How to Install Concrete Stone-Facing
Color is an important part of the sculpting process and helps create the natural stone appearance of concrete. Concrete Stone Facing can be done using a concrete stain or a colored wash technique.
Concrete block, brick, and concrete masonry are engineered to meet structural properties that can be controlled and confirmed with testing. On the other hand, natural stone is Mother Nature’s work, and its structural properties vary.
A color wash is a popular way to create a rustic stone appearance on concrete stone veneer. The process is simple and can be done on new construction or existing structures such as retaining walls, patios and driveways. The concrete is stained after the mortar is cured, and the results are a beautiful, weathered appearance that looks like natural rock. This technique can also be used with masonry units such as stacked stone to add interest and texture to a wall or surface.
Before staining, the surface should be free of dust, dirt, and debris. This is particularly important for a color wash, as the nooks and crannies of the stones will be exposed. A clean surface will make sure the color is evenly distributed and looks good.
It is also a good idea to lightly tamp the mortar down with a hand trowel, removing any ridges or bumps in the surface. If the tamping is too heavy, it can cause the surface to crack. After tamping, the masonry should be allowed to cure for a few hours before scratching off excess mortar with a small pointing trowel. Scratching too soon can smear cement on the edges of the stones and compromise the integrity of the hidden mortar bed.
Once the masonry is ready, the joints will be filled with grout. It is a good idea to use a grout that is specifically designed for manufactured stone, as it will be less aggressive and will not etch the surface. If the grout is not yet stiff enough to be brushed or struck, it can be sprayed down with water to help it stiffen up. Once the grout is brushed, it will be ready to be sealed.
If the stone will be installed in a moisture-prone environment, such as near a pool or hot tub, it is a good idea to apply a silane-based, non-film forming, breather type masonry sealer. This will increase the durability of the stone and protect it from the chemicals in pool water, such as chlorine, that can discolor it.
A penetrating sealer is a must for any concrete surface to keep moisture out, extend the life of the material and protect against staining. Unlike topical sealers that only cover the top of the stone, actually penetrates into the substrate to bind and solidify it. This makes it resistant to water, oil and many chemicals. It also helps to densify pavers and brick, which increases their strength and future durability.
When applied, the sealer will fill in the pores of the stone and form a protective coating inside the stone that will help to prevent stains from water, oil and chemicals. It will also increase the longevity of the stone and help to keep it looking fresher longer. A good quality sealer will also help to resist the formation of efflorescence and help with spalling.
There are many different types of stone sealers on the market. Some are penetrating while others are film forming. Depending on the type of stone you have and your climate, you will need to determine which type of sealer is best for you. Most natural stone will require a penetrating sealer while manufactured stone like pavers and bricks can be sealed with a film-forming sealer.
Enhancer Shield is a one of a kind breathable, deep penetrating silane / siloxane water repellent for all types of masonry including concrete, pavers, brick, block, natural stone, manufactured stone and faux stone. It is VOC compliant, easy to use and will not change the sheen or texture of the material. It will not flake or peel and offers a permanent water, salt, oil, and stain protection. It enhances color and is available in both a water based (WB) and solvent based (SB) formula.
Prior to application, the surface must be completely dry. This can be verified with a moisture meter or by a simple moisture test using a shop vac. It is highly recommended that you allow the new surface to air dry before applying any product. Newly installed surfaces may take up to two days during warm weather to completely air dry and up to three days during cooler weather.
Manufactured stone is a strong, versatile, and visually appealing alternative to traditional brick and natural stone. It is created by pouring a concrete mix into a mold and often cast from real stones for a hyper-realistic look that can mimic the texture of natural stone. It is then hand-painted after the cement has set to achieve a polished look that can add color and dimension. It is a relatively light option that can be installed on top of concrete or CMU/Poured-in-Place walls, or as a dry-stack cladding over wood lath on studs. Like any wall, it will require maintenance to keep it looking good.
A major factor in maintaining the look of your manufactured stone veneer is to follow all instructions that come with it, both during installation and for cleaning. Following these instructions will help prevent damage to your wall and ensure that the cleaning process goes as smoothly as possible.
According to Hohmann and Barnard’s Regional Technical Sales Manager, Jayson Kellos, it is important to test any cleanser you are using on an extra piece of the material before applying it to your masonry project. This is because there are many different cleansers on the market with a variety of features including power, heat, and other additives that can cause damage to the surface of your wall. It is best to use the least aggressive cleanser possible so that your stone does not become damaged.
