'Nother question.

Since we are on the subject: I have a 5'x6' entry/stoop/alcove that leads to my front door; not a porch, but it is concrete and has 2 concrete steps leading up to it. I was thinking if I used clear silicone I could cover that floor and step surface with the glass, a small section at a time. If I did that there would be nothing to seal the glass in because even a thin layer of concrete wouldn't likely adhere to the silicone, would it? It would leave the surface covered in rough glass.

Can you cover old concrete with new? Unlikely, I guess.

I wouldn't think the clear silicone would give you the kind of quality that you're looking for. It seems to me like that would not be a good long term solution.

You can resurface concrete (covering old with new), but I've never done it and I don't know all the details of that. There may be some things you have to do to ensure success.

I wish I had more experience so I could answer this. Hopefully someone else knows more about it and can share their information.

Thanks for splitting the thread Dave. I was just going to when I found a photo to go with it. The visual in me. lol.

Sharon, why not paint the old concrete instead and make it look like large river rocks?

I've already done that a couple of times, Boo.
Even using paint for concrete it eventually weathers away. So with the glass I though I'd give it a whole new look.

Sharon check this out.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/to...

Hea, Robin...missed seeing you around! That's a great link!

Robin, thank you so much, but it doesn't say whether or not I can add something like the glass embellishments as I go, which would be the only reason I'd do it. My concrete doesn't need any repairs, I'd like to just be able to resurface it with the glass.

I guess what I'm looking for is the right kind of adhesive that would bind the tumbled glass to the concrete itself. Your link might be the right way to go. I'll check it out a little more thoroughly.

If you are resurfacing it with a layer of new concrete, then you would be able to press the glass into the new concrete. That would provide all the adhesion needed.

Hope so, because I'm sure going to try it.
The trouble is the heat and humidity here. I'll have to find one perfect fall day, and there'll probably be only one since we go straight from the heat of summer right into the depths of icy winters in the blink of an eye. But I'm going to try.

I was thinking if I did it in sections, starting with the back first and working horizontally, I'd just spread maybe a foot at a time, add the glass and let it sit for awhile before doing the next. I think that might work and there'd be less waste of glass.

Thanks! I believe I have a plan.
Now to find that perfect day...

Take pictures!!!

Urk!! It has a 30 minute window to work in before it hardens.

Oh boy.
That isn't much time to get the glass in place. Maybe I should do it in area blocks instead of strips.
If you never hear from me again, you'll know I either cemented myself out of the house or I'm stuck somewhere in a corner surrounded by tumbled glass.

But I'll keep my camera handy.

Definitely practice on a piece of wood or something before you move on to the real thing. It will cost a couple bucks worth of concrete and some time, but the practice will help you perfect your technique.

Great minds. I think I'll try it on a concrete block that can be used as another piece of Garden Art before working on the final porch project. That way I wouldn't be wasting the glass.

OK, it will get done and I will take pictures.
Thanks so much for all the help and inspiration.

I can't wait to see it! I think this may be the beginning of a new craze.

Now if only we could get our locals to do the tumbled glass thing, otherwise Bubbles might have to go into the business of being provider.

That's actually a decent business idea, getting access to tumbled glass and reselling it.

I think all municipalities should get into this. There are so many good uses for this and keeps that extra glass out of the landfills.

I'm approaching my city council with the idea. I thought I'd just take one of my bags of glass over and do a little soft selling, it might just work. They are big on recycling, but don't do a thing with glass. If I can get this porch done, I could be a little more convincing.

Wait til Vic comes on line. I bet her hubby, Hank, can give some good suggestions, Sharon. I think they've spent the last month, up at 2:a.m. doing concrete jobs.

Shoe

Yeah, Shoe, I know, but did they cover it with tumbled glass??
That's an idea, though. I already know I'll need about 4 hands to get this done.
Hmmmmm...how long did it take you to get to W KY last time?? You could pick them up on the way, ya think? I'll cook up a pot of shucky beans to go with the cornbread. You could bring the tomatoes.
Wouldn't take us long, it's a little porch.

Sharon,
This site could be a resource for you. It's in Scottsdale AZ but I gather they have a clients nationwide. They've been on DIY shows. I love their work and enthusiasm.
http://www.thegardenofglass.co...