Fine Cut Concrete
Arnaude Kubiak
A design-based fabrication shop, specializing in concrete and ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), with over 20 years of complex casting experience and a background of architectural design. A studio of designers, scientists, chemists, craftsmen, and explorers.
At Absolutely Fine Concrete, we specialize in providing decorative concrete construction services for any situation. Whether it be a kitchen, pool deck, architectural wall, bull nose staircase w/lights, driveway, mantle, den, patio or any design you could dream of, we can make it happen.
Virtually anything you desire out of concrete, we can achieve. Here at AFC we love a good challenge and are more than happy to work with you on any ideas you might have for your home, workplace or property.
"We used Absolutely Fine Concrete to pour a new stamped concrete patio in our backyard. Tony came out and helped create a unique design that fit the area. The installation was professional and meticulous. You could tell the crew takes pride in their work. We are absolutely thrilled with the end result. We would highly recommend them for anyone planning concrete work."
"In late July, 2019 we had our our old driveway and front steps demolished and replaced with a beautiful new driveway. It is more spectacular than we could have imagined. Our driveway is just under 2000 sq feet. The project took less than 5 days to demo, prepare, and pour new concrete (aggregate) with a stamped concrete design and border. We wholeheartedly endorse Absolutely Fine Concrete! They are a hard-working crew, professional and artistic."
"I highly recommend Tony and his team for any concrete needs. Our new driveway and front porch are absolutely gorgeous. They showed up on time or even early, communication was excellent, and I came home to a thank you note in our mailbox yesterday. A thank you note! From a contractor! Blown away!"
This high-quality cement-based product mixes with water and readily bonds to all concrete surfaces. Able to provide a durable new surface, suitable for foot, rubber-tire, and automobile traffic, use ARDEX CD concrete dressing on:
Do be aware that concrete is usually a mixture of portland cement & other things like sand and aggregates. The ingredients like the gravel give the concrete mixture strength, make it into a rock-like substance once cured.
I did know what I did not want; large aggregate in my mix, which is what the regular Concrete mixes usually have. They are quite cheap and can work for large pours in molds (planters), sidewalk slabs or fence posts. I am usually making smaller projects that are going to be cast in molds or hand shaped for decorative home use.
All concrete mixes go through curing process that involves hydration. The water is needed in order for proper curing to happen, and ensure that strength is achieved. Traditional bricks are made by firing clay in a kiln, much different than concrete.
The above Rapidset Cementall is probably my all-time favourite! The specs say that it can be used at different consistencies and it will cure much harder (up to 9000 psi compressive strength) than regular concrete. I am sure there are specific additives like polymers for strength and those also make it quite moldable at a thicker consistency. This mix does not contain large aggregates.
Rapidset Cementall Concrete Mix will start to thicken in about 30 seconds and can usually be taken out of the mold after 1 hour. The molds that I make are quite stiff and this mix will withstand the vigor needed to sometimes take them out. This mix is super fine, will pick up all the details and provide a super smooth white finish. A shiny finish can be achieved if the mold is also shiny material. It tends to not have many bubbles since the consistency can be fairly fine & does not need as much water as other mixes.
The Rapidset Cementall mix can also be used at a thick; sculptable consistency. It will still slump ( a high pile of mix will flatten and sag) but not usually run away. That makes it work well for leaf casting such as the Lacy Circle the Smiling Stones. The workflow can be quite fast since sections harden quickly allowing more material to be added such as around an Orb or a Face sculpture fairly quickly. Temperature will also accelerate the setting/curing.
Different brands offer similar products. Since entering the Quikrete contest I wanted to use a Quikrete product that compared to the RapidSet Cementall. I find this mix is almost exactly like Rapidset Cementall. It does seem like it comes under a few different names; Dual Purpose Grout & Structural Repair, Fastset Repair Mortar and Quikrete Fastset All-Crete. (See a selector guide here) It may be a difference of countries (here in Canada) Do NOT confuse it with any regular Fastset Mix though, as it will have large aggregate in it. If it says that it is meant to make sidewalks, post foundations and foundation walls then it usually contains large aggregate.
This product will also work well if you can wait a bit longer. Quikrete Vinyl Concrete Patcher also has additives to make it really strong but does not set as fast as the first 2. It has a window of 30 minutes of work time (conditions can affect it) and will be hard in 24 hours. It has good bonding abilities so layering works great as in this Giant Orb making.
As for sealers; you will notice I often do not seal my orbs since I like the look of old patinated concrete. I am also happy to report I have not had any issues with cracking with these mixes. If you have issues about cracking see this post.
Hello Barb, thank you for sharing your knowledge anout these concrete peoducts! I am hoping you can answer a question I have.. would any of these products adhere to plastic planters? I am looking to create a cement/concrete look on some of my plastic pots.
Looking at those dimensions, I would definitely use some kind of reinforcement. That size is very large for the thickness! I know they get heavier as they are thicker but it gets much stress handling such a large thin piece compared to a small size. Perhaps attaching the large tile to a substrate like a wood panel (if indoors) would help. Otherwise I would reinforce with fibres or fiberglass mesh. Making a small (just a section) test piece will allow you to see how strong it is. Wishing you success!
Some people might assume that mixing concrete is an obvious task: Buy a bag of premix, dump it in a wheelbarrow with some water, and mix it up. Sounds simple, right? As a fence and deck contractor, I have learned otherwise. I often have to mix five to ten bags in an afternoon, then have to push around wheelbarrow loads of wet concrete. This chore was a strong motivator for me to come up with an efficient, reliable mixing system.
3. Add the concrete. Place the unopened bag in the water. Then use a utility knife to open the bag with a single cut along the end. Grab the bottom of the bag and tip it up so that the concrete slides out rather than pours out. This technique minimizes dust.
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