Customer Reviews

Concrete at Home

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I expected a bit more out of this book than I got out of it. It seems to touch on a little bit of each aspect of using concrete for floors, walls, countertops, etc. But really doesn't go into too much depth, which leaves it up to the reader to do lots of their own experimenting. I would like to have seen the book about twice as thick, with a section more devoted to all the different colour variations and textures that the author has come up with.

People tend to buy books like these so they don't have to spend a bunch of money on trial and error testing. And I think this book could have been a whole lot better in that department.

There is some really nice concrete work in this book that will get the imagination fired up. And there is also some pretty corny concrete work, that may turn some people off. Lots of photo's of some of the kitchens the author has done. Not exactly Johnny Grey work, but quite nice.

Even though I only gave it 3 stars, I would still recommend it.

Author Fu-Tung Cheng has opened up the idea that concrete isn't just something you skinned your knee on when you were a kid. His first book "Concrete Countertops" was a great instructional book, aimed obviously at amateurs, on how to use the massive substance and form it into any desired shape. Albeit, it leaves you learning from your own mistakes on a few things left out in the book, but all in all, it introduces the reader to concrete and gets them pointed in the right direction.

With his sophomore release, "Concrete at Home", Cheng has assumingly done it again. However, what appears to be an instructional book on how to take your concrete forming ideas to the "next level", just isn't quite up to par. The book shows off over a 1000 pictures of Cheng's work, and while the work is phenomenal in design, the summarized procedures that go along with them, are hardly enough for the reader to mimic the process. Granted, it is safe to say that Cheng doesn't want to give away all of his secrets, but his procedures skip important areas. For instance, he tells the reader that they inserted rigid foam into their countertop to drastically lighten the weight, but what he fails to mention is how exactly they form rounded angles with it, and how they place it in the mold for the pour. Rigid foam isn't the easiest of materials to manipulate into a rounded shape if you're not familiar with it. Another example is Fu-Tung shows you a rough blue-print for a fireplace surround designed to go around a zero-clearance firebox. However, what he neglects to mention is whether or not you are supposed to strip your walls to the studs, insert bolts into the studs that will protrude out into the surround, and then put up green board before you pour your surround, or if you proceed based on what he shows you, assumingly pouring against your existing textured wall, with nothing to anchor it to the wall. Timber!

"Concrete at Home" is a great photo-filled marketing deliverable for Fu-Tung Cheng's business. He purposely sends the reader in the direction of creating something extravagant, but intentionally leaves out key issues so that the reader will become frustrated and in turn, give up and commission Cheng's services.

If you are a professional in the field of concrete, this book is a great visual addition to add to the rest of your concrete books.

The pictures were great and the book needs more of them. The technical side of how to create the looks needs much more material and better presented.

We used this book along with Cheng's other book and DVD when making our own concrete countertops. It was very helpful to us because we did a "pour in place" countertop where you build the molds right on your existing cabinets and pour the wet concrete in the molds for a seamless finish. Cheng's method for countertops focuses mainly on building molds in your backyard or garage, pouring the concrete, and then flipping the finished pieces over so you start with a smooth finish. This book has a lot of good examples of poured in place projects, so it was helpful to use this in conjunction with Cheng's countertop book.

That people expect to have the years of knowledge and experience Mr Cheng possesses handed to them on a platter in this book. Any true craftsman wouldn't ask for that, and any novice shouldn't expect it (and particularly not for $22!). This book is a wonderful overview of the amazing qualities and possible applications of concrete. It's designed to get your mind working, and the creative juices flowing. Not as a "Concrete for Dummies" (and how flattering are those books to the average intelligence anyway?). Buy this book for inspiration, for some tips and tricks, and prepare yourself to be amazed. If you want further insight into the methodology, buy the first book as well. And despite another reviewers claims, most of Cheng's work is NOT poured on site, but in the shop, and the pictures on the website are gorgeous! Professional jealousy perhaps, but even as 'just' a coffee table piece, this book is really beautiful.

In CONCRETE AT HOME, concrete designer Fu-Tung Chen does just this, sharing with his readers the many creative uses he's found for concrete over the years. Floors, walls, countertops, sinks, fireplaces - Chen covers them all, with a decided flair for the fanciful.

I approached CONCRETE AT HOME as a first-time homeowner who was toying with the idea of ripping out all of my home's flooring and staining the concrete slab underneath. And, I should specify, hiring a pro to do so, since I'm not the DIY type (at least not when it comes to the single largest investment of my life). It was with this newbie curiosity that I devoured CONCRETE AT HOME.

