Why is Cultured Stone So Popular?

Home and business owners throughout the country are enjoying the beauty and convenience of cultured stone veneers without all the additional cost and inconvenience of natural stone products. Attractive, lighter weight, easy to install, durable, and even more environmentally sustainable, more homeowners and high-end builders are choosing cultured stone veneers for their upgraded construction. For existing homes, changing the facade from a standard wood siding to an elegant and attractive stone facing enhances the curb appeal immeasurably. For a new home, a high-quality cultured stone veneer adds significant appeal to even the simplest home design.

ProCoat Systems of Denver offers the finest cultured stone products from the two leading brands: Boral® and Coronado.

Affordability and Durability

Cultured stone veneers are more affordable and practical than natural stone products. They are lighter in weight and require less cutting and shaping than natural products need. These high quality and durable cultured stone materials are produced in a wide range of stone styles, textures, and colors to match any preference.

Reductions in freight costs, handling, waste, and the labor required to apply add up a significant reduction in cost compared to natural stone products.

Cultured stone products from ProCoat will last a lifetime and, when properly installed, will prevent moisture from accumulating between the material and the subsurface.

Beauty and Style

Cultured Stone® by Boral and Coronado Stone Products are the industry’s leading brands of manufactured stone veneers, brick, and tile products. With a broad range of styles like slate, limestone, ledgestone, brick, coral, cobblestone, fieldstone, river rock, or even stone that looks like wood, ProCoat can offer hundreds of colors and textures to make any home unique and more interesting. These materials are ideal for both interior and exterior cladding.

Durable and Weather Resistant

High-quality stone veneer products are resistant to rain, wind, snow, and cold weather. The materials require very little maintenance compared to wood siding, are easily more durable, and the colors will not fade.

Environmentally Positive

Produced with a high percentage of recycled materials, cultured stone products require less energy to produce, transport, and install than natural stone products, As a result, the net effect on the environment is far lower than with natural stone.

Call ProStone Systems of Denver

For more information regarding the significant advantages of cultured stone products, all the ProStone experts to discuss the superior qualities of cultured stone products. Call 308.322.9009 to learn more.

This post was originally published at http://www.procoatsystems.com/cultured-stone-popular/

Is Stone Veneer Effective Against Water Intrusion?

One of the critical decision points regarding the installation of natural stone veneers for interior or exterior walls pertains to how well these coatings will resist water intrusion. Considerable effort has been expended to identify the best strategies for resisting the effects of water exposure to retain a dry and mold-free environment throughout the building.

The problem lies not in the stone material itself but with creating a system that will keep moisture from penetrating behind the natural stone veneer. An accumulation of moisture beneath the outer surface jeopardizes the integrity of the entire wall covering and eventually weakens the subsurface. Over time, mold will develop that will require replacing all coverings and replacing all affected wall materials.

Following specific instructions during installation can eliminate the possibility of water damage and prevent the need for expensive repairs.

Strategies for Installing a High-Quality Stone Veneer Wall to Prevent Water Intrusion

Experts at ProCoat in Denver have determined that carefully addressing three areas during the installation will provide a healthy and beautiful stone surface without the fear of intruding water damage. The three steps to focus on are:

●       Sealing window, door, and siding edges to close gaps

●       Bigger flashing is need to protect the thicker stone veneers

●       Create more weeps for any intruding moisture to escape

Careful attention to elements can reduce the likelihood of ever having a trapped moisture problem.

Minding the Gaps

The vertical spaces between door and window frames are primary culprits for allowing moisture into the inner parts of the structure. Knowing that the natural stone thickness is greater than with stucco or other sidings, using larger flashing to accommodate the cladding will prevent moisture intrusion. Bigger and longer flashing is far more acceptable for natural stone veneer coverings than flashing which is too small or too short.

Provide More Escape Routes

A sufficient number of “weeps” are necessary to ensure that any water that does intrude is allowed to escape quickly. This last line of defense is needed in any case, so make sure that there are an abundance of weep holes to carry out the mission of keeping your subsurface as dry as possible.

Find further commentary on this challenge, the attached ProCoat’s website has more detailed information.

Contact ProCoat Denver

The experts at ProCoat in Denver will be very pleased to help you understand the steps required to eliminate the harmful and expensive effects of water intrusion on your beautiful new natural stone veneer. Check the ProCoat website or call 303.322.9009.

