Concrete Designs

Keywords: lightweight concrete, concrete, decorative concrete

lightweight concrete

From countertops in the kitchen and bathroom vanities to flooring, walls and fireplace surrounds, versatile, adaptable and, most importantly, affordable, lightweight concrete is the material that more and more interior designers and architects are turning to. Concrete, especially the lower weight versions such as Sure Crete’s Xtreme series, can be installed with less framing or bolstering, making it more economical and faster to build. But there is more- it can be made to mimic virtually any material imaginable.

Pick up any high gloss magazine these days and it is likely that you will see at least one example of high glamour concrete- and it is not limited to any one room. There are no limits to what the designers can come up with. The lighter the concrete becomes, the more possibilities open up.  Architects can design soaring walls that need less support work inside of them, allowing for more decorative touches to be included in the budget.

The Green but Fashionable Marketplace

There are a number of concerns in the design world – not only does the design have to look good, but it has to work the way that it is intended as well. Finally, there is more call not only for green materials to protect or lessen damage to the environment but to look good at the same time. As that sector of the industry takes off, there will only be more need for light-weight concrete that makes use of recycled materials, including the waste of various manufacturing processes

In addition to using concrete alongside other green building materials, the composition of concrete and the ability to make it resemble less environmentally friendly materials will make it even more attractive. Instead of using endangered hardwoods or marble (which is also in dwindling supply), the designer can opt for the use of lightweight and decorative concrete instead and create a similar likeness or completely unique look and finish.

Keywords: sealants, sealer, sealers, green, sealing

What are the factors that determine a sealing product is green? It must be made from materials and processes that do minimal damage to the environment. In addition, green sealers must prevent the gases and compounds of the material they are being applied to from seeping out, escaping or becoming part of the environment as well. The benefits of using these types of sealers are simple: they protect the environment a nd the people who will be living around the products that are sealed with them.

Xtreme Concrete Countertop Products

Knowing the End Product’s Purpose

When choosing a sealer, it is important to consider where the sealed product will be installed and what it will be used for. For concrete kitchen countertops, for instance, the sealer that is selected must be labeled as food grade to prevent contamination and illness to the people exposed to its residue on a rotating, continual basis.

Factor in the Upkeep/Maintenance Needs

Ideally, the sealant would last forever. Realistically, most will need to be reapplied, but how often and how soon after initial installation is determined by the product that is selected, its application method and the environment in which it is used.

Water-Based Sealants

Most of the sealants that qualify as green are water-based, meaning that they are much more user friendly and don’t contain toxic VOC’s – Volatile Organic Compounds,  this will sometimes cause a longer dry and cure time but is hardly a reason not to choose them.

What the Client Wants

When choosing the sealant that is right for you or your customer, you must keep in mind the final appearance, the upkeep that they will be willing to do and the replacement costs as well.