Customer Reviews:
Concrete Countertops.......2007-05-28
This is one great book! Very informative. My husband is now in the process of changing our old countertops to new "concrete"ones. I can't wait to see them done and installed.
GOOD STARTING PLACE FOR A BEGINNER.......2007-04-05
Thank you for this book. I am an absolute beginner and I have done two countertops that have come out pretty good for my friends just by following the instructions in this book. It is a good book to start you on the correct path but you need to do some added research on the net to get additional info especially when you live in a third world country and all the materials are not readily available. Good book...you can buy it.
Great intro to concrete design.......2007-02-13
This book offers a great introduction to the flexiblity of using concrete in a home - for floors, kithens, walls, etc - and provides beautiful photographs of examples concrete use in contemporary homes.
Alan Safani
Concrete countertop book.......2007-01-04
We used this book along with Cheng's other book (Concrete at Home), his DVD, and his concrete product line to make our own concrete countertops. We had never worked with concrete before, and the countertops came out great. This book focuses mainly on making molds in your backyard or garage, pouring the concrete, and then flipping the molds so that you start with a smooth surface. We adapted Cheng's product line and poured our countertops in place so we had no seams. I recommend getting the DVD along with this book because they are both helpful and packed with good information. If you want to pour in place, his other book (Concrete at Home) is really helpful.
Informative but not comprehensive.......2006-07-30
I had the idea that I would make my own very customized concrete countertops, but after reading the book I decided on granite instead.
The book has a stylish and modern look, with beautiful illustrations, though not as many photos of actual countertops as one might think. It contains a fairly detailed description of how to make a countertop using the inverted mold method with sections on making the mold, concrete mixes and additives, surface finishes and sealants. The cast-in-place method is mentioned briefly.
The process is not inexpensive and is extremely labor intensive. When you are done you have a countertop that is high maintenance and subject to scratching and staining. Concrete is intriguing because of the design flexibility it offers, but the material looks more suited to bar tops or other area that are not working surfaces. This book gave me the information to make an informed choice and ultimately saved me a lot of work.
Book Description
Sherri Hunter, author of the best-selling Creating with Concrete, proves once again that concrete isn't just for sidewalks anymore; it's perfect for the garden too. A selection of 30 beautiful designs suggests the range of this increasingly popular material, and the illustrated instructions make the craft's fundamentals easy to learn. Because the simplest projects come first, beginners can work their way through the book progressively, building on their skills. Novices will have fun making the carved trough, sandcast bowl, and elegant relief panel. More sophisticated projects, including a decorative walkway and polished table, come next, and they'll bring charm to any outdoor space. More adventurous artists can unleash their creativity on a "Garden Guardian" sculpture or water feature. A Selection of the Crafters Choice and Homestyle Book Clubs.
Customer Reviews:
OK.......2007-09-21
Check it out from your local library first - not one I'd add to my permanent collection
Creative Concrete Ornaments for the Garden.......2007-08-25
Super book with detailed information on creation from beginning to end! Super for beginners and seasoned artists.
Thorough, informative and with a gammot of projects.......2007-08-24
I really enjoyed this book. It is detailed and the projects are vastly different from one another. What I also appreciated is the emphasis on doing things right, such as waiting for the concrete to set for 24 days is an example on an item. More emphasis on the internal structure using wire, rebar, etc. I would highly recommend this book and I am anxious to put into use what it taught me.
Fun Projects.......2007-07-03
This a great idea book. Many fun and interesting projects. Directions and supplies needed are well explained.
Excellent book.......2007-04-07
The author is very thorough on this subject and provides extensive desciptions of concrete ornament projects and concrete mixes. The only frustration I had was that in most examples a picture of the completed project was not included until the final chapter. It would have been more helpful after the description of 'how to' make the project. I think most would find this book extremely helpful by taking you from start to finished project.
