When creating an industrial building or a backyard recreational area, there is no rule saying you can’t include color. Colored masonry is a great way to make your space more unique or blend in with the surrounding landscape. Concrete can still be extremely durable, even when you add coloring. 

Consolidated Aggregates offers multiple concrete and stone products for all types of projects. Whether you are building a commercial building or creating a paved backyard space, our colored masonry products can help!

How Colored Masonry Is Made

There are many techniques used to create colored masonry. Different materials including dyes, aggregates, glazes, paints, and colored mortar are mixed in or added after they are formed to give these blocks a vibrant hue. Depending on the product, masonry coloring can be brushed on, painted and fired, or mixed in. Depending on the type of stone you choose and the desired color, the pricing and creation time will vary. 

Fire Pits

A BBQ or fire pit area is a popular addition to many homes. Pavers, stones, or bricks can be used to line the space and provide an even walking and sitting space. Joining family and friends around a fire is a memorable experience during the summer. Colored masonry will enhance the area without sacrificing functionality. Including a color like orange, red, or black will create a very immersive vibe for smores, outdoor potlucks, and more. 

Block Planters

Cement planters are a sturdier option for plant hobbyists or gardeners. These cement blocks can be colored to contrast with your plants or to create a pattern. Cement planters can be painted after they are created or powder and aggregates can be mixed in. 

By choosing colored masonry, you will ensure that your landscaping is completely unique. Surprisingly, masonry can be made into bold colors like blue, green, yellow, red, or purple. Through colored masonry and your plants, you can show off your creative side to all who will see your yard.

Kitchen Floors

High traffic areas can benefit from stronger materials like concrete. The kitchen is a common space for many families, couples, and singles because you can do many different activities in the space. Including colored masonry in your home will provide extra durability while still helping homeowners achieve their desired aesthetic. Especially in areas like the kitchen, added durability can save you on costly repairs.

Garages

Another area that can benefit from high durability flooring is the garage. Parked cars, recreational equipment, and land care items all call the residential garage their home. While concrete is typically used for garage floors, including some color can make the garage feel like an extension of your home, rather than an eye sore. Colored pavers and stones can keep your garage durable while adding a layer of whimsy. 

Sidewalks

Not all colored concrete needs to be a color of the rainbow. In fact, many options for colored concrete or paving fall into the neutral category. Around a business or shopping district, it can be beneficial to use colored options for sidewalks. While the typical gray of concrete looks good in most spaces, your commercial scene may look better with beige, white, brown, or black.

Apartment Buildings

Brick apartment buildings don’t have to stick to the typical red brick mold. Bricks are iconic, but coloring them can set your living space apart from others in the area. Colored masonry can make apartments look more inviting and modern, which are high selling points for current renters.

While the options are truly endless when it comes to colored brick, utilizing modern neutral colors will typically attract younger generations of renters. Incorporate black, red, white, and beige to create a stunning mosaic. 

More Products From Consolidated Aggregates

Consolidated Aggregates is one of the top suppliers of concrete products in the country. We have worked hard to bring customers the highest quality building materials that still look visually appealing. Consolidated offers pool pebbles, industrial sands, athletic sands, colored quartz, and concrete. 

With over 50 years in the mining industry and aggregate production, customers know they are getting the highest quality concrete when ordering from one of our distributors. Consolidated Aggregates offers multiple products to meet the needs of many different customers. No matter what project you need help with, we have a product that will make the process easier.

We bring innovative solutions for concrete and exterior spaces that help them last throughout the generations. Learn more about all our products and some of our recent projects on our website.

Filter sands are crucial components in water and air filtration systems because they effectively remove impurities and contaminants, ensuring clean and safe water and air. Understanding different types of filter sands and their applications  is essential for selecting the appropriate media to meet specific needs, optimizing filtration efficiency, and achieving desired water and air quality standards.

Types of Filter Sands

These are just a few of the common types of filter sands:

1. Silica Sand

Silica sand is a common filter medium known for its high purity and uniform particle size distribution. It effectively removes impurities and particles from water in various filtration applications, including municipal water treatment, swimming pool filtration, and industrial processes.

