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Trendstone & Trendstone Plus Product Specification

Download Trenwyth Trendstone & Trendstone Plus Product Specifications

PART I – GENERAL

SUBMITTAL

Submit color samples for selection from manufacturer’s group A, B, C, D or E. Submit product literature, certifications, test reports and full size sample(s) of each color specified.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Certifications: Concrete blocks for grinding shall conform to ASTM C90. After the initial grinding process to expose the variegated colors of the natural aggregates, the pores and interstices of Trendstone Plus® filled and polished units are filled with a cementitious grout and polished smooth in a multi-stage polishing process. Both the ground face and filled and polished surfaces shall have a factory-applied heat-treated acrylic or water-based sealer finish.

All units contain a manufacturer-approved integral water repellent CMU admixture at the time of manufacturing.

Units shall conform to ASTM C1262 with respect to freezing and thawing. Trendstone Plus® filled and polished units shall conform to the requirements of ASTM C744 with respect to Adhesion, Abrasion, Color Change and Resistance to Crazing. Unlike polished block, filled and polished units offer graffiti and stain resistance.

Fire Resistance: Fire rated for up to 4 hours. Define hourly ratings required by NCMA TEK Notes, available at EchelonMasonry.com.

Field Constructed Mock-ups: Construct a sample panel, no less than 4’ x 4’, of units of each color and size to be used in the project.

A full size unit is required to illustrate color and texture for approval. Manufacturer requires a sample panel be installed at the jobsite prior to installation of any Trenwyth® product. This panel will represent both the quality of the product and the workmanship to be expected for the project. The panel must be approved by either the owner or architect for the project. Manufacturer will provide 4” units for a 4’ by 4’ sample panel at no cost for the material (excluding freight to site).

DELIVERY, STORAGE and HANDLING

Units shall be delivered to the jobsite on covered banded pallets with cardboard between layers. Store pallets in single stacks on level ground and cover with waterproof covering (e.g., tarpaulins) to protect the blocks from inclement weather. Handle blocks carefully to avoid breakage and damage to the finished surfaces.

PROJECT/SITE CONDITIONS

Protection of Work: Cover walls each day after installation to keep open walls protected and dry. After units are installed they should be protected from damage by other trades performing operations that can stain or otherwise damage the finished surfaces by covering walls with plastic. Corners should be protected from damage after installation by covering them with plywood.

PART II– PRODUCTS

PRODUCT NAME

Trendstone® ground face masonry units Trendstone Plus® filled and polished masonry units

MANUFACTURER

  • Anchor Concrete Products (800) 233-1924 Church Road • Emigsville, PA 17318
  • Northfield Block Company (800) 358-3003 3400 E. Bungalow Road, Morris, IL 60450
  • Superlite Block (800) 331-9823 4626 N. 42nd Avenue • Phoenix, AZ 85019

RELATED MATERIALS

Colored matching or contrasting mortar is available from manufacturer. Consult NCMA TEK Notes, available at EchelonMasonry.com, for mortar type and specifications. For all exterior mortar, use matching manufacturer approved water repellent mortar admixture following manufacturer’s instructions. Consult manufacturer for recommendations. 

SIZES and SHAPES

Surfaces are manufactured to provide finished dimensions of 7-5/8” x 15-5/8” ± 1/8”. Bed depth dimensions for single face units are 3-9/16”, 5-9/16”, 7-9/16”, 11-9/16” ± 1/8”. Two face units are 3-1/2”, 5-1/2”, 7-1/2”, 11-1/2”, ± 1/8”. Nominal 2”, 4”, 6”, 8”, 10” and 12” standard block thickness are available as well as all standard block shapes. High strength units for special structural requirements, oversized units, and metric shapes and sizes are also available.

MASONRY CLEANERS

Carefully following manufacturer’s instructions, use PROSOCO Sure Klean Light Duty Concrete Cleaner (dilute 1 part to 3 parts clean water). Available from manufacturer. DO NOT POWERWASH.

CAUTION! Never use Muriatic Acid solution or any cleaner with an acid base on units.