Book Description
Fu-Tung Cheng's surprise bestseller Concrete Countertops paved the way for a fresh look at a familiar surface. His new book moves beyond the kitchen and transforms this commonplace material into an elegant medium that can be used throughout the house. Combining cutting-edge design with helpful how-to information, Concrete at Home offers ingenious ideas for planning and building walls, fireplaces, mantels, hearths, and exterior and interior floors, as well as tips on incorporating architectural elements such as counters, sinks, columns, and water pieces into the project. The construction of forms, footings, and ties is detailed in clear, easy-to-follow instructions, and special attention is given to finishing techniques, including adding color, texture, and inlays.
Customer Reviews:
Imagine the possibilities...........2007-05-03
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!
this is a great book.......2007-04-27
I love this book- i own it as well as his original concrete counter top book and both work well as a team- this is a great book with interesting ideas and enough pictures and commentary to allow a DIYer to figure it out and turn out a successful product.
GAVE ME IDEAS.......2007-04-05
This book has given me an insight into what is available out there in the concrete world. Good book for the beginner trying to make concrete into an art piece.
Fu-Tung Cheng hits a home run again!.......2007-02-23
WOW! Rare is the book that fulfills a professional carpenter's point of view and sound principles of design at the same time. Anyone who wants to know more about concrete formwork and designing owe it to themselves to buy this book. As for me I will watch for the next book by Fu-Tung Cheng as I expect it to yet again be a high caliber publication.
Great book.......2007-01-22
Very diverse examples of finished / polished concrete. Also includes some basic how-to projects.
Book Description
Emphasizes actual structural design, not analysis, of multistory buildings for seismic resistance. Strong emphasis is placed on specific detailing requirements for construction. Fundamental design principles are presented to create buildings that respond to a wide range of potential seismic forces, which are illustrated by numerous detailed examples. The discussion includes the design of reinforced concrete ductile frames, structural walls, dual systems, reinforced masonry structures, buildings with restricted ductility and foundation walls. In addition to the examples, full design calculations are given for three prototype structures.
Customer Reviews:
Important book for Structural Engineers.......2007-01-10
This is an important book to all the structural engineers that will work in seismic areas.
beware of missing pages.......2006-09-06
Superb text, even in 2006. Must-have reference for seismic design of reinforced concrete structures. Contains good depth of info on shear wall design not available in more elementary texts.
If buying used, ask reseller to verify that the book has pages 713 onward (which includes, but is not limited to all references and index) before buying. Apparently, Wiley had a bad run.
Must Have.......2002-10-31
A must have text/reference book for the structural engineering library. Great resources in topics ranging from concete shear wall design to masonry shear wall design. Highly recomended.
A comprehensive guide to Earthquake Engineering.......1999-11-25
A careful theoretical approach to earthquake engineering design, soon will become a standard reference book for the academic as well as the practising engineer. The part dealing with load bearing masonry construction is a clasic!
Book Description
A celebrated teacher has gathered the tried-and-true techniques used by sculptors and folk artists, and tailored them for low-tech surroundings. Work with molds; form over armatures; model or carve with concrete; and treat concrete surfaces with mosaics, embedded objects, incising, and coloring. For dazzling outdoor embellishments, craft a Birdbath, Little Lady Fountain, and more. Twenty-five projects in all.
Customer Reviews:
making concrete garden ornaments.......2006-07-16
this book is so easy to follow! i have made so many cool things!if you think concrete is just for sidewalks,think again.this book really opens up new horizons you had never thought about.
I love it!.......2006-06-17
This is a great book, with lots of information. Even if you have never worked with concrete before this book makes it easy. I highly recommend this book! I was right out the next day making things. ENJOY!
Great!.......2005-09-29
I am a true beginner working with concrete. I wanted information on making stepping stones and I found this information and a whole lot more! It was written for anyone to be able to understand and start projects immediately. You won't be dissappointed if you purchase this book. I love it!
Very interesting.........2005-08-04
Learn all about concrete and the incredible art that can be made from it, including detailed recipies and instructions for many uses such as lightweight forms that can be moved from place to place. Experiment with a new medium--concrete.
