Product Focus: Stone Essence, from Increte Systems Inc.
Developed as an ecofriendly alternative to acid stain, Increte Systems’ Stone Essence is a water-based stain that offers contractors a wide variety of options in regards to both location and aesthetics.
For starters, Stone Essence is available in 20 standard colors. Because it is available in a concentrate form, it is easy to create custom colors as well as save on shipping costs.
“You can mix colors or dilute or concentrate a color if you way to play with it and come up with something unique,” says Increte marketing manager Bernie McGuire.
Like traditional acid stains, Stone Essence is capable of producing a mottled, variegated finish, but it does so without the negative impact of acid or, for that matter, VOCs.
Aiding in the unique look that Stone Essence can produce is the variety of application techniques available. McGuire notes that Stone Essence can be applied to the surface with a sprayer, roller or even a sponge.
Unlike traditional acid stains, water-based stains do not have an acid residue that needs to be washed off. This allows for easier application in indoor areas. With that in mind, McGuire says that Stone Essence is popular for use in restaurants, retail stores and residential kitchens. It’s also used in traditional acid stain applications such as pool decks and patios. Finally, Stone Essence is UV resistant, so it stands up to sunlight.
“Its application uses are unlimited,” McGuire says.
