Glossary
by New Green Umbrella
Concrete has its own language. Here’s the no-BS dictionary of industry terms — and where NGU’s systems redefine the standard
Abrasion Resistance
The ability of a concrete surface to resist wear from traffic, forklifts, and machinery. Abrasion resistance is a key spec in industrial flooring and polished concrete projects.
Abrasive Pad
Circular pad, sometimes diamond-impregnated, used to refine the slab at a microscopic level
ACI (American Concrete Institute)
The ACI publishes widely used concrete standards — from slab curing (ACI 308) to polished concrete guidelines — and NGU systems are engineered in line with these best practices.
Admixture
Materials added at the ready-mix plant (or sometimes on site) to modify the behavior of fresh or hardened concrete. Admixtures can change how concrete pours, cures, colors, resists moisture, or even signals identification. Because the term is so broad, it often gets muddied — with products as different as viscosity modifiers and waterproofing agents all being lumped together.
Types of admixtures include:
Water Reducers / Superplasticizers — Improve flowability without adding water, critical for high-strength and architectural concrete.
Air-Entraining Agents — Introduce microscopic air bubbles to improve freeze–thaw durability.
Shrinkage Reducers — Minimize cracking caused by drying shrinkage.
Accelerators / Retarders — Speed up or slow down setting time depending on weather or jobsite needs.
Colloidal Silica (Admixture) — Boosts strength and durability, sometimes marketed as internal curing.
Viscosity Modifiers — Improve finishability and extend working time, especially in hot or windy conditions.
Color Dyes & Pigments — Integral colors that permanently tint the concrete.
Waterproofing Agents — Create hydrophobic characteristics to resist moisture penetration.
Surface Hardeners (as admixtures) — Improve abrasion resistance from within the mix.
Identifiers / Tracers — Specialty admixtures added to help identify mix sources or performance compliance.
👉 At NGU, we don’t throw the word “admixture” around loosely. Each chemistry has a name, a purpose, and a defined performance. Precision language = precise performance.
ASCC
(American Society of Concrete Contractors)
A nonprofit trade association dedicated to supporting concrete contractors with technical resources, training, and standards. ASCC is the parent organization of the Concrete Polishing Council (CPC), which created the official glossary and definitions for polished concrete. Many specifiers and contractors search ASCC concrete polishing standards, ASCC CPC glossary, or ASCC contractor resources when evaluating best practices.
👉 NGU systems are referenced against ASCC and CPC standards to ensure compliance with industry definitions for curing, densifying, sealing, and polished concrete lifecycle performance.
AIA
(American Institute of Architects)
A nonprofit trade association dedicated to supporting concrete contractors with technical resources, training, and standards. ASCC is the parent organization of the Concrete Polishing Council (CPC), which created the official glossary and definitions for polished concrete. Many specifiers and contractors search ASCC concrete polishing standards, ASCC CPC glossary, or ASCC contractor resources when evaluating best practices.
Architect — The dreamer with the pen, the ruler of lines and light. They draw the box everyone else has to figure out how to pour, polish, and make stand up straight. Without them, it’s just gray. With them, it’s a vision.
👉 NGU systems are referenced against ASCC and CPC standards to ensure compliance with industry definitions for curing, densifying, sealing, and polished concrete lifecycle performance.
Application
The process of placing, spraying, rolling, or otherwise applying a chemical or system to concrete. Contractors often search concrete application method or best way to apply concrete sealer.
Applicator — The magician with the sprayer, making chemistry look easy.
👉 NGU systems are designed for spray-on, leave-on simplicity to save time and labor.
ASTM
(American Society for Testing and Materials)
NGU systems are engineered and tested in alignment with key ASTM standards that define curing, moisture control, surface hardness, sealing, and flooring performance:
ASTM C309 — Standard Specification for Liquid Membrane-Forming Compounds for Curing Concrete
→ Traditional cure standard. NGU systems (GreenIce) outperform C309 compounds by controlling hydration without membrane films.
ASTM C156 — Standard Test Method for Water Retention by Concrete Curing Materials
→ Verifies NGU hydration control effectiveness in retaining slab moisture.
ASTM C1315 — Standard Specification for Liquid Membrane-Forming Compounds Having Special Properties for Curing and Sealing Concrete
→ Basis for comparing NGU systems vs “cure & seal” products. NGU provides higher abrasion resistance and eliminates film weaknesses.
ASTM E96 — Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
→ Used to evaluate moisture vapor transmission (MVT). NGU reduces MVT at the source.
ASTM D2047 — Standard Test Method for Static Coefficient of Friction of Polish-Coated Flooring Surfaces
→ Slip resistance test. NGU’s DeepClean with Slip Resist is benchmarked to this.
ASTM D1308 — Standard Test Method for Effect of Household Chemicals on Clear and Pigmented Organic Finishes
→ Stain resistance test. NGU impregnating and semi-impregnating sealers are evaluated against this.
ASTM D523 — Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss
→ Gloss measurement. Applied in NGU’s polished concrete systems.
ASTM D5767 — Standard Test Method for Instrumental Measurement of Distinctness-of-Image Gloss of High-Gloss Surfaces
→ DOI (Distinction of Image) measurement. NGU’s polishing lifecycle systems are tested to this.
BABAA
Build America Buy America Act
A U.S. federal law that requires infrastructure projects receiving federal funding to use domestically produced construction materials, including cement and concrete products. Specifiers and contractors often search BABAA concrete requirements, Build America Buy America act, or BABAA compliance when evaluating project eligibility.
👉 NGU systems are aligned with BABAA by sourcing and manufacturing within the United States, giving contractors and specifiers confidence that NGU products meet federal compliance requirements while delivering superior hydration control and densification performance.
