Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question that is not answered here or you would like further information, please feel free to contact us.

What is CTI?
What warranty is involved?
How thick is it?
What does it look like?
What colors does it come in?
How long does it take to do a job?
How do you treat control or expansion joints?
Is it cool to walk on?
Is it Kool Deck?
Will pool water, chlorine, muriatic acid, or bleach stain the CTI system?
Will CTI's systems fade?
Can you correct drainage and low spots?
How do you treat cracks in the concrete prior to the CTI application?
Will cracks reoccur?
What if something happens to my deck after the warranty?
Can you apply the CTI system over painted concrete?
Can the CTI system be applied to steps?
Can the CTI system be applied to walls?
How long has this product been in use?
Can you level heaved concrete?
How does the price of CTI compare with removing and replacing old concrete?
How do I clean the CTI surfaces?
I know concrete is strong and durable, how does CTI's systems compare?

1. What is CTI?

CTI's product is a color integrated, modified acrylic cement product made of Portland cement, silica sand and a modified acrylic resin for its bonding agent.

2. What warranty is involved?

CTI offers a 10-year limited material warranty against check cracking, fading, delamination, and general product failure.

3. How thick is it?

We generally apply our systems on old concrete between 3/32" to 1/8". CTI's systems are thin layered cements which depend on adhesion through the use of modified acrylics.

4. What does it look like?

CTI's systems achieve a look, texture and color of any type of stone or look you require. A base coat is applied that fixes any imperfections in the original concrete. A design is then laid over it and a hopper gun shoots on a textured layer over that.

A final clear coat is put over the system that is nonporous and protects it as well as makes it very easy to maintain. Mold, mildew, motor oil, etc. can be sprayed off with a regular garden hose. Common detergents can be used to remove tough or repetitive latences.

5. What colors does it come in?

We have a variety of standard colors to choose from. However, we can custom produce any color you wish for a minimal extra charge.

6. How long does it take to do a job?

An average job will take 1 to 2 days. Larger, more complex jobs may take longer. Clean foot traffic is usually allowed within the same day.

7. How do you treat control or expansion joints?

All existing control joints should remain in the surface to allow for expansion and contraction of the original concrete. They are not coated with the CTI system and are masked off. We can, however, work to insure these joints match the rest of the look of the surfaces.

8. Is it cool to walk on?

Here is how CTI's systems compare to other coatings as far as heat retention:

10-40 degrees cooler than concrete
30%-40% cooler than epoxy stone
50% cooler than vinyl or urethane
40%-50% cooler than wood decks
Up to 40% cooler than carpet
50%-60% cooler than terrazzo
40%-50% cooler than tile
20%-30% cooler than brick

9. Is it Kool Deck?

No. Kool Deck is a product that must be applied to freshly poured concrete within 5 hours in order to bond. CTI's systems can be applied to new or old concrete. In addition, CTI's systems are a three-coat system and are sealed with a finish coat, which makes it impervious to staining. Whereas Kool Deck is a very porous, non-flexible product, that has a minimal life expectancy.

10. Will pool water, chlorine, muriatic acid, or bleach stain the CTI system?

No, the sealer we apply to our system is not affected by most chemicals.

11. Will CTI's systems fade?

No, not dramatically, the CTI product has approximately a 2% fade factor over seven years, which is undetectable by the human eye; our warranty covers this.

12. Can you correct drainage and low spots?

We can generally improve drainage; however, the degree of success is contingent upon the pitch of the concrete adjacent to the low spot. The low spot will have to be looked at personally by an authorized CTI dealer to let you know what you can expect.

13. How do you treat cracks in the concrete prior to the CTI application?

Cracks are ground out with a cup grinder to produce a "V". A two-part epoxy with a chopped fiberglass filament is then introduced into the crack and will re-bond the crack.

14. Will cracks reoccur?

Though we do everything possible to treat cracks and do eliminate 90% of them, it is possible they may reoccur. If they do, it is usually in the form of a hairline, which is not objectionable as it is largely hidden in the texture. However, if a crack becomes too objectionable, it is easy to repair. Proper placement of tension cuts greatly reduces the chance of the crack returning.

15. What if something happens to my deck after the warranty?

The material is repairable to its original state. We service all decks past warranty.

16. Can you apply the CTI system over painted concrete?

Yes, though it generally will need to be scarified or sandblasted to remove the paint enough to where our product will bond with the original concrete.

17. Can the CTI system be applied to steps?

Yes, CTI's systems can be applied to concrete steps including risers and treads.

18. Can the CTI system be applied to walls?

Yes, however, multiple spray coats are needed to reduce rebound, or waste.

19. How long has this product been in use?

Acrylic decking has been in use since the early 70's. Our manufacturing facility has been producing coatings since 1968.

20. Can you level heaved concrete?

Yes, quite easily.

21. How does the price of CTI compare with removing and replacing old concrete?

The cost of the CTI system is normally 20%-25% less than the cost of removing cement and pouring new and is much better looking and much easier to maintain than the original cement.

22. How do I clean the CTI surfaces?

Usually, normal washing with a hose is all that is needed. For stubborn stains, a brush with laundry detergent is all that is needed.

23. I know concrete is strong and durable, how does CTI's systems compare?

CTI's systems are harder than concrete. Most concrete has a compressive strength of 2000-2500 psi rating. CTI's system has a 7000 psi rating.