ASTRA-GLAZE-SW®+ Glazed Masonry Unit Specifications

PART 1 - GENERAL

SUBMITTAL
Submit color samples for selection from manufacturer's series. Submit product literature, certifications, test reports, full size sample(s) of each color specified or selected.

QUALITY ASSURANCE
All glazed masonry units shall be ASTRA-GLAZE-SW®+ units manufactured by TRENWYTH INDUSTRIES. Glazed concrete blocks manufactured in PA & IL shall be lightweight units conforming to ASTM C90 Type 1. Glazed concrete blocks manufactured in AZ shall be medium weight units conforming to ASTM C90 Type 1. The glazed surface shall have a smooth satin-gloss finish, externally heat-polymerized cast-on facing conforming to ASTM C744 and all applicable Federal Specifications. All units contain W.R. Grace DRY-BLOCK®, an integral water-repellent CMU admixture at the time of manufacture.

Fire Resistance: Define hourly ratings required as 1, 2, 3, or 4 hours.

Field Constructed Mock-ups: Construct a sample panel, no less than 4' x 4', of units of each color and size to be used in the project.

DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING
Glazed masonry units shall be delivered to the jobsite on banded pallets with individual protective covers on each glazed block face. Keep protective block covers on the blocks until installation. Store pallets in single-stacks on level ground and cover with waterproof covering (e.g., tarpaulins) to protect the blocks from inclement weather. Handle blocks carefully to avoid breakage and damage to the finished surface.

PROJECT / SITE CONDITIONS
Protection of Work: Cover walls each day after installation to keep open walls protected and dry. After units are installed they should be protected from damage by other trades performing operations that can stain or otherwise damage the finished surfaces by covering walls with plastic. Corners should be protected from damage after installation by covering them with plywood.

Trenwyth requires ordering a full size unit to illustrate color and texture for approval. Trenwyth Industries requires a jobsite sample panel be installed at the jobsite prior to installation of any Trenwyth products. This panel will represent both the quality of the product and the workmanship to be expected for the project. The panel must be approved by either the owner or architect for the project. Trenwyth will provide 4" units for a sample panel 4' by 4' and no cost for the material (not including freight to site).

PART 2 - PRODUCT NAME
ASTRA-GLAZE-SW®+ glazed masonry units

MANUFACTURER
Trenwyth Industries (800) 233-1924
One Connelly Road, P.O. Box 438
Emigsville, PA 17318

Trenwyth Industries (800) 358-3003
238 Charles Avenue
South Beloit, IL 61080

Trenwyth Industries (800) 331-9823
4626 N. 42nd Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85019

RELATED MATERIALS
Colored matching or contrasting mortar as supplied by TRENWYTH INDUSTRIES, Inc. Refer to Division 4 Masonry Section for mortar type and specifications.

Use W.R. Grace DRY-BLOCK® water-repellent mortar additive, supplied by TRENWYTH INDUSTRIES, following manufacturer's instructions, in all exterior mortar.

SIZES AND SHAPES
Actual facing dimensions shall be 7 3/4" x 15 3/4" forming a 1/16" lip around the edges of a modular 7 5/8" x 15 5/8" block. Nominal 2", 4", 6", 8", 10", and 12" standard block thickness shall be used as required as well as standard and special block shapes. Basic units may include stretchers, jambs, caps, and cove bases. Other possible face dimensions are nominal 16" x 16", 12" x 12", 8" X 18", 4" X 16", 8" X 8". Semi-solid and solid units shall be used where specified and/or shown on the drawings.

MASONRY CLEANERS
Use masonry cleaners such as Sure-Klean® 600 or Vanatrol®, carefully following manufacturer's instructions.

CAUTION! The following solvents must never be used as they may damage ASTRA-GLAZE-SW®+ block facings: paint remover, lacquer thinner, epoxy thinner, methylene chloride, acetone, muriatic acid.