Kellos notes that another important factor in the maintenance of your manufactured stone is to make sure that any mortar that may sully the face of the masonry units is not wiped off. When this occurs, it is better to wait for the mortar to dry a bit and then remove it with a hammer or a scraper. If you choose to wipe the mortar away, it will smear and be difficult to remove once it has dried.
In the case of damaged or eroded areas of your stone veneer, repointing the grout with a new mortar bag and vinyl-infused patching mortar will help restore your wall. The mortar should be damp when applying, and a pointing tool should be used to work the material into the cracks of your stone veneer siding.
Concrete stone facing can be installed over a variety of substrates such as poured walls, concrete block, cinder block, wood frame, or ICFs. Installation procedures vary depending on the surface to be covered and whether a mortar joint will be used or not.
If you’re using mortar joints, begin by determining how much stone you will need to cover the wall (length x height). In addition, calculate the square footage needed for corner stones by multiplying the number of corners in your project by the length of each corner. Typically, corner stones are installed first followed by the flats.
Before installing, prepare the stone by sweeping the back side to remove any dirt and dust that may have built up. You can use a dry, stiff brush or a broom. If necessary, you can also lightly sand the surface with 120-grit sandpaper. If you’re using mortar joints, a mason’s chisel can be helpful to cut the edges of the stone and to make minor alternations.
When ready to install, lay out the stone pieces on the ground to check for sizing and colors, how they will be placed and if any trimming is needed. You can trim stone with a saw or masonry blade, but it is generally not recommended as this can change the appearance of the product. If you do need to cut stone, try to keep joint widths the same. This will help maintain a more natural appearance and minimize the visual distraction of long, unbroken joints.
Using the trowel, spread a thin coat of mortar on the back of the stone, or “back butter” it, approximately a half inch thick. This is important because it creates a bond between the stone and the mortar. Often, this step is neglected, even by seasoned installers. The key is to make sure the entire back of the stone is coated with mortar, even if you will not be seeing it.
Once the back butter is applied, place the stone on the wall and press firmly. You may need to wiggle the stone slightly to get a good initial bond. Do not wipe the stone as it will smear the mortar. Allow the mortar to set for 30 to 60 minutes or until it’s “thumb-print dry”.
How to Find the Right Contractor for Your Business
Concrete Contractors Colorado Springs are vital to the modern business environment and provide cost-efficiency, scalability, and flexibility. To find the right contractor for your business, search online and ask friends and family for recommendations.
Successful contractors also embrace industry innovations and can delay immediate gratification for long-term gains. They’re the first to try new pricing structures like flat rate pricing and performance pay.
Business leaders frequently use cost efficiency to describe their organization’s ability to perform a task at a low cost while producing high-quality results. However, it’s important to understand the difference between cost efficiency and affordability. Cost-efficiency is minimizing costs, while affordability refers to how much you can afford with your current resources.
Hiring a contractor can be more cost-effective than hiring full-time employees in certain circumstances. This is because contractors don’t require the same benefits as full-time employees. Instead, they are paid based on their time working on your project. This can save your company significant money on overhead and benefit expenses.
In addition, a contractor can bring their equipment and materials, eliminating the need to purchase or rent them. This can save you money in the long run and reduce the risk of costly mistakes that could lead to expensive rework. Hiring a commercial contractor with experience in your industry can also help you meet strict deadlines and ensure that the job is done right the first time.
Aside from the obvious financial benefits of hiring contractors, there are many other ways that companies can be more cost-efficient. For example, outsourcing IT tasks to a cloud service provider can reduce the need for in-house IT support and allow you to save money on hardware, software, and maintenance. In addition, implementing an automated invoice processing solution like JAGGAER’s Procure-to-Pay solution can provide real-time data and analytics to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) is an economic evaluation technique that compares the relative expenditures and outcomes of different strategies that perform the same function. It has been widely used in medical and healthcare research. A common measure of CEA is the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), calculated as the difference in costs divided by the difference in outcomes.
Scalability refers to a computer system or product’s ability to handle growing workloads cost-effectively. It also enables companies to respond to sudden shifts in demand without disrupting service. In the business world, a company with scalability can rapidly increase sales volume and profit margins while maintaining quality service. However, many businesses need to prioritize scalability. The failure to scale a software system or company leads to costly performance bottlenecks.
