If you have never worked with concrete before, practice is the key element. To practice on the fly, pour the least noticeable sections first, and finish them first. By the time you reach the highly visible sections, you will have a better grasp of the skills.
Some new epoxy resin aggregate mortars are useful since they adapt to different curing temperatures and conditions. They consist of 100% epoxy solids and aggregates that flow readily, self-level and bond quickly to virtually any concrete surface.
After the fall of Rome, concrete construction techniques were lost. In 1785, French mason Francois Cointeraux reintroduced a type of concrete construction when he formulated a cementitious mortar and used it in conjunction with rammed-earth building methods.
Stamped, colored concrete grows more popular each year. Plus, new cement-based antiquing liquids do more than add depth, they improve the surface durability. These liquids actually function as a tie coat, binding both the color layer and sealer to the stamped surface.
One of the most important considerations in concrete work is curing time. Concrete hardens as it cures, and it also shrinks a small amount. Although a number of factors can impact shrinkage, a 16th of an inch across 10 feet is typical.
While adding more water to the concrete mix can make pouring it easier (it flows better), the consequences make it problematic. Too much water dilutes and weakens the cement, and there is not enough cement to mix with the water, leaving pockets of water that make the hardened material too porous and weak.