This post was originally published at http://www.procoatsystems.com/stone-veneer-effective-water-intrusion/

In Search of the Best Retaining Walls

When creating a dramatic ambiance in your outdoor living spaces, Belgard® retaining walls from ProCoat of Denver can create borders and define areas that maximize the natural appearance of your landscape. The Belgard Tandem® Wall System, available in three styles and textures to provide the elegant look of natural stone you desire. More versatile and cost-efficient than natural stone, the Belgard system can create curved or straight freestanding barriers, retaining walls, and surrounds and facings for outdoor grill areas. With the classic look of natural stone, stylish Belgard products can turn unattractive vertical posts into dramatic columns.

Take a close look at the Belgard’s Tandem Wall Systems to see how they might bring an exciting new identity to your residential or business outdoor areas.

Belgard’s Three Wall System Styles

Tandem Wall Systems are available in three unique and beautiful styles to match your preference and create a rich element to either cover an unsightly structure or wall. The styles are Laffit, Lamina, and Melville which may be applied to either curved or straight walls and surfaces.

Each of the styles has been tested and meet ASTM C-1372 standards for Segmental Retaining Wall Units pertaining to cultured stone products and aggregates for strength and durability.

Technical Specifications

Each style is available in three different unit sizes: small, medium, large. The dimensions and weights are:

●       Small: 7”H x 13 3/16”W x 2 5/8”D covering approximately 0.64 square feet with a weight of about 18 lbs.

●       Medium: 7”H x 15 7/8”W x 2 5/8” D covering approximately 0.77 square feet with a weight of 22 lbs.

●       Large: 7” H x 18.5”W x 2 5/8”D covering approximately 0.9 square feet with a weight of 25 lbs.

Cap pieces are designed to create an attractive top layer to the wall or facing that match the color, style and size of the wall systems.

Easy to Apply

With the lightweight properties of the Belgard Tandem Wall Systems, the installer has a much simpler and quicker job to create the ambiance you are seeking. Properly arranged and cutting and shaping are virtually eliminated as the project progresses. Within hours, home and business owners will see their building transformed into a new and more elegant looking property, inviting to friends and passers-by.

Contact ProStone of Denver for More Information

Learn more about the advantages or creating retaining walls and other interesting features around the home or business with Belgard Tandem Wall Systems. Let the ProCoat experts explain the benefits and demonstrate how the Belgard Systems will transform a home or business into a showcase.

Visit the ProCoat website or call 303.322.9009.

This post was originally published at http://www.procoatsystems.com/search-best-retaining-walls/

Advantages of Lightweight Cultured Stone

Beautiful and long-lasting Cultured Stone® for both interior or exterior surfaces brings style and charm to a residence without breaking the bank. Lightweight, durable, and easier to apply than quarried stone products, Cultured Stone veneers are about one-quarter the thickness of real stone at about one-third of the cost.

For aesthetic choices and styles, Boral® Cultured Stone from ProCoat Systems in Denver, offers 21 exciting textures with one-hundred colors to match about any style and preference.

Ease of Application

Cultured Stone is lighter in weight and thinner than quarried stone. Because of this, the cultured product is easier to cut, apply, and manipulate. Quarried stone is naturally far more variable in shape and texture and, therefore, requires considerable adjustment to achieve the same results. Application costs are lower and the time needed to install is reduced notably.

Versatility

Lightweight Cultured Stone veneers may be applied to nearly any properly prepared exterior or interior surface. Brighten the family room with a bold new stone fireplace surround. Add real warmth and elegance to a dining room or bathroom wall with a new and impressive stone veneer.

Alternatively, convert your tired patio into a charming outdoor living space with a beautiful stone veneer for an exterior wall our outdoor fireplace or firepit area.

Consider adding drama and real value to the exterior of your home with a luxurious stone entrance or front. The curb appeal of your home will undergo a dramatic change.

Style Selection

Lightweight Cultured Stone products from ProCoat Systems are meticulously produced with computer-aided designs and manufacturing techniques to provide the most consistency in color and texture. ProCoat’s strategic partner, Boral®, employs hundreds of different rubber molding shapes to reduce the frequency of duplications. Colors are ultraviolet-stabilized color additives to create variations while retaining natural shade contrast present in natural stone.

