Building & Construction cover

Building & Construction

Curated byQUIKRETE®32 cardsUpdated Aug 2026
Anchoring Projects Guide by Quikrete
PDF
Anchoring Projects Guide by Quikrete

QUIKRETE® Anchoring Cement is a strong, quick-setting material that expands as it cures, ideal for anchoring various objects in concrete or masonry. The document provides detailed step-by-step instructions for both floor and wall mounting applications, including required tools, hole preparation, mixing, insertion, and curing, along with best practices for optimal results.

Barbecue Project Guide by Quikrete
PDF
Barbecue Project Guide by Quikrete

Detailed, step-by-step instructions are provided for constructing two types of backyard barbecues: a brick barbecue and a concrete block barbecue. Each section outlines required tools and materials, specific measurements for foundations and courses, and guidance on mixing and applying various concrete and mortar products.

Basic Brick Construction
PDF
Basic Brick Construction

This guide provides detailed instructions for basic brick construction, covering the step-by-step process of building freestanding walls, corners, and pillars, including site selection, mortar preparation, and brick laying techniques. It also explains various brick bond patterns, types of mortar joints, and methods for creating brick edging, along with essential terminology and required tools.

Brick and Stone Veneer Walls Project Guide
PDF
Brick and Stone Veneer Walls Project Guide

The document provides detailed instructions for installing brick and stone veneer walls, covering foundation preparation, required tools, and materials. It outlines step-by-step procedures for laying brick veneer, including flashing, wall ties, weep holes, and lintel installation, and offers similar guidance for laying stone veneer on concrete block walls, emphasizing tie placement and joint finishing.

DIY Guide for Building Brick Steps
PDF
DIY Guide for Building Brick Steps

Building brick steps involves using bricks as a facing over concrete, requiring specific tools and a detailed step-by-step process for preparing bricks, laying them in a mortar bed, and finishing the joints. The document also illustrates common brick-laying patterns like running bond and basket weave, demonstrating how bricks can be oriented flat or on edge.

Brick, Block and Stone Retaining Walls Guide
PDF
Brick, Block and Stone Retaining Walls Guide

Building brick, block, and stone retaining walls involves specific procedures, materials, and tools to prevent soil erosion and enhance property aesthetics. Key steps include checking local building codes, integrating steel rebars for structural integrity, installing plastic pipe weep holes for proper drainage, and applying masonry coating for waterproofing.

Building with Glass Block: A Comprehensive Guide
PDF
Building with Glass Block: A Comprehensive Guide

The document provides comprehensive instructions for installing glass blocks, detailing the necessary materials, tools, and step-by-step procedures for both standard mortar application and a method incorporating plastic connectors. It emphasizes that glass blocks are not load-bearing and require structural support, reinforcement with bars and anchors, and proper allowances for expansion and anchoring.

Cast Concrete Projects
PDF
Cast Concrete Projects

This document provides detailed, step-by-step instructions for various DIY cast concrete projects, including bookends, anchors, decorative plaques, boat launching ramps, chimney caps, downspout splash guards, and garden edging/curbing. It outlines the specific QUIKRETE products, tools, and techniques required for each project, emphasizing proper form construction, pouring, curing, and finishing for durable and aesthetically pleasing results.

Guide to Building Cast Posts with Quikrete
PDF
Guide to Building Cast Posts with Quikrete

Instructions are provided for casting concrete posts using QUIKRETE Fiber-Reinforced Concrete or other mixes, detailing the construction and preparation of wooden forms, pouring, and curing processes. The guide also offers best practices for enhancing post design with moldings, incorporating reinforcement rods, installing conduit for electrical cables, and embedding hardware before the concrete sets.

Concrete Block Construction Guide
PDF
Concrete Block Construction Guide

The document provides detailed, step-by-step instructions for constructing both standard concrete block walls and decorative screen walls. It outlines the necessary tools and materials, proper techniques for laying courses, applying mortar, ensuring alignment, and finishing joints for durable and aesthetically pleasing results.

