Outdoor Living Essentials

Who should take the Outdoor Living Essentials Workshop?

The 1/2-Day Outdoor Living Essentials Workshop is recommended for do-it-yourselfers who want to create designer-quality outdoor concrete pieces on DIY budgets; a perfect intro for those wanting to experiment with more "forgiving" projects before tackling more finer-finished indoor projects like concrete kitchen countertops.  This workshop is also applicable to building or landscape professionals wanting to add custom outdoor pieces to their service offering.

Participation Requirements

This is a DIY-friendly workshop! For best results, participants should have some experience with common home improvement tools and materials. Familiarity with drills and screw guns is recommended. Physical demands are moderate and require long periods of standing (up to 3 hours).

INVESTMENT : 1/2-DAY OUTDOOR LIVING ESSENTIALS
$185 investment includes
  • Best Value CHENG Training available
  • Half-day session, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (4 hours)
  • Session limited to 15 participants to ensure quality class participation
  • Course materials will include detailed drawings for concrete planter and patio furniture designs along with printed construction drawings for these project molds
  • CHENG Certificate of Completion
  • Audio, video and still photography are permitted FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY
  • 15% Savings on Concrete Project Materials and Supplies—walk away ready to start your project
  • Refreshments: Coffee, Teas, Sodas, and Juices

What will I learn in the Outdoor Living Essentials Workshop?

Introduction to Concrete
  • What is concrete?
  • What makes concrete unique?
Technical Intro
Mold Construction Demonstrations
  • Demonstration on form construction, placement of decorative inserts and textured wall liners (not hands-on)
  • Receive detailed drawings for 3 complete projects including instructions for project mold construction
  • Concrete Pouring + Curing
  • Prepping mold for concrete pour
  • Placement of concrete reinforcement
  • Mixing and placing concrete
  • Concrete vibration and consolidation
  • Curing concrete
De-Mold + Finish
  • De-mold 3 pre-cast outdoor projects (planters, table/bench tops)
  • Emphasis on hand-finishing: de-molding, edge sanding, patching holes with acrylic slurry, sealing + maintenance

1/2-day Outdoor Living Essentials Workshop: Concrete Planters + Furniture

We're taking concrete back . . . outside.

You won't find any drab, rough concrete slabs in this 1/2-day Outdoor Living Essentials Workshop. We'll show you how to make designer-quality concrete pieces on a DIY budget—like patio furniture that will complete your outdoor space, and concrete planters that will add style and shape to any landscape, deck or garden in an array of available colors.

If you're a homeowner, DIY'er, or gardener, your patio will be the talk of the neighborhood. If you're an aspiring building or landscape professional, you can offer this unique and profitable offering in your portfolio. Make just one, or make many, with the detailed drawings you'll get as a take-away from this concrete workshop.

Looking to do countertops inside your home?

An outdoor concrete project is the low cost, low stress way to get your feet—really, your hands—wet before tackling your first concrete countertop. An outdoor concrete planter, bench, or table will be more forgiving and less technically demanding than countertop work. No worries if you're not a carpenter or a contractor. This is a DIY-friendly concrete workshop focused on having fun while learning a new skill. You'll gain the confidence necessary to take concrete indoors to your kitchen countertop or bathroom vanity.