A researcher at MIT has devised something that may have a profound impact on the building industry - concrete that can last up to 16,000 years. The so-called "ultra-high-density" concrete is the result of 20 years of research that included examining the material on a nano-scale. By studying the forces that gradually cause concrete to deform (called "concrete creep"), researcher Franz-Josef Ulm identified a new manufacturing process that packs the components of concrete more closely together, resulting in a stronger, more tightly bound and durable material. This discovery could have profound implications on the environment. Concrete is the most widely produced material on earth at over 20 billion tons manufactured annually. According to Ulm, "The thinner the structure, the more sensitive it is to creep, so up until now, we have been unable to build large-scale lightweight, durable concrete structures [but] with this new understanding of concrete, we could produce...light, elegant, strong structures that will require far less material."
This Old House does a good job of summarizing the controversy behind the granite-countertops-emit-radon argument. This radioactive gas can cause lung cancer, so any radon is a very real danger, however, the EPA issued a statement saying there isn't enough evidence to suggest granite countertops are a source of radon. And if you're still worried, pick up a home testing kit for $25. If you'd like to ditch your granite altogether, check out the myriad of countertop options you have here.
With spring around the corner, I'm looking for new landscaping ideas. I'm sure I'm not alone. The Patio Town web site has a nice-looking gallery of patios, walls, walkways, planters and more to serve as inspiration for your next project. My favorite is the walkway simulating a dry stream bed with natural rock (pictured at left). Patio Town has been in business for the past 40 years in the Twin Cities area and carries a full line of retaining wall systems. Check out their web site to gear up for the upcoming landscaping season.
When you think of building a deck, you don't generally think of using stone. That is, unless you are Mike Copenhaver, a self-declared "brick and stone guy" and operator of the Brick and Stone Guy blog. As you might imagine, the man has a passion for all things brick and stone. It was Mike's home video of his construction of a stone deck that impressed me. The deck is made up of stone tiles that are laid and clipped to the wood joists. The deck itself serves as a walkway that spans a ravine leading to a grand entrance to a magnificent home. Beautiful. I had no idea stone was an option when building a deck.
Besides this project, Mike's blog has lots of photos and discussions of interesting stonework, including this installment of artistic stonework. Give it a look when you get a chance.
Engineers know that if you want a system to work efficiently, you must simplify, simplify, simplify. Well, I don't think you can get much more simple than the Cement Solution Concrete Mixing Bag. To use the Mixing Bag, dump the ready-mix concrete into the bag, add the recommended amount of water, secure the bag with the tie strap, mix on the ground for about a minute, and Voila(!)- ready to pour cement. No additional tools necessary. Mixing cement can be a messy, laborious process, but the guy in the Concrete Mixing Bag instructional video demonstrates it while wearing a shirt and tie. The bag is reusable so you can use it for your one-off cement jobs or larger projects. One customer informed the company he used it for a project involving 20 bags of ready mix concrete. A chart is printed on the side of the Mixing Bag detailing the recommended amount of water to add to achieve the ideal mix. Since the bag can become heavy with poured concrete, it is recommended customers mix the concrete close the pouring site. The Cement Solution website has an online store and a store locater so customers can find a local distributor.
One of my father’s favorite yard projects is building stone walls. He has a couple of them going on their New Hampshire property, and I imagine he has his eyes set on a few extensions and additions this summer. I admire his ambition, but I do worry about his health, particularly his back. Hauling large stones and rocks around the yard can be an invitation to injury. Stacked Stone Wall, a faux stone product from Oldcastle Architectural Products Group, would fix that. Made for stone walls, borders, or retaining wall purposes, the Stacked Stone Wall blocks claim to be 25% lighter than conventional retaining wall blocks, or around 17 lbs.—light enough to carry around and maneuver with one hand. They also feature tapered sides and a unique front top lip that keeps blocks from sliding forward. The top lip also makes it easier for homeowners to know how the blocks fit together. With each block retailing at $2.77, a twelve-foot garden wall would cost about $100 and only a few hours of labor. There are a few face design options available, too, which is nice. To be honest, I’d prefer real stone—there’s something authentically New England about laboring with heavy stone to create a true stone wall. But ask me again when I'm pushing 60 and I'll probably have a different answer—my back will, that’s for sure! Stacked Stone Wall blocks are available exclusively at Lowe’s.
Walkway lighting can be more trouble than it’s worth. A hassle to landscape around, these exterior features can also become targets for rambunctious neighborhood kids, including your own. The solution? Try these solar-powered bricks. Made from a durable ABS plastic housing, each brick contains a solar panel, 590 mini reflectors, and two amber LEDs—it’s an earth-friendly and really cool way to, well, light your way. The bricks automatically light up at dusk and will stay lit for up to 8 hours. A set of two bricks come with replaceable battery packs and will set you back about $60. Available now.
