Decorative Concrete Products

In this month’s CI Special Products & Practice Showcase, we highlight a variety of decorative concrete products. To obtain more information about a specific product or products, use our reader service inquiry system and the appropriate circle number given with the item or items of choice in the Showcase. (See our readers’ service page on hard paper stock toward the back of the magazine for our reply card, or for more information on faxing or phoning manufacturers/suppliers of your choice, or to use our direct LEADnet Internet response service.)

SCOTT SYSTEM, INC.

Scott System’s Flex Liners™ are made of elastomeric-urethane and are guaranteed for 100 uses. They can reproduce the same textures in detail every time and come in a variety of standard textures, including stone, fractured, wood, flute, flat, and block patterns. —Scott System, Inc. CIRCLE 57

REDI-ROCK INTERNATIONAL

Redi-Rock Big Blocks retaining wall systems are available in different sizes, ranging from 1500 to 2000 lb (680 to 900 kg) per block. This large size offers a labor cost- and time-saving advantage because the systems require machine labor and a small crew to assemble. In addition, the block systems do not require a costly geo-grid until they reach a very tall height, helping users who may have limited space or cannot excavate because of cost or feasibility issues. These wet-cast blocks also work well under freezing-and-thawing conditions and are applicable in residential or commercial retaining walls, seawalls, golf courses, and highway construction projects. —Redi-Rock International CIRCLE 58 Concrete international

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BLASTRAC

The Blastrac® BMG 2500 is a plugstyle, dual-head grinding and polishing machine that, for polishing, is fitted with standard plugs starting with rough grit for the initial grinding step and progressing to finer grits and polishing pads for smoothness and polish. The user-friendly machine has an extendable flip-out handle for increased control, Morflex® couplers for even and controlled grinding, a floating bubble level for a level finish, and high-velocity dust and debris recovery ports for a cleaner job site. A 22 in. (560 mm) path, removable weights, and two headpressure settings—light for polishing and full-machine weight for aggressive removal—are also included. —Blastrac CIRCLE 59 Before

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CONCRAFTER, LLC

L.M. SCOFIELD

Scofield® Texturetop® is a fast-track, low-profile, cementitious topping with good workability, high strength, and attractive integral colors. Available in three grades to trowel, stencil, or stamp, it creates hard and abrasionresistant wear surfaces, is fast setting with rapid strength gain for fast-track installation, has good moisture and freezing-and-thawing resistance, and is available in a wide range of standard and custom colors. —L.M. Scofield CIRCLE 60

Concrafter Signature Design Stamps allow users to add an imprinted design to concrete that can stand alone or feature exposed aggregate. They require no separate forming or placing and offer versatility with minimal investment in stamps. The same stamp can be used for borders as well as inset designs. They can also be applied to polymer overlay or stucco and, depending on the final result, the design can be stained. —Concrafter, LLC CIRCLE 62

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COLUMBIA MARKING TOOLS

Columbia Marking Tools custom concrete identification stamps are machined from solid brass billets or molded plastic on precision 20,000 rpm CNC milling machines that can produce almost any type of logo, DOT registration, character size, design, or font for users wanting to place identification on wet concrete. Precision handwork then creates the necessary sharp corners, beveled angles, and finish required for production of clear impressions without pulling or gripping. Each is designed with a large, heavy-duty, rubber-coated metal handle to provide added grip for ease in operation. Developers and builders can submit rough stamp ideas either in a sketch or a copy of a logo, and the company will create an ACAD engineering drawing for approval by the customer prior to manufacture. —Columbia Marking Tools CIRCLE 61

DEGUSSA ADMIXTURES, INC.

Chromix L liquid coloring admixture is a dispersion of iron oxide coloring pigments that can be dispensed using the Chromix Coloring Admixture Measuring system. When mixed with the concrete, the liquid dispersion provides integral color throughout. Using this system, concrete producers can supply standard and custom colors on demand for decorative concrete projects using integral color, providing repeatability for each batch or project. This cost-effective and versatile system can be used in construction of aesthetically attractive and durable hard landscapes, roadways, and features in addition to precast, tilt-up, or cast-in-place vertical structures. —Degussa Admixtures, Inc, CIRCLE 63

DEPICTION SOFTWARE

DecoCon imaging software enables homeowners to see how various kinds of decorative concrete will appear around their homes. A contractor takes a picture of the area to receive decorative concrete, outlines exactly where it will be placed, and places any of the 8000 possible images of stamped, stenciled, or acid-stained concrete in the picture as examples. The software is easy to learn and use and comes with a training movie that walks users through each feature and task. —Depiction Software CIRCLE 64

RETROPLATE

The RetroPlate System is a concrete polishing system that is composed of a diamond-grinding and polishing process in conjunction with the RetroPlate chemical, a catalytically-modified silicate densifier. This combination can eliminate the need for topical sealers or the occurrence of moisture-vapor problems, and can provide a floor that can be included in LEED projects from silver to platinum. —RetroPlate CIRCLE 65

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ELITE CRETE SYSTEMS, INC.

Chem-Stone™ Reactive Stain is a permanent stain that reacts chemically with concrete and polymer concrete overlays to add an antique coloring effect. Available in eight standard colors that must be diluted before use, the stains create natural-looking color variations that will not peel, chip, or flake off. —Elite Crete Systems, Inc. CIRCLE 66

UNITED STATES GYPSUM CO.

