PREMIER

Ultra BURNISHED
®
MASONRY UNITS

Color: Maplenut (10-217C)

 Color: Cranberry Blend (10-215B), Light Frost (10-218C)
and Medium Caramel (10-201 A)

Color: Warmstone (10-202A)

 Premier Ultra® Burnished Masonry Units
Premier Ultra Burnished masonry units combine
timeless beauty with high durability, fire resistance
and low maintenance.

Premier Ultra Burnished Masonry Units are

an elegant alternative in concrete masonry
construction. With their superior quality and
sophisticated character, burnished units create
buildings with distinction and enhanced aesthetics.
Made under exacting specifications and strict
quality control standards, Premier Ultra Burnished
Masonry units are the highest quality burnished
units available.

Premier Ultra Burnished units are permanently colored

concrete blocks manufactured by grinding one or
more surfaces of the block to reveal the mixture of
natural aggregates within.

Special care is taken to prevent efflorescence by

incorporating special additives in the mix design.
A fieldcoat of acrylic sealer applied onsite offfers
excellent graffiti and moisture resistance to the
burnished units and mortar joints. Premier Ultra
Burnished masonry combines lasting strength and
inherent characteristics of concrete masonry units,
with unmatched beauty and striking visual appeal.

Color: Canyon Tan (10-216B)

Color: Medium Caramel (10-201A)

Color: Almond (10-211B)

Colors: Maplenut (10-217C)

and Sandstone (10-204A)
 Premier Ultra® Burnished Masonry Units
Premier Ultra Burnished masonry units offer versatile and appealing design options
for both interior and exterior applications.

Colors: Sandstone (10-204A)

and Canyon Tan (10-216B)

Color: Cranberry Blend (10-215B)

 Colors: Sandstone (10-204A) and Custom Color

Color: Custom Color, Score-V1

 Color Selection for Premier Ultra® Burnished
Premier Ultra® Burnished masonry units afford the rich, smooth look of polished stone or granite
at a fraction of the cost. Call for additional color options.

Autumn Oakleaf (10-203A) Medium Caramel (10-201A) Pembrook (10-227A) Sandstone (10-204A) Walnut (10-235A) Warmstone (10-202A)

Almond (10-211B) Brazilnut (10-207B) Brownstone (10-287B) Buttercup (10-234B) Canyon Tan (10-216B) Cranberry Blend (10-215B)

Deep Frost (10-214B) Gray Caramel (10-230B) Gray Frost (10-205B) Gray Tweed (10-206B) Mourning Dove (10-209B) Natural (10-286B)

Russet (10-208B) Tawny (10-223B) Yellowstone (10-212B)

Allspice (10-219C) Antique White (10-222C) Bamboo (10-226C) Beachstone (10-228C) Birchwood (10-225C) Butternut (10-221C)

Gold Dust (10-247C) Light Caramel (10-220C) Light Frost (10-218C) Linen (10-229C) Maplenut (10-217C) Nutmeg (10-233C)

Due to the nature of concrete and variables in

photography and printing, colors shown may vary
from actual hues. Refer to product samples for final
color selection.
All units are manufactured with integral water repellant.

Pink Pearl (10-237C) Cream (10-080C) Speckled Frost (10-297C) Tan Warmstone (10-232C)

NOTE: Swatches are categorized into color/price groups. Blue = Group A (low price range) Red = Group B (mid price range)
Groups are denoted by the color of the swatch name: Green = Group C (upper price range)
 Color: Canyon Tan (10-216B)

Color: Antique White (10-222C)

(Shown with Fullface Split block
in Autumn Red)
 Shapes & Sizes for Premier Ultra® Burnished
Premier Ultra Burnished masonry units are available in multiple shapes and a variety of sizes.
4F 6F 8F 8F8 44F

4FE 8FE 8FEBN 4FE L CORNER 44F SOLID

44F24 4FT 8FT 8FTBN 8FETR* 8UF

48F24 412F12 412F16 416F 412F24 416F24

Premier Block’s Bullnose (BN) & Chamfer (CH) Units

Scoring Designations

BN1/CH1 BN2/CH2 BN3/CH3 BN4*/CH4*

8”x 8” Score–V1

BN5/CH5 BN6/CH6 BN7/CH7* BN8/CH8

5”x 8” Score–V2

4”x 8” Score–V3 BN9*/CH9* BN10*/CH10* BN11/CH11

NOTES: 1) * For these units, designate left (L) or right (R).

