FACT SHEET
TRENDSTONE® TRENDSTONE PLUS®
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How is the product made?

TRENDSTONE® ground face masonry units are integrally colored concrete blocks with one or more faces ground to expose the variegated colors of the natural aggregates. A special additive is included in the concrete mix design to prevent efflorescence. A factory-applied, clear satin gloss acrylic accentuates and highlights each burnished face and provides moisture resistance.

TRENDSTONE PLUS® filled and polished masonry units offer smooth terrazzo-like surfaces. After the initial grinding process, the pores and interstices are filled with a cementitious grout. The face(s) is then polished smooth in a multi-stage process. A clear acrylic seals and covers the face, resulting in a smooth finished surface.

2. Is the color on the surface or all through the blocks?

The color is integral, i.e. it is uniform throughout the concrete block.

3. Why is the color different depending on which plant makes the blocks?

The aggregates used to make the blocks at each plant come from different sources and are of different colors and particle shapes. This changes the color and appearance of the finished products.

4. How can I be sure it will not be chipped and scuffed in shipment and jobsite handling?

Trenwyth takes great care in the manufacturing, packaging, and shipping of TRENDSTONE® and TRENDSTONE PLUS® units to protect the finished surfaces. The units are placed on sturdy wooden pallets and a layer of heavy cardboard is placed between each layer of blocks. The entire cube is then covered with a heavy gauge plastic bag and strapped with steel banding.TRENDSTONE® and TRENDSTONE PLUS® units should be handled as finished material on the jobsite to avoid scuffing, chipping, or other damage.

5. Can I grind these blocks at the jobsite?

No. Precision equipment is needed to grind and polish TRENDSTONE® and TRENDSTONE PLUS® units and this can only be done satisfactorily in the factory.

6. Can any mason install this product?

Any mason can install this product. However, we find that masons who are not highly skilled do a very poor job installing TRENDSTONE® and TRENDSTONE PLUS® units. Conversely, masons experienced in laying architectural blocks who are good craftsmen can lay ground face blocks very well. Unfortunately, no matter how well our blocks are manufactured, if they are not laid well, the appearance of the project is diminished.

7. What is the difference between lightweight, mediumweight, and normalweight blocks?

ASTM C90 specification for load-bearing concrete masonry units defines lightweight as concrete less than 105 lbs per cu. ft., mediumweight as concrete between 105 and 125 Ibs per cu. ft. and normalweight as concrete of 125 lbs per cu. ft. or more.

The aggregate used to make lightweight blocks is usually expanded shale, expanded clay, pumice, or some similar type of open-cell material. By its nature such aggregate is porous and will allow some moisture penetration. ASTM C90 sets the maximum rate of absorption at 18 lbs per cu. ft. for lightweight, 15 lbs per cu. ft. for mediumweight, and 13 lbs per cu. ft. for normalweight. Most TRENDSTONE® and TRENDSTONE PLUS® units are normalweight.

8. What is the difference between TRENDSTONE® and TRENDSTONE PLUS® ?

TRENDSTONE® units are ground on the face or faces and an acrylic is applied to the finished surfaces. TRENDSTONE PLUS® units, as the name implies, involves an extra process. After the initial grinding, the pores and interstices of the face or faces are filled with a cementitious grout and polished smooth in a multi-stage process before the acrylic is applied. This gives the appearance of high quality terrazzo.

9. What is the surface coating?

A clear high solids acrylic coating is applied in the factory after the blocks are ground and polished. It is completely light stable and will not deteriorate with exterior exposure and weathering.

10. Why do the walls have to be field coated? Is the field coating necessary?

The factory applied acrylic is designed primarily to protect the TRENDSTONE® and TRENDSTONE PLUS® surfaces during shipment and installation. The field coat covers and enhances the entire wall including the mortar joints and it hides all the scuffs, scratches, and nicks that occur during handling and installation. We consider the field coating necessary because it puts the finishing touch to the installation and brings out the full beauty of TRENDSTONE® and TRENDSTONE PLUS® units.

11. What is the life expectancy of the product?

50 years plus--if the building is properly designed and the TRENDSTONE® or TRENDSTONE PLUS® units are installed correctly.

12. At what temperature should the TRENDCOAT® T1 field coating be applied? And not applied?

The TRENDCOAT® T1 coating should be applied to dry walls when the temperature is above 55° F. It should not be applied at temperatures lower than 55° F. If a coating other than TRENDCOAT® T1 is used, please follow the manufacturers’ instructions carefully.

13. Will the TRENDCOAT® T1 coating peel, fade, crack, or spall?

TRENDCOAT® T1 contains the highest quality acrylic available and will not peel, fade, crack, or spall when properly applied to a dry surface. However, if the walls are not properly designed or constructed with appropriate flashing, weeps, vents, etc., and the substrate block is continuously saturated behind the acrylic, deterioration may occur over time.

