Green Concrete
School is Out But Concrete is in
Lately there have been several new schools built in my neighborhood and a couple of older schools remodeled. I must say, they are not like schools in the old days with either faded linoleum and pale green or gray walls or with stained carpeting and the same faded, pale green or gray walls.
Schools are being built better, smarter, more eco-friendly and more durable. I visited the newer schools and the remodeled schools to see what they looked like and get an idea of how well the jobs were done.
I was absolutely stunned. Some of these schools look like Marriott hotels! One of the things that jumped out at me immediately was the liberal use of decorative concrete on walls in hallways, on floors – especially in the auditorium and lunch room, and on the exterior of the buildings. Not only did this look state of the art and very attractive, it was obviously easy to maintain and very durable.
In browsing through various special rooms, such as the art rooms and computer rooms, it was as if I was walking through a university. It certainly was not anything like what I used to call school.
That gave me an idea. I went to look at the local university which had expanded and been renovated recently. I was struck by the ingenious use of decorative concrete and polished concrete on floors, walls, stairs and pillars. This was truly a university whose décor and structure had been well thought out and planned. The use of stamped concrete on many of the interior and exterior walls, as well as the rotunda in the student center created an atmosphere that was conducive to learning. The polished concrete floors added a sturdy yet artistic framework to the design and played well off the buttery-yellow walls.
Schools have come a long way and so has concrete. Schools are no longer plain wood, brick and linoleum buildings with pale walls. Concrete is no longer dull gray cement poured into a framework. Both have stepped forward into the 21st century with bright colors, patterns, creativity and durability.
Concrete isn’t just for driveways and sidewalks anymore.
About the Author
The nice thing about decorative concrete is that it not only beautifies an area but it as diverse as it’s designer and quite cost effective. We will bring you tips and ideas but for additional resources visit Www.concreteideas.com.
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Brand New 12″ Green Diamond Concrete Marble Floor Polishing Pad 100 Grit $0.99 |
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Brand New 12″ Green Diamond Concrete Marble Floor Polishing Pad 100 Grit $0.99 |
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Patio Paints for Terra Cotta Concrete and Wood $1.50 |
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Patio Paint Texturals Concrete,TerraCotta Wood Ceramic $1.50 |
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RPPC 920704 Concrete Bridge Green Bank WV $2.75 |
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Hot Wheels ’64 Buick Riviera Car,White/Green,Loose,From Concrete Cruisers 5 Pack $3.99 |
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CEMENT CONCRETE TRUCK HEAVY EQUIPMENT GRAPHIC DECAL $4.24 |
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CEMENT TRUCK CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION GRAPHIC DECAL $4.24 |
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24 X24X 1. 1/2″ CONCRETE CEMENT TILES WITH SHELLS WHITE BLUE GREEN $4.79 |
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Target 12″x3/16″x1″ Abrasive Cut-off Cut off Green Concrete Asphalt *NEW* 30001 $5.00 |
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Printer Cut Block Type Green Concrete Truck $5.00 |
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Chromium (Chrome) Oxide Green (Cr2O3) Soap, Concrete, Paint, Ink Pigment Powder $5.50 |
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BODIES LAY BROKEN/HEAD HITS CONCRETE split 7″ OOP One Percent green vinyl grind $5.99 |
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BODIES LAY BROKEN/HEAD HITS CONCRETE split 7″ OOP One Percent green vinyl metal $5.99 |
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8 ounce Patio Paint outdoors concrete clay pots Clear Cote weatherproof $6.49 |
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8 ounce Patio Paint outdoors concrete clay pots Clear Cote weatherproof $6.49 |
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“physical concrete” chinese kanji character symbol vinyl decal sticker wall art $6.95 |
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Vintage Antique Green & Tan Cement Concrete Standing Garden Knome $6.99 |
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Stone Concrete Frog on Rock Planter Garden Yard Decor Gray Green 7″ NEW P89740 $6.99 |
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GF CONCRETE. Connie 3g, Dark green NIP $7.20 |
