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| Tom Ralston addresses an enthusiastic audience at World of Concrete 2004 |
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Fifteen years later, Tom Ralston Concrete, based in Santa Cruz, Calif., incorporates four divisions. The structural division handles hillsides, complicated foundations, structural slabs, and retaining walls. The decorative division does stamped concrete, patios, pool decks and hardscapes. The masonry division takes care of brick, blocks, flagstones, pizza ovens, firepits and fireplaces. Finally, the specialty division offers acid staining, thin-topping overlays, decorative interior floors over radiant heat, polished concrete and concrete countertops.
"We are involved in many divisions of concrete and masonry, and it allows us to create a unique blending of hardscape surfaces," Ralston says.
Many creative innovations have helped set his company apart from the rest. For example, he was asked to repair a wall that was a favorite spot for skateboarders who used it to practice their jumping and "railing" techniques. Ralston created a mold of a seashell, cast a series of replicas with Ardex polymer concrete, coated them with a copper-laden epoxy and then attached them to the wall with rebar. The wall's straight edge was now gone, and the disgruntled skateboarders moved on.
Another project that pushed the creative envelope was the re-creation of an ocean-like setting within an entire home interior. Interior concrete walls were constructed to look like cliffs with natural fissures, and multiple blendings of acid-stained concrete that incorporated beach glass, sea shells and aquarium sand were used on the floors, along with sandblasting and stenciling. Many of the surfaces were juxtaposed with stainless steel, exotic hardwood and stucco, creating dramatic results. The project caused a stir among locals who visited the home and has also been featured in more than a half dozen magazines and newspapers. <<<BACK
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