When laying concrete, as a builder you will need a framework that is lightweight, dependable and can be used in a variety of situations. Insulating concrete forms, or ICFs, are an ideal method for pouring concrete due to their adaptability, easily availability and affordability. Continue reading
Pervious concrete pavement addresses important environmental issues and supports green, sustainable growth by the use of pervious concrete, also known as porous, gap-graded, or enhanced porosity concrete. Porous concrete is concrete with reduced sand or fines, which permits rain and storm water runoff to drain through it rather than flood surrounding areas or storm drains. It is usually a mixture of 3/8” to 1/2” average diameter aggregate, hydraulic cement, other cementitious materials, admixtures and water. The use of pervious concrete is among the Best Management Practices (BMPs) recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the management of storm water runoff volume, rate, and pollutants.
When it comes to building swimming pools, terms like Gunite, Concrete and Shotcrete are often used interchangeably and erroneously. The fact is they are all basically the same product, concrete, with variations in strength, inherent water-tightness, and methods of construction. This article clears these misconceptions and clarifies why shotcrete is considered the best method for swimming pool construction.
We are increasingly aware of the significance of environmental design in promoting smart growth through eco-friendly measures. LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is changing the way our buildings are designed, constructed and maintained by accelerating global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices. For both the commercial & residential construction and building maintenance industries, LEED is a method of regulating just how efficient the building practices are, and the specific impact these measures have on the environment as a whole.
Florida has recently suggested new guidelines for landscaping practices which would help to conserve water, reduce runoff from the use of fertilizers, and minimize need to use pesticides. These things are not only good for your property, but also benefit us, as people. Here are several Florida-friendly landscaping ideas that you can incorporate when you do landscaping on your property.
Stained concrete is the perfect solution for achieving an appealing decorative effect at a very reasonable cost. Stains can be applied to concrete surfaces in both interior as well as exterior projects not only to create a wide range of colors that add something special to the décor, but also create a unique special effect. There are numerous benefits to choosing stained concrete.
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Even though you probably don’t think twice about it, chances are you’ve used the words “concrete” and “cement” interchangeably in the past. However, there’s a reason why you don’t call those big trucks with the big rotating cylinders “concrete trucks.” While you would be right in assuming that concrete and cement are related, you may be surprised to know there is a difference.
Mixed Onsite concrete is an important innovation that offers a variety of advantages in a construction setting. When it comes to the average construction project, concrete is an integral part of the process. However, traditional methods of mixing and monitoring concrete are not always plausible: effective concrete require careful, intensive supervision. This is where mixed onsite or ready-mix concrete shines, as it has been developed to counteract the common downsides of the concrete managing process. Continue reading
Unless you work in the industry, concrete is a mystery. Many types of formulas exist, with highly technical jargon such as “entrained air” or “slump” thrown in the mix. Add to this is the application methods and materials used in the mix. Somehow, you have to make sense of it all to understand the differences between Gunite and Shotcrete.
Stucco, commonly known as mortar, has been around for hundreds of years generally used in modern home building construction. It is a combination of water, lime, cement and sand. Mixed together, it is applied to walls as an outer protective coating. It is a popular choice because it is durable and fire resistant. There are over 30 decorative finishes that are used on materials such as wood, block, brick and drywall. In its beginnings, stucco was only gray in color and dull in appearance; however, there are many stains and colors when added to wet stucco that will make the surface more appealing. There are also and many tools that create patterns and designs giving a wall a unique custom look.