2. Anthracite

Anthracite is a type of coal-derived filter media characterized by its high carbon content and low volatile matter. It is used in water filtration systems to remove sediment, turbidity, and organic matter, particularly in multi-layer filtration beds for municipal and industrial applications. 

3. Garnet

Garnet is a naturally occurring mineral with high hardness and durability. It is used as a filter medium in water filtration systems to effectively remove fine particles, sediment, and turbidity. Garnet filtration media is commonly employed in multimedia filters for municipal and industrial water treatment.

4. Activated Carbon

Activated carbon, also known as activated charcoal, is a porous carbon material with a large surface area and high adsorption capacity. It is widely used in water and air filtration systems to remove organic contaminants, odors, and dissolved gasses. Activated carbon filters are employed in both residential and commercial applications for purification purposes.

5. Greensand

Greensand is a natural mineral composed primarily of glauconite, a type of iron potassium silicate. It is utilized in water filtration systems to remove dissolved iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide through a process known as ion exchange. Greensand filters are commonly used in residential and commercial applications to improve water quality and taste.

Characteristics and Properties of Filter Sands

Here are some of the characteristics and properties of different types of filter sands:

Particle Size and Distribution: The particle size and distribution of filter sands determine their effectiveness in removing contaminants from water. Sands with uniform particle size distribution ensure consistent filtration and prevent channeling or clogging in filtration systems.

Porosity and Surface Area: Porosity and surface area are crucial factors influencing the absorption and retention of impurities by filter sands. Sands with higher porosity and surface area provide greater contact with water and enhance filtration efficiency by trapping contaminants within their porous structure.

Density and Specific Gravity: The density and specific gravity of filter sands affect their settling rate and retention capacity in filtration systems. Sands with higher density and specific gravity settle more quickly and effectively remove heavier particles and sediment from water.

Chemical Composition: The chemical composition of filter sands influences their compatibility with different water treatment processes and applications. Sands with specific chemical properties, such as pH neutrality or ion exchange capacity, offer targeted removal of contaminants and ensure optimal water quality outcomes.

Applications in Water Filtration

Filter sands are extensively used in municipal water treatment plants to remove suspended solids, sediment, and impurities from raw water sources. Sands serve as the primary filter medium in rapid gravity filtration and multimedia filtration systems, ensuring the production of clean and safe drinking water for communities.

Industrial facilities utilize filter sands in water purification processes to treat process water, wastewater, and cooling water systems. Sands effectively remove contaminants, pollutants, and particulates, enhancing water quality and preventing equipment corrosion and fouling in industrial operations.

Filter sands also play a role in swimming pool filtration systems, where they remove dirt, debris, and organic matter from pool water. Sands are used in sand filters to trap impurities and maintain water clarity, ensuring a clean and hygienic swimming environment for pool users. 

Filter sands are employed in drinking water filtration systems, such as point-of-use and point-of-entry filters, to remove contaminants and improve water quality. Sands effectively remove sediment, chlorine, and odors, providing safe and great-tasting water for residential and commercial applications.

Applications Beyond Water Filtration

There are more applications of filter sands beyond water filtration. Filter sands are utilized in wastewater treatment processes to remove suspended solids, organic matter, and pollutants from wastewater streams. Filter sands are also used in air filtration systems to capture particulate matter, dust, and airborne contaminants from industrial emissions, HVAC systems, and indoor air environments. Sands effectively trap particles to improve air quality and reduce respiratory health hazards.

Sands are used in soil remediation projects to treat contaminated soils and sediments through processes such as soil washing and filtration. Sands assist in removing pollutants, heavy metals, and organic compounds from soil, restoring soil quality and mitigating environmental risks.

Choose Consolidated Aggregates

We offer a diverse range of products at Consolidated Aggregates, including high-quality filter sands for various filtration applications. With a commitment to excellence, we provide reliable filtration solutions to meet the needs of municipal water treatment, industrial purification, swimming pool filtration, and more. We also offer other products, like concrete, colored quartz, and more. Contact us to learn more about our products and see how we can help you.