2) Show faces to be burnished as face (F), end (E), top (T) and bottom (B).
3) Corner units available for 4” units larger than the 8” x 16” faced units.
4) For running-bond patterns, corner lengths are 1/2 the field unit length +4”; finished face and end.
5) For stack-bond patterns, mitered corners are available.
6) Mitered corners are not available in units larger than 16” long.

Premier Ultra® Burnished Masonry Units are now available in Thin Veneer!
Please refer to County Materials’ Thin Veneer Field Applied brochure for available sizes.
PART 1: GENERAL FIGURE 1: TYPICAL CONTROL JOINT LOCATIONS

2.01 Concrete Masonry Units

I. Premier Ultra Burnished Masonry Units:
ASTM C 90 – Loadbearing Concrete Masonry Units
(These units are suitable for both loadbearing and non-loadbearing applications)
a. Premier Ultra Burnished masonry units as manufactured and distributed by
Premier Block Corporation.
b. Integrally Pigmented Loadbearing Units.
i. Unit dimensions as required by building plans.
ii. Normal weight.
iii. Hollow block, as indicated, with a net area compressive strength of ≥1900 psi
iv. Integral synthetic iron oxide pigments and aggregates.
v. Integral polymer emulsion water repellent.
vi. Colors: Premier Ultra Burnished, Color____________________________
vii. Substitutions: Not permitted.

Submittal:
Submit full size color sample(s) of each color specified or selected from
manufacturer’s color palette. Submit product literature, test reports, and product
certifications.

Quality Assurance:
Decorative (veneer/structural) concrete masonry units shall be Premier Ultra Burnished
masonry units as manufactured by Premier Block Corporation. All units shall conform
to ASTM C 90 Loadbearing Concrete Masonry Units. Units shall have a Premier Ultra
Burnished face as designated on the drawings or in the specifications.

Field Constructed Mock-ups or Sample Panels:

Construct a separate (not part of the actual building) sample wall panel not less than 4’ by TABLE 1
4’ with units in the pattern, color and shape as indicated in drawings and specifications.
Cleaning agents and methods shall be performed prior to approval of the sample panel.
Walls partially or fully erected without an approved sample panel shall be deemed NCMA Recommendation for Control Joint Spacing for
accepted “as is” and relieves Premier Block of any liability regarding deficiencies. Above Grade Exposed Concrete Masonry Walls
Delivery, Storage and Handling: DISTANCE BETWEEN JOINTS SHOULD NOT EXCEED THE LESSER OF:
Premier Ultra Burnished masonry units shall be delivered to the job site on banded
wood pallets. Each exposed face shall be protected by a plastic protective layer. Each edge of a Length to height ratio or ft (m)
cube shall be protected by a pre-molded edge protector. Each cube shall be covered with a clear
plastic wrap. Pallets shall be stored in single-stacks on level ground. Delivered cubes shall be
Single Wythe 11/2 25 (7.62)
protected from inclement weather with a waterproof covering. Units shall be handled Veneer 11/2 20 (6.10)
according to industry standards to minimize chipping and breakage.
Notes: 1. Table values are based on the use of horizontal reinforcement
Installation: having an equivalent area of not less than 0.025 in. 2/ft (52.9
Install only quality units; reject all defective units. Align units level, plumb and true mm2/m) of height to keep unplanned cracks closed .
with uniform, carefully tooled 3/8” wide joints on the finished side of the wall. Draw
blocks from two or more pallets at a time during installation. 2. Criteria apply to all concrete masonry units.
Provide adequate lighting for masonry work by placing all lighting a reasonable 3. This criteria is based on experience over a wide geographical
distance from the wall for even illumination. Do not use trough lighting. Make all unit area. Control joint spacing should be adjusted up or down where
cuts, including those for bonding, holes, boxes, etc., with motor-driven masonry saws, local experience justifies but no farther than 25 ft (7.62 m).
using either an abrasive or diamond blade. Cut neatly for best appearance.

Design Practices and Installation:

Careful consideration should be given to the placement of control joints and the
use of horizontal joint reinforcement, brick wall ties, weep holes and water resistant
sealants. It is expected that units will be laid according to the Masonry Standards
Joint Committee Code and Specifications for Masonry Structures.
Control Joints:
Control joints are used to relieve horizontal tensile stresses due to potential shrinkage
of concrete masonry assemblages. They are vertical separations built into the wall at
locations where stress concentrations may occur. These joints reduce restraint and permit
longitudinal movement. Concrete masonry units (both in through-wall and veneer
applications) require vertical control joints to accommodate latent wall contraction.
Control Joint Placement:
Control joints should be located where volume changes in the masonry due to
drying shrinkage, carbonation, or temperature changes are likely to create tension
in the masonry that will exceed its capacity. The following are suggested methods to
provide guidance in locating control joints. (see Figure 1)
1. At changes in wall height,
2. At changes in wall thickness, such as at pipe and duct chases and pilasters,
3. At (above) movement joints in foundations and floors,
4. At (below) movement joints in roofs and floors that bear on the wall,
5. Near one or both sides of door and window openings, (generally, a control joint is
placed at one side of an opening less than 6 ft wide and at both jambs of openings
over 6 ft wide). Control joints can be away from the opening if adequate tensile
reinforcement is placed above, below and beside wall openings.
6. Adjacent to corners of walls or intersections within a distance equal to half the
control joint spacing requirement for that wall.
For more detailed control joint spacing, refer to NCMA Tek Note 10-2B and 10-4.
Empirical Crack Control:
For walls containing masonry parapets, do not consider the parapet as part of the
masonry wall below if recommended through-wall flashing is utilized at the Roof/
Parapet Intersection, which will render the parapet as an independent wall element.
Horizontal Joint Reinforcement:
Continuous joint reinforcement is required in the bed joints 16” on center vertically
in all veneer applications, in the exterior wythe of composite and noncomposite wall
construction, and in through-wall masonry construction.
Nonstructural, horizontal, joint reinforcement should not be continuous through
control joints, since this will restrict the designed, allowed, horizontal movement.
Weep Holes:
To properly drain water that may collect on any flashing or horizontal surface, weep
holes must be provided immediately above the flashing or at all locations where a
horizontal surface is formed.
Veneer Anchors:
The National Concrete Masonry Association recommends using an anchor that allows
for vertical & horizontal movement.
Flashing:
Flashing is recommended for all locations where moisture may potentially penetrate
into a wall and where the free drainage of water is blocked. Some of these critical
locations include the top of walls at roof/parapet intersections, at all horizontal
obstructions such as over openings, beneath sills, above shelf angles, and at the base
of walls. Flashing may also be utilized in walls at ground level to serve as a moisture
retarder to reduce the amount of water wicked up into the masonry above grade.
Weep holes and vents also reduce the moisture content of masonry walls.
 Mortar and Mortar Joints:
PART 1: GENERAL continued Using a lower compressive strength mortar helps ensure that when cracks do
occur, they occur in the mortar joint rather than through the unit. Type N mortar
FIGURE 2a: is often specified for concrete brick veneers, because it tends to be more flexible
1 inch (25 mm) minimum than other mortar types. (Reference: NCMA TEK 10-4) Use regular gray mortar or a
air space required CAVITY WALL DESIGN
complementary colored mortar matching the Premier Ultra Burnished units. Strike
for Premier Ultra Burnished mortar joints when the mortar is thumbprint hard. Concave or V-shaped joints
masonry units are recommended for exterior applications as they properly compact the mortar
(with CMU back-up) against the masonry unit sealing the joint and improving moisture resistance,
Concrete masonry back-up and fill irregular CMU edges. Raked, flush, beaded, or extruded joints are not
recommended as they do not compact the mortar and/or create ledges that
Concrete
intercept water running down the face of the wall. Mortared head and bed joints
masonry Horizontal joint shall be the full thickness of the CMU face shells.
veneer reinforcement
Cleaning
Horizontal joint Keep walls clean daily during installation using brushes, rags, and burlap squares. Do
reinforcement not allow excess mortar lumps or smears to harden on the finished surfaces. Remove
Adjustable veneer anchor green mortar with burlap or a dry cloth. Harsh cleaning methods after walls have been
erected might mar the surface of the units.
Rigid insulation
Final Cleandown
Drip edge No ACID or ACID-base solutions shall be used in the cleaning of Ultra® Burnished units. A
detergent masonry cleaner shall be used following the manufacturer’s instructions and the
Cavity drainage surface shall be thoroughly rinsed with clean water.
ventilation mesh

Mesh weeps
NOTE: The International Energy
Conservation Code requires that
an approved Vapor Retarder
be installed in certain climate
zones on the warm-in-winter
side of the thermal insulation.
Regional codes may require the
installation of an Air Retarder.
Flashing
Field Coa
at App
pliccation
A field coat of acrylic sealer (TK-192, water-based, or TK BrightKure & Seal, solvent-based)
must be applied to all Ultra® Burnished Block to maintain the limited warranty.
For a finished wall, apply a jobsite application of acrylic (minimum 20% solids
content) to all Ultra® walls after cleandown and when the walls are dry. Apply
the acrylic evenly to cover the entire surface without forming drops or runs.
For maximum coverage and best appearance, apply acrylic with airless spray
Foundation
equipment. This clear, high-solids acrylic offers excellent graffiti resistance, provides
moisture resistance to the units and mortar joints and helps to cover any scuffs or
scratches that may occur during handling and/or installation.