BEN Wiese
President, New Green Umbrella (NGU)
ACI Certified Finisher · ICRI Member · ASTM C09 Committee Contributor · ASCC Member · CPG Member · OSHA Authorized Trainer · Ph.D. in Hydration Control (Self-Awarded, Field-Tested) · NASA Curious, NGU Verified
Ben Wiese is what happens when you mix Iron Man’s brain with a trowel and a bad caffeine habit. The President of NGU, he’s not just leading the company — he’s reinventing how the world thinks about concrete. Every system, every spec, every curve on a hydration chart? Ben’s fingerprints are already on it.
He’s part engineer, part mad scientist, and entirely unbothered by “industry norms.” While the rest of the field is still talking about curing compounds and moisture mitigation, Ben’s already three steps ahead, building molecular-level systems that don’t just fix concrete — they outsmart it.
His mind doesn’t clock out. He can diagnose a slab failure from a single photo, recalibrate a mix design in his sleep, and quote ASTM standards like most people quote movie lines.
Ben isn’t your typical president — he’s the concrete world’s Tony Stark, minus the ego, plus the data.
And if you ever hear someone say “that can’t be done,” Ben’s probably in a lab somewhere proving them wrong.
👉 If concrete were sentient, it would’ve applied to be his intern.
👉 If Tony Stark built armor, Ben built what it stands on.
Bleed Water
Excess water that rises to the surface of freshly placed concrete during finishing. Excessive bleed water can weaken the surface paste, delay finishing, and cause long-term issues such as scaling, dusting, and surface delamination. Many contractors look for solutions on how to stop bleed water in concrete because it impacts both finishing time and durability.
👉 NGU systems like GreenIce reduce bleed water problems by locking in hydration, producing harder, longer-lasting slabs.
Bond
The adhesion between concrete and what’s applied on top — adhesives, coatings, flooring systems, or sealers. Poor bond is one of the leading causes of concrete floor adhesive failures and flooring bond issues.
👉 NGU systems bond ionically at the molecular level, creating a permanent bond that resists peeling, delamination, and moisture vapor transmission problems.
Bonded Abrasive
A grinding or polishing tool where industrial-grade diamonds are held within a bonding matrix that wears away to expose new sharp edges. This method is the backbone of durable concrete polishing with bonded abrasives and is preferred for industrial floors where longevity matters.
Burnisher
Bruce Engvall
Technical Representative
ACI Certified Finisher, ICRI Member, ASCC Member, CPG Member, Retired U.S. Marine Corps, Certified Threat to Mediocrity (NGU Verified)
Bruce Engvall is NGU’s doberman — loyal, relentless, and impossible to intimidate. A retired U.S. Marine turned Technical Representative, Bruce brings battlefield discipline to every job site. He’s the kind of presence that makes foremen stand straighter and contractors double-check their finish.
Bruce doesn’t talk about performance — he demands it. He’s boots down, eyes sharp, and absolutely unbothered by chaos. When the pour starts, he’s already three steps ahead, reading the crew, the mix, and the air. He’s not there to blend in; he’s there to make sure NGU standards hit like a hammer.
You don’t send Bruce to inspect a site — you send him to reset it.
He’s all grit, no compromise, and the only thing louder than his voice is the message it carries: get it right or get out of the way.
👉 Monster in hand. Marine in mind. Mission always active.
👉 If discipline had a trowel, it’d have his name engraved in it.
👉 Bruce doesn’t follow standards — he enforces them.
Burnishers typically operate at 1,500–3,000 RPM, generating friction that produces a reflective sheen. They are often confused with grinders, but unlike grinding or bonded abrasive polishing, burnishers don’t cut the surface — they rely on heat and friction to improve gloss.
In concrete flooring, burnishers are commonly used with maintenance pads, resin impregnated pads, or topical coatings to refresh the appearance of polished concrete. While they can increase shine, burnishers do not densify or strengthen the slab. Contractors frequently compare burnisher vs grinder or search burnisher for polished concrete when evaluating maintenance methods.
👉 NGU’s GreenGloss Burnisher is designed specifically for maintaining polished concrete systems. When paired with NGU lifecycle chemistry, GreenGloss keeps reflective clarity and slip resistance high while extending the durability of densified and polished slabs.
Burnished Polished Concrete
A polished finish achieved by friction-rubbing a concrete floor at high speed, sometimes with waxes or resins. While it produces gloss, burnished systems are less durable than bonded abrasive polished concrete and require more frequent maintenance. Facility managers often compare burnished vs polished concrete to evaluate lifecycle costs. NGU recommends bonded abrasive systems when long-term performance is critical.
Cement
A finely ground powder that reacts chemically with water to form the binding paste in concrete. Cement itself is not concrete — it’s the ingredient that glues aggregates together. Searches like difference between cement and concrete or what is cement are very common.
👉 NGU systems are engineered to interact with cement hydration, improving durability and reducing slab failures.
Cement Type I/II
The standard Portland cements used in most concrete mixes. Type I/II cements are versatile, suitable for general structural use, and widely specified in flatwork and vertical construction. Search terms like Portland cement Type I/II or what is Type II cement often come up when engineers or contractors are reviewing mix designs.
👉 NGU systems adapt seamlessly to Type I/II cement hydration characteristics, delivering consistent curing and densification.
Cement Type 1L
(Portland-Limestone Cement)
A newer blend where a portion of Portland cement is replaced with finely ground limestone. Type 1L cement is promoted for sustainability, reducing CO₂ emissions in production. However, contractors often ask about Type 1L cement problems since it can increase water demand, affect finishing, and sometimes impact early strength.
