These materials harness the versatility, performance, and visual appeal of masonry. Read about new products by Cultured Stone, INKAS, ABC Stone, Meridian Brick, Boral Building Products, Custom Building Products, Cintec North America, and Belgard.
Arctic
Stone-veneer manufacturer Cultured Stone has extended a menu of its popular Hewn Stone earth tone hues to include Arctic, a bright white shade. The 1½"-thick units come in a range of formats including 3" x 8", 3" x 14", 5" x 14", 5" x 22", and 8" x 22".
culturedstone.com
Granulated Cement
Safe-manufacturer INKAS has engineered a dust-free granulated cement, to make the material easier for its workers to handle and to increase its shelf life to about one year. (Powdered cement, when exposed to humidity, can harden in months.) A patent is pending for the company’s granule-processing technique.
inkassafes.com
Conclad Collection
What appears to be concrete is actually an alternative made of gypsum and recycled cellulose: Conclad adds an industrial finish to interior walls and ceilings similar to concrete but easier to install. Available in three shades of gray, and in 23" or 46" squares and 23" x 46", 46" x 92", and 46" x 115" panels, the lightweight formaldehyde-free units can be cut with woodworking tools.
abcworldwidestone.com
Authintic
Measuring 3 inches slimmer and weighing 70% less than full bricks, Meridian Brick’s realistic Authintic veneer was designed for easy installation on exterior and interior walls. The versatile units can be specified in Modular (7⅞" x 21/4"), Queen (7⅞" x 23∕4"), and King (9⅝" x 2⅝").
authinticbrick.com
Northern Ash
Boral Building Products has rolled out a charcoal-inspired finish for one of its cement-based masonry cladding products. Versetta Stone’s Ledgestone and Tight-Cut profiles can now be specified in Northern Ash, a new near-black shade. These approximately 36⅜" x 9½" siding units are mortarless, with predrilled holes for easy installation of nails or screws.
versettastone.com
Polyblend Plus
Engineered to produce dense joints that can resist shrinking and cracking, this polymer-fortified cement-based grout has been enhanced with a palette of eight new colors and an improved resistance to efflorescence (the salt deposits that form when water penetrates masonry tiles). Available sanded or unsanded, it accommodates joints up to 1/8".
custombuildingproducts.com
Anchor System
Developed to shore up existing masonry tiles in complex restoration projects, Cintec North America’s patented cement-based anchoring system employs a series of wire ties and cementitious grout to bear the load of the tiles that sit behind face brick masonry, within the wall assembly. The company’s “micro-cement” technique is recommended for projects requiring blast protection, seismic reinforcement, and historic preservation.
cintec.com
Mega-Tandem Wall System
Paver and wall-products manufacturer Belgard (part of Oldcastle APG) has added a 12"-deep option to its budget-friendly precast-concrete retaining wall system. The hollowed-out structure uses a 7" connector to create the larger volume and provide structural strength. Additional stability is provided by reinforced soil in the cavity behind the face. Recommended for walls in excess of 15', the system also comes in 22" and 46" depths.
belgard.com