Concrete Driveways and Curbs Project Guide
PDF
Concrete Driveways and Curbs Project Guide

Concrete driveways are discussed in terms of their construction, dimensions for single or two-car garages, and types such as slab or strip, with specific requirements for reinforcement. The document also details appropriate thickness based on vehicle weight, necessary grading for drainage and vehicle clearance, and the process of integrating or adding curbs while adhering to municipal regulations.

Concrete Foundations Project Guide
PDF
Concrete Foundations Project Guide

The document provides comprehensive instructions for constructing various concrete foundations, including slab foundations tailored for desert, wet/warm, and cold climates, as well as pier and pillar foundations. It details step-by-step processes for each type, recommends specific QUIKRETE products, and outlines considerations for proper installation, forming, and curing.

Concrete Patios
PDF
Concrete Patios

Concrete patios require careful planning, considering sun exposure, wind, and aesthetic design choices like shape and integration with the home's exterior, along with proper sloping and height. Construction involves preparing the base, building forms for various designs (including free-form), placing reinforcement, and pouring concrete, with methods for estimating material needs.

Concrete Sidewalks and Small Slabs
PDF
Concrete Sidewalks and Small Slabs

The document provides a comprehensive guide for constructing concrete sidewalks and small slabs, detailing required QUIKRETE products, tools, and a step-by-step process from site preparation and mixing to pouring, finishing, and curing. It also explains the importance and methods for creating various types of joints, such as control, isolation, and expansion joints, to manage stress and prevent cracking in concrete slabs.

Concrete Steps and Ramps
PDF
Concrete Steps and Ramps

Detailed instructions are provided for constructing durable and safe concrete steps and ramps, emphasizing critical design considerations like riser/tread proportions, width, drainage, and landing specifications. The guide outlines the step-by-step process from preparing the base and building forms to pouring, finishing, and curing the concrete, complete with a list of required tools and materials.

Concrete Walls
PDF
Concrete Walls

Concrete walls are versatile structures used for various applications, and their construction requires specific tools and materials, primarily focusing on building robust and accurate forms. The detailed step-by-step guide covers preparing the concrete mix, pouring it in layers while working with reinforcement, finishing the surface, and handling challenges like cold joints and constructing curved forms.

Footers for Walls
PDF
Footers for Walls

Constructing concrete footers for walls is detailed, covering required tools, materials, and step-by-step instructions for preparation, form building, reinforcement, pouring, and curing. The guide emphasizes considerations like frost lines, local building codes, and techniques for both earth and wooden forms, including stepped footings for slopes.

Insulating Foundation Walls
PDF
Insulating Foundation Walls

This guide details the process of insulating concrete basement walls using rigid insulation panels covered with QUIKWALL® Fiberglass-Reinforced Stucco or Foam Coating. It provides comprehensive instructions for wall preparation, insulation panel installation, and coating application, including specific steps for mixing, troweling, finishing, and curing.

Layout Basics for Slabs and Footers
PDF
Layout Basics for Slabs and Footers

Laying out concrete slabs, patios, and driveways begins with staking the perimeter using the 3-4-5 triangular method to ensure square corners. For deeper foundation footers, batter boards are constructed outside the work area, serving as a precise guide to mark trench and footer dimensions, transfer building lines, and maintain the final wall positions throughout excavation and construction.

Mobile Home Underpinning
PDF
Mobile Home Underpinning

Mobile home underpinning construction using mortarless blocks and QUIKWALL® Surface Bonding Cement is detailed, outlining necessary tools and materials. The process includes building a footer, incorporating ventilation blocks, sloping the grade away from the home, and sealing the top joint with caulk and a drip cap.

Mortarless Block Construction with QUIKWALL®
PDF
Mortarless Block Construction with QUIKWALL®

Mortarless block construction using QUIKWALL® Surface Bonding Cement (SBC) is detailed, presenting a "stack and stucco" method for building walls with a stucco finish and improved strength. The guide covers the entire construction process, from footer preparation and dry-stacking blocks to applying the SBC coat, managing wall openings and intersections, and incorporating vertical control joints.