To test scalability, you can perform load or stress tests to identify potential points of failure. These types of tests simulate many users accessing the application simultaneously. They help developers to determine how much load the system can support before it slows down or breaks. Performing scalability testing is essential for any business with growth plans.
Performance and scalability are closely related. Scalability allows a company to quickly provision additional resources during peak periods, which improves fault tolerance and reduces costs. In addition, scalability can improve data management strategies by distributing workloads across multiple servers or data centers. This helps to eliminate single points of failure and ensures consistent performance.
Performance and scalability are vital for IT systems, especially in cloud computing. A cloud platform’s scalability is often its most crucial feature. It is indispensable to have a scalable solution that can handle the unforeseen demands of your customers and business operations. If your current IT system cannot accommodate increased traffic or unexpected business opportunities, you will likely have to invest in a new platform. In the short term, a scalability solution will protect your investment in technology and prevent business disruptions. It will enable your business to grow steadily and predictably in the long term.
Transparency is a key principle of many democratic political systems. It is also a fundamental concept of open-source software, in which the underlying code is freely available for anyone to study and modify. However, achieving transparency is not straightforward, as it requires a commitment to the principle and effective institutions and procedures. A failure to implement transparency may result in a lack of trust or even suspicions of unethical or illegal activity. This can lead to boycotts and other forms of protest against businesses that fail to practice transparent policies.
Having a culture of transparency helps you attract and retain employees. People want to trace their work to the company’s vision and feel uncomfortable when their efforts aren’t recognized or rewarded. A recent study found that companies with high employee engagement perform better than those with low employee engagement.
In business, transparency involves communicating information with employees and clients in a way that is easy to understand. This can include describing the purpose of each project and providing details about the team’s role in its completion. Transparency also means being honest about the risks and costs of a project.
In addition to being transparent with employees, a contractor must be open and honest with its customers. This includes explaining how much it will cost to complete a project and the estimated timeline. Transparency is particularly important in construction projects, where it can help prevent delay and rework. In addition, it can protect contractors from unfounded claims of fraud or malpractice.
Contractors offer greater flexibility in their work arrangements than full-time employees, making them ideal for night owls or those with caregiver responsibilities. They are also free to choose their projects and juggle multiple clients, allowing them to customize their schedules and fit their lifestyles. In addition, contract work can open the door to full-time employment.
Another benefit of hiring contractors is their ability to deliver high-quality results. Their specialized skills allow them to ramp up on new projects and achieve faster time-to-market quickly. Furthermore, they can be tapped into for projects requiring a unique skill set that may not exist within the company’s current talent pool.
Lastly, contractors can be terminated without incurring the same legal costs as employees. This onboarding and offboarding flexibility can save businesses valuable time and resources. Defining the project requirements before hiring a contractor is important to ensure they deliver on what is expected.
Ultimately, it comes down to what makes the most sense for your business. While full-time employees can help you build a strong foundation for your organization, contractors can provide the flexibility and agility you need to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced business world.
Contractors are accountable for delivering high-quality results that meet or exceed client expectations. This involves closely monitoring project progress and conducting quality checks at various process stages. Additionally, contractors are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements and regulations.
Contractors operate independently from the hiring organization and typically work on a contract basis. They also manage their taxes, insurance, and other business-related matters. This arrangement allows companies to tap into specialized skills and expertise that may be unavailable or inaccessible within the company’s internal talent pool.
A contractor’s responsibilities include completing the contracted work according to the approved plans and specifications. This includes reviewing all design information and determining its constructibility using commercially practicable means and methods. In addition, the contractor must ensure that the manner of presentation and organization of the design information enables accurate pricing.
Another important responsibility is ensuring the contractor’s work meets all applicable local, state, and federal regulations. This involves submitting all required documentation to the appropriate government agencies. It also requires adherence to all safety requirements and proper safeguards on construction sites.
Contractors’ responsibilities also include sourcing building materials and equipment for their projects. This involves establishing vendor relationships and ensuring that all materials arrive on time and in good condition at the construction site. In addition, contractors must manage the project’s logistics, which includes arranging premise security, arranging temporary facilities, and managing generated waste.
Finally, a contractor’s responsibilities include providing professional engineering services to the government. This includes preparing, reviewing, and approving drawings, calculations, and specifications. In addition, the contractor is responsible for retaining licensed design professionals to perform the specified work.