E
Expressions CONCRETE
A Portfolio of Con c r e t e D e s i g n Po s s i b i l i t i e s
What‘s I n s i d e ! EXPANDING OPTIONS with Concrete Flooring Concrete Kitchen – A Recipe for a GREAT INVESTMENT Today’s Backyard Patio – An OUTDOOR LIVING Room POOL DECKS with Style No More Plain, Gray Driveways
4 INT E R IOR F L OOR S
It’s Not Just a
Cold, Gray Slab
ANYMORE!
WHY CONCRETE HAS BECOME THE NEW MATERIAL OF CHOICE FOR DESIGNERS AND HOMEOWNERS CONCRETE FLOORS — in stained, colored, painted, and personalized glory — are popping up in retail stores, trendy restaurants, offices, and homes everywhere. One of the most common places you’ll see decorative concrete these days is under your feet. Whether it’s acid-stained, painted, overlays, microtoppings, radiant floors, or a unique personal floor, concrete offers a range unlike any other material. Benefits of Concrete Interior Floors • Beauty – The beauty of concrete floors can be found everywhere, from residences and retail stores to design magazines and popular designoriented television shows. • Ability to Customize – Each concrete floor is unique, with no predetermined color palette to limit designs. • Cost-Effective – Concrete floors are cost effective, comparing favorably in price to wood flooring and ceramic or quarry tile. Even the most elaborate concrete flooring designs, with extensive shapes and multiple colors, are less expensive than most terrazzo, marble or slate—often by a wide margin. • Low Maintenance – Regular maintenance generally involves periodic dust or damp mopping. • Long Lasting – When installed properly, concrete is one of the most durable materials on earth. Properly maintained, a concrete floor will last for years. • Great with Passive Solar Designs – Concrete flooring is often a central component of passive solar home designs. The concrete slab absorbs the heat of the sun during the day and releases the stored heat as needed at night. • Clean – Concrete is a great alternative to wall-to-wall carpeting for people who are allergic to animal dander and dust mites.
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MANY ARE WELCOMING, EMBRACING, AND ANXIOUSLY PURSUING CONCRETE FLOORS FOR THEIR OWN HOME PROJECTS. ALL IT TYPICALLY TAKES IS ONE LOOK — WHETHER IT’S IN A MAGAZINE, ON A HOME TOUR, A TELEVISION SHOW, OR IN SOMEONE’S HOME — AND YOU’RE HOOKED.
7 IN T E R IOR F L OOR S
Design Ideas:
Patterns, Styles and Colors
• A variety of colors can be obtained through the use of acid-stains. • Concrete can be transformed to resemble brick or polished stone. Popular textures can be used to achieve a warm, natural feel that complements existing stone or wood.
Old World Beauty – Modern Day Luxury [website direct to kemiko’s website to www.kemiko.com] Kemiko Concrete Products transform ordinary concrete slabs into luxurious floors, creating stunning, multi-hued color variations and an uneven surface that looks perfectly aged. Whether working with a neo-classic, southwestern, eclectic, or strictly traditional decor, Kemiko adapts to enhance any setting.
The Bob Harris Guide to Stained Concrete Interior Floors is a 100 page, full color resource with valuable, detailed information, including tips and tricks from Bob Harris, about doing stained concrete interior floors. This unique and comprehensive guide is the first in a series of guides on popular decorative concrete topics. Your Price $35
Kemiko Color Chart
Black Stain
Golden Wheat Stain
Purchase Bob Harris’ Guide to Stained Concrete Interior Floors at www.shopconcretenetwork.com
Action Steps
English Red Stain
Malay Tan
Cola Stain
Aqua Blue Stain
Green Lawn Stain
Vintage Umber Stain
Go to www.concretenetwork.com
Choose patterns, styles and colors for your interior floor
Review pictures for design ideas
Find a Contractor in your area to get the job done.
Enjoy the beauty of decorative concrete in your home!
www.concretenetwork.com/catalogs
http://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/interiorfloors
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8 CONCR E T E COU NT E RT OPS
Concrete
In the Kitchen —
A RECIPE FOR A GREAT INVESTMENT Four Reasons Attribute to Concrete’s Irresistible Appeal
When it comes to remodeling the kitchen, one of the major considerations is the countertop. There are a handful of countertop materials on the market today. But many homeowners feel confined by the harsh limitations of materials like granite or want a more natural, customized look that laminates and other products don’t provide. But there is an answer – many have discovered concrete countertops. Four reasons attribute to the countertop craze: concrete’s versatility, look of distinction, natural qualities and display of superior craftsmanship. Versatility: You can mold concrete into any shape, color it to match virtually any hue, and you can make it smooth or rough. Its versatility lends to a range of design styles from contemporary to classic. Concrete countertops can be left looking natural to complement materials like wood, stone, and brick. Or, concrete can be treated with chemical stains, coloring pigments, aggregates, and epoxy coatings that allow concrete to mimic popular materials like marble, granite, and limestone. One of the many benefits of concrete is the wide range of colors and hues available. Is it cobalt blue you’re after? Maybe a spicy pumpkin or deep eggplant, an earthy terrazzo or rich jet black? Whatever your pleasure, concrete can accommodate. Look of Distinction: Because concrete can be molded to match any of your design ideas or desires, you can have a unique countertop—one that none of your neighbors will have. You can even custom-tint your concrete countertops to match an existing color scheme. But one of the most special attributes of concrete is the ability to express your individuality through personal embellishments like embedded artifacts and personal mementos or special treatments. You can achieve a custom look by embedding stone, seashells, colored glass, metal, trivets or stainless steel heat racks. The options for countertop shapes and edge details are also endless. You can create an L-shaped, Vshaped or curved countertop and finish the look with a unique edging.
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