PART III – EXECUTION

LAYING MASONRY WALLS

Draw blocks from more than one pallet at a time during installation. All exterior mortar shall include manufacturer approved matching water repellent additive added to each batch in the appropriate dosage rates for mortar type (M, S or N) per manufacturer’s instructions. Refer to NCMA TEK Notes, available at EchelonMasonry.com, for hot and cold weather construction practices.

Lay units using the best concrete masonry practices. Install only quality units; reject all defective units as defined by ASTM C90. Lay blocks with the faces level, plumb and true to the line strung horizontally at the ground or filled and polished face. Units shall have uniform, 3/8”-wide joints both horizontally and vertically on the finished side of the wall. Tool joints neatly after they are finger-hard to make them straight and uniform. Size and place cut pieces appropriately to maintain consistency and bond. Complete masonry construction using procedures and workmanship consistent with the best masonry practices.

INSTALLATION

Lighting: Provide adequate lighting for masonry work by placing all lighting at a reasonable distance from the wall for even illumination. DO NOT USE TROUGH LIGHTING. 

Cutting: Make all unit cuts, including those for bonding, holes, boxes, etc., with motor-driven masonry saws, using either an abrasive or diamond blade. Cut neatly and locate for best appearance.

MORTAR BEDDING and JOINTING

1. Lay units with full mortar coverage on head and bed joints taking care not to block cores to be grouted or filled with masonry insulation.
2. Tool all mortar joints when thumbprint hard into a concave configuration.
3. Care should be taken to remove mortar from the face of masonry units before it sets.
4. Tuckpoint the joints of scored units for proper appearance. All exterior scored units must be tuckpointed to prevent water penetration. NO RAKE JOINTS.

FLASHING of MASONRY WORK

Install flashing at locations shown in the plans and in strict accordance with the details and the best masonry flashing practices.

WEEP HOLES and VENTS

Install weep holes and vents at proper intervals at courses above grade and at any water stops over windows, doors and beams. Consult NCMA TEK Notes, available at EchelonMasonry.com, for proper flashing and drawings.

INSPECTION

The faces shall conform to the requirements of ASTM C90 when viewed from a distance of twenty (20) feet at right angles to the wall with normal lighting.

CLEANING

Keep walls clean daily during installation using brushes, rags and the burlap squares supplied on the pallets. Do not allow excess mortar lumps or smears to harden on the finished surfaces. Harsh cleaning methods after walls have been erected will mar the surface of the blocks.

FINAL CLEANDOWN

Clean the completed walls with PROSOCO Sure Klean Light Duty Concrete Cleaner (dilute 1 part to 3 parts clean water), strictly following the manufacturer’s instructions – including thorough rinsing. Do not use acid or abrasives on the finished surfaces. Failure to strictly follow manufacturer’s instructions can result in permanent damage to the finished faces. Do not apply Burnished Custom Masonry Cleaner with pressure spray above 50 psi. DO NOT POWERWASH.

FIELD COAT APPLICATION

For completely finished walls, a finish coat of TRENDCOAT® Acrylic (minimum 20% solids content) or TRENDCOAT® WB (water-base) is recommended. Apply to walls after cleandown and when the walls are dry. Apply the acrylic evenly to cover the entire surface without forming drips or runs. For maximum coverage and best appearance, apply TRENDCOAT® Acrylic or TRENDCOAT® WB with airless spray equipment. Consult manufacturer for further information. This clear, high-solids acrylic, provides moisture resistance and helps to cover any scuffs or scratches that may occur during handling and/or installation. TRENDCOAT® also offers excellent graffiti resistance for Trendstone Plus filled and polished units.

MAINTENANCE

Properly installed and cleaned, units need virtually no maintenance other than routine cleaning (i.e. Pinesol or Fantastik). Graffiti, paint or dye stains may need special cleaning methods and products such as Trenwyth® Graffiti Wizard® environmentally friendly cleaner. Visit EchelonMasonry.com for specific cleaning recommendations.

INSTALLATION RECOMMENDATIONS

Consult NCMA TEK Notes, which are available at EchelonMasonry.com, for proper installation of concrete masonry units.

Download a printable version of these specifications.

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