these benefits are greatly appreciated by the construction industry.

The website Daily Civil explained further how precast concrete is made. “As the name suggest, precast concrete is prepared by casting and curing the concrete https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete in a mold under specific circumstances. The concrete is totally manufactured in a factory by adopting special construction techniques. When the concrete is fully hardened and prepared, it is sent to the final construction site.”

Check out the rest of the explanation here.

Advantages of using precast concrete

The BIBM – European Federation for Precast Concrete came up with an article explaining the many advantages of using precast concrete. One of the benefits that they highlighted is its versatility. National Ready Mix Concrete Association                

“Factory production allows a wide choice of surface finishing, colour range and special shapes. Precast concrete has another advantage: its mouldability which entails designers to copy classical details like keystones and capitals or match the finish of materials like weathered stones. The precast concrete industry can source a wide range of aggregates locally and offer a tremendous variety of colours and visual effects.”

Read the nine other advantages here.

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Contractors Union for Concrete

Real homes have concrete rugs!    

We specialize in providing decorative concrete to San Diego homes  

Precast.org also came up with its own list of the many advantages of using precast concrete. One of which is its being thermally efficient. “Costs associated with heating and cooling can be greatly reduced through concrete’s thermal mass benefits. Reduced peak heating and cooling loads can be achieved because concrete reacts slowly to changes in outside temperature.”

Read the rest of the advantages here.

Precast concrete indeed has a lot of advantages!

The Pros and Cons of Concrete Fences

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How to Fix Concrete Cracks

What to do with cracks in concrete

When concrete walls crack. (Photo Credits)

Concrete may be one of the most durable construction material on earth, but it also has its share of weakness which can usually be traced into human intervention. Cracks in concrete can happen, but the good thing is that it can be fixed.

Concrete Network tried to explain why concrete can crack.

“Concrete does not require much water to achieve maximum strength. But a wide majority of concrete used in residential work has too much water added to the concrete on the job site. This water is added to make the concrete easier to install. This excess water also greatly reduces the strength of the concrete. Shrinkage is a main cause of cracking. As concrete hardens and dries it shrinks. This is due to the evaporation of excess mixing water. The wetter or soupier the concrete mix, the greater the shrinkage will be. Concrete slabs can shrink as much as 1/2 inch per 100 feet. This shrinkage causes forces in the concrete which literally pull the slab apart. Cracks are the end result of these forces.”

Read about the other possible reasons here.

Step by Step Guide to Fixing Cracks in Concrete

The DIY Network meantime came up with a step-by-step guide in fixing cracks in concrete walls.

“Use a cold chisel and a hammer to get rid of any large pieces in the crack. Hold the chisel at an angle and pound with the hammer to chisel out the crack. This is called “keying” the hole to make the base or inside of the crack bigger than it is at the surface. Keying helps the new patching material bond with the old crack.”

Read the succeeding steps here.

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Contractors Union for Concrete  

Real homes have concrete rugs!  

We specialize in providing decorative concrete to San Diego homes  

The website This Old House also shared some tips on how to fix cracking concrete in older homes.

They however ask their readers to be cautious about the types of cracks that they repair on their own. National Ready Mix Concrete Association  

“If you notice large, recurring cracks or bulging walls at your house, don’t try to fix these conditions yourself. The cracks might indicate a more serious structural problem; call in a structural engineer for an in-depth evaluation.”

Read the continuation of this post here.

Cracks on the wall should be examined when needed to ensure the safety and the structural integrity of any home or commercial establishment.

Designing Concrete Tables

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Designing Concrete Tables

Concrete Table Making

Can be plain, can be fancy, but definitely heavy duty and weather proof. (Photo Credits)

Making a concrete table should not be complicated. In fact some “handy” homeowners have tried making their own respective concrete tables and have been successful towards it.

Home Depot came out with an instructional on how to make a concrete table. National Ready Mix Concrete Association          

“I’ve seen several great blog posts about DIY concrete countertops. I figured if it’s durable enough for a kitchen counter, it would certainly be a great solution for a durable table top. I liked this solution for several reasons. It’s extremely cost effective, and relatively easy to do from everything I had read. From a design perspective, I loved that it added a new texture to my space and gave the eye relief from all the dark wood in my dining room. The natural grey color just happens to work well with my home. But you can dye the concrete any color to coordinate with your decor– another plus!”