ART STAMPED CONCRETE

Art Stamped Concrete decorative concrete stamps are made of commercial-grade rubber and have handles for easy handling. Most stamps are 18 in. (450 mm) square and are available in designs ranging from southwestern themes to wildlife, or can be custom designed. —Art Stamped Concrete CIRCLE 67

Levelrock® Brand Proflow™ floor underlayment is a high-strength gypsum underlayment that can be used as a decorative finished floor in residences, retail outlets, offices, and other heavy-use applications. The selfleveling underlayment delivers a compressive strength range of 6000 to 8000 psi (41 to 55 MPa); provides a smooth, hard surface over concrete slabs, prestressed concrete, or concrete planks at thicknesses from featheredge to 1 in. (25 mm); will not flake or powder; and can be installed quickly and economically. Quick set times and high production rates allow for continued trade traffic within hours of installation. Strong, crack resistant, and light, the product also ensures long-term, maintenance-free performance and may be decorated in a wide range of colors and patterns. —United States Gypsum Co. CIRCLE 69

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VERSATILE BUILDING PRODUCTS

Liquid Granite is a decorative epoxy/ urethane coating that gives new or old concrete surfaces the appearance of granite or terrazzo. Easy to clean, chemical resistant, hot-tire resistant, and economical, the coating also has good stain and wear resistance. It is available in 18 standard colors and unlimited custom color combinations, and can be used on such surfaces as garage floors, patios, parking structures, and athletic surfaces. Quickly installed in two steps, it also saves the applicator from making multiple, unnecessary trips to the job site. —Versatile Building Products CIRCLE 68

SMITH PAINT PRODUCTS

Smith’s Color Floor is a water-based, extra-strength stain that can achieve decorative natural appearances on concrete floors. A userfriendly alternative to hazardous solvent and acid-based stains, the product uses pigment preparation and acrylic-polymer research for high-quality results with good adhesion to interior and exterior concrete. It is applied via airbrush, high-volume low-pressure unit, production gun, pump sprayer, sea sponge, or traditional brush to achieve a variegated finish through the various absorbencies of the surface material and the differing specific gravities of the color pigments. Application of additional coats or the use of a roller applicator will result in a monotone or painted appearance. The product is available in 20 base colors, Old World Series (transparents), Bright Light Series (a high-chroma stain), metallic, iridescent, and flip-flop colors. —Smith Paint Products CIRCLE 70

NOX-CRETE PRODUCTS GROUP

QUIKRETE

WalkMaker® is a reusable plastic mold designed to create brick- and stone-patterned features such as walkways, garden paths, and patios with concrete. After clearing and leveling the desired area, and preparing the concrete mixture, users place the mold on the ground and completely fill the cavities with concrete. A trowel can then be used to smooth and even the surface before removing the mold and placing it at the end of the first application to continue the process. The molds are available in country stone, running bond brick, European block, and basket weave. —Quikrete CIRCLE 71

Acryl Pen is a pigmented silane sealer and stain that offers rich colors that will not fade, chalk, or flake with no need to apply a secondary sealer. The product’s reactive silane chemistry results in penetration of concrete’s micropores and macropores in addition to all surface cracks, including minute crazing cracks that occur during the curing and shrinking process. It preferentially reacts chemically with concrete components to form a bond that can defy dissolution. The components then polymerize to form a flexible network that seals microcracks and prevents water molecules in liquid state (absent head pressure) from entering the substrate while allowing positive water vapor transmission. Available in 11 standard colors, custom color mixing is also possible. —Nox-Crete Products Group CIRCLE 72 Concrete international

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METALLO CAST SINKS AND SURFACES

Metallo fuses concrete and metal to create basins, vessel sinks, integral sinks, and countertops that are hand crafted, coated, and polished; and receive a high-quality sealer for a finish. The metal is durable and will not delaminate, crack, or peel; and because it is bonded to the concrete, it provides a more flexing substrate. The concrete, made with advanced glass-fiber technology, will not chip, crack, or break. Custom sink designs and countertop surfaces may have custom metal colors and patina finishes; countertop inlays such as metal patterns and designs, stones, fossils, glass jewels, or square nails; integrated drainboards; and various colors, sizes, and shapes. —Metallo Cast Sinks and Surfaces CIRCLE 73

ARCON, INC.

Slenderwall® architectural precast concrete panel system can create a permanent, lightweight wall system for new construction and recladding projects. Its architectural precast concrete, welded stainless steel Nelson anchors, and heavy-gauge stainless or galvanized steel studs create a single, efficient exterior wall system with design freedom. The system’s “lift and release” panel landing system can reduce installation time and costs, and its Duraflex™ 360-degree technology allows isolation from the exterior precast concrete skin and the structural stresses associated with wind loading, steel-frame movement, expansion and contraction, and seismic shock. —Arcon, Inc. CIRCLE 74

KRAFT TOOL CO.

The Rock-N-Roller™ decorative concrete stamping system consists of large and border rollers, stamps, and touch-up tools that can shorten the amount of time necessary to stamp concrete. The rollers have a weight and spray-release system to adjust to different concrete environments, and they create a three-dimensional impression with all the details, shape, and texture of natural stone or brick. Made of tough, durable polyurethane, the rollers are available in running bond brick, cobble stone, ashlar slate, royal slate, and pathway slate. A roller that produces ADA truncated domes is also available. —Kraft Tool Co. CIRCLE 75

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