Though I found CONCRETE AT HOME to be somewhat helpful and very enjoyable, it didn't totally quench my thirst for all that is concrete. Chen can't quite seem to decide on an intended audience in CONCRETE AT HOME; while he aims to explain the basics of concrete to average Janes like myself, he also includes advanced instructions for professionals. As a result, the book has a kind of schizophrenic quality. Although Chen does take the time to explain some of the fundamentals, it's not as complete or in-depth enough to qualify CONCRETE AT HOME as a Concrete 101 text. On the flip side, I imagine that concrete professionals will be equally dissatisfied with the brief instructions Chen includes for complicated concrete projects - such as working with forms and building walls (!). In trying to please everyone, I suspect Chen's resulting treatise will fall short of everyone's expectations.

Even so, CONCRETE AT HOME is a must-read for those interested in concrete and its applications. It may be a bit spotty in coverage, but it's by far one of the most interesting, engaging, and inspiring concrete books I've yet to come across.

Now I can't wait to get started on those floors!

In his new book, Fu-Tung Cheng gets inspiration from timeless concrete design - found in such places as churches, theaters, hotels or antique walls - and translates it into functional elements for residential homes. It proves to the reader that it doesn't take an army of designers, architects and engineers to transform a regular home into a stylish and expressive living place. Moreover, the book points out that even a small detail - such as creating two different floor levels in a room - can achieve a striking effect while conveying a powerful message about the division of space in that particular room.

Unlike Cheng's "Concrete Countertops" (which was entirely dedicated to creating countertops), "Concrete at Home" is obviously not intended to walk the reader through the entire process of building the concrete forms it talks about. Nevertheless, the book offers a variety of useful tips and indications on what to consider when pouring concrete into different elements and forms.

"Concrete at Home" will inspire you to unleash your creativity while adding elegance and functionality to your home. If you are interested in getting practical design ideas as well as a basic understanding of interior concrete techniques, then this book will reveal a plethora of valuable information you won't find anywhere else. Two thumbs up!

My fiancee bought this book to learn about our home design options. I've never been crazy about home design, but I sat down to peruse this book and couldn't put it down. The tone is clear, dry and witty; the pictures are great to look at and the details are enlightening; overall, I recommend this book to anyone interested in adding on to a home, building a new home, or learning about an interesting topic: concrete...who knew?

I like both this book, and Fu-Tung Cheng's other book more specifically about concrete countertops.

These books are great becaue they feature tons of beautiful pictures to drool over.

These are both great books for contractors, or skills D.I.Y workers who are in the trades.

While you could learn if you have no construction experience, it would probably be difficult. You also need some beginning and more advanced tools.

These books are great to give contractors and companies ideas of how to really do great looking, impressive work and projects.

Or rather, how to spice up run-of-the-mill projects into WoW projets!

Some of the techniques can be cost effective to add to a job, it's probably worth it even to cut your margins to get the advertising of anyone who sees your awesome work. At least on a job or two for friends, family or yourself. It could also bump you from ordinary remodels up to a more luxury niche.

Some of the project descriptions are very specefic. He gives some great advice, for instance he mentions adding fly ash to your concret mix. Just the other day I was reviewing the standards for LEED homes, and one (of many) things which adds to your LEED score was adding fly ash.

I plan on incorporating some of his techniques into my home remodel / addition as soon as our plans are finalized. Very exciting.

So, you like concrete? Well, Mr. Cheng has taken the time to offer up some of his years of experience in this one. His offerings seem to have offended a few lazy copy-cats. Shame on Mr. Cheng? Personally, I love the journey of the thought provoking material he has offered in this book. As a craftsman, i know passion when i see it, and am inspired to take offerings and expand my creative side. I don't like anyone to hold my hand or restrain my vision with the limits of one perspective, so what Mr. Cheng has shown of his creations and years of trial and error are more than generous for the meager cost. I have found that this book grazes the awesome opportunities of the medium. There are endless directions an inspired and motivated person could go with all that is offered in this book. I think that anyone who attempts to work with concrete is going to have to go through the trial and error process, no book can take the place of experience. So, I highly recommend this book to those who want to get down in the trenches and get their hands dirty and to those who want design ideas for their home or a clients home. Mr. Cheng has put a smile on my face, and inspiration in my bloodstream with this one. Thanks.