Read the whole instructional here.

Durable and Strong

DIY Projects with Pete also published in its website a very detailed step-by-step instructional on how to make DIY Concrete Tables.

“Concrete furniture looks amazing and really is cheap to do. Tables can be made without expensive or specialty tools and will jazz up your home or office in no time! I’ve built many tables and desks using these exact same processes. This tutorial will explain how to make a concrete table top for any sized table you’d like to build.”

Check out the whole tutorial here.

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San Diego  

Real homes have concrete rugs!

We specialize in providing decorative concrete to San Diego homes 

Concrete Network meantime elaborated on the many furniture pieces that can be made out of concrete. Concrete tables are one of these furniture pieces.

“Welcome to the new age of decorative concrete—a time when you’re as likely to encounter a concrete dining table, bench, bookcase, counter top or chair as you are a concrete patio. More furniture designers and artisans are abandoning wood and other traditional furniture materials and using concrete to build one-of-a-kind pieces that bring a unique sense of style to homes and businesses, indoors and out. For those of us new to or even skeptical about the concept of concrete furniture, here’s a look at why it’s becoming so popular, who’s making it, some misconceptions about concrete furniture, and the endless ways you can use concrete to blend with or complement any décor.”

Check out the whole article plus the photos here.

Having a firewall is important in ensuring the safety of lives and property.

The Benefits of having a Concrete Firewall

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The Benefits of having a Concrete Firewall

Cemented Firewall 101

Why it is important to have a concrete firewall. (Photo Credits)

Having a firewall can spell the difference between risking lives and losing possessions as against being safe should fires should the property next to one’s own catches fire.

The website PDH Online gave a definition of a concrete  firewall.

“A firewall is a fire‐resistant structure which restricts the spread of fire and extends continuously from the foundation to or through the roof with sufficient structural stability under fire conditions to allow the collapse of the existing construction on either side of the wall to occur without allowing the collapse of the wall. So basically a firewall creates separate independent buildings.” Read the continuation of this text here.

Concrete Firewall as a Barrier

WikiPedia also has an entry about concrete firewalls. National Ready Mix Concrete Association      

“Fire barrier walls are typically continuous from an exterior wall to an exterior wall, or from a floor below to a floor or roof above, or from one fire barrier wall to another fire barrier wall, having a fire resistance rating equal to or greater than the required rating for the application. Fire barriers are continuous through concealed spaces (e.g., above a ceiling) to the floor deck or roof deck above the barrier. Fire partitions are not required to extend through concealed spaces if the construction assembly forming the bottom of the concealed space, such as the ceiling, has a fire resistance rating at least equal to or greater than the fire partition.”

Read the rest of the entry here.

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DiamondAce Concrete Company  

Put your concrete remodeling into high gear!   

Make your home look better with fresh concrete

The Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers Association also shared more information on concrete firewalls.

​“A firewall is the ultimate defense against the spread of fire. It must be able to withstand the onslaught of a fire and prevent further fire spread by containing it to one side of the wall until the fire burns itself out, or is extinguished.”

Read the continuation here.

Having a concrete firewall can greatly help in reducing the risk of fires.

Famous Concrete Mansions

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Famous Concrete Mansions

Amazing Concrete Homes

Living in a Concrete Mansion. (Photo Credits)

When one says that a house is a “mansion,” it may already be safe to assume that it is made of concrete. After all, what is the use of having a grand home, when it is not made of one of the most durable construction material on earth?

There are a lot of famous concrete mansions in history and contemporary times. National Ready Mix Concrete Association

Trend Hunter shared some of the more famous sprawling concrete homes in one of the posts it published. “The Ipes House by StudioMK27 is located in São Paulo, Brazil. This beautiful mansion features a breathtaking pool in the backyard, and the building was built using exposed concrete.

