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Contractors Review Their Favorite Countertop Mixes
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Read about the prepackaged mixes and other countertop supplies contractors are recommending after using them on their own projects. How nice of them to do the trial runs for you!
Also, check out our Buyer's Guide to Concrete Countertop Mixes for a complete roundup of the products available.
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Learn How to
Boost Your Profits
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Don't miss your chance to attend the Rocky Geans Business School for Concrete Contractors, to be held February 26-27, 2010, in Dallas. Geans will share his management expertise and show you the business tools and systems he's developed for running
a successful concrete company.
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Greetings!
 Although mixing concrete from scratch for your countertops gives you complete control and creative freedom, you can't beat the convenience and ease of use of a bagged mix. All the necessary ingredients are preblended -- all you do is add the water and a pigment, if desired. Consistency is another big plus of using a bagged mix. Most of the
variables have been removed from the equation, as long as you follow
the manufacturer's instructions. That means you
don't need to be a whiz at mix design or worry about
troubleshooting a mix that's not cooperating. But even when using bagged mixes, you need to know what you're doing and understand their limitations. Here are some tips for getting the best results.
Jim Peterson,
The Concrete Network
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Match the Mix to Your Methods
Make sure the mix is right for the specific casting, forming, and
finishing methods you plan to use. Many can accommodate both precast
and cast-in-place countertop production, but not all.
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Consider Your Performance Requirements
Since bagged
mixes are proprietary products, they will all perform somewhat
differently in terms of compressive strength, workability, setting and
curing times, weight, texture and other variables. Use a product that
provides the best combination of characteristics for your needs.
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Mix Up a Trial Batch First
Don't assume that a
bagged mix will always yield the same results. External factors, such as
temperature, can have an impact on
water requirements. Mixing up a trial batch or two will get you acquainted with the proper
"feel" and consistency of the mix. Be sure to add water gradually until
the desired stiffness is achieved.
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Don't Be a Control Freak
Bagged mixes are
certainly more user-friendly than from-scratch mixes, but they won't
permit much tweaking if you want to modify the workability, physical
performance, or setting time of the concrete. If absolute control over
these factors is important, you may be better off mixing up your own
materials in the desired proportions. (See How Do I Design My Own Countertop Mix?)
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It's OK to Experiment a Bit
Even though the modifications you can make to bagged mixes are limited,
you can customize many of them to some degree to achieve different
looks, such as seeding them with decorative aggregates.
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Make Sure You Have What It Takes
No prepackaged mix -- no matter
how reliable or easy to use -- can make up for poor workmanship. You still
need the proper equipment, skills, and training to achieve great results. For advice on mixers for concrete countertops, watch this video.
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SHARE YOUR PROJECTS AND PHOTOS
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What fabulous concrete countertop projects have you been working on lately? We want to share your stories, photos, and even your videos. We are especially interested in learning about projects that involve unique designs, innovative techniques, and creative ideas.
Submit your project now using this easy online form. |
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