Page 1 of 1
Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 3:11 pm
by henpecked
Was lloking for a bit of advice on concrete.
Didnt warrant buying a book, also wanjted a bit of knowledge spread.
So found THIS little beauty.
Bits and bobs of PDF's for you to sample. Good knowledge in the available text and hundreds of books to chose from.
You can buy and DL your other favourite books from here too.
Hp
Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 5:10 pm
by lutonlagerlout
i have got this one sitting next to me desk
the things yanks do with concrete is amazing
LLL
Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 5:27 pm
by henpecked
Yes, sad as it seems, Ive often wondered why concrete isn't featured more as an architectural specification. You can polish, imprint etc. Being in Coventry, I had alot of this experience as a lad. The shuttering ply used to throw up most of the town was awful, but left amazing woody patterns on cast beams.
specialising in this, would be a sure-fire winner, I think. You would be cheap (from a product point of view) and an asset to big concrete pouring firms who, at this moment in time, dont get envolved that much with the finished products look.
Hp
you heard it here first 
Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 5:29 pm
by lutonlagerlout
big problem hen
in this country the only choices you get with concrete are more or less water/cement
in the states they can specify hundreds of colours and aggregates
here you can have pink or grey
LLL
Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 7:33 pm
by henpecked
Not colour (would be miles in future for UK)
Finishes.
Polishing , printing, post cast painting all could be utilised to spruce up drab library's/shopping centres on a budget.
Hp
Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 9:20 pm
by GB_Groundworks
i have this one some lovely concrete work and shuttering in here
p.s lots of people doing pattern, printed, polished, acid etched, coloured concrete already
Edited By GB_Groundworks on 1281730983
Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 9:58 pm
by henpecked
Looks the dogs.
you could cut out the tiler, floor screeder and 3 weeks work off the job by offering this.
Why this isnt an integral part of site work is a missed opportunity I think, the amount of high spec jobs that end up with this finish is endless, this would be a one-stop solution.
Hp
Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 11:15 pm
by lutonlagerlout
err because it cracks and looks shite hen
have a look at any PIC near you
concrete finishing isnt a trade here like it is in america,i would love to do a floor like 
but havent got the kit or skills to do it
LLL
Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 12:08 am
by henpecked
lutonlagerlout wrote:but havent got the kit or skills to do it
LLL
Hexacerly!
If it was a 'proper' part of the planning/design process, the right bits would be cheap. Look at PIC for example.
Just think if it was took seriously enough, the benefits would be its own advert.
Like I said, it negates 2 processes in the construction matrix, so as a QS does most of the 'yay or nay' on site, a good concrete finisher would float to the top in most instances.IMHO
Food for thought, methinks
Hp
Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 10:53 am
by Bob_A
I was looking into using acid stains on 25sq/metres of concrete at the end of my garden.
Nothing special like the pic in LLL's post, just wanted to change it from concrete grey to another colour that might blend in more with the garden.
Just not had the bottle to do it in case I make it worse.