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Durite® is an internationally registered trademark with many products and concepts that are pioneering in the construction Industry. Natural stone aggregates mixed with synthetic polymers (such as E-poxy, Rasin & Polyester, etc.) offers endless possibilities to design, mix, colors, creating exquisite exterior and interior surfacing materials for walls and floor surface covering. Durite has created many unique material combinations used for high profile projects. Durite* has also patented the "Durrazzo" inlay systems. Any shape, design and color combinations can be duplicated in terrazzo especially in artistic shapes that previouslywere too cost prohibitive to manufacture.


Durite USA LLC

About

Partnering

 PARTNERNING WITH DURITE

Chemistry of Polymers

Chemistry of Polymers in Man-Made Materials

From Nature to Lab

FROM NATURE TO LAB - LET THERE BE STONE

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Quartz/Glass/Man-made Slabs

CaesarStone®, SileStone@, Cambria@, IceStone®, Zodiac®

Fabrication: From Finish Slabs
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Our definition of Fabrication is to take stone slabs and man-made materials such as CaesarStone ®, SileStone@, Zodiac@, Cambria®, Corian® etc. and process for a desired product. Fabrication is to cut pieces and glue them on a 45 degree miter joints.

For man-made materials we have the ability to curve and create desired shapes, achieve incredible finish’s that looks seamlesslike one piece where joints almost disappear. Counter Tops, Backsplash, and many other products can be Fabricated from slabs to achieve the desired finish.

Cost of Fabrication:
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Most materials for Fabrication are provided to us in a slab format. this eliminates the guessing game and reduces the chance of returns. Also various materials can range in cost. Some suppliers because of their ability to buy bulk can obtain a more favorable terms than others. Some Trademark materials only sell to their own suppliers. In Fabrication Durite only gets involved with processing the finish slabs into the final products.

Time of fabrication or the "turn-around" time is an important cost factor. depending on size and magnitude of the project, fabrication can be done in one or three shifts (round the clock).

Ordering can be made in pieces, so it would be easy to install and assemble on site (miter joints) with numbered pieces. or fabricated pieces can be pre-assembled and shipped as whole units. Crating, Shipping and Insurance are all part of the final cost.

Learn more

Fabrication

What is Fabrication

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Manufacturing
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Manufacturing is different from Fabrication. With Manufacturing we start with creating the materials based on a certain specifications, colors, mix of stones, sizes, density and other materials that we will be adding to the mix. After achieving the control sample, we create the desired shapes. Manufacturing is done based on single casting. For example if a countertop requires a cutout for a sink, plumbing fixtures and a 3" apron (front edge) this is done in a single 3D-Casting so everything is in one piece and this look is totally and functionally different than (fabrication) where the joints are glued together. glued joints they have to be put together professionally that glued lines are not visible. with singe casting there are no joints. in addition, glued joints may separate and may not be good for certain applications like heavy weights in sinks or shower basin, etc. Single cast does not separate (Tension is 2 KSI).

There are no limitations to casting shapes. We have no limitations to size and lengths of castings. the limitations are only in transport and site delivery.

Fusing
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With manufacturing we also have the ability of (Fusing). This is a Durite technology to weld pieces together. Joints can melt and become a single piece. we have created bar tops for nearly 150 liner feet seamlessly with Fusing. we have created many single counter and trough sinks in single castings.

Cost of Manufacturing
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Depending on the "Material" project size (how many molds has to be produced), time frame (from approved samples to finish production with one shift of crews or three shift of crews), cost ( labor & material) and possibly installation (labor on site), cost is a variable.

It’s more productive to work a manufacturing budget backwards, from what is the target cost? Sometimes if from the get go there is not enough budget it’s anexercise of unreal desires.

Cost has to be realistic. We would rather deal with a client that is knowledgeable has some sort of understanding of market cost, than one who has none. We had mass produced for many projects in Vegas, in Miami and Japan and the Far-East. So nothing is too far.

Manufacturing

With  infinite  possibilities,  as  infinite  as  stones  and  their composition  like quartz, mica, shiest, silica, micro- marine shells, calcite, shells, fossils, obsidian (volcanic glass), we can create infinite surfaces.

Using  local  and  natural  materials  to  manufacture  is  our  strength  and  it  is  a cost   effective   approach   than   transporting   goods   from   one   continent   to another.

