Material Quiz for the Day

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Author Message Randall A Chapple, AIA, SE, CCS, LEED AP Senior Member Username: rachapple Post Number: 53 Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 11:57 am:    So what would everyone out there recommend for an interior column cladding material for a round cast-in-place column that will provide a high level of finish and require the least increase in thickness to the column. Paint is not the answer and neither is plaster. The ideal material would be a pre-manufactured finish that could be direct applied to the concrete column. Thanks! Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1437 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 12:02 pm:    Shiny or dull? Metal column covers come in various finishes and should be able to be fastened/clipped around the cylinder (assuming it's really circular). Marc C Chavez Senior Member Username: mchavez Post Number: 449 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 12:09 pm:    Stainless steel. however to have the least addition to the diameter you'll have to have some variety of semi or fully exposed fastener that goes straight into the concrete, As you will not want to be adding framing. well ...you might be able to hide the fastener.... best of luck ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 187 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 12:49 pm:    If you can tolerate a little added girth you can go with GRG or GFRC (depending on whether it's interior or exterior). ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 188 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 12:58 pm:    Actually we've been working with the idea of using a higher end form liner and just leaving the concrete untouched. Grout rubbing and coatings seem to leave the concrete looking like a corrected mistake as does grinding (@ the seams when the form liners are removed). The problem, of course, is that you have to live with a certain amount of bugholes and voids. When you say direct-applied, the only other thing that comes to mind is something like a pigmented Miracote type coating (www.miracote.com) with sand added, shot through a hopper gun and hit with a trowel (amount of troweling is up to you). You will need to vett your applicators; see other projects they have done and require a mock-up. Alan Mays, AIA Senior Member Username: amays Post Number: 72 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 01:02 pm:    Ken has the best solution, but it will add about 6" (3" all the way around)to the diameter. GFRG or GFRC works well. Any other direct applied material looks bad and also shows any imperfection of the concrete. Marc C Chavez Senior Member Username: mchavez Post Number: 450 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 01:11 pm:    1. wrap column in thin layer (1/2inch) of mineral fiber insulation (padding) 2. wrap with stainless sections 3. attach in either two pieces or one piece 4. you have to deal with horizontal overlap and vertical seam or seams DONE - no bumps, maybe 1 inch total diameter change If your concrete is really bad and not straight or if the concrete has lots of fins etc...grind baby grind - or fir out as need to "square" up the column Steven Bruneel, AIA, CSI-CDT, LEED-AP Senior Member Username: redseca2 Post Number: 330 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 03:41 pm:    Thinset tiny glass tiles? John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: bunzick Post Number: 1375 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 03:47 pm:    I'm not sure why direct-applied plaster has been ruled out. With the right plaster (a hard, dense one) and a good craftsperson, that should yield a very nice finish with very little thickness. Marc C Chavez Senior Member Username: mchavez Post Number: 451 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 03:49 pm:    Oh I like the plaster - good point John. now all you need is a skilled applicator - do any still exist? Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1438 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 03:52 pm:    I think they're all plastered... Marc C Chavez Senior Member Username: mchavez Post Number: 452 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 03:54 pm:    Not yet but tonight is the local chapter meeting - so give me a few hours Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1439 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 03:57 pm:    Seriously, is the design intent for something shiny like metal or shiny and segmented like the glass tiles or something softer-looking like the gypsum? Marc C Chavez Senior Member Username: mchavez Post Number: 453 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 04:09 pm:    on a serious note as well...you could paint plaster with any number of high end metalic looking paints - often urethanes. Scuffmaster is a brand my interiors folks like much to the cursing of the paint reps all of whom have similar products but ont the fancy name. Paul Gerber Senior Member Username: paulgerber Post Number: 99 Registered: 04-2010 Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 04:20 pm:    Alan...don't tell Ken he knows what he's talking about...it'll go to his head!! (and