👉 NGU hydration control systems help balance these performance variables, ensuring durable, crack-resistant slabs even with Type 1L mixes.
CFA(Concrete Foundations Association
A trade organization representing cast-in-place concrete foundation contractors, suppliers, and manufacturers. The CFA provides technical resources, safety programs, and industry standards for foundation construction. Contractors and engineers often search Concrete Foundations Association, CFA concrete contractors, or CFA foundation standards when evaluating best practices for residential and commercial foundation work.
👉 While NGU systems focus on concrete flatwork and lifecycle performance, our hydration control and densification chemistry supports the same principles the CFA promotes: stronger, more durable, and longer-lasting concrete structures.
Coefficient of Friction
The collective measures of slip resistance for flooring and concrete surfaces:
COF — General coefficient of friction, used broadly in safety testing.
SCOF — Static coefficient of friction: measures the resistance required to start movement. Often tested under ASTM D2047.
DCOF — Dynamic coefficient of friction: measures slip resistance when in motion. Commonly tested under ANSI A137.1 for flooring and tile.
Architects, engineers, and facility managers frequently search SCOF slip resistance, DCOF rating for concrete, and coefficient of friction testing when evaluating slab safety and performance.
👉 NGU’s DeepClean with Slip Resist and lifecycle surface systems are engineered to improve both static and dynamic traction values while maintaining gloss and durability.
Concrete
A composite material made of cement, water, aggregates (sand, gravel, or stone), and sometimes admixtures. When cement hydrates, it binds the materials together, forming concrete. Contractors often search cement vs concrete to clarify the distinction.
👉 NGU systems are designed for concrete flatwork applications — from industrial floors to paving — optimizing hydration, densification, and surface protection.
Concrete Finishing
The trade practice of smoothing, leveling, and texturing freshly placed concrete for performance and appearance.
Finisher — The artist with the trowel. Usually covered in dust, coffee, and opinions.
👉 NGU systems enhance finishing by reducing bleed water and accelerating early strength gain.
Concrete Slurry
A mixture of water and finely divided solids such as cement, slag, or clay in suspension. Slurry is produced during grinding or cutting and must be properly managed to avoid contamination. Searches like concrete slurry disposal or how to handle slurry during polishing are common in flatwork projects.
Concrete Substrate
The base layer beneath a slab — this may be soil, plain concrete, or a structural slab. Substrate conditions affect moisture movement, bond, and slab performance. Many flooring failures are linked to poor substrate prep or ignored vapor drive.
Contractor
The professional or company responsible for overseeing construction work, managing subs, and meeting project specs. In concrete, a general contractor often coordinates placement, finishing crews, and flooring installers. AKA general contractor, or GC vs subcontractor.
Contractor — The one who holds the schedule hostage and saves the day in the same breath.
👉 NGU partners with contractors and general contractors to reduce risk, downtime, and callbacks.
CPC Concrete Polishing Council
A technical council under the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) that sets the industry definitions and standards for polished concrete. The CPC established the official glossary for terms like bonded abrasive polished concrete, burnished polished concrete, and hybrid polished concrete. Contractors and specifiers often search CPC concrete polishing standards or CPC gloss levels when writing specs or comparing polishing systems.
👉 NGU’s polishing lifecycle systems are aligned with CPC definitions, ensuring contractors, engineers, and facility managers can reference recognized industry terminology while benefiting from NGU’s advanced cure, densify, and hydration control chemistry.
CPG Concrete Promotional Group
A regional industry association that promotes the use, innovation, and education of concrete across design, construction, and owner communities. As proud members, NGU aligns with CPG’s mission to raise awareness, share technical resources, and advance best practices in the industry.
CSP Concrete Surface Profile
A standardized measurement system developed by the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) to describe the roughness or texture of a concrete surface before applying coatings, overlays, or repair materials. CSP ranges from 1 to 10:
CSP 1–3: Smooth finishes, usually achieved by grinding or light blasting.
CSP 4–6: Medium textures, achieved by scarifying or shotblasting.
CSP 7–10: Heavy, rough textures, achieved by deep scarification or heavy shotblasting.
👉 CSP ensures that the surface is prepared correctly for adhesion and long-term performance. NGU systems are designed to bond and perform consistently across the full CSP spectrum.
Cure
The process of maintaining moisture and temperature so cement fully hydrates. Proper curing is critical for strength, durability, and abrasion resistance. Contractors often look up how to cure concrete floors or best concrete curing methods when planning jobs.
👉 NGU’s GreenIce Cure System replaces outdated methods like wet blankets and membrane-forming compounds, delivering cure, densify, and hydration control in one system.
Curing Compounds
Liquids applied to fresh slabs to slow evaporation. Traditional curing compounds form membranes that can later interfere with flooring adhesion. Many engineers search for curing compound vs cure and seal when comparing methods.
👉 NGU systems achieve hydration control without leaving behind films, ensuring compatibility with coatings and finishes.
Curling
The upward or downward warping of a slab caused by uneven moisture loss between the top and bottom surfaces. This is a top-searched issue under curling in concrete floors or how to stop concrete slab curling.
👉 NGU’s hydration control balances internal moisture, reducing curl, cracking, and floor flatness issues.
Cut
The removal of a horizontal layer of concrete surface using grinding equipment. In polishing, each cut is refined through finer abrasives to achieve desired gloss levels. Searches often include first cut concrete polishing or how deep to cut concrete floors.
Densifier
A chemical treatment that reacts within the concrete to harden and strengthen the surface. Traditional densifiers are silicate-based (sodium, lithium, or potassium), which react with calcium hydroxide to form calcium silicate hydrate (CSH). Contractors often search for best concrete densifier or lithium vs sodium densifier when evaluating products.
