Category Archives: Overlay Systems

Unmatched Strength, Seamless Beauty: The Physical Edge of Modena TGE and Modena SLE

May 14, 2025

When selecting flooring for high-traffic environments, the demands are clear: it must be tough, low-maintenance, and visually compelling. Such spaces face continuous wear, relentless foot traffic, heavy equipment, and rigorous cleaning protocols that quickly degrade inferior materials. Beyond physical resilience, the flooring choice must seamlessly support aesthetic goals, enhancing rather than detracting from the overall architectural design. Enter Bomanite Modena TGE™ and Bomanite Modena SLE—decorative floor toppings engineered to elevate commercial and institutional spaces while withstanding the realities of heavy use. These flooring systems deliver exceptional durability through a unique combination of specialized aggregates and advanced binding technologies, outperforming traditional terrazzo and conventional polished concrete. Modena’s surfaces do not merely endure—they remain visually vibrant and structurally sound over prolonged use, enhancing long-term value. Architects, designers, and facilities managers alike appreciate Modena’s ability to balance striking beauty with uncompromising toughness.

Modena TGE: A New Standard in Terrazzo Performance

Modena TGE redefines what terrazzo flooring can be. Unlike traditional terrazzo, which relies on softer marble aggregates and requires routine polishing, Modena TGE features a high-performance mix of hard, non-reactive materials. The result? A dense, abrasion-resistant surface that delivers:

Exceptional durability under continuous foot and rolling traffic
Outstanding chemical resistance for tough commercial environments
Minimal maintenance, with no need for frequent polishing or sealing
Long-term stain resistance, preserving its appearance with ease

Designed for airports, luxury retail, corporate offices, hospitals, and beyond, its seamless, non-porous finish prevents moisture intrusion and bacterial growth—critical in hygienic and high-traffic settings.

Modena SLE: Sleek and Resilient

Complementing TGE, Modena SLE brings a smooth, refined finish with equally impressive performance traits. Ideal for interiors where a clean, minimalist look is desired, SLE provides:

Tightly bonded aggregates for lasting surface integrity
Smooth, monolithic appearance with easy-to-clean properties
Customization options to match branding or design schemes

Both systems are engineered to handle high-demand spaces without compromising design flexibility or physical resilience.

Design Without Limits

Beyond their physical toughness, Modena floor toppings are powerful tools for creative expression in architectural design. Architects and designers seeking to make a lasting impression find endless possibilities with Modena’s extensive palette of colors, aggregates blends, and custom inlays. With Modena, detailed branding elements, company logos, and sophisticated geometric patterns can be seamlessly integrated into the flooring surface. These customized design options elevate flooring from merely functional surfaces to active components of visual storytelling within a space. Additionally, Modena enables consistent, high-quality finishes even across large or multi-phased installations, preserving the integrity of a unified design vision. Whether you are creating a sleek corporate lobby, a visually vibrant retail environment, or an inviting educational facility, Modena provides the creative flexibility needed to realize ambitious concepts. Ultimately, Modena systems empower architects to push the boundaries of conventional flooring aesthetics.

Sustainable Strength

Crafted from carefully selected eco-conscious materials, Modena TGE and SLE reflect a deep commitment to environmental sustainability. By incorporating natural stone, recycled glass, ceramics, and other sustainable aggregates, Modena significantly reduces reliance on virgin raw materials, lowering the carbon footprint of construction projects and offers low-impact, high-performance solutions. Furthermore, the extraordinary durability and resilience of Modena flooring translates directly into reduced maintenance, refurbishment cycles, and ultimately, less waste over the flooring’s lifespan. The systems’ seamless, non-porous nature supports indoor environmental quality by resisting mold, moisture penetration, and bacterial contamination without harsh chemical treatments. Architects specifying Modena can contribute to LEED accreditation goals, satisfying criteria within categories such as Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation in Design. By selecting Modena, architects not only deliver lasting structural integrity but also promote ecological responsibility, aligning design excellence with sustainable construction practices. Modena exemplifies the integration of environmental awareness and practical durability, ensuring spaces perform sustainably over decades.

