concrete news, information, and inspiration
Sealing your exterior concrete is one of the smartest investments you can make to protect and enhance your surfaces for years to come. But not all sealers are created equal. At Concrete Exchange, we specialize in professional-grade exterior concrete sealers from SureCrete, Concrete Coatings, and Westcoat—the same high-performance products trusted by contractors, installers, and concrete artisans across the country. These …
When performance and appearance both matter, the Westcoat 11-10 Custom System delivers. We’re proud to offer this complete system at Concrete Exchange, where it remains one of our top recommendations for contractors seeking dependable bonding strength, chemical resistance, and unlimited design flexibility. With the full range of components in stock, we help contractors achieve lasting results on patios, walkways, driveways, …
Everything You Need to Know Before Acid Staining Your Concrete If you’re looking to add rich, permanent color and natural variegation to your concrete surfaces, Vivid™ Acid Stain by Concrete Coatings is a powerful solution. Known for producing deep, mottled tones that mimic the look of stone or leather, Vivid Acid Stain reacts chemically with cured concrete to create one-of-a-kind …
We’re skeptics when words like “revolutionary” are used to describe new products, but when it came to basalt fiber reinforcement for concrete, it’s the only word that fits. To help explain why basalt is so perfectly suited for concrete reinforcement, we’ve asked Mike Heidebrink, President of Concrete Exchange, to share a few of the questions he answers daily about CX …
A few weeks ago we decided to restore the concrete stain and sealer on our stamped concrete patio. The acid stain was faded, there was a grid work of rust stains from a long-since removed hot-tub, and discoloration from planters were everywhere. It was high-time this stamped concrete patio received a facelift. We live in San Francisco’s East Bay community of Martinez, …
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Countertop Casting Demonstration. It was great having so many of you there with a lot of really good questions. We can’t wait to see you in more of the Saturday morning demonstrations. For those who couldn’t make it to this weeks concrete countertop casting session, we’ve pulled together a few …
Once again, thank you to everyone who participated in yesterday’s concrete countertop casting demonstration. It was great having so many of you there with a lot of really good questions. For those who couldn’t make it to yesterday’s session, we’ve pulled together a few photographs and videos from the class so you can follow along. In this weekly series of demonstrations we’re …
March has finally arrived and winter’s frigid grip is melting. You know what that means, right? It’s time to get outside and wrap up last year’s projects or start entirely new ones. This is also the time of year when we get a lot of calls from DIY concrete beginners who want to get their hands dirty but aren’t quite sure where …
On Top of the World in Antigua, Guatemala Project Scope: An Eco-Resort consisting of 4 buildings, a main building and 3 casitas, situated on a 100-acre, mountain-top avocado farm site Project Timeframe: Estimated completion December 2013 Building Materials: Local rock, on-site adobe, brick, site-harvested and sustainable wood, plaster, stucco, and Countertop Pro-Formula Pro-Formula Colors: Amber, Saddle, Brick, Tahoe, and Charcoal …
Curve Appeal Don Welsh owner of eleven39.com and everydaySolutions contracting in Leucadia CA designed and created the Webster Chair, a unity of concrete, steel and teak. The design is an adult version of his wooden chair he made for his nephew. The “Webster Chair” is available in either CX Pro-Formula All-Weather mix or SureCrete D-FRC. The curved concrete combined with …
New Kind of “Charcoal” for Green Egg Smoker Bruce Sullivan founded Sullivan Custom Stoneworks in 1999 and has since crafted hundreds of works of art in stone to enhance the beauty and functionality of Maine homes and landscapes.The clients of this outdoor kitchen project, located amidst the majestic backdrop of lush forest, wanted a stone grill, smoker, and a burner …
A Perfect Balance of Materials Project Location: Solana Beach, CA Project Turnaround: 2 weeks Made with: CX Pro-Formula All-Weather + Recycled Steel Tubing Color: Platinum, 2.5 cu.ft. ($90) Project Dimensions: 4’4″L x 12″W x 20″H Kudos: Honorable Mention, Circle of Distinction Design Challenge Project by: Ron Haratyk + Brett Haydn Designs Ron Haratyk, a 40-year veteran of concrete and owner …
Two Units Combined Into One Vision Project Scope: Remodel of a high-rise luxury condominium Project Timeframe: 1 year from design to completion Building Material Highlights: Concrete, Reclaimed Koa, river washed granite, raw steel, 3 form translucent panels, custom ceramic tile, Mexican pebble tile, cedar Pro-Formula Colors: Sand, Olive, and Charcoal Project Location: San Francisco, CA AN INTERVIEW WITH THE DESIGNER …
Bathrooms: Going Beyond Countertops and Into the Shower Q: What is the feasibility of casting a concrete shower pan? Is concrete too porous to be cast in a concrete shower; can it be sufficiently sealed and stabilized against cracking? We think it would look fantastic, but have come up empty-handed as to whether it would work. A: I do not recommend …