StudioMK27 has done the impossible by using raw concrete through its design and construction of the building. From afar, this building looks like the concrete block is floating above the main floor, which is made entirely from glass. The main floor has a huge living room and dining room table, and on the upper floor there is a TV room and multiple bedrooms.” Check out the photos here.

Big Concrete Homes

Architecture Beast meantime featured a modern-day mansion which it described as a living sculpture. It has components of steel and concrete .

“As they explained us in their official release, ‘the client’s brief called for a family orientated home suitable for indoor/outdoor entertainment that maximizes the views to the north’. Nico and his talented colleagues architects drew a 1,100 square meters house, described as a “sculptural piece of architecture” which represents an extreme transformation from the previously modest single story home, into one of the best houses in the world. Since the client wanted his family home to be connected with the outdoors, every room in the house is designed to be opened towards the outdoor living space, linking the home with beautiful landscaped garden.” Read the whole material here.

You may also want to read:

Contractors Union for Concrete       

Real homes have concrete rugs!   

We specialize in providing decorative concrete to San Diego homes

The website Matador Network meantime featured the most unique and huge homes around the globe. As usual, most of the homes featured have a concrete component.

“Since the days of the cave painting, humans have designed and lived in dwellings that reflect our social, psychological, and physical needs. The longer we exist, the more our simple caves evolve into works of art and living that not only provide relief from the elements but homes that show the ever expanding artistic nature of our species. We’ve collected 20 of the most surreal, bizarre, odd, and interesting houses on the planet. Perhaps they’ll provide inspiration for your next home.”

Check out the photo gallery here.

Concrete is one of the best, and durable building material thereis. Hence most mansions and famous earthly structures are made from it.

Advantages of Living in a Concrete Home

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Advantages of Living in a Concrete Home

Why live in a concrete house

The many benefits of living in a house made of concrete. (Photo Credits)

Living in a concrete home is almost a given nowadays, and this norm has gotten a lot of property owners to forget why concrete is the foremost choice of material for most home builders and their respective contractors.

There are many benefits of living in a concrete home. The Concrete Network enumerated this in one of the articles it published. It highlighted concrete’s energy efficiency versus other materials used to build structures. National Ready Mix Concrete Association  

“Homes built with ICF walls require about 44% less energy to heat and 32% less energy to cool than a comparable wood-frame house, based on a study of 58 single-family homes located throughout the U.S. and Canada. Half had exterior concrete walls constructed using ICFs and the other half were comparable neighboring houses with wood-frame walls. All the houses were less than 6 years old. The energy savings come from the outstanding insulating values for ICF walls (as high as R-40, compared to wood frame’s R-9 to R-15 values) and tighter construction.” Read about the other advantages they listed down here.

Strength and Durability of Concrete

Home and Garden Television meantime explained how durable concrete homes can be.

“Strength. Able to withstand 250-mile-an-hour winds and wind-borne debris, the storm resistance of concrete https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete homes is the No. 1 drawing card for people in hurricane and tornado zones, says Dave Pfanmiller of Security Building Corporation, an RCF home builder in North Carolina.” It added as well the durability factor of concrete homes. “Concrete does not harbor the insects and rot that can cause frame houses to deteriorate, Pfanmiller says. Concrete houses have a building life expectancy of centuries.”

Check out the rest of the article here.

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San Diego California 

Making a Concrete Patio? Read this   

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The World Business Council For Sustainability Development meantime highlighted the fact that Concrete is a sustainable material to use when building a home or a structure.

“It is vitally important to develop products and systems that can be used to construct more durable, energy-efficient eco-buildings, and concrete can be used to do just this. Concrete, with its strength, durability and excellent thermal mass, should be a key component in eco-buildings of today and the future. In May 2008, The Guardian in the United Kingdom featured the first zero-carbon house developed by a volume housebuilder, in which concrete plays a critical role in maintaining internal temperatures.”

Read more here.

Concrete is indeed one of the best building materials thereis.

The benefits of living in a small home

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The benefits of living in a small home

Advantages of tiny home living

 Why live in a tiny house? (Photo Credits)

Living in a tiny home is becoming more and more appealing to a growing number of families. And why not? It is more efficient, and less expensive to run and maintain.

