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Brilliant Beauty Meets Environmental Responsibility:

Transform Your Concrete with Sparkl-Seal E, Our High-Gloss, Low VOC Water-Based Decorative Sealer for Stunning Interior and Exterior Decorative Concrete Surfaces.

In states with low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) regulations, the demand for environmentally responsible solutions has grown significantly. This shift towards eco-friendly practices has given rise to a specific need for water-based, high-gloss decorative acrylic concrete sealers. These sealers offer a unique combination of aesthetic enhancement and compliance with stringent VOC limits, making them the go-to choice for those seeking to elevate the appearance of their decorative concrete surfaces while prioritizing the health of applicators, occupants and the environment.

One of the primary advantages of water-based, high-gloss decorative acrylic concrete sealers lies in their ability to create a captivating wet-look finish. This wet-look effect adds a sense of depth and dimension to the concrete surface, enhancing its color, visual appeal and providing a luxurious shine that mimics the traditional solvent-based acrylic sealer appearance while being eco-friendly.  Whether it's a commercial space looking to make a lasting impression on customers or a residential property aiming to revitalize living areas with concrete floors, the beauty of a water-based concrete sealer is that it can also be used in interior spaces. The wet-look finish achieved with these sealers brings an undeniable charm that transforms ordinary concrete into a stunning focal point.

NOX-CRETE's Sparkl-Seal E stands as a testament to the capabilities of water-based, high-gloss decorative acrylic concrete sealers. This innovative product not only meets the strict VOC regulations in low VOC states but also delivers exceptional gloss and sheen to decorative concrete surfaces, it is not flammable, does not contain a cancer warning and doesn’t include a hazmat fee in shipping. By utilizing advanced acrylic technology, Sparkl-Seal E offers a better working time than traditional solvent-based sealers and results in long-lasting protection against the elements while intensifying the surface's natural colors, making it an ideal solution for those seeking to accentuate the beauty of their concrete while adhering to environmentally conscious practices. The union of environmental responsibility, aesthetic enhancement, and superior performance makes water-based, high-gloss decorative acrylic concrete sealers like Sparkl-Seal E an essential component of modern construction and design in VOC-restricted states.

BridgeWay Station – Block A – Q&A with the Tilt-up Contractor

The BridgeWay Station is a new urban village development along I-385 in the City of Mauldin, S.C. Greenville developer Phil Hughes is building the project as over 1 million square feet of mixed-use space featuring new apartments, offices, shopping, dining, lodging and entertainment.

THE QUICK DETAILS:

  • Greenville developer Phil Hughes is planning an urban village called BridgeWay Station spanning 40 acres along I-385 in Mauldin, just south of Butler Road.
  • Project GC: Harper General Contractors
  • Tilt Contractor: CBM Concrete
  • The village will feature residential spaces, offices, shopping, dining, lodging and entertainment.
  • Restaurants will include Poogan’s Southern Kitchen, Belladina’s Italian Market, and Cohesive Coffee.
  • This will be the first phase of a larger development.
  • Estimated village cost: $100 million
  • Estimated construction time: 18 months

Learn more about BridgeWay Station Here

BridgeWay Station Block A

Silcoseal Select was used on the tilt wall panels for block A of BrickWay Station. We had a Q&A with Tilt Contractor; Cody Branton from CBM Concrete.

1. Which product/products of ours were used on the project?
On this project, we only used the Silcoseal Select bondbreaker.  We typically will use either HSC or LSC to cure our slabs but we were only tasked with the walls on this project and the SOG did not require a densifier/hardener.

2. What problems were you trying to solve by using our product?
Our recommendation for the use of Silcoseal in lieu of a competing product was due to the fact that our panels were going to be 16” thick with extensive rebar mats, we needed a reliable bondbreaker.  Due to the need for reapplication using a different product brand with any amount of rain, I felt that the reapplication of whatever material we used would be difficult given the density of rebar in the panels. payid casino This resulted in us convincing the GC that Silcoseal Select would be the better choice in order to avoid a stuck panel and end up with a better result.

3. What made our product stand out from other options?
Its sustainability in weather conditions, especially during the winter months.

BridgeWay Station Exterior4. How did our product help make your project successful?
Avoided any stuck panels and the aesthetics that resulted in not having to over apply turned out great.

5. What’s the main reason you’d recommend our products to other builders?
Because its worked well for us on every single project that we have used and the only issues we have had is when we’ve been forced to use a different material due to distributor supply.

Photos/Video Courtesy of CBM Concrete.

If you'd like to learn more about why you should be using Silcoseal Select on your next Tilt-Up project. Contact Nox-Crete Tilt-Up Division Manager; Derick Rainey at 402-680-8145 or by email at drainey@nox-crete.com.

Taking the Pain out of a Stain With Acryl-Pen

When one of her customers wished they had an eraser for an acid stain gone awry, Emily Reese with PNW Polishing in Puyallup, Wash., had an even better tool— Nox-Crete's Acryl Pen.

Reese was approached by a customer who topped a partial aggregate, broom-finished sidewalk at a residence with an acid stain. Upon completion, the stain turned a displeasing shade of orange. Reese was dispatched to fix the color issues.