Delivering Long-Term Value for Demanding Environments

Whether you’re designing a bustling transportation hub, a vibrant healthcare facility, or an upscale retail environment, Modena TGE and Modena SLE meet and exceed the exacting demands of modern commercial spaces. Engineered to withstand constant physical stresses, frequent cleaning, and rigorous hygiene requirements, these systems preserve their structural integrity and appearance year after year. Facility managers benefit from lower lifecycle costs due to Modena’s minimal upkeep requirements, reducing downtime and maintenance expenses significantly. The visual appeal and customizable nature of Modena flooring ensure that facilities remain inviting, professional, and aligned with brand identity, even as they accommodate thousands of visitors daily. Unlike traditional flooring options that fade, chip, or degrade under heavy use, Modena maintains its polished, attractive appearance with minimal intervention. This ensures a consistently superior user experience for building occupants and visitors alike. Ultimately, Modena TGE and SLE represent an investment in the long-term performance, strength, beauty, longevity, and economic value of any high-traffic commercial space.

Jeffco Concrete Craftsmen Create Captivating Custom Creation

September 29, 2024

Robins & Morton’s Government Services Division was awarded a $33 million contract by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District for the construction of a modern Training Support Facility at Fort Rucker, Alabama. The two-story structure, located near the Army Aviation Museum, provided climate-controlled environments for the training, storage, and preservation of decommissioned military aircraft, weapons, and artifacts. Designed to accommodate multiple aircraft parts, the facility featured clear-span maintenance areas. The project also included vital site improvements, such as underground utilities, storm drainage, access roads, landscaping, communication infrastructure, and essential Antiterrorism/Force Protection measures.

Jeffco Concrete Creative Collaboration

Knight Architects, Inc. was selected as the Project Designer because of their long history of successful military base projects. The stakeholders wanted the Army Aviation Logo applied at the entry court to give their new building an added touch. Bomanite Licensee Jeffco Concrete Contractors was contracted to bring that vision to life in decorative concrete. Working closely with all participating entities, Bomanite Toppings Systems using Bomanite Micro-Top XT was chosen to implement their mission because of its extraordinary adhesion and ability to withstand prolonged pedestrian traffic

Stencil Success Despite Sweltering Steamy Summer

Jeffco Concrete Contractors faced several challenges during the installation of the project’s 16-foot logo, which took place in the sweltering Alabama heat of nearly 100 degrees in mid-August. The logo, located in a busy entry area, had to be meticulously laid out by hand using a custom stencil. Adding to the complexity, five Bomanite Micro-Top XT color-matched colors were applied to create the desired design. With heavy pedestrian traffic constantly passing through the area, construction stanchions became a critical part of the process, ensuring both safety and the smooth progression of the installation. Despite these hurdles, Jeffco successfully delivered a visually striking and durable installation.

Bomanite Boldly Beautifying Spaces

Bomanite Toppings Systems offers an innovative solution for transforming architectural concrete. With products like Patène Artectura, Micro-Top, Micro-Top XT, Florspartic 100, and Broadcast Aggregate, this system turns stable substrates into stunning works of art, saving time and cost compared to traditional methods. It revitalizes old surfaces with vibrant colors, patterns, and textures and can be applied to both interior and exterior, horizontal or vertical spaces. Ideal for new construction projects where complex designs typically require costly, time-consuming forming, Bomanite Toppings Systems deliver exceptional results while meeting tight deadlines and budget constraints. Installed by the Bomanite network of skilled licensed contractors, these systems offer unlimited design potential.

Micro-Top XT: Maximum Durability, Minimal Maintenance

Micro-Top® XT by Bomanite is a two-part polymer-modified cementitious coating designed with a unique blend of rubber-like polymer liquid and cement-aggregate. It adheres to various surfaces, including concrete, tile, metal, and wood, offering a wide range of colors and graphics. Known for its superior durability, Micro-Top XT withstands heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic, far exceeding conventional coatings. It provides a tough, water-resistant finish that reduces freeze-thaw scaling and concrete carbonation, while allowing vapor to escape without blistering. Ideal for exterior concrete restoration, parking structures, sidewalks, stadium renovations, and more, Micro-Top XT offers versatile, long-lasting surface protection.