Dress Up Your Yard.......2005-05-14
According to the author, "Concrete isn't just for sidewalks anymore." Included in this colorfully illustrated how-to book are step-by-step instructions for making a frog fountain, garden "critters," concrete fossils, a masonry planter, a birdbath, and much more. Projects are divided into sections by skill levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. For those who are new to working with concrete, there are also chapters on concrete basics, forming and construction techniques, and surface treatments. (reviewed by South TX Library System)
Average customer rating:
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Highway Materials, Soils, and Concretes
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ASIN: 0130993042 |
Book Description
This clear, concise text provides a user-friendly introduction to the most current civil engineering and highway construction materials. It covers the essentials of highway construction technology without getting bogged down with complicated mathematics, excess theory, or difficult language. Topics covered in this book include soils, aggregates, pavement structure and base, asphalt pavements and materials, and Portland Cement Concrete, as well as Stone Matrix Asphalt, admixtures, and whitetopping. For civil engineers, those in highway construction, construction materials dealers, and soil mechanics.
Book Description
The fate of any house literally rests on its foundation. From design and excavation issues to formwork, reinforcement, drainage, and waterproofing details, this handy guide covers the full range of residential concrete work. Author Rick Arnold, a foundation contractor and coauthor of Precision Framing, walks the reader through all the steps. Also included are chapters on foundations built from materials other than concrete (blocks, ICFs, wood) and on flatwork (slabs, walkways, patios). These clear instructions for building a concrete foundation are accompanied by over 200 color photos and dozens of color illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
Good for forms and site preparation.......2007-06-06
Minimal coverage of additives, finishing, and concrete mix variations. Good coverage
of form building and setting. Not as complete as the title implies; really another formwork book.
good overview.......2007-05-15
Covered many areas and ideas that were new to me (like rebar chairs and footing brackets), but I wish more coverage had been shown on dealing with hydronic tubing in slabs. Even the hydronic books lack specificity on how to maintain tubing at uniform location in slab so as not to be too deep, yet not so close to surface to prevent damage by saw-cut control joints. Would have also like to have seen more discussion on powered trowels for flatwork, and finishing stairs so as not to see formwork impressions on riser (says to leave formwork on for several days, but that means no texturing options for the risers.)
Ok book for regular concrete jobs.......2007-05-07
It gave a lot of great information for bigger jobs with concrete. We were initially looking for something on a much smaller scale, but we are going to be doing our driveway soon, and this book had much needed information on how to do it yourself.
Could be more.......2007-01-15
This is the better book on pouring concrete forms that Taunton Press offers.
When I bought the book I was a complete novice. Now after 1 1/2 years and several large projects I am starting to learn what is missing. The book does not talk about the design of the forms. For example concrete exerts 150lb/sqft for ever foot of height. At the bottom of a 2ft wall the pressure is 300lbs but at the bottom of a 8ft wall the pressure is 1200lb/sqft. The plywood, 2x4 bracing, and ties need to be set for the height of a wall.
You can lessen the number of ties in a wall by using stronger ties but then you have to make sure the grid spacing of the 2x4's will support the plywood.
The pressure on the plywood can also lessened if the pour is slowed down or done in two stages but if it is a small job that will take less than a hour to do the forms will get the full pressure.
With the first form sys I rented there was nothing telling me how much pressure the forms would take. Trying to save some money I set everything up with ties on a 4'x 2' grid pattern this is O.K for say a 3ft wall but (lucky for me the guy that was going to pump the concrete told me)not strong enough for a 7ft wall.
There are many different types of form sys if the one that is shown in the book is not available in your area you will need to do more research.
If you are using a small inline pumper truck you need to order the concrete with small rock.
Bracing the wall is also very important you are dealing with tons of weight so make sure the bracing holding the wall vertical/straight is done well.
Forms are also called Falsework.
With rebar in the form it is just about impossible to spray the form release on without getting it on the rebar. It is better to spray the form boards before setting them up.
Alan.......2007-01-13
I am a complete novice when it comes to concrete but it appears to cover the basics on to more advance things I hope to never have to do. I am starting to do some light carpentry work and just needed some basic general knowledge. Works for me.
Only 4 stars as I am a complete novice and don't really know if this is as good of book out there or not.