The Washington Post came out with an article detailing the many benefits of downsizing into a small living space. It also wrote why more and more Americans are getting into the bandwagon. Concrete 

“Why are Americans, whose homes average about 2,200 square feet, so obsessed with tiny homes? Perhaps they are responding to the benefits tiny-house owners cite: financial and emotional freedom, a greener lifestyle, the satisfaction of building one’s own refuge…Stanton says two groups are fueling the movement: millennials, because their college loans have put traditional houses out of reach, and retiring baby boomers looking for affordable homes with minimal maintenance. Meanwhile, traditional homeowners are contributing to the trend by building tiny houses on their properties to shelter guests, family members or caregivers, or putting them on vacation land.”

Check out the rest of the material here.

Why construct a concrete tiny home

Huffington Post meantime gave its readers seven reasons to get a tiny home, as oit published an article on the seven benefits of tiny home living. “(1) Lower Mortgage Payments With less square footage and acreage comes less mortgage payments. You may be able to pay it off quicker than if you purchased a larger space. (2) Lower Maintenance Costs. While big, beautiful homes on HGTV seem like a dream, one thing the network television channel fails to present is the overall maintenance cost. With a smaller space you can do most of the maintenance work yourself and save money the cost of labor. (3) Less Hoarding. With less space, you’re less likely to hoard or have a collection of unused tchotchkes.” Check out the continuation of the list here.

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Contractors Union for Concrete 

Real homes have concrete rugs!

We specialize in providing decorative concrete to San Diego homes 

ABC News Go focused on the New York City example on the benefits of tiny home living. National Ready Mix Concrete Association          

“(1) Less Time Spent Cleaning. Cleaning two or three small rooms takes far less time than cleaning seven or eight large ones. Cleaning also goes faster because you don’t have knickknacks and clutter to pick up or clean around. (2) More Savings. Living in a tiny home saves money in many different ways. You don’t spend as much on heating, cooling, property taxes, or home maintenance. You save money on groceries (since you have a smaller pantry and refrigerator), and you cut idle shopping almost entirely out of the picture. (3) Higher Quality of Life. Many tiny homeowners state that their quality of life and overall happiness improved when they shed their “stuff” and started living small. There are many reasons for this: They don’t feel weighed down by all the frivolous items they used to own or a huge mortgage, and they spend less time and money cleaning and maintaining their home, which allows more time and money for leisure activities.” Read the continuation here.

Tiny home living has its own benefits. Consider living in one today.

How to get cement residue out of surfaces

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How to prevent cracks in concrete

New concrete technology can be crack resistant

Cracking can be prevented with new concrete technology. (Photo Credits)

There are many reasons why concrete can crack, and the good news is this can entirely be prevented. Thanks to the new technology in concrete mix, some types of concrete can resist the all-too-common unsightly gaps.               National Ready Mix Concrete Association           

New Atlas shared this New Generation Concrete Technology that bends instead of cracks.

“Concrete may generally be a good choice for sidewalks, but it is a brittle material – this means that it needs to be poured thick, in order to keep those sidewalks from cracking under pressure. Scientists from Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, however, are developing an alternative. They’ve created bendable concrete that they say could be easily applied in the form of relatively thin, light paving slabs.”

Check out the photos here.

Other means to prevent cracking

The website Commercial Real Estate shared information on how to prevent cracking.

“There are technologies that can address the problem of steel corrosion, such as cathodic protection, in which the entire structure is connected to a rust-inhibiting electric current. There are also interesting new methods to monitor corrosion, by electrical or acoustic means. Another option is to treat the concrete with a rust-inhibiting compound, although these can be toxic and inappropriate for buildings. There are several new non-toxic inhibitors, including compounds extracted from bamboo and bacterially derived ‘biomolecules.’”

Read the whole article here.

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For the website The Constructor, prevention is the key in avoiding cracks in concrete.