Award Winning Decorative Concrete

The excellence of Jeffco Concrete Contractors’ work at the Fort Rucker Training Support Facility was further solidified when the project earned the 2023 Best Bomanite Toppings Systems Project – Gold Award. The intricate installation of the 16-foot Army Aviation Logo, created using Bomanite Micro-Top XT, showcased not only the artistic potential of decorative concrete but also the durability required for high-traffic areas. The combination of innovative materials, expert concrete craftsmanship, and seamless collaboration resulted in a striking feature that met both functional and aesthetic goals, proving once again that Bomanite Toppings Systems and Jeffco Concrete Contractors delivers award-winning results.

Bomanite Modena SL Polished Concrete Overlay takes Nickel and Suede’s Flagship Store to new Heights

April 8, 2020

Be Brave. Take a Chance. Change Your Life. These words are the mantra of Nickel & Suede, believing that trying something new can change your life. What started out in a basement and now has become a multimillion-dollar business with a 12,500 square foot facility for their Headquarters, Nickel & Suede just opened their flagship store with many more retail spaces to come.

The Missouri local, Kilee Nickels and her husband Soren tell the story of how the idea and need for a pair of statement earrings became a bigger than life moment.

Kilee’s simple teardrop design made from a leather purchase inspired by her family’s previous belt business was an immediate success and she set about making earrings for others. Kilee and her husband, Soren Nickels founded Nickel & Suede in 2014 and have grown the company to thirty employees while keeping their product made in the United States. The Kansas City couple creates lightweight, statement earrings made of leather and high-quality materials such as 14 karat gold. They started their company in the basement of their home but quickly outgrew the space and knew they needed to expand. They reached out to Kansas City based Hufft Design, recognized as one of the top 50 design firms by Architect Magazine, to help them create a plan for growth. Hufft designed their retail store in their new 12,500 square-foot headquarters in Liberty, Missouri. The facility is a master’s course in retail design, providing a refined shopping experience that evokes the quality of the Nickel & Suede products. Hufft designed the Nickel & Suede floor system with a honey-colored wood island inset into a Bomanite Custom Polished concrete floor.

Nickel and Suede installed a Bomanite Custom Polished Concrete Modena SL Flooring System in their new retail flagship store located in liberty, Mo with the help of Bomanite Licensee Musselman and Hall.

Bomanite Licensee, Musselman & Hall Contractors, LLC had previously worked with Hufft on their award-winning designs for the Tuft & Needle store in Overland Park, Kansas. The contractor and designers had worked together to choose a polishable overlay for the Tuft & Needle shopfront that would allow minimal issues with transitions, but still create a durable and attractive floor. That first installation ended up being just the ticket, so Hufft decided to utilize the same high performance self-leveling concrete polish overlay, Bomanite Modena SL in the Nickel & Suede flagship shop. The overlay was to be installed at only ⅜” thick, so preparation was key. The Musselman & Hall foreman, Johnathon Eggert, and his crew used large abrasive diamond grinders to profile the entire interior floor as preparation for the overlay. A five-man crew was able to place the entire floor in just one day using small onsite mixers. The new flooring overlay only needed 24 hours to cure before it could be finished. Diamond tooling was used to polish the floor to a satin finish. A Bomanite penetrating sealer was applied to provide resistance against stains while still keeping a low maintenance surface. The warm gray floors show no perceptible aggregate and are an integral part of the overall design aesthetic.

Soren Nickels had this to say about his experience, “We wanted to build up the concrete floor to the level of our decorative inset, while going for a refined concrete look. We were introduced to Musselman & Hall with the understanding that their creative work in concrete concepts would give us some trustworthy options. This definitely proved to be the case. We wanted to avoid any surprises, so we let our trust in their experience lead the way. We felt that the product they recommended would match what we were looking for-even with all the particulars we asked for. The team that showed up to do the work definitely proved to be careful masters of their craft. In our minds it was fine-finish work and they delivered. We even made a few last-minute adjustments that were handled with ease, flexibility and speed. ”

The finished retail interior floor is a simple, but elegant representation of the design flexibility of decorative architectural concrete and Bomanite’s diverse sustainable offering of flooring and paving systems. As Nickel & Suede continue to inspire individuals to be brave and try new things. We encourage you to imagine the possibilities and let Bomanite Decorative Concrete make those dreams a reality.