👉 NGU densifiers — including IceCore, Emerald Core, and Sapphire X — use advanced ionic bonding for deeper penetration and permanent performance, without the weaknesses of traditional silicate-only products.
Distinction of Image (DOI)
A measurement of how clearly reflected images appear on a polished concrete surface. High DOI values mean sharper reflections and better visual quality. Specifiers often search polished concrete DOI test or how to measure DOI when comparing finishes.
👉 NGU lifecycle systems (DeepClean, DryShield, NanoDye, NanoStain) are engineered to maintain high DOI over time while preserving slip resistance.
Drying Shrinkage
The volume reduction that occurs when moisture evaporates from hardened concrete. This can lead to surface cracking, curling, and long-term durability problems. Engineers frequently search drying shrinkage in concrete slabs or how to reduce shrinkage cracking.
👉 NGU hydration control systems (like GreenIce) balance internal moisture movement, reducing drying shrinkage and its negative effects.
DryShield
NGU’s breathable sealer designed for polished and densified concrete surfaces. It repels contaminants, improves abrasion resistance, and enhances appearance without forming a surface film. Contractors often search concrete sealer for polished concrete or breathable sealer for industrial floors.
👉 As part of NGU’s lifecycle approach, DryShield works in sequences such as NanoStain and Shield & Enhance to create long-lasting, high-performance slabs.
Dynamic Coefficient of Friction DCOF
The measure of slip resistance once movement has already begun. Unlike SCOF, which measures the start of movement, DCOF evaluates ongoing traction and is often specified under ANSI A137.1.
👉 See also: Coefficients of Friction (COF, SCOF, DCOF)
Edge Detailing
The process of blending or installing a contrasting border along the perimeter of a concrete floor using a liquid coating. Often specified for decorative polished concrete floors. Contractors and architects often search edge detailing concrete floor or concrete border finish.
Edge Grinding
Processing or grinding a concrete floor surface up to the vertical wall or edge to match the aggregate exposure of the main floor field. Searches include edge grinding polished concrete or how to grind edges of concrete slab.
Edge Treatment
A defined border of a clear or pigmented coating applied around the perimeter of a room. It provides a visual transition between floor sections or to walls.
Efflorescence
A white, powdery deposit that forms when water-soluble salts migrate to the surface and crystallize as moisture evaporates. Common searches include efflorescence on concrete floor or how to remove efflorescence from concrete.
👉 NGU hydration control systems minimize moisture migration, significantly reducing efflorescence in concrete slabs.
Emerald Control Series
NGU’s exterior paving system, designed to solve the biggest issues in outdoor slabs: premature moisture loss, shrinkage cracking, curling, abrasion, and surface breakdown under traffic and weather. The Emerald Series combines hydration control and densification into a complete lifecycle system. Contractors and specifiers often search exterior concrete curing system, outdoor slab protection, or concrete paving densifier when planning paving projects.
Emerald Control – The hydration-control component. It reduces shrinkage cracking, slab curling, and moisture-related failures common in exterior flatwork.
IceCore – The densifier within the Emerald Series. It penetrates deep into exterior concrete, increasing surface hardness, reducing dusting, and improving abrasion resistance.
Emerald X – The high-performance extension. Built for slabs in extreme conditions—heavy vehicle traffic, freeze–thaw cycles, or chemical exposure.
Epoxy Coating
A film-forming resin system applied to concrete floors to create a protective or decorative finish. While common in warehouses and commercial spaces, epoxy coatings can peel, delaminate, or fail under moisture vapor transmission. Searches include epoxy vs polished concrete or epoxy floor coating failure.
👉 NGU systems provide a permanent alternative to epoxies by bonding ionically within the slab rather than forming a film on top.
ASTM E96
The standard test method for measuring water vapor transmission through materials. In concrete, it’s used to evaluate how much moisture moves through a slab. Engineers frequently search ASTM E96 concrete or water vapor transmission testwhen assessing slab readiness for flooring.
👉 NGU’s hydration control systems reduce vapor drive, helping projects meet ASTM E96 requirements without surface-applied vapor barriers.
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
The U.S. federal agency regulating air, water, and chemical safety standards. In concrete, the EPA is most often referenced in VOC compliance and environmental impact requirements. Contractors often search EPA concrete VOC regulations or EPA concrete curing compound limits.
👉 NGU systems are formulated to be low-VOC and compliant with EPA sustainability standards.
EPD (Environmental Product Declaration)
A third-party verified document that reports the environmental impact of a product across its lifecycle. In concrete construction, EPDs are increasingly required for LEED, AIA, and green building specifications. Specifiers often search concrete EPD requirements or EPD for concrete curing compounds.
👉 NGU provides transparency through low-VOC, sustainable systems that support EPD and green building compliance.
Engineer
A licensed professional responsible for designing, specifying, and reviewing the performance of concrete structures. Engineers determine mix designs, reinforcement, slab tolerances, and testing requirements to ensure safety, durability, and compliance with building codes.
Civil Engineer — The one who designs the roads we drive on, then mutters about why nobody follows the specs.
Design Engineer — The one who translates vision into specs, then patiently explains them to everyone else on the team.
Field Engineer — The boots on the ground, calculator in one pocket, tape measure in the other, trying to keep everyone honest.
Structural Engineer — The guardian of loads, forces, and factors of safety. Sleeps well only when the slab behaves.
👉 NGU systems are engineered to meet performance specs that engineers demand: higher strength, reduced shrinkage, improved moisture control, and slabs that last the lifecycle of the structure.
Evaporation Retarders
Spray-on solutions (about 90% water) applied during finishing to temporarily slow down moisture loss in hot, windy, or low-humidity conditions. When used properly — misted and left alone — they help keep the surface workable. But when finished into the slab, they create weak spots, scaling, and flaking.