“A low water cement ratio will affect the quality of concrete. W/C ratio is weight of water to the weight of cement used. A lower w/c ratio leads to high strength in concrete and lesser cracks. W/C ratio shall not exceed 0.5 in concreting, which reduces the workability of concrete which can be covered by use of plasticizer or superplasticizer. Less water content increases the durability of concrete Concrete expands and shrinks with changes in moisture and temperature. The overall tendency is to shrink. Shrinkage is the main cause of cracks, when concrete hardens it evaporates the excess water and thus shrinks, so lesser the water content, lesser is the shrinkage.”

Check out the whole post here.

Cracks in concrete are unsightly but it can be prevented.

All about Cracks in Concrete

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Cement Truck Chronicles

Amazing Cement Truck Stories

Cement trucks that have a tale to tell. (Photo Credits)

Cement Trucks are vehicles you cannot not notice.

After all they are huge, and their imposing big mixer that moves as it moves is definitely something no driver or pedestrian could miss. National Ready Mix Concrete Association 

Media outfit WPXI published a report that will make just about anyone’s jaw drop — a concrete mixer being driven by an 11-year old boy.

“The boy flew through town, reaching speeds up to 70 mph and hitting both a Minnesota State Patrol car and Kasson Police car. The truck’s front right tire went flat, but the ride didn’t stop there. The boy drove off the highway and went back to the side streets of his hometown.”

Make your home look better with fresh concrete

Read the whole news article here.

Heart-breaking Sight

DiamondAce Concrete Company The Times of India meantime featured the story of a police officer who was seen comforting a horse who had been hit by a cement truck.

“The Houston Police Department is mourning the death of one of their beloved patrol horses — Charlotte. The HPD Mounted Patrol house died in the line of duty on December 3 after she was struck in a motor vehicle accident.”

Put your concrete remodeling into high gear! 

Check out the photo here.

Crushed

Autoblog meantime shared an article on a sports car that had been crushed by a concrete mixer.

“Three people were severely injured in the crash, one critically. All were taken to area hospitals and are recovering from their injuries. The fact that the driver and passengers survived such a catastrophic crash is a testament to the i8’s safety. The carbon-fiber body and aluminum chassis held up remarkably well under such an intense crash. For those of you who find this sight too terrible to behold, check out the video below for some happier times with the i8.”

Take a look at the picture here.

Concrete Mixers definitely draw the attention of anyone in the streets.

http://concrete-contractors-sandiego.com/ways-clean-concrete/                

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How to Care for Concrete Surfaces

Make Concrete Last Longer

Caring for concrete surfaces. (Photo Credits)

Concrete may be a very resilient building material but it still needs caring.

Pressure Wash Cincinatti shared with its readers ways to care for concrete surfaces. National Ready Mix Concrete Association  

“While concrete is definitely a hard and durable surface, many people fail to realize that it is at the same time a porous surface. One of its biggest enemies is water, whether in the form of rain, snow, hail or ice. Over time, exposure to water causes the surface of the concrete to flake and chip. Normal weather conditions will cause the problem to worsen and can lead to the development of cracks in your concrete. Eventually, dust, dirt, and seeds will gather in the cracks. This is the ideal environment for grass and other weeds to grow. When this happens, the cracks become deeper and wider. When they freeze and thaw in cold weather, the concrete around the cracks can heave, creating an uneven and possibly dangerous walking surface.”

Read all the tips here.

Concrete Floor Care

Liquid Floors also shared ways to care for concrete flooring.

“Polished concrete floors are an attractive choice for any industrial or pharmaceutical warehouse. Polished concrete floors can be personalized to fit your business’s needs with custom colors to match existing decor, logos, and lines to manage traffic flow. With proper care, a polished concrete floor should maintain its sheen for many years before needing another polishing. You may think that because these floors are tough that you can skimp on maintenance. We have four maintenance tips that you should never overlook.”

Check out the rest of the post here.

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DiamondAce Concrete Company

Put your concrete remodeling into high gear!

Make your home look better with fresh concrete 

Tilestonesource for its part shared ways to care for outdoor concrete.

“Seal it up! If you haven’t sealed your exterior stone in the last 5 years, it’s time. With the current laws governing VOCs, we can say good-bye to stinky, toxic sealers of the past. Much better products have made their way to center-stage that offer superior protection.”

