Decorative Concrete: Expanded Edition: Recipes for Finishes Indoors and Out (Decorative...) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Sunset Books (Corporate Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Expanded and enhanced, Sunset's new Decorative Concrete paves the way for even more innovative uses of concrete inside and outside the home. Once relegated to the backyard patio, today's concrete makes a tasteful statement, and Sunset's second edition of this popular manual provides all the practical know-howhomeowners need to create the elegant and chic finishes that distinguish modern concrete applications.

Readers looking for budget-friendly ways to transform rooms and outdoor areas will be thrilled with the contemporary design ideas and easy-to-follow instructions. From planning and sourcing materials to building and finishing techniques, Decorative Concrete provides detailed directions to help readers create floors, architectural elements, outdoor furniture, polished countertops, and more. This robust 2007 edition of Decorative Concrete adds 100 new photos plus nearly 50 pages, showcasing the myriad ways that concrete can be used to replace dated structural elements and add creative flair. Explicit how-to guidelines give homeowners the confidence to do-it-themselves or supervise an outside contractor with authority.

Features:

Updated, expanded 2nd edition of this popular Sunset home-improvement manual

Inspiring photo galleries (100 more images than previous edition) illustrate how concrete can be used to infuse style inside and out

Design ideas and instructions address concrete solutions for fireplace surrounds, tabletops, sinks, counters, floors, stepping- stones, pathways, garden planters, garden art, and more

Special emphasis on decorative finishing techniques, including surface designs, paint treatments, texturing with mosaics and insets, plus carving, sculpting, and polishing

Step-by-step how-to photos and directions for more than 16 concrete projects

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Oxmoor House; 2 edition (July 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0376011688
• ISBN-13: 978-0376011688
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #26,932 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #2 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Engineering > Civil > Construction > Masonry
  #5 in	Books > Home & Garden > How-to & Home Improvements > Masonry
  #34 in	Books > Home & Garden > How-to & Home Improvements > Do-It-Yourself

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on decorative concrete, October 25, 2005

By	Dottie Natal (Lompoc, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Decorative Concrete (Sunset) (Paperback)

I've purchased other books on decorative concrete, but this is the first one that I think is worth what I paid! It has excellent discussions of different techniques and materials, something that other books lacked. And, since they are not promoting some specific product, they provide information about products that are not as expensive as some of the systems that are being sold. The pictures are not as detailed as would be helpful on some pages, but that is a minor issue. There are enough step by step instructions to make it possible to do projects from the book as you learn the techniques. I highly recommend it.

49 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, August 27, 2005

By	G. Ferguson (Austin) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Decorative Concrete (Sunset) (Paperback)

I have a business doing stained and scored concrete, so I am familiar with the field. This book is a very good overview, and has a lot of neat techniques, including some I had not thought of. I would highly recommend it, with one caveat: If you are planning to do something important, like stain a floor or make countertops for a restaurant, then read some of the more in-depth books. Still, it it an excellent book.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Decorative Concrete "How To" Book Out There !, March 10, 2006

By	Wendi Brown (Scottsdale, AZ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Decorative Concrete (Sunset) (Paperback)

This author really helps those who want to "Do It Yourself" or gives outstanding examples and ideas. We used this as a resourse
guide and by trial and error ( as the book states ) have successfully updated our exterior, interior flooring, kitchen/bath
countertops and sinks to model home quality for pennies on the dollar.