14. Can you control the color consistency?

Yes. Great care is taken in the TRENDSTONE® and TRENDSTONE PLUS® manufacturing processes to ensure a high degree of color consistency. This includes checking incoming raw materials, use of computer controlled precision automatic color injection equipment, precise control of the moisture, the curing process, etc. As with any natural product, there are minor color variations from block to block. Final inspection includes dry stacking samples drawn from the production line every half hour and comparing to the master sample for that project. Always request a jobsite field panel to be erected prior to approval.

15. Can you match colors?

Yes, within the limitations of the aggregates available at each of our plants.

16. If I want to put on an addition a year or more after the original installation of TRENDSTONE® blocks, will the new TRENDSTONE® blocks match the old?

We can usually match previously manufactured colors quite well. However, we recommend that if possible, a small piece be cut or chipped from the existing wall and sent to us. If that is not possible a new sample of the color should be visually compared to the existing wall and adjustment made to the color if necessary. Aggregates are a product of “Mother Nature” however and can vary over time. Always order a full size current sample to verify color.

17. What special precautions should be taken in the handling, storage, and installation of the product?

See Handling Instructions in the GENERAL information sheets in the back of this binder.

18. Can TRENDSTONE® units be used in flooring or paving?

No. TRENDSTONE® and TRENDSTONE PLUS® units are designed as wall material and are not suitable for flooring or paving.

19. How does one patch this product? Can chips in the wall be repaired?

TRENDSTONE® and TRENDSTONE PLUS® units cannot be satisfactorily patched. Small chips, scratches, and scuffs will become almost unnoticeable when the field coating is applied. Units with large imperfections should be removed and replaced.

20. Why should I pay a premium for TRENDSTONE® units when there are so many other less expensive ground face blocks, split-face blocks, or bricks?

TRENDSTONE® and TRENDSTONE PLUS® units are the highest quality ground face or burnished blocks available. Trenwyth specializes exclusively in prefaced and prefinished concrete masonry units. If quality and service are important to you -- you should specify and use TRENDSTONE® and TRENDSTONE PLUS® units.

21. Does filling the TRENDSTONE PLUS® blocks make them waterproof? How do you waterproof a TRENDSTONE® wall?

The filling of the surfaces of TRENDSTONE PLUS® units does make them less permeable to moisture. However, masonry walls should be able to “breathe” so that any moisture which does get behind the facing can escape harmlessly to the atmosphere. A silane or siloxane coating applied to the wall in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions can be very effective by making the surface hydrophobic, i.e. it will repel the moisture from entering the wall system, but will allow any moisture inside to escape.

22. What special shapes are available? Can you provide bullnose corners? Are they available in larger sizes?

A large assortment of special shapes are available or can be made. We have numerous molds, jigs, etc. -- the most in the industry. Give us a drawing or sketch of the special shapes you would like and let us show you what we can do. We offer a chamfered corner instead of a bullnose. Most designers prefer it. Bullnose corners can be provided at a higher cost. A full range of oversize units are available. See monumental brochure.

23. What do I use for the washdown to remove mortar and scum?

Refer to the Cleaning Instructions sheet in this binder section.

24. The wall was properly cleaned at installation, now what do I do?

Apply the field coating, collect your money, and go to the next job.

25. What happens if acid is used on TRENDSTONE® blocks?

The danger involved in using acid on TRENDSTONE® or TRENDSTONE PLUS® surfaces is that a small amount of the solution can soak behind the acrylic coating. If this is not completely removed by rinsing, over time it will degrade the concrete behind the coating causing discoloration and/or microscopic peeling of the acrylic.

26. Are they UL rated?

TRENDSTONE® and TRENDSTONE PLUS® blocks are tested annually to Underwriter Laboratories (UL) standards by various independent testing laboratories. Therefore, they are UL rated although they are not UL listed, there being no requirement that ground faced blocks be UL listed in the United States.

27. Can I return blocks I do not use?

No, all TRENDSTONE® and TRENDSTONE PLUS® blocks are custom made. We require a signed sales contract before we will start manufacturing any order. Since we don’t make any blocks for stock, any TRENDSTONE® and TRENDSTONE PLUS® blocks that are ordered in excess must be taken and cannot be returned.

28. Is the score cast or cut?

The score is cut into the finished side of TRENDSTONE® and TRENDSTONE PLUS® blocks.

29. Can I get the back side of the exposed, unfinished block scored to match the score on the finished face?

Yes.

30. Do I tuckpoint the scored joint?

The scored joints must be tuckpointed to match the rest of the mortar joints. If they are not, the continuity between the scored joint and the mortar joint is lost. NO RAKE JOINTS.

31. Is there any special mortar required?

Colored mortar that matches or complements the TRENDSTONE® and TRENDSTONE PLUS® colors can create a beautiful effect. For more information on mortars see Mortars in the GENERAL information sheets in the back of this binder. W.R. Grace DRY-BLOCK® is recommended for all exterior mortar.