Read more here.

Concrete needs caring too!

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Cracking Concrete

What causes cracks in concrete?

Can property owners prevent concrete from cracking? (Photo Credits)

Concrete may be one of the strongest building materials there is but can still be subject to cracks.

Civil Engineering Daily shared 10 reasons why concrete surfaces may crack.

“Shrinkage can cause cracking if not controlled during mix design and curing stage. Shrinkage can become critical in high strength concrete because of low water/cement ratio and also because of use of Mineral Admixtures.”

Read about the nine other reasons here.

More reasons

The website Houzz also offered some possible readons for the cracking. National Ready Mix Concrete Association     

“How is it possible that the concrete that looks so stable and gorgeous in this backyard will certainly crack somewhere as the years go by? Forces such as soil upheaval, expansion and freeze-and-thaw cycles all guarantee that your perfect concrete patio won’t stay perfect forever. But more immediate forces are most commonly responsible for the early, hairline cracks that can blight concrete slabs almost as soon as they’re poured.”

Check out other possible reasons here.

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San Diego California

Making a Concrete Patio? Read this

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The website Techeblog.com meatime featured a solution to cracking concretes in one of its published posts.

“Fixing cracks in concrete can be a real pain, but thanks to scientists in the Netherlands, lead by Henk Jonkers, that will be a thing of the past. The team has created a bio-concrete blend with water-activated bacteria – kept in tiny pellets – that can patch up small cracks and holes in cement. That’s right, the bacteria would eat food provided in the concrete mixture to combine calcium with oxygen and carbon dioxide to form limestone”

Check it out here.

Inspecting concrete fixtures in a home should be periodically carried out to minimize further damages to a property.

http://concrete-contractors-sandiego.com/designing-concrete/

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Designing Concrete

Creativity in Concrete

Unleash creativity and design on a medium that matters. (Photo Credits) 

Concrete is one of the most durable materials one can ever use for building structure. It can also be a vehicle to show creativity and design prowess. National Ready Mix Concrete Association

The website Architizer featured concrete facades that are just plain stunning.

“The announcement of Eduardo Souto de Moura as the 2011 Pritzker Prize Laureate brought renewed attention to Portugal’s architecture and its inventive use of concrete. The following group of projects examines new forms being built across the country, incorporating diverse programs, scales, and environmental conditions. Utilizing various combinations of aggregates, textures, and reinforcing materials, the designs all explore how we experience envelopes and the liminal condition between interior and exterior space.”

Check out the photos here.

Concrete Example of Creative Work

Contemporist.com meantime showcased in its website an avant-garde designed concrete  home. “The architect designed the house to be built from concrete, and kept it unfinished throughout the home, inside and out.”

Check out the concrete home here.

You may also want to read:

San Diego

Real homes have concrete rugs!

We specialize in providing decorative concrete to San Diego homes

CNN Style meantime featured in its homepage stunning designs of structures made from concrete. “Concrete is for more than car parks and roadways. From the Roman Pantheon to the Sydney Opera House, concrete — the world’s most widely used man-made material — has long been employed to create some of the world’s most memorable spaces.”

Check out the slide show here.

What has so far been the most creative concrete design you have laid your eyes on?

Painting Concrete

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Painting Concrete

Tips on Painting Concrete

What are the techniques in painting concrete? (Photo Credits)

Painting concrete may seem like an easy chore but there are techniques to make sure that the task is properly carried out.

Australian website Lifestyle gave some tips to ensure that the surface being painted on will look perfect. National Ready Mix Concrete Association 

“Prepare the surface you’re painting. Clean off lose bits of debris that have stuck to the concrete. If there is any oil on the surface, use a strong detergent and wash it down thoroughly. Let it dry completely before starting your paint job! Any moisture trapped between the paint and the concrete could cause it to blister. “

Read the rest of the tips here.

Uncomplicated Concrete Painting Procedure

DIY Network meantime shared a step-by-step guide on how to paint a concrete floor.