Some choices of Cultured Stone styles include:

●       Coral

●       Ledgestone

●       Dressed Fieldstone

●       European Castle Stone

●       Limestone

●       River Rock

●       Hewn Stone

●       Used Brick

●       And more

Sustainability

Lightweight Boral Cultured Stone from Procoat Systems is more ecologically positive than natural rock. The process of producing the Cultured Stone expends far less energy and is less destructive to the environment than quarrying natural rock. Also, many of the Cultured Stone products are manufactured using an average of 58% recycled materials.

Also, Boral Cultured Stone has earned:

●       GREENGUARD Gold air quality designation

●       National Green Building Standard for Home Innovation stone products

●       Contributor to Green Building Standards

Contact ProCoat Systems in Denver

For more information regarding lightweight Cultured Stone from ProCoat, visit the website at http://www.procoatsystems.com/cultured-stone-virtues-lighter-weight/ or phone 303.322.9009. The experts at ProCoat will be pleased to work with you.

This post was originally published at http://www.procoatsystems.com/advantages-lightweight-cultured-stone/

New Stone Veneers for Any Application

ProCoat Systems of Denver invites you to witness their variety of exciting stone veneer products from Coronado Stone Products. These may be applied to interior or exterior surfaces to impart just about any unique and beautiful appearance you desire.For over 50 years, Coronado has innovated and replicated virtually every stone appearance that will add elegance and beauty to any indoor or outdoor setting.

To upgrade an old fireplace surround, a dull interior wall, or a tired and unsightly exterior façade, Coronado’s range of stone products from ProCoat Systems are the ideal answer. Durable, attractive, and economical, these veneer products are designed to achieve just about any desired look for a home or business.

Range of  New Coronado Stone Products

For over fifty years, Coronado Stone has been a top innovator of quality stone products. Their line of veneers are unsurpassed in beauty, style, and durability. Each year, the experts at Coronado introduce new products that broaden consumer selection while staying abreast of new trends. The veneer products have been unsurpassed in matching the unique qualities of a broad range of stone types, textures, and colors. Whether the material conveys the look of natural split limestone or even barn wood siding, they are incomparable in delivering elegance, warmth, or even a rustic appeal.

To enhance their extensive collection of natural and cultured stone veneers, ProCoat offers twelve new Coronado products that will enhance the interior and exterior features of any home or business. 

Decorative Bands

Decorative Bands include:

●     4” Chiseled Limestone in Silver Ash, Cream

●     4” Country Beige with French Limestone, Country Beige

●     4” Chiseled French White with French Limestone

●     6” Chiseled French Limestone in Country Beige

●     6” Chiseled Limestone Band with Colosseum Travertine in Mushroom

These newer additions to the ProCoat System line of architectural precast stone complement their existing portfolio of quality stone veneer products. These are durable, lighter in weight, easier to apply, and less expensive than natural stone. Moreover, these timeless veneers are undetectable from natural products.

Contact ProCoat Systems in Denver

For more information about ProCoat System’s range of stone veneers and tiles, visit the ProCoat Showroom to view firsthand how attractive and versatile the Coronado products are. Alternatively, phone the experts at ProCoat to learn more about their products and installation.

Phone 303.322.9009. Also you may visit ProCoat’s website at http://www.procoatsystems.com/ to learn the ways ProCoat can help you with your project.

This post was originally published at http://www.procoatsystems.com/new-stone-veneers-application/

Concrete Veneer That Looks Like Real Wood

ProCoat Systems of Denver partners with Coronado Stone Products to provide creative solutions for interior and exterior stone and hardscape features. Coronado’s unique WoodStone® Series is a cultured stone product designed to impart a feel and texture of wood products. However, concrete veneer products are far more durable and do not require the extensive maintenance that wood products need to stay attractive.

Thin-veneer WoodStone products are heat and insect resistant and can withstand the harshest weather environments. Direct sunlight and ice and snow conditions do not degrade WoodStone concrete veneer products as they do with wood sidings.

However, the WoodStone Series of products display the same natural wood grain, weather stresses, and tooling marks that make it indistinguishable from natural wood.

