As
a third generation concrete contractor, TOM
RALSTON has 15
years of experience in structural, decorative, masonry, and
specialty concrete. His primary focus is decorative and specialty
concrete. His passion for decorative concrete developed when
he realized that he wanted to get away from the plain broom
finish concrete, which he found mundane. Ralston specializes
in numerous techniques, including sand finishes, thin topping
overlays, sear walls, blended acid staining, and embedding.
Ralston demonstrated the possibilities
of cast-in-place concrete countertops—a decorative
concrete medium that currently enjoys very high interest
from concrete contractors
and homeowners. He cast a small countertop before the demo
started to show the possibilities of using color and special
aggregates. He then used a hand-held planetary polishing
tool with diamond cutting pads to put a high grit finish
on the surface.
