ArtFlor: Grounded in CreativityCompany Specializes in Architectural Concrete FloorsWhether it's encouraging a dog to run across the not-yet-dry floor to ultimately leave permanent paw prints for a dog-loving client or leaving concrete skid marks for a race car-themed environment, architectural concrete flooring company ArtFlor consistently shifts creativity into high gear, making it a key element of each project it undertakes. ArtFlor is a division of Tri-Co Floors, which was created in 1959. The parent company, based in Southern California and Nevada, provides and develops flooring products and services that accommodate all specifications and design criteria. Tri-Co works in a range of flooring materials, including conductive flooring, images on tile and stone, carpet and flotex, resilient and hardwood, and moisture proofing systems. The ArtFlor division specializes in interior and exterior floor, overlays, and both smooth and stamped concrete. The company travels all over the country. About 17 years ago, with no concrete experience, the company was asked to fix a botched concrete job. "We had to quickly figure out toppings," says president Tina Anderson. And they did. "We were the first to do it — at the Bally's Shopping Mall, which is about 25,000 square feet," she says. Employees at the company started experimenting with different systems and playing with various dyes. Back then the dyes used had their faults — if the concrete was gauge, the background was white; the color didn't go all the way through. But with the advent of integral color and myriad other techniques discovered along the way, architectural concrete at Tri-Co blossomed. The ArtFlor division was formed about eight years ago and trademarked three years ago. Employees between 25 and 30 people at any given time. In addition, there are licensees around the country. Most of their work — about 80 percent — is commercial. Most of what we do for the residential market is high end, says Penny Steward, the company's director of sales and marketing. "People (who initially weren't familiar with architectural concrete) didn't want cement in their homes. It's really the large custom homes where we do most of our residential work." Artflor's versatility of design, color and texture options can be used in various combinations, resulting with nearly endless design potential. Architectural concrete can be applied in either new or remodel construction projects. In addition, it can be applied to interior, exterior and vertical surfaces, making architectural concrete a great choice for commercial, corporate, retail, municipal and residential projects. Incorporating the concepts of design and architecture, Artflor works with clients in developing and enhancing any project or home using architectural concrete. Artflor controls installation, from concept to completion using in-house design support, management and craftsmen to ensure a worry-free project The company has turned out an impressive lineup of commercial projects, like the Ephesus Salon in San Diego. Existing concrete was topped with cementitious overlayment. The main field received a simple swirling coloration, accompanied by a 24-inch contrasting border. The overall ambiance reflects a European motif. ArtFlor has also gotten lucky with numerous Las Vegas projects like at the Circus Circus, where existing concrete was topped with a custom stamped texture cementitious overlayment. The new 17,000-square-foot tower shopping mall promenade received a simple coloration process to achieve the look of a stone pattern. And if you've been to Vegas' Luxor Giza Galleria and IMAX Theatre, then you've walked on another of ArtFlor's unique projects. Existing concrete was overlayed and stamped with a custom (one-of-a-kind) texture stamp. A one-step coloration process was then applied and sealed. Another favorite project is the floor that graces a river-boat casino in Joliet, Illinois. The gorgeous swirled patterns in rich shades of gold and burgundy beautifully complement the lush Egyptian-style Emperess Casino. But one of their most memorable projects is Cat's Rock House in Tijuana, Mexico. The goal was to mix an old world environment with a modern feel. To do that, existing concrete was topped with cementitious overlyament to create a fresh new canvas throughout the entire nightclub. Staining and chemical processes, sawcutting, and mottling were used to achieve the desired effect. But the memorable aspect of the project, Anderson and Steward agree, is that it was such a challenge, particularly because building standards in Mexico are lower than those in the United States. "The concrete was so sub-par, and there were a number of safety issues like unsafe scaffolding," they said, now laughing about it. ArtFlor has used architectural concrete to create numerous themed environments. They've embellished a racecar theme with concrete-laden skid marks, they've used metal stars for a performing arts center — a project in which the theme was consistent both indoors and outdoors. They've also worked in feng shui environments, and have used concrete to enhance tropical, beach, and southwest themes. "We really like doing inlays — stones, glass, metals, mosaics," Anderson says. "They really give the concrete a unique look." Whatever type of project they tackle, they always examine all the variables involved and consider what will work best for the project as a whole. "We look at slippage and maintenance issues, and we want the end-user and the architect to be happy, as well as have a result that is visually pleasing," says Anderson. Meanwhile, Anderson and Steward have seen the decorative concrete industry explode in recent years. "There are so many (companies) now," Anderson says. "It's a big weeding out process. We get two or three calls a week from people who need their concrete job fixed, which isn't good for the industry." Anderson says the company decided to license their knowledge. "With us you hire an experienced artisan. A lot of decorative contractors today have been at a two day seminar and have enough knowledge to be dangerous. Artflor, Inc.  Michele Dawson writes each week on one of the contractor members of The Concrete Network (www.concretenetwork.com). She has written about the home building industry for several years and was on the public affairs staff of the California Building Industry Association. Find a Concrete Contractor 23 Services in 200 Metros -- U.S. and Canada © 2008 ConcreteNetwork.com None of this site may be reproduced without written permission |
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