👉 NGU doesn’t rely on temporary fixes. Our hydration control systems manage moisture from the inside out, eliminating the risks of weak surface layers.
Film-Forming Coating
A surface-applied material that creates a measurable film thickness (greater than 0.05 mils) on concrete. While often marketed for curing or sealing, film-formers can trap moisture, peel, and interfere with floor coverings. Contractors often search concrete film forming sealer or cure and seal concrete.
👉 NGU avoids film coatings — our systems penetrate and bond ionically for long-term performance.
Finished Gloss
The visual level of reflectivity achieved after grinding, honing, and polishing concrete. Gloss is classified into levels (1–4) by clarity and sheen, often referred to as polished concrete gloss levels or concrete reflective sheen.
👉 NGU lifecycle chemistry (DeepClean, DryShield, NanoDye, NanoStain) is engineered to maintain gloss and reflective clarity while protecting slip resistance.
Flatwork
Horizontal concrete placements such as floors, pavements, and slabs-on-grade. Searches often include flatwork concrete finishing or flatwork vs vertical concrete.
Flatworker — The most incredible human on the jobsite. Keeps the pour moving, saves everyone’s schedule, and still has time to complain about coffee.
👉 NGU’s systems are specifically engineered for flatwork applications — curing, densifying, repairing, and protecting slabs in industrial, commercial, and exterior paving environments.
Fly Ash
A pozzolanic material used as a cement replacement in many mixes to improve sustainability and performance. Engineers often search fly ash in concrete mix designs or fly ash vs Portland cement.
👉 NGU systems adapt to blended cements, ensuring hydration control and densification even when fly ash alters set times or strength development.
F-Number (FF/FL)
A floor flatness (FF) and floor levelness (FL) measurement system used to specify tolerances for concrete slabs.
FF (Floor Flatness) — Measures the smoothness of the concrete surface over short distances. Higher FF = fewer bumps, dips, or surface irregularities.
FL (Floor Levelness) — Measures the overall tilt or slope of the slab across larger distances. Higher FL = more consistent levelness across the slab.
F-Number Inspector — The human laser level. Doesn’t miss a dip, crack, or curl — and will happily tell you about it all day.
👉 NGU hydration control and curing systems reduce curling and shrinkage, helping contractors achieve higher F-Numbers and meet strict flatness specifications for industrial and warehouse floors.
Fred Stiles
Senior Technical Advisor
Doctorate in Concrete Logic (Unofficial but Unquestioned)
Fred Stiles is NGU’s resident legend—the technical mind you call when the slab starts telling stories. As Senior Technical Advisor, he knows the entire NGU system inside and out, but his specialty lies in PCR (Permanent Concrete Repair). From field applications to historical repairs, Fred understands every stage of concrete —where it began, where it failed, and how to restore it stronger than before.
Fred’s knowledge isn’t textbook—it’s field-proven, problem-solved, and trowel-tested. He’s worked through every phase of NGU’s evolution and carries the kind of practical intelligence you can’t Google.
👉 When others call it a “repair,” Fred calls it a “redemption arc.”
👉 If concrete had a conscience, it would confess to him first.
Finishing Aid ⚠️ Misused Term
“Finishing aid” is one of those industry phrases that refuses to die. It gets slapped onto labels, spec sheets, and jobsite talk — but here’s the truth: it doesn’t define one product. It’s a vague, catch-all label that’s caused bans, bad specs, and slabs that don’t perform.
👉 NGU doesn’t play the “finishing aid” game. We call products by their name and function, so there’s no confusion between spec, submittal, and slab.
What people mean when they say “Finishing Aid”:
Evaporation Retarders
Spray-on solutions (mostly water) that slow down moisture loss in hot or windy weather. Safe when applied as a mist, but if they’re worked into the slab, they leave weak surfaces, scaling, or flaking.Surface Treatments
Sprays like silanes, siloxanes, and colloidal silica blends that improve surface workability or durability. These are completely different from evaporation retarders — but too often get lumped together under the same lazy label.Admixtures
Batched into the mix at the plant. Colloidal silica admixtures improve durability and internal curing. Viscosity modifiers improve finishability and extend working time. Neither belongs in the same category as evaporation retarders or surface sprays, but “finishing aid” has been used to describe them all.
⚡ Bottom line: “Finishing Aid” isn’t real. It’s a blanket phrase that hides critical differences. At NGU, we’re precise: evaporation retarder, surface treatment, admixture — not a fuzzy one-size-fits-all term.
Gloss Polished Concrete Gloss Levels
The measure of surface reflectivity in polished concrete, classified from Level 1 (flat/matte) to Level 4 (high gloss, mirror-like).
👉 NGU lifecycle chemistry maintains gloss while balancing slip resistance.
Graphene
A carbon-based nanomaterial with extreme strength, electrical conductivity, and barrier properties. In concrete, graphene can improve hydration control, reduce permeability, and increase durability.
👉 NGU is pioneering graphene-based systems, pushing performance beyond traditional chemistry.
GreenICE Cure System
NGU’s flagship cure, densify, and hydration control system. Applied spray-on, leave-on, GreenIce eliminates the need for blankets, cure-and-seals, or separate densifier steps, hardeners, evaporation retarders, waterproofing, moisture mitigation and coatings.
👉 GreenIce locks in hydration, reduces curling, densifies the slab, and creates long-term durability.
IceStart — The early-age hydration control phase. Designed to stabilize the slab during its most vulnerable curing window, IceStart reduces moisture loss, plastic shrinkage, and early cracking.
IceStop — The densification and strength-building phase. It penetrates deep into the concrete matrix, reducing porosity and creating abrasion resistance.
