Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/177525
quartz inishes. But more importantly, Acrytec panels can be installed with ease on any new or existing building project, including restoration. Acrytec's wide range of panel types cover most needs. The Acry-Lite panel, for example, is a versatile, lightweight product that includes two primary cultures, making the board virtually impervious to any adverse climatic scenario. The Acry-Lite panel can also be inished with any Acrytec texture. Acry-NC Panels are produced using volcanic materials as well as alkalai-resistant glass ibres, which result in incredible performance for ire, strength and resistance to moisture. The NC panel can withstand temperatures over 1,400 degrees Celsius and are primarily used for applications where ire protection is critical. Pierre Hebert, technical services manager for Mapei Inc., a worldwide leader in the manufacture of total systems for the installation of loor coverings in commercial and residential construction, describes business in 2011 as "somewhat soft" and attributes this to the still-recovering economy. "That said, while the retail and the residential sectors face challenges, things are rolling along fairly well on the commercial side," he adds. Mapei's surface preparation products condition loors and walls for optimal installation of tile, carpet, wood, vinyl and decorative concrete. Its installation products include mortars, grouts, adhesives and admixtures that ensure satisfaction with any loor covering customers choose. New products developed by Mapei's research and development department are on-going, and for concrete restoration Mapei provides waterproo ing and corrosion inhibitors, as well as self-levelling underlayments and mortars to restore interior or exterior concrete structures. Hebert says, "Being so close to research and development, we're noticing a trend of tiles becoming larger and thinner. For example, I'm currently assisting our sales department on a large mall project in Toronto in which the tiles are three feet by 10 and only an eighth of an inch thick. The appeal is understandable: the tiles weigh less, use less material in their manufacture, less grout in their installation, and they're esthetically pleasing – even though working with them can be a challenge." Hebert notes another trend, this time in the loor-covering sector, is of clients considering no PVC backing. In favour of newer engineered backings: "So we're currently developing new adhesives to accommodate this newer segment of the industry." Also, Mapei is offering a series of products aimed at installers that consists of rapid-setting and user-friendly mortars. "Our mortars are much easier to apply than traditional mortar, and 24/ FEBRUARY 2012 p.18-25Restoration.indd 24 installations with these materials are very durable," says Hebert. PPG Architectural Coatings has a number of individual products and recommended systems to solve restoration, renovation, protection, and beauti ication challenges. For example, the company's Cora lon® ADS Intermix is a twocomponent, ultra-durable, ield-applied luoropolymer inish that provides excellent colour and chalk resistance. Cora lon® ADS Intermix is available in satin and gloss inishes and a wide variety of colours, all of which provide outstanding resistance to UV light. The Cora lon® ADS Intermix is designed to be used on structurally sound surfaces, including architectural metals, curtain walls, standing seam roofs, aluminum windows, doors, handrails and stairs. (The Cora lon® Epoxy Primer and Coralon® ADS Intermix Black topcoat are being used extensively on Toronto's 77 King Street West revitalization project featured on page 55 of Award's October 2011 issue.) The PPG Building Renewal™ Program provides a complete line of extremely durable and visually appealing protective coatings for a variety of interior and exterior surfaces. PPG's advanced coatings technologies provide the best in premium restoration and renovation protection to enhance the value of buildings and add years to their lifetime. Colonial has completed projects worth from $5,000 to $8,000,000, including high-pro ile projects such as the Library of Parliament, Toronto City Hall and the award-winning 51 Division Police Station. The company's range of services include brick replacement, stone preservation, block work, weather-proo ing, wood restoration – in fact, the whole gamut of restoration skills. One of Colonial's more recent projects was the restoration of University of Toronto Soldier's Tower, an iconic structure that had been battered by 85 years' worth of rain, wind and snow. The project lasted four months, during which time the crenellations, arches, buttresses and quoins of the 143-foot tower were girded with scaffolding. Although the four distinctive gothic spires were among the most urgent priorities for repair (they had shifted from their original positions), repairs were also needed to the upper masonry and parapet stonework. As frank as Lough is in discussing the effects of government cutbacks on business, he is cautiously optimistic about the future. "There are always restoration opportunities," he says. "In fact, I'm bidding on the West Block restoration of the Parliament Buildings, a $500-million project of which my portion would maybe worth about $60 million," he says. "Hopefully, more opportunities will present themselves this year." ■ Restoration Products & Services 1/26/12 12:41:43 PM