Decorative Concrete Expert

Aside from pure aesthetics, some of the techniques used to create decorative concrete floors also have functional applications. Concrete floors installed over radiant heating elements, for example, are becoming increasingly popular. Ralston is finding a growing market for such applications among homeowners and the proprietors of office buildings and industrial facilities. "Radiant heat is a clean, energy efficient heat, much more effective at warming rooms and people," says Colorado Hardscape's Fangman, "and concrete is the best medium for diffusing this type of heat."

Ralston is also handling more requests for polished floors, both in industrial and commercial facilities. Diamond polishing now makes it possible to grind and polish much faster on concrete surfaces at up to 3000-grit finishes, eliminating the need for sealers and waxes. Ralston often blends stains to create a marbleized appearance that is enhanced with polishing. Polished floors reduce the time and money spent on maintenance, permit better water vapor transmission than floors with sealers, and improve aesthetics.

EPOXY COMEBACK
Jim Engelman, of Engelman Construction, Inc., Macungie, PA, believes colored epoxy flooring is the next big market. First popular in the '50s, epoxy floors, however, proved difficult to install; produced strong, often toxic odors; and eventually yellowed when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays.

The development of resins having 100% solids, waterbased emulsions, and UV-resistant resins has revived the interest in epoxy flooring options. Finished epoxy floors are tougher, tolerate more abuse than terrazzo, and are less labor-intensive to install. They are excellent choices for restaurants, schools, hospitals, industrial plants, and numerous other applications, Engelman says.

Vertical applications, both new and to enhance or correct existing walls, are also becoming more prevalent. A concrete mortar can be applied, then stamped, molded, or shaped with other techniques, and finally stained, sealed, and textured. Engelman notes that gelled acid stains can be applied to vertical surfaces without running.

Concrete countertops, becoming commonplace to veteran decorative contractors, are catching on with homeowners, restaurateurs, and retailers. Ahal Contracting Co., St. Louis, MO, recently installed a concrete bar in the sports bar/restaurant at a new casino and a concrete sales counter in a florist shop. Tom Ralston built a concrete kitchen island, then utilized chemical stains to give it an old and worn appearance. He also frequently embeds aggregate, glass, shells, and other materials in his concrete, rendering the results functional works of art.

KEEPING ON MISSION
As part of its mission, the DCC is doing its best to tell the design community, the end user, and the general public about decorative concrete's extensive possibilities. The DCC was formed by the ASCC, in response to the growing popularity of decorative technology. Its members are concrete contractors who install decorative concrete, as well as manufacturers, suppliers, and other interested parties.

The idea for the council was generated by Frank Piccolo, President of Artcrete in Natchitoches, LA. Membership quickly grew to more than 100 companies, and it now stands at 140.

In 2000, the DCC presented a seminar and a mega-demo at the World of Concrete. It was the most well-attended technical seminar in the history of the show. In 2001, the council presented two seminars and six action-exhibit demonstrations. Both seminars had been sold out in advance, and thus had to be scheduled for repeat presentations to accommodate the demand. The DCC was a co-sponsor of the WOC 2003 "Artistry in Concrete" demonstrations, several of its members being among the artists displaying their skills.

The DCC now produces two stand-alone events each year, one in the spring and one in conjunction with ASCC's Annual Conference. This year's fall event will be held September 20 in Dallas, TX. It will feature seminars and demonstrations, with live running commentary on the latest decorative possibilities in concrete.

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