Industrial sands are essential raw materials used in diverse industries like construction, glass manufacturing, and hydraulic fracturing. Their high purity, uniformity, and specific properties contribute to processes ranging from metal casting to water filtration, playing a crucial role in infrastructure development and manufacturing.

Types of Industrial Sands

Here are some of the most common types of industrial sands:

Silica Sand

Silica sand is composed primarily of quartz grains and is one of the most common types of industrial sands. It is valued for its high purity and uniform particle size, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including glassmaking, foundry casting, construction, and water filtration.

Frac Sand

Frac sand, or hydraulic fracturing sand, is a specialized type of silica sand used in the hydraulic fracturing process to extract oil and natural gas from underground shale formations. Its high crush resistance and roundness are crucial for creating and maintaining fractures in the rock, allowing for the efficient extraction of fossil fuels.

Glass Sand

Glass sand is specifically processed for use in glass manufacturing. It must meet strict specifications regarding purity, particle size, and shape to ensure the quality and clarity of the glass produced. Glass sand is a key ingredient in the production of various types of glass, including flat glass, container glass, and fiberglass.

Foundry Sand

Foundry sand is used in metal casting processes to create molds and cores for casting metal parts and components. It is typically made from high-quality silica sand mixed with binders and additives to improve mold strength and integrity. Foundry sand must possess specific properties, such as high refractoriness, permeability, and collapsibility, to withstand the rigors of the casting process.

Filter Sand

Filter sand is used in water filtration systems to remove impurities and particles from water. It is highly effective due to its uniform particle size, high porosity, and chemical inertness, which allow for efficient filtration and purification of water in various applications, including swimming pools, municipal water treatment plants, and industrial processes.

Specialty Sand

Specialty sands encompass a range of sands that are tailored to specific industrial applications. Zircon sand, for example, is prized for its high heat resistance and is used in foundry casting, ceramics, and refractory materials. Olivine sand is valued for its high melting point and is used in foundry casting, abrasive blasting, and soil conditioning. These specialty sands offer unique properties and performance characteristics suited to their respective applications.

Applications in Foundries and Metal Casting

Industrial sand plays a pivotal role in foundries by forming molds and cores for metal casting processes. Sands are mixed with binders to create molds that define the shape of the final metal product. Cores, made from sand, are inserted into molds to create cavities and intricate shapes within the casting.

Sand properties such as grain size, shape, and thermal stability are crucial in metal casting. These properties influence mold strength, surface finish, and the ability to withstand the high temperatures and pressures of molten metal, ensuring successful casting outcomes.

Utilization in Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking) Operations

Frac sand plays an essential role in hydraulic fracturing by propping open fractures in shale rock formations. Injected into wells under high pressure, frac sand prevents fractures from closing, allowing oil and natural gas to flow to the surface for extraction. Frac sand must meet stringent quality standards, including high crush resistance, roundness, and sphericity. These characteristics ensure effective propping and fluid flow within the fractures, optimizing the efficiency of the fracking process.

Use in Glass Manufacturing

High-quality sand is crucial in glass production to ensure purity, consistency, and particle size for optimal glass quality, clarity, and strength. Various glass sands, like silica sand for clear glass and specialty sands like zircon or olivine, cater to specific glass applications, offering unique properties such as heat resistance or chemical inertness. Each sand type is meticulously processed to meet desired glass quality and performance standards.

Application in Water Filtration and Treatment

Industrial sands serve a vital role in water filtration systems, acting as effective filter media to remove impurities, particles, and contaminants from water. Sands are used in various filtration processes, including rapid gravity filtration, slow sand filtration, and multimedia filtration, to purify water for drinking, industrial use, and wastewater treatment.

Sand filters offer numerous advantages in water treatment, including high filtration efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and ease of operation and maintenance. They provide reliable removal of suspended solids, turbidity, and pathogens, resulting in clean, safe, and potable water for consumption and other applications.

Choose Consolidated Aggregates

At Consolidated Aggregates, we know the importance of using high-quality industrial sands in your projects. We provide some of the best products in the business beyond sands. We also offer colored quartz, concrete products, and more. Contact us to learn more about our products and get yours ordered.