Concrete Design for the Orlando Hospitality Sector

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.

Hospitality Concrete Wine Wall Orlando

Hospitality Concrete Wine Wall Orlando

One of the great things about working in concrete, from a contractor’s perspective, is that the job never gets boring. You might move from installing an epoxy flooring system for an auto dealership to creating a stamped concrete driveway for an elegant home to pouring concrete countertops for a food preparation facility.

Contractors often tell us that one area where they really get to indulge their passion for concrete design is in the Orlando hospitality sector. Why is that? It’s because there’s so much flexibility. Resort owners, cabin renters, hoteliers, restaurateurs and so on are among the clients most likely to be open to suggestions from contractors, and they all seem to love decorative concrete! That’s probably because the applications are so varied, and it’s so affordable.

With an amazing array of colors, textures and pattern options, almost anything can be constructed that will look great without breaking the bank. Imagine a small seaside resort, for example, consisting of just a main building and some cabins. Each cabin could have its own fire pit, and maybe a couple of seat walls. More seat walls and an outdoor bar at the main building? Maybe some seating and attractive planters by the pool? The owner could add on year after year, and from a tiny resort, perhaps a large one would eventually develop, with water features, koi ponds, outdoor dance floors, spa features… really, the only limitation is the imagination of the contractor and the client.

Decorative concrete design for Orlando hospitality providers is always exciting, because everyone has a different vision. It’s easy for contractors and clients alike to be enthusiastic about planning projects, and there are so many sources for great ideas – magazines, web sites, videos – or you could even just drive around the neighborhood and get inspiration from what others are doing.

Of course, if you’d like a little personal input, you can always get in touch with Select Surface Solutions. We love to talk about concrete design with Orlando contractors! We have tons of ideas, and we’re also the best source in Orlando for concrete supplies and tools. In addition, we pride ourselves on superior customer service with training, demos, on-site technical support, and more. Give us a call today – we’re at (407) 730-3103, and we’d welcome an opportunity to talk concrete!

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