Book Description
The only reference to all important structural engineering principles and design techniques, this best-selling, internationally renowned handbook is updated for current standard specifications and codes (including the 1994 AASHTO specifications) and the latest design developments. Contributions from structural engineers discuss a broad range of vital topics. Concise, practical and user-friendly, this one-of-a-kind resource gives you not only up-to-the-minute information on the planning, design, and construction of a variety of engineered structures, but also practical examples and detailed descriptions of design procedures.
Customer Reviews:
"The Book".......2006-11-02
The "Bible" for structural engineers for decades past and present. Updated and a "must have" for the structural design engineer. The place to start when a new problem is encountered.
Useful resource.......2004-03-17
It's a book with many useful information, tables and examples. A really valued reference.
Unit problem.......1999-07-18
This book is quite good but its usability is lost to a great extent because it is not written in Metric units. Also, chapters on computer application are not well written
Customer Reviews:
Great for people who like to do things right the first time.......2007-09-19
This is good for even advanced people as it gives little trade sercerts for stronger walls. Its a good book and a must if you are doing concrete work yourself.
no help.......2005-12-20
I bought this without reading the reviews, it was a mistake. I am designing an addition and need a clear guide from forms to finishing. This isn't it. As meantioned, it is a collection of articles. While informative, there are major gaps in coverage and I am no more ready to design my foundation than before. There is more useful info on foundations in the framing books I purchased.
Disappointment.......2005-03-21
This book lacks the details for someone who is looking to actually do the work themselves. As mentioned in one of the other reviews - this book is just a composite of magazine article. Typical of magazine articles - shallow with little substance.
Just a compilation.......2004-03-24
I have a couple of other books in the "for pros by pros" series and they are great. I was disappointed in this one, however.
Rather than a guide that started at the beginning and followed a logical progression, it was merely a compilation of articles from Fine Homebuilding. They were each good, but several mentioned that "space limitation prevent me from expounding on..." While this is true in a magazine, it shouldn't be the case in the book.
Also, with so many authors, there was a lot of contradictory information. In one "chapter" the author showed exactly how to (and how not to) use rebar. In a subsequent "chapter" another author was shown using rebar in precisely the way the first author said was incorrect. This went on throughout the book. How do you know who is right?
And while the book was published in 2003, some of the articles were from the early 80's. I was hoping for a chapter on laser layout, but there was no mention of a laser anywhere in the book. (But plenty of instructions to use water levels and transits.) It wasn't a bad book, just not what I was expecting after the Plumbing and Electrical books were so good. A better use of money would be to purchase a one year subscription to the Fine Homebuilding online archives - it's a great resource. It has everything in this book, along with thousands of other articles.
Really just a compilation of articles........2004-03-24
I have a couple of other books in the "for pros by pros" series and they are great. I was disappointed in this one, however.
Rather than a guide that started at the beginning and followed a logical progression, it was merely a compilation of articles from Fine Homebuilding. They were each good, but several mentioned that "space limitation prevent me from expounding on..." While this is true in a magazine, it shouldn't be the case in the book.
Also, with so many authors, there was a lot of contradictory information. In one "chapter" the author showed exactly how to (and how not to) use rebar. In a subsequent "chapter" another author was shown using rebar in precisely the way the first author said was incorrect. This went on throughout the book. How do you know who is right?
And while the book was published in 2003, some of the articles were from the early 80's. I was hoping for a chapter on laser layout, but there was no mention of a laser anywhere in the book. (But plenty of instructions to use water levels and transits.) It wasn't a bad book, just not what I was expecting after the Plumbing and Electrical books were so good. A better use of money would be to purchase a one year subscription to the Fine Homebuilding online archives - it's a great resource. It has everything in this book, along with thousands of other articles.
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Concrete at Home
Concrete Countertops DIY (Instructional DVD) featuring Fu-Tung Cheng
Decorative Concrete (Sunset)
Making Concrete Countertops (Schiffer Book)
Decorating With Concrete Indoors: Fireplaces, Floors, Countertops, & More