WoodStone veneer planks are 1” thick and 6” x 36” in width and length. Each durable, easy-to-install veneer piece weighs approximately 7 to 10 lbs.

Refined Woodstone Concrete Veneer

The Refined Woodstone Series from ProCoat has a smooth texture and consists of five color shade choices. These are:

●     Deadwood

●     Blackened Oak

●     Antique White

●     Red Oak

●     Honey Blonde

●     Additional choices can be custom produced

Roughcut WoodStone Concrete Veneer

The Roughcut Woodstone has a rougher, more pronounced wood texture and is also available in five distinctive shades. These are:

●     Rustic Cedar

●     Deadwood

●     Cedar

●     Antique White

●     Honey Blonde

Barn Woodstone Concrete Veneer

The Barn WoodStone series is a rougher surface reminiscent of the old barn look that has become very popular in many applications. This style reflects the real look of wood that has been exposed for decades to nature’s elements.The colors and textures of Barn Woodstone veneer products are:

●     Cannery Blend

●     Old Frontier

●     Rustic Farmhouse

●     Spring Harvest

Installation

For the highest level of beauty and durability, care must be taken to apply the veneers correctly. Each piece must be thoroughly mortared to ensure that moisture does not penetrate behind the planks. Hiring an installer who has experience in installing concrete stone surfaces is essential to securing a long-lasting surface.

Contact ProCoat for More Information

The experts at ProCoat will assist you with the selection, design, and planning of a concrete veneer surface. Selecting the right product and installer for your application is essential. 

Call ProCoat Systems at 303.322.9009 or stop by their showrooms to witness the beautiful selection of concrete veneer products.

This post was originally published at http://www.procoatsystems.com/concrete-veneer-looks-like-real-wood/

McNear Retaining Wall Blocks: Your Options

A well-constructed and attractive retaining wall can provide privacy or a defining barrier for contrasting elevations in your landscape. A retaining or dividing wall can be an interesting focal point for your property with the right design, construction, and materials.

Retaining or freestanding walls do not need to take on the tired look of standard concrete blocks. McNear Brick and Block products from ProCoat Systems provide a choice of many permanent colors and elegant styles.

About McNear Brick and Block,

Founded in 1868, ProCoat’s strategic partner, McNear, is the oldest brick-making company in the California and one of the most innovative in the nation. Not satisfied with their traditional products, McNear artisans have developed unique solutions for the most demanding jobs. Durable and aesthetically pleasing, these retaining wall systems maintain their beautiful appearance for decades. McNear's proprietary Versa-Lok® system ensures solid retention and resists the forces of even the harshest weather conditions.

Colors, Shapes, Sizes of Retaining Wall Blocks

McNear’s Versa-Lok retaining wall blocks are available in a selection of colors, styles, and textures. The custom color mixes are blended throughout each block during the manufacturing process. Infusing the color allows each block to retain the original color no matter how much damage the wall may endure.

The Corsican retaining wall block is produced with the same texture on each side to present the same look no matter what the visual perspective may be.

The sizes and shapes of each block allow for greater creativity in design. The following choices can be used throughout or mixed and matched to enhance the appearance of the wall or other surface:

Standard:  16” x 12” x 6”

●     Halves: 8” x 12” x 6” (One-half Standard unit)

●     Accent: 12” x 4” x 12”

●     Half Accent: 6” x 4” x 12” (One-half Accent unit)

●     Cobble 8” x 6” x 12”

●     Handy-Scape: 16” x 6” x 11”

For Caps and Footings, ProCoat and McNear offer:

●     Rectanguar Cap: 15 5/8” x 3 5/8” x 12”

●     A & B Caps: 14” x 3 5/8” x 12”

●     Square Foot Standard: 18” x 8” x 12”

●     Square Foot Corner: 9” x 8” x 17.5”

Sustainability

McNear wall blocks are made from 40% recycled materials. Not only does the process of recycling used material save the environment from even more raw material extraction, but a significant amount of energy is conserved by reducing the mining and transportation of the raw materials.

Contact ProCoat Systems

For more information and assistance with retaining wall design and McNear retaining wall blocks, visit the ProCoat website or phone the experts at 303.322.9009. 

This post was originally published at http://www.procoatsystems.com/mcnear-retaining-wall-blocks-options/