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Color & Finish Guide
Molin precast concrete comes in almost an unlimited array of colors, forms, and textures, including exposed concrete, veneers of traditional materials, or a combination of both. View our Project Gallery to see a variety of our precast concrete colors and finishes in use.
Design Assistance
Molin’s experienced designers offer Design Assistance to help you explore the almost limitless possibilities of precast concrete design.
Order Samples
The success of a project is rooted in the details. That’s why we adhere to a meticulous sample process that ensures the aesthetic consistency.
Colors
The color range of precast concrete is determined by the pigments and aggregates used in the mix. With a wide selection available, designers can create custom shades and tones to match any project. We utilize Dynamic Color Solutions pigments to provide integral color that will not fade or diminish over time.
Thoughtful combinations allow for both aesthetic appeal and long-lasting durability in various applications. For even more options, precast can also be painted or stained.
Aggregates
Utilizing different aggregates, such as granite, quartz, or limestone adds more depth and dimension to your building. Many colors and texture options are possible by varying aggregate type, color, finishing process, and depth of exposure.
Rock Aggregate
Sand Aggregate
Finishes
Many traditional materials can be embedded in precast, including such as tiles, brick or terra cotta. Marble, granite and limestone can also be veneered / embedded into precast with the use of pins. Complete information about all of our finish options can be found by downloading our Color and Finish Guide Definitions.
SMOOTH / EXPOSED AGGREGATE
As Cast
Concrete is placed against hard, smooth formwork to achieve a smooth “as cast” finish on the precast element. Typically this finish is used in underground applications, elevator shafts, or structural products for example. This is the most economical finish since no further processing is performed.
Etched
This finish is achieved by casting concrete against a smooth hard surface. After removal from the form, the element is allowed to harden to a uniform hardness. The product is then washed with an acid solution and scrubbed to remove the cement surface to a sand surface level. The result is a smooth sand-textured surface.
Light Sandblast
This finish is achieved by casting concrete against a smooth hard surface. After removal from the form, the element is given a light sandblasting. This light sandblasting will remove the cement skin from the surface. The resultant finish is a smooth, sand‐textured surface.
Exposed
This finish is achieved by the application of a chemical retarder to the surface of the form. The retarder prevents the matrix from hardening at the surface of the panel to a specific depth, controlled by the strength of the retarder. After curing (normally overnight), the unhardened layer of matrix at the surface of the panel is removed by a high‐pressure water washing, thus, exposing the aggregate used in the concrete.
OTHER FINISHES
Form Liners
This finish is achieved using plaster, “rubber,” grained wood, rope, or most other material as a liner in the casting form to impart a particular finish to the face of the panel. Textures could replicate stone, fractured, wood, rhythmic, flat, or masonry patterns. Form liners can be used multiple times during production.
Natural Stone Veneer
Natural stone cladding or veneer finish is achieved by placing natural stone (limestone, granite, marble) pieces into a form and casting concrete behind it to achieve a large precast panel having a natural stone face. Its purpose is to achieve a natural stone face on the building, while using the efficiency of precast concrete.
Brick Face Finish Panels
This is a precast panel with a cavity cast in, or a plate cast in if the brick runs to the bottom of the edge so that the brick can be set in the panel after its removal from the form. Thin brick or tile can also be set into a form and the concrete is cast behind it. In this case, the comments on natural stone panels would apply more closely.
Contact a Molin representative for more information about precast colors and finishes.
Call (800) 336-6546 or send us an email
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