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Concrete Flooring & Countertop Installers

Concrete flooring is becoming an accessible, affordable and beautiful residential flooring option. Concrete countertops are just as popular and provide homeowners with unique and contemporary countertop option. More concrete flooring and countertop installers are needed to meet the demands.

source: http://www.decosup.com/concrete-countertops.html

Concrete flooring installation cannot be completed by homeowners. It requires special skills that only experienced concrete contractors have.

Specialized tools and of course a cement truck are required. Concrete countertops can be installed by an experienced do-it-yourselfer. But due to the meticulous nature of the job, even experienced home improvement do-it-yourselfers choose to hire professional concrete installers.

Concrete countertops can be installed on-site or pre-cast in shop. There are many opportunities for those experienced with working with concrete to open up a shop of their own. If you have worked with concrete and have at least a year of experience, then you might consider your own concrete flooring and countertop business.

Concrete finishers, also known as concrete artisans, are a related rising career. Concrete finishers are hired to design, stain or polish concrete floors and countertops per the request of homeowners. Concrete finishers can make more than $50 an hour, depending upon their level of skill and experience.

Concrete Floors are Considered Green for Several Reasons:

1. They are extremely durable and will outlast any other flooring option if installed and maintained properly. This eliminates the need to replace the floor, saving potential waste from filling up landfills.

2. Concrete flooring doesn't have any of the environmental health problems associated with carpeting or the adhesives in other flooring.

3. Less energy is used in production of concrete than any other flooring type. No trees need to be cut down and concrete is recyclable.

4. Concrete floors do not contain harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds), as many synthetic carpets do.

5. They are energy-efficient. Concrete floors reduce energy consumption. Because they can make one feel cooler, there is less of a need to use the air conditioning. During the winter, concrete floors absorb the heat from the sun, helping to keep a home warm.

Concrete countertops are green because they are made from a renewable resource, which makes them the preferred choice for homeowners seeking an eco-friendly countertop option. Many stone countertops contain petroleum-based plastics or non-renewable quarried stone.

If you are interested in becoming a concrete flooring or countertop installer, you'll need to apprentice with a concrete contractor for about a year. The more experience, the better. Working with concrete takes skill and that skill is acquired through practice with handling the concrete.

Resources:
o Concrete Countertop Institute - The Concrete Countertop Institute provides hands-on training and self-study courses.
o Concrete Solutions - Classes and workshops for concrete countertop installation and design in several locations throughout the US.
o FCICA (The Floor Contractors Association) provides self-study resources for concrete floor installation.
o Scofield provides decorative concrete training.
o Additional information about concrete flooring and concrete countertops can be found at Concrete Networx.

Written by Marcy Tate
Marcy is a home improvement writer. She covers green topics at Networx.

Concrete Flooring Resources