"After hearing about the deep pigment of the sealer, we knew we needed something really penetrating and resilient," Reese said. "Acryl Pen was that solution."

The result, a much more calm and collected shade of Acyl Pen's "Charcoal Gray," covers up the entire history of the acid gone awry, shown in Reese's "before" and "after" photo sets. The pictures speak volumes for the magic that Acryl Pen can perform. But so can Reese.

"We at PNW Polishing have accomplished our first of hopefully many projects using Acryl-Pen by Nox-Crete," she said.  "It was extremely user-friendly to apply and was not overly labor-intensive. Spray and back roll. We will certainly use this product again! It’s a quick but resilient transformation, and the color selection is also a good variety to fit every customer’s desired look!"

ASTM C309: Modern Conversations on an Established Standard

ASTM C309 has long been the standard by which membrane-forming concrete curing compounds are judged.

While applicable for its time and still a valid indicator when dealing with rougher finished concrete, the preparation method prescribed by ASTM C156 and then tested by ASTM C309 does not take into account current finishing techniques involved with today’s steel troweled floor slabs. To understand why this is relevant, the preparation procedures for the test itself need to be understood to make a comparison to the specific type of finish being discussed here.

Continue reading →

Fast, safe, and mess-free: Concrete Network highlights benefits of Deco-Peel, Acryl-Pen

Fast, safe, and mess-free— Concrete Network said it best with their glowing review of our Deco-Peel and Acryl-Pen products showcased at the and the World of Concrete Outdoor Demo. Scroll down or click the link below to find out all the ways this product duo can get your outdoor concrete surfaces shining in time for spring:

LINK: http://bit.ly/2x5Ih4v

NOX-CRETE WORLD OF CONCRETE PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
Discover how Deco-Peel and Acryl-Pen can make your job faster and easier

By Sean Rand

At the 2020 World of Concrete in Las Vegas, we were introduced to two products from Nox-Crete. During their booth demonstration, we saw exactly how these products can help make your job, as a contractor, faster and easier. After the event we followed up with Marty O’Mara, Decorative Segment Manager, to learn a bit more about these products and their uses.

Deco-Peel: Acrylic Sealer Removal System

If you’ve used old bed sheets to contain the stripping solution when removing sealer, or even avoided jobs because stripping multiple layers of sealer seems like a hassle, then Deco-Peel* can help.

Nox Cete, Deco Peel, Woc Demo Site Nox-Crete Omaha, NE

The Deco-Peel demonstration at World of Concrete.

 

It’s a blanket system that uses an engineered fabric paired with environmentally-friendly solvents. The system comes with 400 square feet of blanket and a 5-gallon pail of biodegradable stripper that you can apply with a roller.

Here is what makes Deco-Peel unique:

It’s Fast — After rolling out the blankets and saturating them with stripping solution, you’ll need approximately 2-4 hours, depending on weather, to complete the process.

It’s Safe — Deco-Peel doesn't contain any suspected cancer causing or aromatic solvents, such as methylene chloride, xylene or toluene. There are two versions to meet all state and federal VOC regulations.

It’s Mess Free — No pressure washer needed! When you’re done, simply peel off the blankets and dispose, without creating harmful waste.

Tips: “If you aren’t sure how many layers of sealer you’re dealing with, we offer a free test kit, which comes with a small 2’ x 2’ blanket and container of stripper,” Marty shares (contact Nox-Crete for details, see below). "Also, the best time to apply Deco-Peel is in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is low. This avoids the solvents flashing too quickly and not doing their job," he adds.

Acryl-Pen: 3-in-1 Stain and Sealer

The second product that caught our eye at the show was Acryl-Pen*. It’s a penetrating water-repellent sealer and stain for exterior, horizontal concrete.

Acryl Pen, Nox Crete, Seattle Driveway Site Nox-Crete Omaha, NE

An Acryl-Pen driveway in Seattle still looking good after seven years.

Here are three reasons you might want to give it a try:

It’s a time saver

Acryl-Pen can help speed up your turnaround time because:

• You won’t have to apply multiple products
• It’s easy to apply, and only takes 2 coats
• Your project will be ready for traffic in 72 hours
• It has a long life span

Acryl-Pen has a reputation for being especially long lasting, here’s why:

• It penetrates the pores of the concrete deeply
• It prevents freeze/thaw damage and is breathable
• It’s UV resistant and won’t fade, chalk or flake

“It was used in Seattle on a driveway, and after seven years of Pacific Northwest rain, still looked great,” Marty recalls.

It offers lots of color choice

•Acryl-Pen is great for enlivening outdoor concrete with brilliant color.
• It’s available in 11 standard colors
• Multiple colors can be used together for producing creative designs
• Custom colors can be created through color matching

“At Boise State University it was used on the player's walkout area in the football stadium, where we matched their iconic blue astro turf,” says Marty.

Tip: “When integral color concrete is specified, the owner and architects expect it to be consistent throughout. It doesn’t happen often, but when the concrete is placed and it’s not consistent, Acryl-Pen will deliver long-lasting and consistent color,” Marty explains.

*Read and follow all application and precaution guidelines before applying these products.