How Architectural Concrete Products in Orlando Are Revolutionizing Building Design

A Closer Look at Portland-Limestone Cement
and the Questions It Raises

In the race toward reducing carbon emissions and building a more sustainable future, the construction industry has placed significant emphasis on material innovation. One of the most talked-about shifts in recent years is the rise of 1L concrete, also known as Type 1L Portland-limestone cement (PLC). While its environmental intentions are clear, the execution and field performance of this material have sparked deep concerns among contractors, finishers, and construction professionals across the country.

What Is 1L Concrete?

1L concrete is a blended cement product made by intergrinding Portland cement clinker with up to 15% finely ground limestone. It falls under ASTM C595 and was promoted as a more sustainable option than traditional Type I or Type II cement, with a claimed reduction in embodied carbon of about 10%.
This transition is part of a broader movement toward lowering the construction industry’s carbon footprint. However, for many professionals working in the field every day, the reality of 1L’s performance has not aligned with its promise.

Why the Push—And Why the Pushback?

Advocates of 1L cement cite decades of successful use in Europe and a growing need for climate-conscious practices. Major producers in the U.S. began shifting almost entirely to Type 1L in 2022 and 2023, often with little consultation or consideration for the practical realities faced by contractors and specialty finishers.
This sudden change, often framed as a “drop-in replacement,” has led to a number of serious challenges:
Surface Defects & Finish Failures
Many contractors have reported inconsistent finish quality, scaling, dusting, and difficulty achieving color uniformity in decorative and exposed applications. In some cases, these issues have led to litigation over failed installations.

Lack of Field Testing & Support

Although some densifiers and admixtures are being promoted as compatible with 1L, most have not undergone sufficient independent testing to ensure reliable long-term performance. Contractors are left to troubleshoot on their own, often at their own expense.

Distrust from the Field

For many in the construction world, especially those working on architectural concrete, decorative finishes, or high-performance surfaces, the lack of transparency and technical support has created a deep sense of frustration and mistrust.

What Industry Experts Are Saying

While many material producers remain committed to 1L cement, an increasing number of contractors, specifiers, and consultants are raising red flags. Some are now avoiding 1L altogether in high-exposure projects or are specifying additional treatments, sealers, or surface hardeners to compensate for performance issues.
Yet even these remedies come with asterisks: most haven’t been thoroughly tested alongside 1L, and results vary based on climate, substrate, and finishing practices. While some contractors are beginning to find combinations that work, there is no universally endorsed solution at this time.

Proceeding with Caution

There’s no question that sustainability is an urgent priority—but true sustainability must also account for durability, performance, and constructability. When cement fails in the field, the environmental impact of replacement materials and labor far outweighs any initial carbon savings.
As the industry continues to explore lower-carbon alternatives, many experts are calling for a more thoughtful, transparent, and inclusive approach—one that includes rigorous testing, real-world data, and support for the contractors on the front lines of implementation.

The Bottom Line

1L concrete may represent a step toward sustainability, but for now, it’s a step that should be taken with full awareness of its limitations. The current landscape demands caution, continued evaluation, and an honest dialogue between producers and practitioners.
Until field data improves and manufacturers take stronger accountability for performance, the use of 1L cement should be considered on a case-by-case basis, especially in projects where finish quality, color uniformity, or long-term durability are critical.

Architectural Concrete Products

Architectural Concrete Products

Over the past few years, architectural concrete products have started to revolutionize modern building design in Orlando. Known as architectural precast concrete, these products change the build environment. Used in restaurants, retail shops, homes, commercial spaces, and more, these products can offer dramatic results with a range of customizable expressions while being fully functional.

Architectural precast products offer numerous advantages. For instance, the concrete is flexible, extremely durable, and long-lasting. These products are also low maintenance, easy to clean, and even resistant to fire. Because of this, these concrete products can be turned into a broad range of design features that complement different design styles. Although architectural concrete products are already popular in Orlando, they have not yet reached their full potential.

Today, developers of high-rise buildings are vying for much the same client. To attract tenants and buyers, developers are making buildings taller and more elaborate. With architectural concrete products, Orlando developers have an even greater advantage. For residential towers and high-rise offices, these products create a luxurious aesthetic that is appealing to the rich and famous. However, these same products are just as beneficial when used in commercial structures and lower-rise offices where durability is essential.

One of the biggest reasons that architectural concrete products are in such high demand in Orlando is the limitless design potential. When forms are customized, they can be used for creating panels with precise shapes and dimensions. These products add joints, reveals, patterns, and a host of other architectural expressions to the panel surface.

Castable concrete products

Castable concrete products

Learn more about castable concrete products by Surecrete>>

Something else to consider is that architectural products in Orlando can be designed with special color effects. This is accomplished by using various aggregates, pigments, and sands. Even textures can be created by using varying levels of sandblasting treatments. For an even more special aesthetic, these products can be enhanced with brick veneers, stone, or tile.

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