Decorative concrete projects throughout the region recognized
for excellence
Cemstone Announces Award Winners for
Second Annual Decorative Concrete Contest

Mendota Heights, Minn. (December 8, 2008) – Cemstone, a leading supplier of ready-mixed, engineered and decorative concrete in the Upper Midwest, today announced the winners of its 2008 Decorative Concrete Awards, which recognizes excellence in both design and the use of decorative concrete in residential and commercial construction. The nearly 60 contractor submitted entries featured Cemstone-supplied colored, stamped and/or stained concrete.

Independently judged by Twin Cities-based landscape architects, winners were selected and recognized for creativity and excellence in four categories: Residential Exteriors, Residential Interiors, Commercial Exteriors and Commercial Interiors. The Grand Prize and First Prize winners are as follows:

Residential Exteriors
Grand Prize: ThemeScapes, Inc. of Forest Lake, Minn. This Grand Prize winning walkway project was recognized for its beautiful colors, patterns and textures. One of the judges commented, “The color pattern and texture of the concrete complimented and enhanced the stone and piers. Concrete helped define the walkway. Excellent attention to detail!” 

First Prize: Bulach Custom Rock of Inver Grove Heights, Minn. This First Prize winning driveway and walkway project was selected for its integrated approach. The judges noted: “The concrete patterns and colors set apart the vehicular and pedestrian uses. Scoring is consistent and works its way through the different colors and patterns in a clean and professional way.”

Residential Interiors
Grand Prize: Foley Construction Inc. of Le Sueur, Minn. This Grand Prize winning project features kitchen countertops made with recycled crushed glass. The judges commented, “Excellent use of recycled materials. Very sustainable! Curved back splash is artistic and well done. Color is unusual and impressive.”

First Prize: Countryside Construction Inc. of Belle Plaine, Minn. This First Prize winning kitchen project features beautiful stained concrete countertops. The judges said, “The stain pattern is intriguing. Countertops are the centerpiece, yet compliment the room.”

Commercial Exteriors
Grand Prize: ThemeScapes, Inc. of Forest Lake, Minn. This Kinderberry Hill Day Care playground won Grand Prize honors in the commercial exterior category. The judges said, “The project displays a level of details in the forms and textures of concrete work that illustrates careful craftsmanship and design excellence. The entire playground holds together because of attention to detail from railings to rock walls.” 

First Prize: Bulach Custom Rock of Inver Grove Heights, Minn. This Minnesota Zoo decorative concrete walkway and project wowed the judges, one of whom said of this First Prize project, “Great description of creative approach to constructing the concrete landscape. Innovative technique and effective result. Great overall concept.”

Commercial Interiors
Grand Prize: Nelson Construction Services of Balsam Lake, Wisc. This Balsam Lake office building interior flooring project earned top honors from the judges, who said: “A good use of colors and textures – and while there is a great deal of diversity in color and texture, it holds together, with tight detailing and clean transitions. Well done!”

First Prize: Bulach Custom Rock of Inver Grove Heights, Minn. This interior flooring project featured tremendous workmanship and attention to detail, leading the judges to say: “Beautiful joints that enhance the pattern and color change. Creative pattern and striking finish.”

The winning entries, photos and comments from the judges can be viewed at www.cemstone.com/decorativeawards. Contractors and homeowners are also invited to visit one of Cemstone’s Contractor Supply Stores for ideas and tips from the experts on how to use decorative concrete to help achieve a higher level of beauty, functionality and value for any residential or commercial project.

"Decorative concrete as a building material is growing market share in both residential and commercial applications, due to its beauty, durability and sustainable benefits,” said Thor Becken, president of Cemstone. “We continue to sponsor and promote this annual contest to promote and help recognize the amazing creativity and craftsmanship of our customers."

Sponsors of the Decorative Concrete Contractor Awards Contest are Soff-Cut®, Scofield® Systems and BASF.  Winners in each category received American Express gift cards.

Founded in 1927, Cemstone now operates more than 50 ready-mix concrete plants in Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and northern Iowa. In addition, the company supplies sand, gravel, aggregate products, masonry products, concrete pumping services, insulating concrete forms (ICFs), architectural concrete and proprietary high-performance mixes. Cemstone also offers more than 10,000 professional-grade concrete and masonry items online and through its network of Contractor Supply Stores.

To learn more about Cemstone products and services, phone 1-800-CEMSTONE or visit www.cemstone.com.

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