Concrete Resources

Basic concrete formulas

• Regular (with gravel): 1/2/3 - 1 part concrete, 2 parts sand, 3 parts gravel
• CONCRETE MIXING RATIOS
  • 3000 psi concrete mix - 1 part cement, 3 parts sand, and 3 parts aggregate
• Concrete Calculator - also has several basic formnulas for concrete and mortar.
• Vermiculite concrete: 1 part concrete, 2 parts vericulite, 1 part sand
• Mortar Mix Ratios for Various Types of Mortar:

General info

• http://www.pavingexpert.com/home.htm - General information site. Very extensive.
• Form and Pour a Concrete Slab - step-by-step instructions

Slab to existing garage

• How to Pour a Concrete Floor for an Existing Garage
• Concrete Slab base for garage? - discussion about adding concrete slab to existing structure.

Concrete mold resources

• Man About Tools - The guy who made lightweight concrete garden bed panels. All the videos and recipes linked on site.
• Reynolds Advanced Materials - Charlotte - one-stop for all molding needs. give workshops also.
• http://www.concretenetwork.com
• http://www.expressions-ltd.com/Concrete_Edge_2_Inch_Rough_Rock_p/crete-edge-2in-rock.htm - Has video showing how to create rock edge steps and benches. Uses dirt fill under bench.
• http://www.smooth-on.com/Concrete-Casting/c1235/index.html

Videos

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nanxqdpMGGA - creating rock bench and steps
• Custom Design Concrete Bench / Fountain / Fire Pit
• Simple way to make artificial rocks - Easy when you know how!
• Retaining Walls - By Stonemakers
• Artificial Fake Rock Staircases Steps and Stepping stones

Making Concrete Faux-stone

• Making Rock
• Homemade Concrete Formula for Artificial Rock - best source I've seen for a variety of formulas for types of stones.
  • Mix 1 part cement, 2 parts sand and 3 parts gravel to make a dry basic concrete mix. Add enough water to create a sloppy consistency, such as that of thick pancake batter, if you plan to pour the concrete into molds. Or stop adding water when the consistency resembles cream cheese if you plan to spread concrete over the inside walls of the molds to make hollow rocks. Continue mixing until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
  • Mix 1 part cement and 2 parts white or gray sand to create smooth, fine-textured faux rocks. Add enough water to achieve the required consistency.
  • Mix 2 parts cement, 3 parts sand and 3 parts perlite for a pock-marked effect. Add water until the mixture is crumbly like cookie dough. Press the mixture into the mold. Trapped air bubbles don't matter because they add to the effect.
  • Mix 1 part sand, 1 part cement and 2 parts composted bark or peatmoss to make hypertufa, which resembles a naturally porous, light rock called tufa. Add enough water to create a spreadable consistency.
  • Mix 1 part sand, 1 part cement and 1 part peatmoss or composted bark, and then mix in water, to make hypertufa that resembles limestone.
  • Mix 5 parts sand, 2 parts cement and 3 parts peatmoss or composted bark for hypertufa that resembles sandstone. Add water and mix.
• Homemade Concrete Formula for Artificial Rock
• How to Stain Concrete for a Natural Stone Effect
• How To Make Fake Rocks
• How To Guide For Making and Coloring Your Own Concrete Paver, Veneers and Retaining Wall Blocks
• Best Recipe for Making These Steps? - discussion about best way to create faux-stone steps. Consensus seemed to be to use concrete rather than hypertufa. I don't know why… strength?
• Perlite Concrete - locally saved from source.
• Hypertufa - "Hypertufa (pronounced hyper-toofa) is the term used for a type of artificial stone. It was first created in the mid 19th century by mixing sand, peat, various volcanic aggregates and cement. It’s relatively lightweight compared to stone or concrete and no matter how cold your winter temps may be, if properly cured, is freeze proof."
  • What is Hypertufa??
  • A Beginner’s Hypertufa Recipe
  • Hypertufa Recipes for Your Projects
  • Waterproof & Super Tough Hypertufa Faux Rocks
  • Helpful Tips To Avoid Hypertufa Recipe Mixing Mishaps
  • Concrete and Hypertufa Coloring Agents - Here is the Colorant Guides
  • What are some general instructions for mixing hypertufa?
  • It’s easy to make your own concrete hypertufa planters…
  • Easy ways with Hypertufa
• Coloration
  • Colorants - Retail source with good info.
  • AMAZON: RED Powdered Color for Concrete, Plaster, Cement - sample product with links to others.

Aircrete

• Air Crete Machine for Under $30 (DIY) - This guy has lots of aircrete videos.
• How to Make Concrete Foam
• Air-crete Building
• Aircrete is collapsing - useful looking discussion on technical details of getting it right.
• Formulas for Lightweight Concretef
• Lightweight Concrete - list of lots of research and resources.

Perlite Lightweight Concrete

• How to Mix Perlite and Cement
• Overview of Perlite Cement
• LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE MIX DESIGNS - formulas for various mixes

Vermiculite Concrete

• Vermiculite Concrete Mix
• Vermiculite Concrete
• SCHUNDLER VERMICULITE CONCRETE

Notes on stair riser and tread

• Reviewed several sites on this, but basically for 6" to 6-1/2" risers, the tread should be 14" to 15".
• Design Guidelines: Exterior Stairs
• 2 Rules for Building Comfortable Stairs

Mud & Soil-Crete / Rammed Earth Walls

• http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/articles/mudcrete
• Mudcrete Progress & Recipes
• http://www.mylittlehomestead.com/soilcement.html
• Rammed Earth Garden Beds - Mother Earth News
• Vancouver Garden Walls – building them

Paper-Crete, Spray concrete, Domes, Modes

• MIX PAPERCRETE | PAPERCRETE RECIPE
• Papercrete as Plaster
• Wonderful DIY Sand Cast Birdbath - uses leaves for imprints.
• http://www.shapecrete.com - moldable concrete. Available at Home Depot

Pizza/Bread Ovens

• Build a free-form bread oven
• How to build a wood fired pizza/bread oven - youtube
• Pizza Oven Easy Build - used gym ball for mold.
• My $135 Wood fired Pizza Oven! - similar concept, good detail
• How to build an Earthen Oven and Use it the Same Day!
• wood fired Pizza oven build cast from perlite concrete how to
• My $135 Wood Fired Pizza Oven!
• Pizza Oven Easy Build "Full Video''