Color and Finish for Architectural Stone Products

Color, shading, uniformity of color, and texture are evaluated visually, and they are generally a matter of an individuals judgment. Acceptable variations in color, texture and shading or variation in color should be determined at the time a sample is provided, or a mock-up is completed and at the time the product is delivered, but before it is installed. The guidelines in the industry call for the finished surface to show no obvious imperfections, other than minimal color and texture variations from the approved samples, when viewed in typical lighting at a viewing distance of 20 feet.

 

 

Product appearance is influenced by factors such as quality, complexity of the casting, physical mass, and variance due to the natural characteristics of cast stone and precast ingredients.

Cast stone and precast contain natural materials, and it is these materials inherent beauty that is most often expressed in architectural concrete products. Some color difference between similar cast stone and precast units is inevitable, and there is a range of variation that is acceptable. Other building materials offer good comparison. Cast Stone and precast is going to have similar characteristics to the variation in wood products and natural stone products. The consistency of paint is not desired and should not be sought.

 

 

Advanced Architectural Stone has a sophisticated color system that is computer controlled assuring uniformity in the amount of ad mixtures to our batch designs. There is uniformity of both the amount of color added as well as the dispersion of color in each batch.

 

 

There is only one naturally occurring variance in masonry building products. Efflorescence is a calcium salt that can occur on any type of masonry or natural stone product. It occurs because moisture is entering through the structural wall behind the cast stone or architectural precast or other building material. It appears as a white- blotchy deposit on the surface of many building products. Efflorescence is temporary and should usually be left alone since it will disperse over a fairly short period of time. That said, areas where moisture can be a serious problem such as planters and retaining walls, can show efflorescence. It is generally better to use Advanced Architectural Stones lighter colors in these areas, since efflorescence will not be visible.

 

 

Advanced Architectural Stone is one of the few manufacturers of building materials in our industry that adds an integral water based seal applied at the factory. The purpose of the sealant is to keep the product as clean as possible from the time it leaves the production area until the product is installed at the job site. Construction is often a dirty process with many surface and air contaminates in the environment. Our sealing helps protect the product until final wash-down of the project.

Your AAS sales representative is available to assist you with other questions about the visual nature of our products.