Concrete Coatings Transform Surfaces at D.C. Housing Complex

Less than a half mile from the White House, SUNDEK of Washington resurfaced 34,000 square feet of concrete to create eye-catching, durable, and low-maintenance surfaces.
Posted by admin on October 16, 2023 in Blog

SUNDEK of Washington resurfaced 34,000 square feet of exterior spaces at the new CSX complex in the heart of Washington, D.C. Here, an outdoor cooking, dining, and hangout area overlooks a gorgeous view of the district.

When LandDesign, a master planning and landscape architecture firm began planning the design for all the exterior spaces at CSX, a new, massive multi-use complex in the heart of Washington, D.C., they knew exactly who to call on for the surface work: SUNDEK of Washington.

For all outdoor surfaces, Greystar, the property owners, wanted to ensure that surfaces would be easy to maintain, durable, and safe to walk on. SUNDEK of Washington delivered on every requirement by installing Classic Texture.

LandDesign and SUNDEK had worked together on several projects in D.C. metro area in the past and had already built a strong working relationship by the time they began discussing ideas for CSX. The two parties collaborated for two years before solidifying the contract with John Moriarty & Associates (JMA), the General Contractor on the 34,000 square-foot CSX project. “Our past proven capabilities and ongoing relationship with JMA working on some of the most prestigious projects in the region positions SUNDEK as the sole source to bring the architect’s vision for exceptional outdoor concrete surfaces to life,” says Bob Miller, Vice President and General Manager at SUNDEK of Washington.

Greystar, the owners of CSX, had several requirements in mind for the surfaces within their three-building multi-use housing complex. High on their list of priorities was making sure the surface was low-maintenance and durable. When it came to the design, they wanted a pattern that matches the buildings’ multiple angles and a seamless flow of colors between the connected building and amenity areas.

When SUNDEK began their work on the project, surfaces needed a massive amount of prep and repair work so the new coating would adhere property and surfaces would be ADA compliant.

SUNDEK of Washington met with LandDesign several times to review mockups and samples, and ultimately all parties involved agreed that Classic Texture would be the right product for the job. Classic Texture is known for being both low maintenance and durable, making it perfect for this space which will see lots of foot traffic throughout the year.

Related: Concrete Coatings for Apartments & Condos

Classic Texture is a non-porous acrylic coat that keeps dirt, oils, and chemicals from penetrating the surface, so maintaining it is straightforward. Additionally, because it’s textured, the surface doesn’t get slippery when wet, so it’s safe to walk on all year long, even in inclement weather.

For colors, the stakeholders on the project agreed that neutrals would be best. The three colors SUNDEK used on the project: Tea N Cream, Pewter Gray, and Kahlua, work together to create a calming, peaceful color scheme. In addition to complementing colors used for other elements of the site, these three neutral colors also help keep the surface cool, even on hot summer days.

After all the design decisions were in place, SUNDEK crews were ready to begin the preparation and installation process. “Like so many of our rooftop projects that are structurally cast-in-place concrete, the surface looked like it was finished with a mop,” says Bob Miller, vice president and general manager at SUNDEK of Washington. Crews spent multiple days preparing the surface by repairing cracks and grinding the surface down to create the right surface profile for the Classic Texture coating. They also worked on correcting slopes where needed, verifying that all surfaces were ADA compliant.

Gorgeous pathways line the perimeter, creating a series of durable and safe surfaces for residents and guests to walk on.

Working on such a large-scale project requires careful scheduling and coordination, as there are always several other contractors on the jobsite at the same time. Often, there are times when one contractor can’t begin their work until another completes a portion of work, and SUNDEK of Washington crews encountered several obstacles and project delays due to other tradespeople who faced material shortages. Other hurdles presented themselves, such as inclement weather and Covid delays, but SUNDEK of Washington crews pressed on.

Despite the challenges the project presented, SUNDEK of Washington was able to complete their part of the project by the expected deadline. The unified design of all the surfaces manages to bring cohesiveness to the incredibly large space, creating an attractive, durable, and safe series of walkways and hangout spots for residents and guests to enjoy for many years to come.

Do you need resurfacing work done on your commercial project?

Contact us for a free quote or call 866-631-8664