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Friedrich Geiler ORIGINAL ABSTRACT Signed Print artwork green op-art CONCRETE $7.70 |
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10 (ten) Powers 3/8 BANG-IT Green Concrete Inserts 7542 $7.95 |
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Pump Spray Tip / Consistent Spray System Concrete dye conical tip green $8.00 |
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Chromium (Chrome) Oxide Green (Cr2O3) Soap, Concrete, Paint, Ink Pigment Powder $8.75 |
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SOLID CONCRETE TURTLE WITH GREEN GLITTER OVER 5″ LONG $8.95 |
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1 LB. WILLOW GREEN CONCRETE COLOR FOR CEMENT, PLASTER $8.99 |
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Small Concrete Green Frog Figural Figurine Concrete Figurine $8.99 |
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Concrete Construction Magazine July 2008: Admixtures and SCC , Green Practices $8.99 |
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Green Concrete Ceramic Mill Grinding Wheel Cutter 100mm x 22mm $9.21 |
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Green Concrete Ceramic Mill Grinding Wheel Cutter 100mm x 22mm $9.21 |
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Green Concrete Ceramic Mill Grinding Wheel Cutter 100mm x 22mm $9.25 |
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1947 DODGE TRUCK AD~Green~Hauling Concrete Pipe $9.34 |
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Green Concrete Ceramic Mill Grinding Wheel Cutter 100mm x 22mm $9.54 |
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Green Concrete Ceramic Mill Grinding Wheel Cutter 100mm x 22mm $9.54 |
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6 OZ. Dark Green CONCRETE COLOR DYE 4 CEMENT, STAIN AMERIPOLISH Surelock color $9.95 |
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6 OZ. Green CONCRETE COLOR DYE 4 CEMENT, STAIN AMERIPOLISH Surelock color $9.95 |
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6 OZ. Pine Green CONCRETE COLOR DYE 4 CEMENT, STAIN AMERIPOLISH Surelock color $9.95 |
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Old Vintage Advertising Ruler Schuster Quality Concrete Green Bay Wisconsin 12″ $9.99 |
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Three Pairs Green Boss Thorngard Gloves – Concrete Accessories $10.00 |
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100mm Polishing Ceramic Concrete Grinding Disc Grn Gray $10.67 |
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“physical concrete” chinese kanji character symbol vinyl decal sticker wall art $10.95 |
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WALLPAPER BORDER TOPIARIES CONCRETE PLANTERS DRAGONFLIES FAUX BLACK GREEN PLANTS $11.69 |
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100mm Polishing Ceramic Concrete Grinding Disc Grn Gray $11.95 |
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100mm Polishing Ceramic Concrete Grinding Disc Grn Gray $12.02 |
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100mm Polishing Ceramic Concrete Grinding Disc Grn Gray $12.06 |
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100mm Polishing Ceramic Concrete Grinding Disc Grn Gray $12.52 |
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100mm Polishing Ceramic Concrete Grinding Disc Grn Gray $12.52 |
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CONCRETE GREEN – WHITE CHRISTMAS – Japan CD+3BONUS $13.29 |
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KELLY GREEN Concrete Color Pigment cement molds 1 Lb. $13.38 |
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“Go Green” plaque plastic mold plaster concrete mould $13.95 |
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Chromium (Chrome) Oxide Green (Cr2O3) Soap, Concrete, Paint, Ink Pigment Powder $13.99 |
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100mm Polishing Ceramic Concrete Grinding Disc Grn Gray $14.33 |
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“Green Garden Goddess” concrete plaster plastic mold $14.95 |
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CONCRETE LEGENDS Womens Metallic SIlver Green White 1/2 Sleeve RARE Dress MEDIUM $14.99 |
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O’Neill Mens CONCRETE Surf Tee Shirt Green size Large NWT $16.99 |
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Cement Concrete Truck Logo Men’s tee Shirt Pick Size $17.78 |
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Cement Concrete Truck Logo Men’s tee Shirt Pick Size $17.78 |
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Cement Concrete Truck Logo Men’s tee Shirt Pick Size $17.78 |
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Cement Concrete Truck Logo Men’s tee Shirt Pick Size $17.78 |