IceCap — The performance-sealing phase that refines surface finish, boosts reflectivity, and locks in long-term durability.
GreenGloss Burnisher
NGU’s high-speed burnisher designed specifically for polished and densified concrete maintenance. While burnishers add reflectivity, NGU’s GreenGloss keeps performance consistent when paired with lifecycle chemistry.
👉 GreenGloss is built for long-term slab maintenance, not just shine.
Burnisher Operator — The rockstar behind the wheel, polishing floors and blasting classic rock at 2,000 RPM.
Grinding (Concrete Grinding)
The mechanical process of removing surface layers of concrete with bonded abrasive tooling. It’s the first step in the polishing process and critical for achieving desired aggregate exposure. Searches often include concrete grinding process, diamond grinding concrete, or concrete grinding vs polishing.
👉 NGU aligns grinding with hydration control and densification chemistry, so the floor performs from the base up.
Grinder Operator — The one who looks like they’re driving a Zamboni but is actually carving perfection into your slab.
GreenGuard Gold
An advanced level of GreenGuard Certification that sets even stricter chemical emissions limits to ensure healthier indoor air quality. GreenGuard Gold is recognized by LEED, WELL, and other sustainability standards as the preferred certification for products used in schools, healthcare, and sensitive environments.
👉 NGU systems are formulated to meet low-VOC requirements and align with GreenGuard Gold standards, giving architects, engineers, and contractors confidence that NGU solutions support both performance and wellness goals.
Hard Troweled Concrete
A finishing technique where power trowels or hand trowels are used to create a dense, smooth surface. While it produces a hard finish, it can also trap moisture and delay vapor transmission.
👉 NGU hydration control prevents trapped moisture problems often associated with dense, burnished finishes.
Hardness
A relative scale (1–10) used to measure the scratch resistance of minerals. In concrete, MOHS testing identifies slab hardness to select the right diamond tooling.
👉 NGU systems raise surface hardness, pushing concrete into MOHS levels competitive with granite.
Hydration (Concrete Hydration)
The chemical reaction between cement and water that forms the hardened concrete matrix. Proper hydration is critical to strength development, durability, and performance.
👉 NGU systems control hydration at the source, not after the fact. Unlike surface sealers, moisture barriers, or waterproofing products that only attempt to manage symptoms, hydration control ensures the concrete cures from the inside out.
Hydration Control
NGU’s specialty — a process that regulates the rate of moisture loss during curing, reducing shrinkage cracking, curling, and strength loss.
👉 Unlike waterproofing, moisture barriers, or moisture mitigation products, NGU hydration control eliminates the need for “afterthought fixes.” It is the ultimate lifecycle solution: curing, densifying, and protecting in a single application.
HPC (High Performance Concrete)
A type of concrete designed for superior strength, durability, and service life compared to conventional mixes. Often specified for bridges, pavements, and critical infrastructure.
👉 NGU systems enhance HPC by further improving hydration, reducing permeability, and locking in long-term durability.
IceCore
The densifier in NGU’s Emerald Concrete Control Series. It penetrates deep into exterior concrete, strengthening the surface, reducing dusting, and improving abrasion resistance.
👉 Works in tandem with Emerald Control for cure + densify performance in exterior slabs.
IceStart
The hydration control phase of NGU’s GreenIce Cure System. It stabilizes the slab during its most vulnerable curing window, reducing plastic shrinkage and cracking.
IceStop
The densification phase of NGU’s GreenIce Cure System. It penetrates and strengthens the slab, reducing porosity and increasing abrasion resistance.
IceCAP
The surface refinement phase of NGU’s GreenIce Cure System. IceCap enhances reflectivity, surface hardness, and long-term durability.
ICRI International Concrete Repair Institute
A global association dedicated to advancing the quality of concrete restoration, repair, and protection through education, certification, and industry standards. ICRI publishes guidelines that are widely referenced in specifications for repair projects.
👉 NGU aligns with ICRI’s mission by delivering systems that address repair at the molecular level — curing, densifying, and protecting concrete so failures don’t resurface.
ICRI CSP (Concrete Surface Profile) Guidelines
One of ICRI’s most widely used contributions. CSP profiles (1–10) provide a standardized way to specify the roughness needed before applying coatings, overlays, or repair materials. Lower CSP numbers (1–3) are smooth, higher CSP numbers (8–10) are rough.
👉 NGU repair and protection systems are designed to bond and perform consistently across the full CSP spectrum.
Identifiers
Materials, additives, or technologies used to mark, trace, or distinguish concrete for compliance, quality control, or performance tracking. Identifiers may be:
Admixture-based — batched into the mix to trace source or mix design.
Surface-applied — coatings, sprays, or sealers that carry unique identifiers.
Embedded — tags, chips, or tracers placed within the slab for lifecycle monitoring.
👉 NGU emphasizes precision: identifiers are not “finishing aids” or generic additives — they’re purpose-built for accountability and performance tracking.
Impermeability
The resistance of concrete to water and vapor penetration. High impermeability protects against moisture-related failures, rebar corrosion, and surface degradation.
👉 NGU hydration control and densification chemistry dramatically increase impermeability, outperforming traditional surface-applied waterproofing or vapor barriers.
Inhibitors (Corrosion Inhibitors)
Admixtures designed to slow or prevent corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete, especially in roadways, marine environments, or deicing salt exposure.
👉 While inhibitors target steel protection, NGU systems address the root cause by reducing slab permeability and moisture intrusion — minimizing the need for band-aid fixes.
Integral
Describes materials or colors incorporated into the concrete mix itself, rather than applied later as a surface treatment. Integral products become part of the slab matrix — permanent, consistent, and not dependent on surface adhesion.