PART 3 - EXECUTION

LAYING MASONRY WALLS
Draw blocks from more than one pallet at a time during installation. All exterior mortar shall include W.R. Grace DRY-BLOCK® water-repellent additive added to each batch in the appropriate dosage rates for mortar type (M,S or N) per manufacturer's instructions. Refer to NCMA TEK 3-1A for Hot and Cold weather construction practices.

INSTALLATION
Lighting: Provide adequate lighting for masonry work by placing all lighting a reasonable distance from the wall for even illumination. Do not use trough lighting.

Base Course: Align base course properly on the floor slab.

Cove Base: Keep the cove base tight to the slab if vinyl floor tile is to be installed. For thicker flooring, raise cove base units to the desired height.

Cutting: Make all unit cuts, including those for bonding, holes, boxes, etc., with motor driven masonry saws, using either an abrasive or diamond blade. Cut neatly and locate for best appearance.

Mortar Bedding and Jointing:
1. Lay units with full mortar coverage on head and bed joints taking care not to block cores to be grouted or filled with masonry insulation.

2. Tool all mortar joints when thumbprint hard into a concave configuration.

3. Care should be taken to remove mortar from the face of masonry units before it sets.

4. Tuckpoint the joints of scored units for proper appearance. All exterior scored units must be tuckpointed to prevent water penetration. NO RAKE JOINTS.

WORKMANSHIP
Lay ASTRA-GLAZE-SW®+ blocks with the faces level, plumb, and true to a line strung horizontally at the glazed face. Install only quality units; reject all defective units. Units shall have uniform face joint dimensions of 1/4" both horizontally and vertically. Tool joints neatly after they are finger-hard to make them straight and uniform. Size and place cut pieces appropriately to maintain consistency and bond. Complete masonry construction using procedures and workmanship consistent with the best masonry practices.

FLASHING OF MASONRY WORK
Install flashing at locations shown in the plans and in strict accordance with the details and the best masonry flashing practices.

WEEP HOLES AND VENTS
Install weep holes and vents at proper intervals (32" O.C. and 2" long, above bed joints, typical) at courses above grade, above flashing, and at any water stops over windows, doors, and beams.

INSPECTION
The glazed facing shall be free from chips, cracks, crazes or any other imperfection that would detract from the overall appearance of the finished wall when viewed from a distance of five (5) feet at right angles to the wall with normal lighting.

CLEANING
Keep walls clean daily during installation using brushes or rags and a clean damp cloth. Harsh cleaning methods after walls have been erected may mar the surface of the blocks. Do not allow excess mortar lumps or smears to harden on the glazed surfaces. Remove green mortar with a dry cloth. Do not use steel wool, sandpaper, or other abrasives. Clean the completed walls with a detergent cleaner strictly following the manufacturer's instructions including thorough rinsing. Do not use acid or abrasives on the glazed surfaces. DO NOT POWER WASH. See Masonry Cleaners.

MAINTENANCE
ASTRA-GLAZE-SW®+ units, properly installed and cleaned, need virtually no maintenance other than routine cleaning with standard commercial grade cleaning agents such as PINESOL or FANTASTIK. Graffiti, paint or dye may need special cleaning methods and products such as Trenwyth's Graffiti Wizard environmentally friendly cleaner. Contact manufacturer for specific cleaning recommendations.

INSTALLATION RECOMMENDATIONS
. For walls with a glazed finish on both sides, use two single-faced units. Because masonry units are typically installed aligning one side, the second side of double-faced units is almost invariably misaligned. Use double-faced units only when economy is more important than appearance. 10" and 12" double-faced units are not recommended. Trenwyth accepts no responsibility for face alignment.
. Cavity wall construction is recommended for exterior walls, with proper flashing, venting, and weep holes.
. For best appearance, use stack bond construction when stack bond appearance is desired (as opposed to scored units in running bond).
. All exterior mortar joints must contain an approved water repellent additive such as W.R. Grace DRY-BLOCK® or approved equal.
. For best appearance and water resistance, tuckpoint scored joints on interior and exterior applications.
. A complementary or matching mortar color is recommended when using colorful ASTRA-GLAZE-SW®+ units.