Who can apply ArcusStone coatings?
ArcusStonecoat™ and ArcusPlaster™ decorative coatings are applied by trained ArcusStone Applicators. The majority of Applicators are plastering, EIFS, drywall, and concrete finishing companies.

How would I choose an Applicator to apply ArcusStone products?
Ask a local ArcusStone distributor for a list of Applicators experienced in your type of project.

Does ArcusStone Products recommend specific Applicators?
No. ArcusStone Products relies on our distributor technical representatives to provide lists of experienced Applicators for bidding projects.

Does ArcusStone Products provide front-end consultations with specifiers and architects for proposed ArcusStone specifications?
Absolutely. We will work closely with you in developing and refining your specifications for the use of our materials on your projects. In addition, ArcusStone will help coordinate with the local distributor rep to address any further questions and to provide ongoing support once the project is specified with ArcusStone products.

What kind of warranties are available?
ArcusStone has a standard Limited Warranty, which is a 1 year product warranty. However, upon completion of your commercial ArcusStone project, your trained ArcusStone Applicator can request through the local distributor an Extended Warranty of 5, 7, or 10 years, subject to certain requirements. They are intended to provide an extension of the terms given in the standard one year Limited Warranty, and are available for commercial projects only.

These Extended Warranties do not cover workmanship, nor are they intended as guarantees against cracking, efflorescence, color shift, or any other issue related to the installation of the products. Warranties for workmanship/installation may be provided by the Applicator.

Who do I contact if I have questions concerning my ArcusStone installation?
Always discuss any installation issues or problems first with the Applicator you hired to install the ArcusStone materials. If you have other questions regarding the ArcusStone products, contact your local ArcusStone distributor or ArcusStone technical services.

Do ArcusStone materials have a fire rating?
The ArcusStonecoat and ArcusPlaster materials alone do not have a fire rating as a true fire rating is developed by testing the products as components of an already rated wall assembly. However, both have been tested for flame spread and developed smoke under ASTM E-84-07 over 5/8" Type X gypsum. The results for both products were zero Flame Spread and zero Developed Smoke, which gives both an NFPA 'Class A" rating, the highest and best rating possible. In other words, neither product will contribute to spreading a fire or developing additional smoke in the event of a fire.

Are ArcusStone coatings considered non-combustible?
Yes. Both the ArcusStonecoat and ArcusPlaster products were given a non-combustible rating after being tested under ASTM E136-04.

Can the ArcusStone coatings withstand the rigors of colder climates with a lot of freeze/thaw cycles?
Over the past 14 years there have been numerous exterior installations of ArcusStone coatings in areas such as Minnesota, Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Colorado which experience extremes in temperature and cycling between freezing and thawing. Additionally, the ArcusStonecoat and ArcusPlaster have been tested under ICC-ES AC11 Section 4.2 for freeze/thaw cycling. Both passed with no indication of cracking, checking, or crazing under 5x magnification.

Do the ArcusStone coatings need to be sealed?
There are some specific installations and conditions where sealing is required, but in general, ArcusStone Products suggests that sealing be left to the discretion of the client.

Please refer to the ArcusStone Technical Manual general requirements for sealing, or contact a local ArcusStone distributor rep or ArcusStone technical services for more specifics on sealer requirements.

How long should ArcusStone coatings cure prior to the application of a sealer?
The coatings should be allowed to cure at an air temperature above 50 degrees F for a minimum of 48 hours prior to application of any sealer.

Can ArcusStone coatings be considered "green" products?
Yes. ArcusStone materials require a low energy investment to produce them, incorporate high recovery and recycling properties and are safe from chemical contaminant emissions. The main limestone component of both materials is a by-product of another manufacturing process, which makes them eligible for LEED points under this category.

Are ArcusStone coatings considered 'sustainable" products?
Yes. Since both are considered forms of cement plaster stucco coatings, they have a serviceable lifespan equal to these stucco-like claddings, which range from 50 to 100 years. They are also very low maintenance coatings, requiring nothing more than some intermittent cleaning to keep them looking good.

What exactly is ArcusStonecoat?
ArcusPlaster?
How are they alike?
How are they different?
ArcusStonecoat and ArcusPlaster are both comprised of patented blends of crushed limestone, aggregates, bonding agents, polymers, and Portland cement. Both products are integrally colored using pure mineral oxide pigments, which helps ensure a higher resistance to UV light fade.

ArcusStonecoat is usually applied to a 3/8" thickness and can be used to create countertops, fireplace mantles, door and window surrounds, columns, arches, flooring, fountains, and numerous other decorative stone features.

ArcusPlaster is normally applied to a 3/16" thickness, and is typically used to create a European look of aged stucco with a subtle movement or mottling of color and a warm patina and depth. Examples of applications include exterior facades of restaurants, hotels, and estate homes, and interior applications in commercial and residential projects.

What are the color options for ArcusStone coatings?
Both ArcusStonecoat and ArcusPlaster materials are available in 9 standard, earth-toned colors, and both can be custom colored to suit your design requirements. ArcusStone Products will work with your designer, specifier, architect, applicator or ArcusStone distributor in developing whatever color is requested.