👉 Examples include integral color pigments, admixtures for waterproofing, or shrinkage reducers.
👉 NGU systems are fully compatible with integral products, ensuring hydration control and densification without disrupting color or admixture performance.
Opposite of Topical — materials applied to the slab surface after placement.
Is Integral the same as Subsurface?
Integral treatments are added before placement — built into the mix itself. Subsurface treatments, on the other hand, are applied after placement, penetrating into the hardened concrete to create internal reactions that densify or protect the slab. Both affect the concrete from within, but at different stages of its lifecycle.
👉 See also: Subsurface (Concrete Treatments)
Pigments or dyes batched directly into fresh concrete to permanently alter its color. Unlike topical stains or dyes, integral color permeates the entire slab depth, ensuring consistent tone even if the surface wears.
👉 NGU systems are compatible with integral color, ensuring hydration control and densification without altering pigment performance.
Integral Color
Jason Proctor
Operations & Technical Director
Jason Proctor is NGU’s brain and brawn of the slab — the field commander who turns concrete physics into art. As Operations Director and Technical Director, Jason leads the charge where science meets sweat, bridging Ben’s brilliance with field execution that borders on supernatural.
He doesn’t just finish concrete — he rewrites what it means to be finished. His precision is mathematical, his intuition is molecular, and his stamina borders on myth. Crews swear he can hear hydration setting, read vapor movement by feel, and spot a bad mix from fifty feet away.
Jason’s floors don’t just meet spec — they hum with perfection. He’s the man you call when “flat” isn’t flat enough, when the schedule’s impossible, or when failure isn’t an option.
👉 He doesn’t fight concrete—he outsmarts it.
👉 When physics says “impossible,” Jason says “watch this.”
👉 If grit had a blueprint, it would look like Jason Proctor.
ACI Certified Finisher, ASCC Member, ICRI Member, CPG Member, OSHA Safety Trained Supervisor,
NGU Superman — Faster Than Curling, Stronger Than Crazing, Flatter Than Fiction, Doctor of Finishology (NGU Verified)
A deliberate break or separation in concrete designed to control cracking caused by shrinkage or movement. Joints are strategically placed during design and installation to manage stress distribution and preserve aesthetics.
Types of Joints:
Control Joints – Placed to regulate shrinkage cracking as concrete cures.
Expansion Joints – Allow thermal movement and prevent buckling.
Construction Joints – Separate different placements or pours.
Isolation Joints – Separate the slab from columns, walls, or fixed structures.
👉 NGU systems are designed to maintain continuity across joints — reducing curling, cracking, and long-term joint degradation.
Joint
A flexible material used to protect joints from impact, moisture, and debris intrusion. Joint fillers are crucial in polished and high-traffic floors to maintain edge integrity.
👉 NGU systems are compatible with a wide range of joint fillers, ensuring that densification and hydration control extend right up to the edge.
Joint Filler
Joint Sealer
An elastomeric material applied to joints to prevent moisture and contaminants from entering. While joint fillers support load transfer, sealants provide environmental protection.
👉 In NGU systems, joint sealants complement — not replace — proper hydration and densification performance.
Kinetic Curing
Refers to curing that actively promotes moisture retention and controlled hydration through movement, temperature, or chemical interaction—versus passive methods like covering or spraying with water.
👉 NGU hydration control systems take kinetic curing to a new level, maintaining internal moisture balance without external coverings or re-wetting.
Kneeboard (Concrete Finishing Tool)
Flat boards used by finishers to distribute weight and access wet concrete without damaging the surface during hand finishing.
👉 NGU may joke that every great finisher has two kneeboards: one for the slab, and one for when the crew forgets the mix ratio.
K-Value (Thermal Conductivity Coefficient)
A measure of how easily heat passes through a material. In concrete, lower K-values indicate better insulation properties. While rarely referenced in polishing or finishing specs, K-values are critical in energy modeling and insulated slab design.
👉 NGU systems maintain structural density without compromising thermal behavior, offering performance that aligns with sustainable design principles.
Kiln-Dried Aggregate
Aggregate that has been oven-dried to remove all moisture before mixing—used in controlled environments or when moisture content must be precisely managed.
👉 NGU admixture-compatible systems ensure that even with kiln-dried aggregate, hydration control remains optimal from pour to polish.
Knockdown Finish
A textured concrete surface created by spraying or troweling and then flattening (“knocking down”) the peaks before full set. Common in decorative and slip-resistant applications.
👉 While NGU’s primary focus is performance, our chemistry integrates seamlessly with decorative applications, maintaining durability beneath any aesthetic finish.
Kryptonite
NGU mythos term referring to the alleged weakness of Jason Proctor — though no evidence has ever surfaced. If it exists, it’s probably overcured concrete, a cold joint, or a crew that starts finishing before he arrives.
👉 Verified field reports confirm that Kryptonite is ineffective when hydration control is present.
Laser Screed
A precision machine used to level and compact concrete to exact elevations using laser technology. Laser-guided screeds deliver flatter, more consistent floors — the kind NGU systems make permanent.
👉 NGU hydration control and densification systems lock in the flatness achieved by laser screeds, ensuring it stays true long after traditional floors move, curl, or crack.
Lifecycle System
curing, densifying, sealing, and maintaining. NGU pioneered the Lifecycle System concept, developing chemistry that performs across all stages, not just one.
👉 Where others sell single-purpose products, NGU builds entire ecosystems engineered for long-term performance and sustainability.
Load Transfer (Concrete)
The ability of concrete slabs to distribute loads across joints or cracks, preventing differential movement or faulting. Proper joint design and treatment are critical to long-term slab performance.