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Cement Concrete Truck Logo WOMENS Shirt PICK Size $18.51 |
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Cement Concrete Truck Logo WOMENS Shirt PICK Size $18.51 |
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Cement Concrete Truck Logo WOMENS Shirt PICK Size $18.51 |
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Cement Concrete Truck Logo WOMENS Shirt PICK Size $18.51 |
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Cement Concrete Truck Logo Men’s tee Shirt Pick Size $18.78 |
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Cement Concrete Truck Logo Men’s tee Shirt Pick Size $18.78 |
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Cement Concrete Truck Logo Men’s tee Shirt Pick Size $19.78 |
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Cement Concrete Truck Logo Men’s tee Shirt Pick Size $19.78 |
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1/8 Oz Fluorescent GREEN Pure Pigment Glow in Dark Stars,Fishing Lures,Concrete $19.99 |
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Bosch Type1 14″ x 5/32″ Green Concrete CS30 Asphalt-BF Disc Cutting Wheel $19.99 |
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DJ Seeda & Isso – Concrete Green 5 JAPAN CD Sealed $19.99 |
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1969 Press Photo Workers Pour Green Colored Concrete $21.88 |
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“physical concrete” chinese kanji character symbol vinyl decal sticker wall art $21.95 |
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ST FRANCIS W/DOG GRAY CEMENT/CONCRETE GARDEN STATUE Bronze Green Patina Stains $22.99 |
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Chromium (Chrome) Oxide Green (Cr2O3) Soap, Concrete, Paint, Ink Pigment Powder $22.99 |
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Lime Green Concrete Block High Quality Framed Canvas Art Picture Print $23.56 |
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O’Neill Men’s Concrete Slim Tee $24.95 |
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O’Neill Men’s Concrete Slim Tee $24.95 |
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O’Neill Men’s Concrete Slim Tee $24.95 |
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Dozing Concrete Frog, Maybe A Thinker, Painted Green, Yard Salvage $24.99 |
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Concrete Creamy Longboard Slide Gloves $24.99 |
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SEEDA And DJ ISSO – CONCRETE GREEN 6 – Japan CD – NEW $24.99 |
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Holy Bible: New International Version, Concrete/Fatigue Green, Italian… $25.12 |
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2 Lbs Green Chrome Oxide Concrete Pigment $25.50 |
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“physical concrete” chinese kanji character symbol vinyl decal sticker wall art $26.95 |
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Ultimate Guide to Masonry and Concrete-Design Build Maintain Green-Fran Donegan $26.92 |
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Quetzalcoaltl Aztec Serpent Green Bronze Patina Stained Cement Concrete Plaque $29.99 |
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Green Oxide Pigment For Concrete And Ceramic 2.5 LBS. $29.99 |
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BEEZLEBUB GARGOYLE OLD COPPER BRONZE GREEN PATINA STAIN CONCRETE/CEMENT STATUE $29.99 |
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CHOIR BOY ANGEL CONCRETE CEMENT STATUE SANDY BRONZE GREEN PATINA $29.99 |
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Green Slate Concrete Stamps Color hardener $32.00 |
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Lime Green Concrete Block High Quality Framed Canvas Art Picture Print $31.42 |
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Lime Green Concrete Block High Quality Framed Canvas Art Picture Print $31.42 |
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Green Concrete Pigment, 5 lb. (5376) $32.50 |
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GUARDIAN DRAGON GARGOYLE SANDY BRONZE GREEN PATINA STAIN CONCRETE/CEMENT STATUE $32.99 |
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CONCRETE GREEN 4 – SEEDA & DJ ISSO – Japan CD 25Tracks $33.24 |
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NIV Student Bible Compact Size – Concrete/Green Duo Tone Leather Look 2011 – NEW $34.19 |
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2012 MENS UNDER ARMOUR HEAT GEAR PERFORMANCE POLO SHIRT $34.58 |
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2012 MENS UNDER ARMOUR HEAT GEAR PERFORMANCE POLO SHIRT $34.58 |
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Celtic Greenman Concrete Wall Hanging Green Man $34.99 |
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Bosch 14″ Aspahlt Green Concrete Cutting Wheels 10pcs. $35.00 |