Awards & Press:

Bomanite Decorative Concrete Awards March 2020: Bomanite Custom Polishing System Bronze Award

Kansas City Business Journal Capstone Award March 2020

Interior Design Magazine Oct 2019: https://www.interiordesign.net/articles/17074-teardrop-earrings-inspire-nickel-and-suede-s-office-by-matthew-hufft/

Concrete Arts, Inc. Wins Award for Backyard Resort Designed with Multiple Bomanite Concrete Systems

May 10, 2019

The homeowners of this large backyard lot recognized the possibilities that could provide them with outdoor spaces for dining, entertaining, and relaxing using multiple Bomanite Concrete Systems throughout this welcoming resort like space.

Bomanite Licensee, Concrete Arts, Inc. being the homeowner, wanted a place for his family that showed the creativity and beauty of concrete and its endless possibilities. Working with Landscape designer Mark Huri early on helped with the transformation. From his experience, Huri knew that with the right layout and a small bit of terracing, it could provide an opportunity to stylize a very special retreat. The design incorporated a full-size pool deck, cabana, courtyard and waterfall feature.

Backyard Landscaped and Designed with Bomanite Concrete Systems, Exposed Aggregate, Bomanite Revealed, Bomanite Antico Process, Bomanite Imprinted Concrete, Bomanite Thin-Set Overlay creating entertaining spaces, courtyards, pool decks and cabanas

As you step out the back of the house, you have a BBQ and dining area to catch some great sunsets. At the next level you are greeted with an infinity water feature that cascades down to the main entertaining area creating a beautiful waterfall, providing that serenity of being in the great outdoors. The steps and landing leading to the main area are cast-in-place concrete treated with the Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Revealed System that is also used throughout the courtyard and pool deck.

The steps are encompassed by unique hand carved, embossed cast-in-place concrete retaining walls that are 12-14” thick with top caps done with the Bomanite Exposed Aggregate Antico Process System that is seeded with fine glass to add a bit of sparkle. The Antico Process works well with lighter colors that are often used for pool decks and other areas where light reflectivity is desired and is comparable in appearance to natural travertine or manufactured cast stone, a perfect complement to the retaining walls. The wall stone sizes and coloration were chosen to resemble European Castles and provide an old-world charm backdrop for the complete space.

As you step down into the courtyard, slabs of White Bomanite Revealed were cast and surrounded with planting pockets and inlays of grass. The strips of grass help with drainage and break up the expanse of concrete, while providing warmth to an outdoor living space, to enjoy a rushing waterfall and cozy fire pit, for full relaxation.

Designing so that each area has a different function maximizes space and use. The Cabana offers a place of protection from inclement weather and brings the feeling of family gathering in the kitchen. It includes a fridge, gas fireplace and flat screen TV. Perfect elements for a perfect cozy getaway or summertime party. The cast-in-place concrete countertop was created with a 4” edge and overhang. The surface was hand applied with Bomanite Color Hardeners for additional strength and durability while picking up the hue of the retaining walls. It was then textured to resemble natural stone with real stone pieces embedded on the corners for a decorative element.

The Interior Cabana floor was created with the Bomanite Imprinted Concrete System using an Integral gray color, stamped with the Bomacron Slate Texture pattern and then antiqued and color washed in a darker gray. The Cabana walls consisted of the Bomanite Topping Systems Overlay – Bomanite Thin-Set, which was vertically embossed and textured to resemble wood plank using the Bomacron 11 ½” Boardwalk pattern. The apex of the walls utilized a carved plaster and created relief of over 3” in some areas and embossed to resemble a cleft stone, all done in a natural gray to compliment the flooring. Family and friends can enjoy conversation, food, a book or a swim in the great pool.