Depending  on  the  size  of a project,  and  location,  custom  materials  can  be created  to  fit  your  budget  and  achieve  the  esthetic  look  that  is  desired.  No project is too small or too large.   

Creating  unique  materials  is  our  goal.  After  the  control  sample  is  evaluated, production cost can be explored.

Nature guides us to create many materials that are  admired by many. We can engineer most of those materials to our specifications. The world of Polymers is  a  Pandora’s  Box  and  we  can  see  some  of  those  creations  in  smaller  scale, like eye wear glass frames, Tortoise Shell, Man made pearlite Piano Keys, and many other exotic polymer. Combined with natural materials like Pink Quartz, or  Fossils,  Amethyst,  Gold  Coated  Glass  (like  the  Deco  Period),  and  infinite other creation, nothing short of the wow factors.  

Make your own materials

Making your own Materials

What is Manufacturing USA?

Kitchen & Bar Countertops
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Durite is one of the leading companies in material design and Manufacturing of counter tops. Our experience spans over 30 years experimenting with different manufacturers of polymers and epoxies using additives for "Food Safety Environment", UV Stabilizers and Natural Pigments that are safe for food environment. During the years we gained many valuable lessons that we would like to share with you.

Countertop Material Science:
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A kitchen or bar top is subjected to many types of environments. A white countertop would want to stay white with UV (both from natural sun light or from electrical lights emitting UV). Titanium DI-Oxide is usually used for whitening colors even in toothpaste. This is a much stable pigment under an intense UV than chemical color additives that can tint the epoxy white, but it is unstable under UV. Cost of polymers depends on how it is packaged.

Another very important feature is an Anti-Bacteria and Anti-fungal additives for food safety, Epoxy by it’s own nature is impermeable and does not allow water/moisture to penetrate where bacteria can grow. It’s important to know what type of materials are added to Epoxy and counter that could absorbs and retain water, juices and other food products creating an environment for bacteria growth. Porous materials such as Concrete Counter Tops can be prone to bacteria growth. Even though Penetrable Sealers are used to prevent porosity. Sealers have a certain short shelf-life, they must not have any carcinogens, heavy metals and other very harmful materials. Pours materials with cement base and sealers, when they come into contact with citric acid, salts, food preservatives and cleaning agents like Ammonia, Bleach and others can breakdown at the molecular level, or change it’s composition to harmful materials. In comparison the Polymer industry R&D evaluates a single material (polymer) by ASTM standards, rather than Concrete Based materials with Sealers a composition of two separate materials (concrete & sealers), creating an unknown composition, with many sealers not having an ASTM evaluations.

A Kitchen Counter or Bar Top is always subjected to Lemon/Lime Juice, Salts and Oils. It is also important to know that some materials used in countertops can stain or dissolve when they come into contact with those types of liquids.

With the popularity of the concrete look for countertops , vanity and sinks Durite was able to create Concrete Polymer that looks like concrete but functions like Polymer. None-Porous, None-Staining, No sealer needed.

Durite finish is natural without sealers. This process is known as burnishing. It is similar to polishing precious stones. By constant polishing, stones in the mixture like **"Terrazzo"** are heated to a degree of natural shine. This action closes the stone surface pores and eliminates the use of sealers, that can become a maintenance issue.

Overall, if materials for countertops are manufactured by Durite, the end result must be a hard surface and "Brittle" strength (+/-10 KSI) so that the top can be stiff enough to be used as a "Cantilever". Kitchen and Bar Counters requires a hard surface, created for harsh environment at molecular level.

Manufacturing of Kitchen & Bar Tops:
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Once the control sample is created and approved, counter and bar tops can be created by 3D casting. This is a single cast that can create seamless and monolithic counter, whereby the sink, back-splash, front apron and sides, cut outs, drilled holes and all other features can be casted in a single setting.

This technique is totally different than "Fabrication", whereby pieces have to be cutout from a slab and glued together on a miter joint. Single cast sink and counter is not glued, it is made from the same materials through and through. This technique has many advantages, their are no joints to separate under heavy loading of water/ dishes or other heavy kitchen items. The epoxy tensile material is valued at 2,000 psi strength without any reinforcement. This is very impressive.

