Natural architectural concrete and solutions that imitate this type of raw, "industrial" decorative effect on the surfaces of walls and ceilings indoors or on elements of the facade of buildings, is a trend in architecture that has been visible for several years.
While the execution of "real" architectural concrete is possible only at the stage of work on the construction of a building, imitation concrete can be done at almost any stage of construction or renovation and on virtually any surface.
Stages of surface finishing
© ALPOL
The solutions available on the market to make realistic imitations of architectural concrete surfaces are usually based on the use of special, ready-made, thin-layer dispersion compounds, colored in the color of concrete. They allow to obtain interesting effects, but from the investor's point of view they have a significant disadvantage, important especially for larger surfaces. It is a relatively high price. The dispersion compounds available on the market are also often intended only for interiors, which is something to pay special attention to when planning this type of finish on facades and other outdoor structures. A disadvantage can also be the small allowable thickness of application of such products, which makes it impossible to both level the substrate and create deeper joints in the structure to mimic the joints of concrete slabs. However, there is a solution devoid of the above-mentioned drawbacks and limitations. It is the technique developed by the Technical Department of Piotrowice Sp. z o.o. for imitating architectural concrete, using a proven and relatively inexpensive product: ALPOL AT 319 Modelled Mineral Plaster.
ALPOL architectural concrete in the plinth area
© ALPOL
The substrate for imitating architectural concrete using ALPOL AT 319 Modeled Mineral Plaster can be practically any mineral surface, such as walls made of concrete blocks, silicate blocks or cellular concrete, cement or cement-lime plasters, the reinforced layer of an insulation system, as well as stable walls made of gypsum-cardboard or cement-fiber boards.
ALPOL architectural concrete - reproduction of joints and caverns
© ALPOL
The set of products needed to imitate architectural concrete includes:
- ALPOL AG 701 mineral plaster primer.
- ALPOL AT 319 modelled mineral plaster
- ALPOL S 1047 black pigment paste
- ALPOL AI 780 nano-impregnate for mineral surfaces or ALPOL AI 785 impregnate.
The tools needed to make the architectural concrete imitation are: a mixer or a slow-speed drill with a suitable mixer, a syringe of approx. 100 ml for dispensing the pigment, trowels and steel floats, a putty knife for making the finish, a Venetian trowel, a roller for applying (texturing) the finish, a level, a paint roller, a sponge.
Tool kit
© ALPOL
The Technical Advisory Department of Piotrowice Sp. z o.o. conducts training courses for contractors and provides detailed information on ALPOL architectural concrete imitation technology.
Product set
© ALPOL
For more information, visit the company's {tag:Manufacturer} page on the PdA portal.