“The concrete floor must be completely dry before beginning this project. If your floor shows any signs of water seepage, the source of the water must be eliminated before starting. Some of the materials used for this project require special masks and other equipment, due to fumes. Please read all product labels carefully. Allow the floor to dry thoroughly after each coating is applied. Thoroughly wash floor with a degreasing solution. Rinse several times until mop is clean. Allow to dry for several days.”

Read the whole procedure here.

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DiamondAce Concrete Contractor San Diego CA Homepage

What Happens when Trees Collide With Concrete 

Concrete Tips for Your Home Patio

Rawlinspaints meantime shared the best types of paints and primers to use on patios and concrete driveways.

“Don’t let your block paving get into a state. If you want it to look good you need to take care of it. Be sure to pull up weeds and deter and plant life that may cause problems for your paving. This product rejuvenates old paving, protects against loss of colour through UV light, resists oil and stain penetration and inhibits weed and algae growth.”

Read the rest of the post here.

Have you ever tried painting a concrete surface?

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Modern Concrete Structures

Built to Last

Strong and Modern. (Photo Credits)  

Modern Concrete Structures abound especially in the metropolis, and as more and more technological developments are being discovered, concrete becomes even stronger.

Architizer published a feature on the most modern concrete structures in South Korea. National Ready Mix Concrete Association 

“While they are atypical, unorthodox, and endearingly rare, the following seven buildings explore South Korea’s emerging design culture and conceptual design approaches. With innovative spatial arrangements and material combinations, the structures are drawn across various scales, typologies, and contexts. Examining the human experience of envelopes and transitions, each project establishes real and perceived boundaries between interior and exterior space. Just as concrete’s character changes based on its aggregates, these South Korean projects begin to express the country’s architectural, social, and cultural values through the lens of local sites.”

Check out the photos here.

Out of this world

Architectural Digest meantime shared a concrete structure that is literally out of this world.

“Formulated to survive Mars’s harsh conditions—subzero temperatures, low gravity, and thin atmosphere—the concrete is a mixture of Martian soil and molten sulfur that can easily be remelted and recycled. And most important, it can be made without water, which will be in limited supply in a human settlement. The breakthrough, although years ahead of any practical use, will make the future human explorers of Mars less dependent on shipments from Earth. It also creates an opportunity for a new wave of design: Engineers can turn to mud-brick houses and other earthen construction to inspire structural development on Mars.”

Take a look at the concrete structure here.

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San Diego DiamondAce Concrete Contractors Homepage   

Read about Decorative Concrete Hollow Blocks View Here

What happens with tree roots and concrete Click Here         

IEEE Spectrum meantime shared about an ultra-modern concrete structure this time built by robots.

“As long as you keep feeding it bricks, it can work continuously, placing 1,000 bricks an hour based on a CAD drawing. This works out to the shell of a new house every two or three days, complete with channels for plumbing and electrical. The whole system is mobile (although it relies on external localization), meaning that you can use it pretty much anywhere. And with a development cost of just $7 million, it might actually be commercially viable.”

Watch the robots here.

What is the most modern concrete structure that you have seen?

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Budget-Wise Kitchen Renovations

Kitchen Remodeling

Kitchen Renovation within the budget. (Photo Credits) 

Kitchen remodeling, especially a large scale one requires professional services such as a contractor.

Carrying it out single-handedly may just result into a financial disaster and hassle that could have been prevented if professionals have handled it.

Kitchen renovations can remain within the budget as long as there is a mindful and realistic planning on the remodeling goals vis-à-vis financial considerations of the project. National Ready Mix Concrete Association

The website Domain.com.au for instance gave homeowners an idea on what a $20,000.00 budget can do.

“A $20,000 budget lets you design a custom kitchen with stone benchtops. However, Preston says it’s still important to take care with your budget. Her tip is to remember that doors are more expensive than drawers. ‘Where we live and how we live is fundamental to our wellbeing and, as a separate idea, our kitchens are probably one of the most used and abused areas, so I think it’s really worth investing the time to research and plan your kitchen well.’”

Read the rest of the post here.