Custom Concrete Edge Treatments and Simulated Rock Details Q: How can I successfully integrate a “chipped” edge or “torn paper concrete” drainboard effect into the overall look of my concrete countertop? As with any “look” we wish to achieve with concrete counters — or any other medium, for that matter — it helps to understand why we like the look …
Q: What are some suggestions for building a concrete wall in a shower and how can I achieve a smooth curved piece? Building a concrete bathroom shower can be a tremendously creative endeavor, especially when you have ample space at hand. However, as mentioned in my article Bathrooms: Going Beyond Countertops and Into the Shower, concrete has its limitations when …
Curved Concrete Pieces: Drafting and Design Considerations Q: How do you smoothly draw out curves for islands, countertops, and curved walls? What are the main functional considerations when designing curved pieces? If you are referring to simply outlining the perimeter of a random curve-shaped countertop, you can do that in numerous ways: Rough out the shape you want by drafting …
A kitchen island stands alone. It is a gathering spot. It commands attention, it is usually the functional and aesthetic center of a kitchen. An island countertop, by necessity, is the “star” of the kitchen and demands an understanding of what constitutes good design in the context of the whole environment. When approaching the design of an entire kitchen, for …
The Work of Skilled Artisans is Rooted in the Art of Design More Than Just a Countertop In the early 2000s, the craft of concrete countertops began gaining momentum in workshops and training programs around the country. What started as specialized instruction on shaping sculptural countertops soon evolved into a broader movement—one that embraces design excellence, creativity, and craftsmanship for …
Calm Inspiration in Contemporary Times Across Europe and Asia, art and architecture often merge seamlessly into buildings and homes. There is a sensibility in craftsmanship and design—rich in detail and cultural resonance—that draws admiration and emotional connection. This appreciation for the past, however, need not result in imitation. Instead, the opportunity lies in creating new details that speak to the …
Balancing Your Statement with Nature’s Timelessness Color shapes the way spaces feel. It influences mood, adds complexity, and brings life to materials. Yet, it is often the final—and most challenging—choice in design. Many find it easier to first establish space, shape, and detail in a neutral framework before layering in color. Much like casting actors in a play, colors bring …
A Monolithic Sculpture and Functional Concrete Kitchen Island A monolithic pour of a wall and countertop is an exciting and completely rewarding undertaking. There is an undeniable impact when the wall and the counter it supports are fused into an integral, sculptural form. Working with concrete from a sculptural, rather than just functional, perspective elevates the value and emotional appeal …
One Material Has You Covered From Traditional to Modern Quick Tour of Concrete Concrete has been a cornerstone of construction for centuries, shaping everything from monumental bridges and skyscrapers to sidewalks and roads. Beyond its structural role, concrete has long been valued as a decorative material in architecture. In the 1920s and 1930s, it filled many of the sculptural roles …
Making colored concrete can be accomplished either by adding pigments directly to the concrete mix before casting or staining the concrete once it’s been placed. In this guide we’re going to take a close look at how to create custom colors for adding to the concrete mix prior to placement. The concrete is often referred to as “integral colored concrete” …
Hiring a concrete professional should be a process that produces a finished project you’ll enjoy for decades to come. These simple tips are a guide to prepare yourself with the information you should know, the questions you should ask, along with some do’s and don’ts during the process. Being prepared will make a difference in how smoothly your project gets …
Award Winning JM Lifestyle’s Woodform concrete is featured in Consumer Reports Hottest Trends List. Take a look at one their award winning Woodform kitchen designs and an award winning bath in the Concrete Exchange Design Gallery.
Concrete Exchange Makes the Great Outdoors Even Better with New Mix Berkeley, CA (May 2012) – Concrete Exchange announces the debut of CX Pro-Formula Concrete Countertop All-Weather, the newest addition to the time-tested CX Pro-Formula line—celebrating its 10th year as the concrete mix formulation trusted by professionals. This high-performance mix is formulated for both precast and pour-in-place applications, available in …
Concrete is a remarkable material—practical, expressive, and aesthetic all at once. From a primal, formless slurry, it can be shaped into virtually any form and transformed into a solid, lasting mass. The creative possibilities are nearly endless. It can be ground, polished, stamped, stained, or embedded with meaningful objects, becoming both functional and deeply personal. Concrete bridges the gap between …