The pool deck and its coping utilized the Bomanite Revealed System to provide increased surface and slip resistance, a benefit when using the Exposed Aggregate System. A White Base, hand seeded with Georgia white marble in two sizes and then exposed, produced the surrounding deck that brings light and coolness on a very hot 100 degree summer day. Bomanite Revealed is available in light-reflective formulations reducing heat island effect, making the pool deck walkable and not hot to the touch.

This backyard resort has something for everyone, whether a pool party, family celebrations, intimate gatherings or just relaxing in the great outdoors. Bomanite Decorative Concrete can create the look and feel you imagined, welcoming one or all.

Awards: 2018 Best Bomanite Specialty Project – Bronze Award

Great Wolf Lodge Minnesota Renovates with Bomanite Thin-Set Stampable Overlay

October 9, 2018

The Great Wolf Lodge opened one of their latest resorts in Bloomington, MN. The Gensler Architect team was hired for the renovation project. With one of a kind entertainment options, Bomanite Licensee, Bulach Custom Rock (known for their work on themed projects) was able to provide 5,000 square feet of the specified flooring that matched the outdoor adventure theme. With the existing floor in place, Bulach Custom Rock came through with the Bomanite Thin-Set Stampable Overlay Toppings System in three different patterns that were used intersecting in multiple areas which provided some challenges for the layout.

The Great Wolf Adventure Park houses several non-water attractions, including the Rustic Ridge Rock Wall and the Howlers Peak Ropes Course, that guests embark on an invigorating, multi-level climbing challenge traversing over Oliver’s Mining Co. where they can search for keepsake gemstones. For the mining area Bulach Custom Rock created the look and feel of actual dirt and stones with the Bomacron Erosion Series Dried Earth Texture and the Bomacron Small Sandstone pattern.

Additional activities include MagiQuest, the brand’s exclusive live-action adventure game where players follow clues and use interactive magic wands to discover relics and runes needed to defeat a fierce dragon. The Bomacron Fishscale Belgian Block pattern was used to create that old world feel of stone castles. The MagiQuest area was produced using the Bomanite Shale Gray Integral Color then utilizing a Bomanite Natural Gray Color Hardener wash before it was sealed.

The difficulty of the project was in both access and area control. Whereas multiple trades were utilizing the same spaces at the same time, Bulach Custom Rock installed all the stampable overlay during the overnight hours with the use of mostly temporary lighting. Due to Bomanite Thin-Set’s benefits of being trafficked quickly, Bulach Custom Rock was able to have the flooring installed on schedule.

Bomanite Thin-Set is a specially formulated polymer modified topping mix that will bond to any stable, structurally sound substrate. This unique system allows the installation of a thin, imprinted concrete topping when installed at 3/8″ thick and can be feathered to a zero edge that was helpful when the overlay needed to seamlessly match up to an existing tile floor entrance for the Great Wolf Lodge.

Bomanite Thin-Set is an extremely effective alternative to the demolition or remodel of an existing substrate, making it a perfect choice for the Great Wolf Lodge Renovation.

The Stout Bar and Restaurant is a Crowd Pleaser with their Renovated Space

January 27, 2017

Bomanite Thin-Set is a specially formulated, polymer-modified topping system applied at a thickness of approximately 3/8-inch. A great design option for virtually any structurally sound surface, old or new, Bomanite Thin-Set offers all the durability, cost effectiveness, and ease of maintenance decorative concrete has to offer.

The Stout Bar, located at John Street in the Wall Street area of NYC, chose Bomanite Thin-Set for their renovated space, giving the restaurant an old world feel with a cobblestone pattern. Bomanite Licensee, Beyond Concrete, installed approximately 2,400 square feet of the Running Bond Cobblestone stampable overlay pattern. Extensive grinding, clean-up and patching of the existing floor was needed. Application of an epoxy bonding agent was applied and then the Bomanite Thin-Set in Bomanite French Gray Color with Bomanite Cobblestone Gray Color highlights. The newly renovated floor was given a coat of Bomanite Hydrocoat Sealer.

Along with the new flooring a custom 85 foot long concrete bar top was poured and stained with Bomanite Concrete Dye Sweet Potato and protected with Bomanite Florspartic 100 sealer. The owners also received a custom brass Stout Beer Mug logo.