An incredible added feature that we can achieve with manufacturing is "Fusing". This allows us to ship counter and bar tops in pieces and once at the site we can chemically join the pieces and make it as one continuous piece. This is not gluing with a joint or miter edge. "Fusing" is to bond the materials and making the two sections as one. We have created Kitchen Island Tops that are 14’ X 14’ as a single piece. Bar tops that are 180 Linear Feet as a single top, including the 3" thickness Apron at the front edge. Single piece back splash that exceeds the lengths of 10’ without any vertical joints, etc.

What ever you can envision, it can be created.

Kitchen & Bar Countertops

Vanity Top: (Manufacturing/Fabrication)
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Vanity tops are normally for single, double or multiple sinks, made from the same materials as the top, or different. Design of tops vary from simple "Top only" with cut out for under-mount sink and faucet holes, to the more complicated with heavy thickness edges (including the cut-out for sink), to the very sophisticated single cast one piece top, sink and back-splash.

We have constructed many vanity tops in many different materials including crushed mirrors in black obsidian, but what stands out the most is a single Vanity Top with back splash that was made for a 300 rooms hotel. This top was made with Terrazzo in epoxy with sea shells, colored glass and crushedlime stone. The average cost of 6’ length top was $1,500 back in the 80’s. We were later told that it was the most single costly item that was purchased by the hotel. However most visitors where so impressed with it that this vanity and cabinetry became the post-card feature for this hotel’s promotion. We still get referrals from it.**Simple, elegant, and the wow factor.**

Most vanity tops are preferred to be in white color and obviously in an environment of hair coloring, shampoo and other staining materials, using white marble is not a practical solution. Many of the vanity tops today are made from man-made materials such as CaesarStone®, SileStone®, Cambria®, Zodiac@, IceStone, etc. Polymer based materials are made for harsh staining environment and are impermeable.

Terrazzo & Concrete Vanity Tops are very fashionable. Again, if those materials are not made with polymers, there is always the possibility of stain, cracking and bacterial growth.

Maintenance can become a major undertaking in a hotel that is visited by many. deterioration, discoloration and staining effects the visitor’s first impression. sometimes it is more cost effective to repair than replace or remove and or sent for refurbishing. So its best for design to use materials that are tailored for this type of harsh environment. Practical, Elegant and almost zero Maintenance.

Vanity Tops

Shower Pan/ Shower Basin: Manufacturing
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Durite has **“Manufactured”** many shower basins through the years. **“Fabrication”** of shower basins with glue joints are not recommended and we don’t offer it. Shower Basins are almost like a bath tub where it has to retain water and prevent leak from all sides.

Most of our Shower Basin are made from (Epoxy) with Stones/Glass, and Shells similar to “Terrazzo”, “Quartz” and “Concrete Polymer” (looks like concrete but in Polymer).

Shower Basins must not, “Stain” (in an environment of hair coloring and shampoo), it must not “Crack” (unlike cement/concrete materials that has shrinkage cracks and eventually allows water to the underside for porosity. Epoxy Basin does not crack, and its none-porous). Shower basin must also be very “light weight” for ease of install (normally shower foot-print is small and if the basin is heavy, it would be difficult for one person to install).

Probably the most advantage that a Polymer Shower Basin can offer is a complete water tight and prevention of water leakage. **_“Lead Pan” that is customary to be installed under the shower pan, would not be necessary._** unless the design would want to create a double safety in the event of gasket or other failures that can cause a leak.

Shower Basin Design:
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As mentioned, Durite has been involved in Fabrication of many Shower Basins. Some include wall paneling with same materials, or different materials. Some Basin’s can have attached walls (fusing is a technique that pieces can be shipped and with chemical heat welded into becoming one piece). Some shower basins require an up-turned edge to be inserted in the walls. Some Basin’s require “ADA” usually “Curb-less”. It is becoming more customary to use Shower Basins without any curbs. We have produced many curb-less shower pans. the key to this design is to set the drain at the furthest corner (trough drain) and allow the basin to have a reservoir of 5 gallons/ minute drain. (meaning that if the shower is on for 1 minute and 5 gallons of water could not drain, water can sits in the Basin reservoir, and does not spill over into the interior). The gentle slope that has to be created from the shower’s entrance to the drain must allow for this “volume” of water.

