Gone are the days when, when thinking about concrete, the only direct association made was with the constructive part of a project. Nowadays, this material is also valued as an aesthetic resource, with apparent concrete and Ripped concrete versatile and timeless trends.
In Brazil, this current gained momentum especially with the modernist movement. Currently, slatted concrete, also called concrete slats or apparent slats, is one of the most trending coatings in architecture and civil construction and in interior design.
This is because the slatted concrete coating adds personality and expressiveness to any residential or commercial project, being applied to interior walls and facades even on elements such as floors, columns and even on countertops.
In this way, it is possible to achieve attractive results and a wide variety of architectural expressions with this type of coating.
Continue reading today's article and discover more about why claped concrete is so popular and see care tips for working with this type of material. Follow up below and ask your main questions about the topic.
Market opportunity: differentials and attractions of slatted concrete cladding for your business
Who already works with concrete artifacts There may be a good opportunity in this type of coating to diversify and expand Mix of products in your portfolio.
Keeping up with the trends that move and heat up the market is an important initiative to keep the business attractive and competitive and to differentiate itself from its competitors, obtaining a market advantage.
And in this segment, it's worth turning your eyes at this point to the slatted concrete coating. Since it served as one of the great symbols of the modernist movement, concrete has come to have a more versatile use.
And, with the brutalist architecture, which appeared in the 1980s and is now in evidence again, it stood out even more, becoming more apparent in the aesthetics of the projects.
The truth is that the gray color of this material has a special appeal, combining perfectly with modern, urban and bold environments. Its tones can, at the same time, add rusticity, minimalism, creativity or neutrality, depending on the objectives of each project.
This versatility to combine with different proposals and styles makes this coating highly sought after by architects, interior designers and end customers.
But, going beyond the aesthetic aspect, the slatted concrete coating has also been so widely used because it is simple and easy to apply, and can be used both indoors and outdoors, in addition to requiring a very practical subsequent maintenance routine.
Also because it is associated with attributes such as high durability and thermal comfort - because it is a cold material, it helps to alleviate heat, for example.
Therefore, whether for those who are building now or for those who already have a space ready but do not want to carry out major works to have a renovated space, ripped-concrete cladding is a great alternative, combining with a variety of projects and purposes.
And this makes this a good opportunity for your business to remain attractive and profitable, expanding your customer base and generating market differentiation.
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Basic precautions when working with slatted concrete cladding
Firstly, it is always worth remembering that it is important to choose a suitable form for working with concrete and combine it with the use of mold release agents of quality, that do not make an unwanted interaction with the concrete surface - altering its color or brightness, for example.
It should also be borne in mind that, as the ripped-concrete coating will be exposed to diverse weather conditions, it is important to take this aspect into account from the start so that the finished product is qualified, safe and durable within its context of use.
This involves choosing the right mixture in the composition to be used, making it possible to achieve ideal workability and the minimization of pores and cracks in the structure. The process of heals it must also be done with great care, in order to guarantee the strength and durability of the coating without requiring frequent corrective maintenance.
Attention should also be paid to the fact that concrete slats can warp with some ease, which requires careful care when storing the ribbed concrete coating until it is laid.
If this step is performed by the customer, it is also important to guide them correctly. The place must be clean and dry and the recommendation for installation is to use adhesive mortar, which varies especially according to the environment where the pieces are applied.
The importance of treating slatted concrete cladding parts
Another care that needs to be highlighted concerns the finishing treatment of the pieces. This has the main objective of maintaining the integrity of the material and the original properties of the concrete over time, contributing to the coating being durable and remaining with the desired aesthetic.
The treatment makes it possible to avoid anomalies that cause the parts to require corrective maintenance or that have a much shorter lifespan than designed. It also protects the coating against the action of aggressive agents that may be present in the environment.
In addition, treatment can contribute to safety aspects. For example, in the case of applying the ribbed concrete coating in the bathroom, finishing the treatment with a surface sealer can help to cause slipping, so pay attention to the type of finish.
Water-repellent silicone: fundamental care when finishing the ribbed concrete coating
Another important precaution to offer a safe, differentiated product that achieves the loyalty of its customers is to apply water-repellent silicone water-based on the slatted concrete coating.
This is a finish that adds an important extra layer of protection, which helps prevent problems in the pieces caused by moisture, promoting an invisible protective layer for the coating that prevents cases of stains, darkening and infiltrations that can impact both parts applied in internal and external areas.
The action of this type of product is based on preventing the passage of water - and the brands that are references - such as Blok with the BlokSeal CC -, they already do it right on the first layer.
This prevents the finish of the ribbed concrete coating from being damaged, which helps it last longer, preserves its aesthetic appeal and so that your customer does not have problems that require maintenance or renovations due to unforeseen events that occur in these parts.
When choosing water-based water-repellent silicone, try to give preference to a product brand that also acts to prevent the accumulation of dirt, is easy to apply and is not flammable.
Especially, prefer those that do not interfere with the internal structure of the concrete pieces, altering their color or brightness, for example, which may cause non-compliance in the batch of pieces and cause customer dissatisfaction with the final result.
So, what did you think of the idea to start working with ripped-concrete cladding? To learn more about this possibility, continue to follow our blog.
And to better understand the importance of treatment for exposed concrete parts, also read the special article that we prepared explaining this topic in detail. Until next time!
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