QUIK-TUBE® Pillar Foundations
PDF
QUIK-TUBE® Pillar Foundations

QUIK-TUBE forms are rigid fiber tubes used for pouring strong, cylinder-shaped concrete foundations for various load-bearing applications like decks, fences, and posts, emphasizing their role in proper concrete curing and adherence to building codes. The document provides comprehensive instructions on selecting, positioning, and bracing the forms, embedding posts or anchors, estimating concrete needs, and best practices for pouring and curing to ensure durable foundations.

Rip Rap Projects and Erosion Control
PDF
Rip Rap Projects and Erosion Control

QUIKRETE® Rip Rap and Sand Mix bags are presented as a convenient solution for constructing dams, bulkheads, and erosion control structures, particularly in remote areas or where heavy machinery is impractical. The guide offers detailed, step-by-step instructions for these projects, covering excavation, bag placement in interlocking patterns, rebar reinforcement, and techniques to ensure structural integrity and proper setting.

Setting Posts
PDF
Setting Posts

Setting posts involves preparing a hole three times the post diameter with a gravel base, positioning the post level and plumb, then pouring dry fast-setting concrete mix and adding water. The process concludes with filling the hole with soil and allowing the concrete to set for 20-40 minutes before applying heavy loads.

Shuffleboard Court
PDF
Shuffleboard Court

Building a backyard shuffleboard court is detailed, using QUIKRETE® Fiber-Reinforced Concrete or Concrete Mix for the slab. The process involves choosing a spot, building forms, pouring and troweling concrete, then sealing and painting the court lines and numbers for a smooth, durable finish.

Special Concrete Finishes
PDF
Special Concrete Finishes

The document offers comprehensive guidance on selecting and applying various concrete finishes, detailing practical considerations, required tools, and specific techniques for achieving different textures and appearances. It covers finishes ranging from smooth and rough-floated to broomed, grooved, stamped, exposed aggregate, and colored options, concluding with recommendations for curing and sealing for durability.

Stone Masonry
PDF
Stone Masonry

Detailed instructions are provided for constructing stone masonry projects, including ashlar planters and rubblestone walls. The guide covers necessary tools and materials, footer preparation, stone laying techniques, mortaring, ensuring structural stability, and finishing joints for both construction styles.

Stuccoing
PDF
Stuccoing

Stucco application systems, including three-coat, two-coat, and one-coat methods, are thoroughly explained for various surfaces like masonry, wood, and insulation boards. Detailed step-by-step instructions cover surface preparation, material application for scratch, brown, and finish coats, required tools, control joint installation, and proper curing for durable results.

Swimming Pool Accessories
PDF
Swimming Pool Accessories

QUIKRETE® Hydraulic Water-Stop Cement is recommended for anchoring swimming pool accessories like ladders, diving boards, and rails, as it expands upon curing to form a water-resistant, high pull-out strength plug. Installation requires mixing the cement to a putty-like consistency and working quickly due to its fast set time, while also adhering to safety standards from the NSPI and National Electric Code for grounding.

Tile Installation
PDF
Tile Installation

Comprehensive instructions are provided for installing tile on various surfaces, including concrete and wooden floors, existing walls, and countertops, detailing necessary QUIKRETE products and tools. The guide outlines step-by-step procedures for surface preparation, dry-laying, cutting, setting, and grouting tiles, with specific considerations for different applications like wet areas and around sinks.

Well Collars
PDF
Well Collars

Well collars are crucial for well installation, requiring the casing to extend at least 6 inches above ground to prevent groundwater intrusion and create a watertight seal. QUIKRETE® Fast-Setting Concrete Mix is used to form a sloped collar in a 2-foot radius around the casing, packed dry and then watered to provide effective drainage.

Wood Decks
PDF
Wood Decks

The document provides comprehensive guidance on planning and constructing wood decks, detailing considerations such as site analysis, lumber selection, and adherence to local building codes. It offers step-by-step instructions for building the deck's structural components, including posts, beams, joists, decking, stairs, and railings, along with advice on fasteners and best practices for longevity.