Know the limits

What else can be done to stay within the budget? Concrete

My Domaine answered that question. “Small changes such as a new faucet, a fresh dinnerware set, or window treatments can alter the vibe of your kitchen in a big way. It’s always best to see these types of additions in person so you can feel their texture and see how they look offline. When considering appliances, however, it’s best to research first online.”

Check out the rest of the post here.

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The Sommervilles Showroom meantime shared what can be done with a $20,000 budget.

“Consider bigger interior design changes. Installing a kitchen’s worth of brand-new cabinetry is spendy, so Myers suggests focusing on upper cabinetry. Or eschew upper cabinets altogether in favor of open shelving.(2) Make the backsplash a focal point by adding tile all the way up to your cabinets. (3) Lusting after a new double oven? You may be able to afford it. Complete appliance packages can run $6,000 to $11,000, Myers says. You’ll usually get a deal when you buy them all together, but an individual piece won’t bust your budget.”

Read the rest of the post here.

Have you ever had your kitchen renovated?

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Room Renovation 101

All about Room Remodeling

What you need to know about renovating a room in the home. (Photo Credits)

Renovating a room can be a gargantuan task, so before embarking on such an endeavor, careful research, planning, and close coordinating with a contractor of choice are important tasks that has to be done.

Edith and Evelyn Vintage shared a room renovation that could inspire any homeowner.

“The first thing we did in this room was scrape the popcorn ceiling. Then we removed carpeting, and installed wide plank, hand scraped, oak hardwood floors. Just those two things made a major impact. But we didn’t stop there. Next to the fireplace there was a built in bookcase {see above photo}. Interestingly, it only took up half of the wall, leaving the rest of the space empty. It made the entire wall look a little off. Working with a tight budget, and trying reuse and re-purpose wherever we could, hubby cut the bookcase in half, and then took the top half and used it as a base to extend the cabinet across the entire wall. He trimmed it out, built doors, and added shelves. Now it fills the entire wall to the left of the fireplace, balancing out the space beautifully.”

Take a look at the photos here.

Remodeling 101

The Chive meantime shared a family room renovation that turned out to be awesome. Concrete 

“It’s not uncommon for people to want to renovate rooms in their home. But most people wouldn’t even think about doing what this family did. The sad state of their old wall built 10 years ago…”

Get inspired with the photos here.

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De Zeen meantime shared a floating loft room design. National Ready Mix Concrete Association

“West London-based McLaren Excell has completely overhauled the building in Dorset, England. Named Merrydown, it was originally built as a girls’ school in the 19th century, but had been used as a residence since the 1950s.”

Check it out here.

Are you planning to renovate any of the rooms in your home?

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Random Driveway Stories

Anecdotes on Concrete Driveways

Stories concrete driveways tell. (Photo Credits)

Concrete driveways have their share of anecdotes. Some happy, some sad, others vicious, or plain weird. Just like this driveway in Suburban New York, where instead of vehicles, a CESSNA Plane is parked on one homeowner’s driveway as reported by Fox News. National Ready Mix Concrete Association

“A suburban New York homeowner has angered neighbors on his quiet street because he is using his driveway as a hangar for his small plane. MyFoxNY also reports that Harold Guretzky is facing huge fines for parking his Cessna in front of the garage of his Long Island home. The station said Guretzky is going through a divorce.”

Check out the article here.

Intimidating Neighbors

Top Gear meantime gave tips to homeowners whose concrete driveways are being blocked by the neighbors’ cars.

“How about posting a really intimidating warning sign? You know Pinoy drivers: They often need to be screamed at just to get the point. Two other readers sent us a pair of photos that show how to psychologically mess with illegal parkers. With signs like these, we guarantee the incidence of cars blocking your gate will go down significantly.”

Check out the intimidating sign here.

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Moving on to something that is not annoying, Today.com featured a little boy who wanted to extend assistance to his neighbors.

“One 3-year-old boy’s birthday present is making his neighbors very happy this winter season. Sam Curry asked his parents, Carrie and Brian Curry, for a bulldozer for his third birthday.”

Read the rest of this happy post here.

What is your happy driveway story?

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