Are ArcusStone coatings suitable for use in wet locations such as a shower surround?
ArcusStonecoat, with certain additives, is approved for use in shower surrounds, fountains, and other water features. ArcusPlaster is not intended nor approved for these types of applications.

What are the requirements and recommendations for expansion and control joints?
Since ArcusStone materials are decorative coatings that can be applied to a number of different substrates, the requirements for those various substrates need to be followed. An example would be an ArcusStonecoat installation over Portland cement — scratch and brown coat with metal lath, over wood sheathing. In this instance, control joints are typically located every 144 sq. ft. of surface area, at maximum length-to-width ratios of 2-1/2 to 1. Consult with an ArcusStone distributor rep or ArcusStone technical services for other requirements.

Can ArcusStone coatings be spray applied?
Yes, although most applications are trowel applied which is the preferred method for most textures and finishes. Contact ArcusStone technical services for more information on spray equipment and methods.

Will the ArcusStone coatings promote mold growth?
No. Both materials are inorganic and do not promote or sustain mold growth as there is nothing in the material for the mold to feed on such as the cellulose fibers that comprise the paper backing on drywall.

Does ArcusStone recommend application of ArcusPlaster or ArcusStonecoat below grade?
In limited applications, either product can be used below grade, subject to material modifications and topical sealer application as given in the ArcusStone Application Manual.

Why would a finished wall have different colors when the ArcusStone material came from the same batch?
A number of possible causes include: efflorescence, shadows from planks, scaffolding, adjacent landscaping and structures, differing texture / finishing techniques used by different workers and differential drying due to variable suction in the substrate.

What is efflorescence and how would I treat it if it appeared on an ArcusStone coating?
The type of efflorescence sometimes found on cement plaster stucco finishes such as ArcusStone coatings are usually crystalline deposits mostly comprised of Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) salts that have formed on the surface in the presence of excessive moisture. As the ArcusStone coating cures and the excess water leaves the material, deposits of Calcium Hydroxide that have leeched through the material as it cures, may be deposited on the surface. These salts react with the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the air to form Calcium Carbonates, better known as efflorescence. Muriatic acid or white vinegar diluted in water and brushed onto the surfaces and rinsed off is usually sufficient to remove such deposits. If the coating is to have a sealer applied, neutralize the finish first using an approved product for this purpose, rinse thoroughly and allow to dry.

Can ArcusStone coatings be applied directly to wood?
No. There are however, some specialized applications of ArcusStonecoat over interior wood substrates such as table tops that are allowed when following ArcusStone requirements for sealing the wood and application of an intervening base coat material. Always consult with ArcusStone technical services for further details before commencing such applications.

Can ArcusStone coatings be applied directly to metal?
No. However, contact with metal reglets, lath, and control joints is, of course, acceptable.

Can I paint over ArcusStone coatings?
ArcusStone coatings are intended to be the finish coat over a number of substrates, and as such, have not been tested as a substrate intended for applications of paint. Therefore, ArcusStone Products does not have any specific recommendations for painting over the ArcusStone coatings.

How easy is it to repair ArcusStone coatings?
It depends on the texture, finish, and type of repair anticipated. Smooth finishes are always more difficult to make a repair that does not look like a repair. Textured finishes allow the repairs to be camouflaged more effectively. Minor cracks can be easily repaired by following ArcusStone Products recommended procedures. Larger repair areas such as those damaged by vehicles or storm debris can usually be fixed with very good results.

What do I need to do to maintain an ArcusStone coating?
Usually nothing, other than periodic cleaning if the finishes are horizontal, such as floors and patios. Most vertical applications of either ArcusStonecoat or ArcusPlaster will not require any maintenance.

What kinds of substrates are acceptable for applications of ArcusStonecoat and ArcusPlaster?
Generally any stable, sound substrate is acceptable, including; lath/scratch/brown coat over sheathing, cement board, masonry, CMU block, natural stone, tile, ICF, EIFS, lightweight cement, mortar bed, cement fiber board over wood, exterior gyp sheathing with cementitious base coat and embedded mesh. Consult with ArcusStone Products LLC technical services if you have questions concerning application over a specific substrate.

How does ArcusStonecoat and ArcusPlaster compare to EIFS finishes?
ArcusStonecoat is intended to replicate cut or quarried stone, with a coursing pattern and texture that is unlike EIFS. This product would be more comparable to dimensioned stone, natural stone tile, "cultured" stone, and other stone veneers. Therefore, the ArcusStonecoat is typically not compared to EIFS finishes.

The ArcusPlaster is more comparative, being a limestone coating that is intended to cover much larger wall areas without any jointing, similar to EIFS. However, it is NOT a PB (Polymer Based) or PM (Polymer Modified) product, which are the two general classifications of EIFS finishes. It is a Portland cement based product that is reinforced with various polymer modifiers for added bond and strength, and has a subtle movement in the color, as opposed to most EIFS finishes which look more like paint coatings in their uniformity.