Special Report

Lasting expressions: Aesthetics rule in bold new world of decorative materials for concrete

by Joe Maty

The origins of concrete can be traced to the Roman Empire of two millennia ago, but the rise of decorative concrete is a recent phenomenon. This report surveys developments in methods and materials, with project profiles showcasing the aesthetic possibility

Study in contrast: Casino, natural-foods co-op put their money on variants of deco-floor theme

What could a high-rolling Atlantic City casino and a natural-foods co-op in the Pacific Northwest possibly have in common?

Editor's Word

A different slant on sustainability

by Joe Maty

Talk about contrasts. The setting was Las Vegas, bastion of hedonism, materialism, and American-style excess taken to its most extreme manifestation. Then came the voice of one man crying in the wilderness.

Aligning facilities tradition with education: Considering the big picture in charting coatings material and application strategies

by Peter Brown and Andrew Wilson

This review explores current directions in school planning and design and examines important considertions in the selection of coatings materials for schools designed for a new generation of students.

Cool house, warm wood

by David Hertz

Architect Hertz relates how he integrated design and finishing concepts in creating a unique indoor-outdoor living space at his home, the McKinley Residence in Venice Beach, CA. The home also serves as a living laboratory for environmental design ideas

Buying Guide

Decorative Stain Products for Concrete

Manufacturers known to supply decorative stains for concrete were invited to complete a questionnaire describing their materials. Twenty companies responded with information that includes product name, VOC level, solvent type, and whether or not the product name, VOC level, solvent type, and whether or not the product is acid-reactive and UV-resistant.

Passing the Test

Durabilty: The art of graffiti prevention

by Allen Zielnik

How advanced materials testing determines coating performance and durability

News

Institute announces industry-government plan to develop projects, strategies for leftover paint

The Product Stewardship Institute (Boston, MA) recently announced an industry-government agreement aimed at developing programs to reduce the environmental impact and cost of managing leftover water- and solvent-borne paint.

The Concept Stage

Research project reported to signal significant stride for water-borne, intumescent-coatings technology

Development efforts being pursued by Eliokem, a supplier of resins for coatings, are reported to offer the potential of expanded uses and capabilities of water-borne intumescent coatings.

The art and science of intumescents

by Dan Heemstra

Thin-film intumescent coatings are seeing increasing use as a tool that offers fire-protective capabilities while meeting the design objectives of architects. The author examines important aspects of the technology, including materials, application, testin

Getting It Right

The cold, hard truth on coatings for concrete: Chemistry can be crucial to success or failure

by Jayson Helsel

Concrete is seeing increasing use as a building material in construction. Successfully coating concrete, however, can pose many challenges.

Durability

Wood Coatings: Don’t get (sun) burned

by R. Sam Williams

Contrary to popular myth, allowing wood to weather before applying a finish does not help the cause of coating adhesion and durability. That’s the verdict from the Forest Products Laboratory, based on long-term exposure studies.