Maintenance
FIGURE 2b: Ultra® Burnished masonry units, properly installed and cleaned, need virtually no
Single Wythe WALL DESIGN maintenance other than routine cleaning with standard commercial grade cleaning
agents. Graffiti, paint or dye stains might need special cleaning methods and products.
for Premier Ultra Burnished masonry units Contact manufacturer for specific cleaning recommendations.

Metal coping Water Repellents:

(min. 6” to 8”) The same brand of water repellent admixture used in the block should be used in
the mortar to ensure compatibility and bond.

Extreme Weather Construction:

Sealant
Temperatures between 40 and 90˚F (4.4 and 32.2˚C) are considered “normal”
temperatures for masonry construction and therefore do not require special
Rheopel block & procedures or protection protocols. When ambient temperatures fall below
motar additive 40˚F (4.4˚C), the MSJC Code and Specification for Masonry Structures requires
consideration of special construction procedures. Similarly when the minimum
Architectural daily temperature for grouted masonry or the mean temperature for ungrouted
block
masonry falls below 40˚F (4.4˚C) during the first 48 or 24 hours after construction
BLOK-FLASH® above respectively, special protection considerations are required.
bond beams
Rain and Masonry Construction:
The presence of rain, or the likelihood of rain, should receive special consideration
Field coat of TK-192
or TK BrightKure & during masonry construction. Unless protected, masonry construction should
Seal acrylic sealer not continue during heavy rains, as partially set or plastic mortar is susceptible to
washout, which could result in reduced strength or staining of the wall. However, after
approximately 8 to 24 hours of curing (depending upon environmental conditions),
mortar washout is no longer of concern. When rain is likely, all construction materials
Window sill
should be covered. Newly constructed masonry should be protected from rain by
draping a weather-resistant covering over the assemblage. The cover should be secured
Sill flashing in place and extend over all mortar that is susceptible to washout.
with drip edge (References: National Concrete Masonry Association TEKs)
Control Joint filler
NP 2™ Sonneborn

PART 2: PRODUCTS
Continuous
horizontal wire Manufacturer:
every 16” Architectural concrete masonry units shall be Premier Ultra Burnished masonry units
BLOK-FLASH® as manufactured by Premier Block Corporation (888-395-5584). Units shall meet or
exceed the requirements of:
• ASTM C 90 Loadbearing Concrete Masonry Units
• Normal weight equal or greater than 125 lbs./cu.ft.
Project/Site Conditions:
During construction of exposed concrete masonry, minimize mortar and grout Colors:
smears on the face of the units. The base of the wall should be protected from Colors shall be selected from manufacturer’s colors.
mud splattering and mortar droppings by spreading plastic sheets four feet on the
ground and three feet up the wall. Cover the tops of unfinished and finished walls at
the end of the workday to prevent rain and outside elements from entering the wall
in order to reduce efflorescence development. Premier Block Corporation • Corporate Office
1111 Menomonie Street, P.O. Box 910 • Eau Claire, WI 54702-0910 • 888-395-5584
 A Distinguished
Class of Masonry
Colors: Bamboo (10-226C) Often compared to
and Tawny (10-223B) polished stone or granite,
but at a fraction of the
cost, Premier Ultra
Burnished units combine
all the benefits of concrete
masonry construction:
• high durability
• timeless beauty
• versatile design options
• structural load-bearing,
veneer units or
thin veneer units
• low installed costs
• easily maintained
surfaces
• firesafe construction
• energy efficiency
• noise control
• diversity of colors,
multiple shapes and
variety of sizes
Premier Block Corporation
1111 Menomonie St. • P.O. Box 910
Eau Claire, WI 54702-0910
www.premierblock.com
Toll free: 888-395-5584
Premier Block is proud to be based and made in the USA.
Ultra Burnished Masonry
Units are ideally suited for
a wide range of
applications, including:
• Schools and Colleges
• Auditoriums
• Convention Centers
• Medical Facilities
• Shopping Malls
• Banks and Financial
Institutions
• Churches
• Office Buildings
• Sports Complexes
• Restaurants
• Homes and Apartment
Complexes
©2010 Premier Block Corporation • 0144_0410