I hate to admit it, but that is one of the solutions that came to mind when I read the question too...oh the horror of it!!) Marc...the question about skill applicators still existing could be asked for a plethora of trades including drywall tapers, painters etc. Lynn...great idea...we should all get together for a getting plastered party, altho some of us here did have a few drinks a couple of weeks ago...you missed a good summit in my humble opinion...maybe next year ;) Ride it like you stole it!!! Randall A Chapple, AIA, SE, CCS, LEED AP Senior Member Username: rachapple Post Number: 54 Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 04:22 pm:    Thanks for all the input. We are considering metal column covers and GRG but are looking for something a little outside the box. Thinking out loud, is there a material like plastic laminate that could be direct applied to the column that would be prefinished and have enough rigidity to bridge imperfections in the surface of the column. Randall A Chapple, AIA, SE, CCS, LEED AP Senior Member Username: rachapple Post Number: 55 Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 04:25 pm:    Plaster is an out because of the lack of local skilled workmen. Lisa Goodwin Robbins, RA, CCS, LEED ap Senior Member Username: lgoodrob Post Number: 172 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 04:29 pm:    For outside the box, how about some tightly woven stainless steel mesh? Or take a look at some work from Moz Designs. Think Las Vegas. You could disguise them as palm trees? Or giant flamingo legs? Alan Mays, AIA Senior Member Username: amays Post Number: 73 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 04:42 pm:    Paul...I am trying burst that head of Ken's. It was already big after the Summit. Put him on a stage and let him talk specs... The problem with plaster is that it is a worked trade. Getting a good smooth finish that will not crack is a problem, skilled or not. GFRG has the advantage of the ability of a consistent finish and the joints can be be taped and bedded to hide them. It would require paint. If joints are acceptable, then a metal column cover would be more durable and can be prefinished. Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1440 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 04:54 pm:    What's the diameter? You might be able to form plastic laminate. Or LuminOre Or Gage Architectural Products Or Cascade Coil Drapery (page 14 in the recent Architect) Paul, don't rub it in...I wish I could have made it. I'm still hoping for a future gathering. Steve Taylor (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 09:39 pm:    Wrapping the column with PLAM won't work. Aside from the problem of gluing it on, you'd never get the joints flush. It would be possible to make a column cover of bent plywood with a PLAM face. The two halves could be tongue and grooved so they could be glued together with no visible fasteners. A 3/4" tube with 1/4" of shim space behind it would probably work. Mind you, I have no idea who would make it for you, but I'm confident it could be done. Steve Taylor Woodwork Institute ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 189 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Friday, April 13, 2012 - 12:16 pm:    Randall, take a look at Altro Whiterock - http://www.altrofloors.com/Walls.aspx. I don't know if it can be formed in radius or not. If it can, it may be a good alternative for you. Steven Bruneel, AIA, CSI-CDT, LEED-AP Senior Member Username: redseca2 Post Number: 332 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Friday, April 13, 2012 - 02:25 pm:    9 out of 10 cats agree, wrap this sucker in gray "industrial" carpet like a disco from the '80's and make it the scratching post it deserves to be. ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 192 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Friday, April 13, 2012 - 03:17 pm:    ...and play 'Cat Scratch Fever' over the intercom? Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1443 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, April 13, 2012 - 03:46 pm:    thank you for the ear worm... Randall A Chapple, AIA, SE, CCS, LEED AP Senior Member Username: rachapple Post Number: 56 Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Monday, April 16, 2012 - 05:03 pm:    Scratching post! I like it! Patrick Bandy Senior Member Username: patrick_bandy Post Number: 11 Registered: 08-2006 Posted on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 - 05:28 pm:    Bleached pony skin or cowhide. Really. Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPjCBWplEyY (at 14 seconds). ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 196 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Monday, April 23, 2012 - 03:31 pm:    Alan and Paul, what did I say to earn such ... feedback? That does it. I'm buying you both beers next time I see you. TomBoissy (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Monday, April 30, 2012 - 04:08 pm:    Randy, Take a look at PermaBase Flex. Its a flexible 1/2" cement board that can take a 6" radius. It can be skimmed with setting compound or gypsum veneer plastered. Plaster will require a bonding agent like Larsen's Plaster Weld. I think you will like the results. Tom