01-04-2008, 06:01 AM
As to polishing concrete:
Do not expect translucent concrete to be the cheaper method. Such finsihes take effort.
By experience I can pass this along.... Concrete takes on the form and texture of the forming material. I have used plexiglas to form concrete and the result was a mirror/glass finish. It might be effective to use something like plexiglas or glass to form all of, or areas of,a wall and achieve the polished finish you refer to.
As to the pearlite aggregate. Our Rastra product - an ICF building system, uses recycled polystyrene in the manner suggested. The recycled content is 86% (by volumne). Insulation is very high. Fire resistance is very high. Termite resistance is complete. No outgassing. No chemical treatment of the gorund required. What I like about the Rastra system, aside from the recycled content, is it allows an inexperienced builder to successfully do high value structural work.
Do not expect translucent concrete to be the cheaper method. Such finsihes take effort.
By experience I can pass this along.... Concrete takes on the form and texture of the forming material. I have used plexiglas to form concrete and the result was a mirror/glass finish. It might be effective to use something like plexiglas or glass to form all of, or areas of,a wall and achieve the polished finish you refer to.
As to the pearlite aggregate. Our Rastra product - an ICF building system, uses recycled polystyrene in the manner suggested. The recycled content is 86% (by volumne). Insulation is very high. Fire resistance is very high. Termite resistance is complete. No outgassing. No chemical treatment of the gorund required. What I like about the Rastra system, aside from the recycled content, is it allows an inexperienced builder to successfully do high value structural work.
Assume the best and ask questions.
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