👉 NGU systems improve load transfer durability by reducing microcracking and maintaining internal cohesion through advanced hydration control.
Laitance
A weak, powdery layer of cement and fines that rises to the surface of overworked or overwet concrete during finishing. Laitance weakens adhesion and must be removed before applying coatings or densifiers.
👉 NGU systems minimize laitance formation by controlling hydration balance during finishing, eliminating the soft surface layer that causes long-term failure.
Legend
A title reserved for those who’ve earned their place in NGU lore — the ones who’ve poured, troweled, and tested their way into company myth. The kind of people who don’t need introductions, just nods.
👉 Examples include Ben Wiese, Jason Proctor, and Tom Hollis— names that don’t just define NGU, they cement it.
Mastic
A glue-like adhesive found beneath old flooring systems such as VCT, carpet, or tile. Often black or yellow in appearance and may contain asbestos in older buildings. Must be removed or mechanically treated before slab finishing or polishing.
👉 NGU PCR chemistry is engineered to break bond layers like mastic without damaging the concrete below.
Matthew Elliott
Director of Sales
Credentials: ASCC Member, ICRI Member, CPG Member, The Batman of Specification Strategy (NGU Verified)
Matthew Elliott is NGU’s silent hunter of opportunity — precise, relentless, and always three moves ahead. He doesn’t chase leads; he studies territory. He doesn’t “do sales”; he engineers outcomes. When the spec is at risk, the timeline is on fire, and everything depends on a strategic move — Matthew is already in motion.
He’s the one who brings order to chaos. The one who turns resistance into adoption. The one who gets NGU systems written into specs others can’t get close to. Some reps sell. Matthew protects the mission.
His office light may not always be on. But make no mistake—he never leaves the city.
👉 He doesn’t follow markets — he patrols them
👉 He doesn’t lose deals — he stalks them until they close
👉 In every region, every bid, every spec — he’s already there
Microcracking
Tiny fractures in the slab caused by shrinkage, thermal stress, or moisture imbalance. Often invisible at first, but they weaken surface integrity and lead to long-term slab failure.
👉 NGU hydration control dramatically reduces microcracking by stabilizing internal slab moisture and controlling internal reactions.
Mix Design
The engineered formula for concrete that defines cement content, water-to-cement ratio, aggregate blend, and performance goals such as strength, durability, or finishability.
👉 NGU systems are compatible with any mix design — no adjustments or admixture changes required.
Moisture Mitigation (⚠️ Reactive Fix)
A category of after-the-fact moisture control systems—often epoxy barriers—used when slabs are already failing due to excess vapor, high RH, adhesive breakdown, or flooring rejection. Moisture mitigation is a reaction to a problem created during curing, finishing, or improper hydration control.
Common causes that lead to moisture mitigation:
No hydration control during curing
Overworking the surface or burning it tight too soon
Surface sealers that trapped moisture inside
Curling and cracking that opened vapor pathways
MVER or RH test failures before flooring
Truth: Moisture mitigation exists because moisture was never controlled correctly to begin with.
👉 NGU systems eliminate the cause instead of treating the symptom — controlling hydration from day one, reducing permeability, and stabilizing vapor movement without epoxy barriers.
Molecular Bond
A permanent, internal material reaction within concrete that strengthens density and structure without forming a surface film.
👉 All NGU systems create molecular bonds below the surface for lifetime performance.
Motherboard
Annaliese Sullivan Director of Marketing
Credentials: Strategic Operations Council, Digital Architect, Growth Command Unit
Signal Intelligence – Psychological Influencer
Motherboard is the unseen operating system of NGU. She doesn’t just manage the message — she weaponisizes it. The quiet force in a company built on concrete, velocity, and conviction. Every word has weight. Every move has intent. And every decision that leaves the brand sharper than it entered? That runs through her.
Where others communicate, she controls impact. She built the architecture behind how NGU talks, moves, and dominates perception — not with noise, but with precision. She is strategy without ego. Presence without spectacle. Force without friction.
Her influence isn’t loud. It’s wired in. And if NGU feels like more than a company — if it feels like a movement — that’s because she made sure of it.
👉 She doesn’t follow marketing trends — she hunts them for sport.
👉 You won’t see her coming — but you’ll feel what she built.
👉 They call her Motherboard for a reason — she connects everything.
Mud
Slang for fresh concrete while it is still plastic and workable. Also heard as “Get the mud down,” usually yelled across a loud job site 10 seconds before the pour starts.
MVER
Measures how much moisture vapor escapes from the slab surface over time. Tested using ASTM F1869 calcium chloride testing and expressed in lbs/1000 sq ft/24 hrs.
👉 While MVER detects surface moisture activity, it does not measure internal moisture conditions or vapor pressure.
👉 NGU systems stabilize moisture movement internally, preventing flooring failures caused by high MVER.
Moisture Evaporation Rate
The rate at which moisture evaporates from the surface of freshly placed concrete, measured in pounds per square foot per hour (lb/ft²/hr). This rate is a critical factor during finishing because rapid moisture loss leads to plastic shrinkage cracking.
According to ACI 305R, an evaporation rate of 0.05 lb/ft²/hr or less is considered low risk for plastic shrinkage cracking in standard concrete conditions. Higher evaporation rates, especially in hot, dry, or windy environments, create a high-risk environment for slab failure during placement.
Key Factors That Increase Evaporation Rate:
High ambient temperature
Low relative humidity
High wind speed
Hot concrete temperature
👉 NGU hydration control prevents moisture loss during finishing and eliminates the risk of plastic shrinkage cracking without evaporation retarders or rewetting.
👉 See also: Hydration Control, Evaporation Retarder (misused term), ACI 305R