Culverts like these have a lot of intriguing and subtle engineering secrets that are buried beneath the surface. They are like icebergs: a lot is happening in the space you can’t see.
It’s a lot of work to create a concrete structure. But stone can cut out all this faff while offering the same level of strength and with a carbon impact one-third of that of concrete. Keep reading the article below to learn more about Stonecrete.
Stacked-stone walls offer the look of real stone without the weight and expense. A good concrete contractor will be able to build these structures quickly. The main drawback of stacked-stone walls is their relative insusceptibility to moisture. A good contractor should be able to install a water-resistant sealer to minimize the risk of damage.
Sculpted concrete is generally more expensive than natural stone, although this can be offset by its durability and ease of maintenance. Natural stone is not as durable, however, and can deteriorate over time when exposed to natural elements such as sunlight, rain and dirt.
A sculpted concrete overlay will contain finer grades of sand, polymers and reinforcing fibers than standard residential or commercial concrete. These ingredients add strength and smoothness, and allow the sculpted concrete to stick to walls and floors without moving, sluffing, sliding, drooping or losing its new custom carved, stamped or colored shape.
Overlay concretes also work well with stamps, texture rollers, texturing trowels and carving tools, making them ideal for creating a variety of textures and patterns. The concrete can be carved before or after it hardens, and will retain its shape even after it is cut. This makes it a versatile material for creating all sorts of unique designs, and for adding an artistic element to a concrete project.
The concrete is mixed with a special admixture known as a high-range water reducer, which allows it to be mixed with a lower water/cement ratio than conventional concretes. This helps reduce the formation of coarse aggregates, which can lead to cracking in massive concrete structures, as well as the expansive chemical reaction between cement and certain types of aggregate that causes shrinkage-shrinkage cracking.
Another admixture used in sculpted concrete is silica fume, which improves the hydration process and helps to make the concrete stronger and more resistant to cracking. Silica fume and high-range water reducers are usually combined with other specialty admixtures to produce the desired concrete mix, such as fly ash and ground limestone.
The color of sculpted concrete can be achieved by integrally tinting the concrete or spraying a surface coating, such as Flex-C-Ment’s Concrete Spray on Top, with UV-resistant coloring pigments that are not soluble. In addition to this, the concrete can be sealed with a water-based acrylic sealer that penetrates the surface and prevents it from becoming chalky or faded over time.
Vertastone
This innovative concrete coating offers a modern take on traditional concrete, delivering superior functionality and beauty for your home. It resists damage from heavy traffic, chemicals, and moisture. You’ll love the way it enhances your backyard, pool, and patio areas, while adding elegance to landscaping and waterfalls.
The stonecrete system is a three-component series of admixtures and surface treatments that can be added to regular low slump concrete. Wall Aid is a modified mid-range plasticizing admixture that allows for higher early strength formation by reducing water demand, Slow Set is a viscosity-modifying admixture that enables form free stacking and extended final set times, and Easy Slick is a surface finishing treatment that extends tooling time and permits delayed hydration.
One of the major benefits of this material is its cost-effectiveness. It’s less expensive than having fresh concrete poured, and it helps save space in landfills by using recycled crushed concrete. Plus, this kind of cement helps to keep the environment clean by reducing the amount of waste produced by new construction.
Another big benefit of stonecrete is its ability to look like real stone. It can be carved and sculpted to mimic the look of authentic stonework, and it can also be stained and colored to blend in with natural surroundings or complement your home’s aesthetics. It’s a great option for foundations, retaining walls, and highway sound barriers, and it provides significant labor savings compared to cast masonry.
It’s also safe to walk on, even when wet. This is because the exposed aggregate provides a coarse surface that prevents slipping and skidding. This is a great alternative to paving stones, which can be slippery when wet.
There are many ways to customize the look of your stonecrete, including the type of aggregate you use and the color of the cement. You can even use crushed glass or other colored materials to achieve a unique look. You can also add a variety of textures to your stonecrete, such as honed, polished, or exposed aggregate.
Roll-Top Cement
There are millions of square feet in every city of old discolored concrete surfaces that need repair. Oil stains, ground shifting and weathering can do serious damage to a surface that can cost hours of labor and large bills to replace. Fortunately, StoneCrete Systems has invented a simple solution to make these surfaces look new again. The Roll-Top Cement system is real cement in a paint-like formula that can be rolled over any existing concrete and looks like brand new.
Unlike masonry sealers, which are chemically based, Roll-Top is an acrylic-based product that won’t fade or yellow over time. It’s also safe for use indoors and around plants, making it a great choice for areas of the home that can’t be exposed to harsh chemicals or fumes.
To use the product, clean the surface to be stained by scrubbing with detergent and pressure washing. It’s recommended to repair any cracks prior to applying Roll-Top Primer to prepare the concrete for staining. Once the surface is prepared, apply one coat of Roll-Top Cement in the color desired. Let dry 2-4 hours. If desired, antiquing can be added to the finish by applying Color Antique Powder mixed with water using a 3/8″-1/4″ nap paint roller depending on the texture of the surface. The last step is to apply two coats of StoneSeal sealer with an acetone resistant pump-up sprayer.
The Roll-Top Cement and Color Antique products are made in Cambodia by craftsmen at the social workshop MoreThanHip who work with mainly disabled people to improve their living standards and quality of life. They are also dedicated to improving the environment by using recycled materials and promoting environmentally conscious lifestyles.
Countertops
When it comes to choosing countertops, homeowners have a wide range of materials to choose from. A concrete countertop is a durable choice that can be customized to a homeowner’s design preferences with different colors and aggregates. It is also inexpensive when compared to other options such as granite or marble, although it still needs to be sealed and resealed regularly.
A natural stone countertop offers the look of elegance that most people want in their kitchens. However, it is porous and requires resealing every one to three years to protect against food stains, scratches, and water absorption. It is also soft and can be damaged by hot pans or knives. Onyx is an exotic alternative to granite but can be expensive because it is very rare.
Composite counters offer the advantage of a seamless surface that is nonporous, scratch-resistant, and stain-resistant. Manufacturers make these types of counters using moldable resins that can be mixed with colorants to create a wide variety of styles and hues. They are a little more expensive than natural stone but may not require as much care as some other materials in the kitchen.
Some natural stone slabs can be purchased with a back splash to prevent the need for seaming in the kitchen. However, it is important to discuss with the fabricator how seams will be handled. A good fabricator will do their best to make the seams inconspicuous and as invisible as possible.
The fabricator will need to consider the coloring and patterning of the slab when deciding where to place the seams in the countertop. Slabs that have larger swaths of color or more intricate veining are difficult to seam and can look unnatural and sloppy.
A fabricator can use a rodding technique to strengthen narrow strips of stone bordering sink cutouts and other structural locations in the countertop. This method is faster and more efficient than hand troweling. It is more productive and, therefore, allows the fabricator to complete more projects in a given period of time. This boost in productivity can increase the profit margin of a project.