In addition to “curb-less” shower pans we have also created a U-Channel “slot” inside the edge of the shower pan where glass walls can be inserted inside, separating the shower from the room or from the bathtub area. We have made this floor slot either with a U-shaped Aluminum channel inserted, or to create a slot with the same material as the Shower Basin.

As you can see, design can be limitless and versatile. Trough drain with cover that matches the shower basin is becoming a more common feature.

Durite has also constructed exotic series of shower pans. Currently under design we have a “Glow in the Dark” (blue hue) shower basin. we have also previously constructed shower basins in semi-precious stones (jade pebbles), turquoise, lapis, jasper, etc. lime stone look with sea shells or fossils a truly “WOW” factor. Concrete Polymer is highly demanded (it is attractive, simple and very practical) can be produced in white, none staining and none-cracking making it a notch above all others. From creation of material, to shapes, geometry and designs the possibilities are endless.

**Let us know what you have in mind?**

Shower Pan/Basins

Bathtubs: Manufacturing & Fabrication
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There are no comparisons between a bath tub that is $2,000 on average in Acrylic compared to a bath tub that is $27,000 in stone. Stone/Terrazzo or Quartz bath tubs is not for everyone. Amazingly we were told by a stone bath tub fabricator that on average they sold one each month!!. This is incredible, not only because of shipping (weighing more than a ton) but also for where they can place such a tub and the floors that could support it? We understood that this type of bath tubs are used inside even a Bedroom as a stand alone feature or a Combination of Bathtub and Rain Shower Room.

During the Art Deco period (1920’s), Bath Tubs were cast iron with white glazing for the most part. Some fancy bath tubs where made in natural stone (since Napoleon Era) but in the Deco Period Cast Terrazzo Tubs, Shower Basin and Bench’s were occasionally used. The weight of Terrazzo bath Tubs in cement Terrazzo would be similar to Natural Stone. Gradually after the war this type of tubs died out. During the 80’s bath tubs made from concrete started emerging with lots of problems with staining and cracking. Designers liked the idea of concrete so we developed the Concrete Polymer that looks like concrete but functions like a high strength, light weight polymer.

Durite has been involved in restoration of natural stone tubs by adding a thin layer of the same stone composition as a liner. We had created concrete-polymer or limestone-polymer bathtubs that are much lighter (1-1/2”) thickness, much stronger and does not need reinforcement. Extremely attractive as natural stone and much easier to transport and install. however as mentioned those type of tubs are very unique and cost is some where between Acrylic and Natural Stone, depending on how exotic the material is?

Typically in many hotels, residential buildings, etc. a tub enclosure or bath-tub surround is designed to hide the acrylic tub and keep the cost to a reasonable budget depending on the looks and materials. Many of the readily available man-made slabs like Caesarstone®, Silestone®, Cambria®, Zodiac®, Icestone®, etc. are being used as cladding around bathtub surround.

Based on your design, material choices (if you are supplying the slabs, or we are creating and developing the material?) we can create your desired project.

Bathtubs & Fixtures

Furniture & Urn/Planters:
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Durite manufactures tables, and coffee table tops for several high-end furniture producing companies. Each creation and top production is based on custom design of field colors, composition of stone/glass and other materials colors that are used to complements the interior decoration. In many instances the base or legs are selected and sent to us for adapting and making attachments and detachment easy.

Many of our furniture production can be for indoors or outdoors. From fainting chaise lounge to seating bench, they can all be made to order. Materials from composite stone to terrazzo, concrete polymer, quartz and others. We can create Urn and Planters that does not require a metal lining. Single Cast Large Trough Planters that are used as security knee walls can be made to order. Single casting eliminates the possibility of joints and it can hold as much as "One Ton per square inch" without even reinforcements!

Outdoor furniture can be playful with game tables such as Chess and Backgammon, Pool Tables and many other creation combining fun and game with functionality.

Furniture

PRECAST & WATER-JET TECHNOLOGY:
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With the advancements of 3D printing and water jet technology almost any type of shapes can be created. Molding technology can be very costly and the yield (the amount of castings prior to the mold breaking up) varies depending on the type of materials that the molds are made from.

Through the years Durite had experimented with different types of molding materials for cost effectiveness and efficiency. Casting Materials can be poured in vacuum chambers, or subjected to heat, vibration and pressure for creating smooth and uniform surfaces. Durite’s precast is far advanced for sharp and crisp edges. In the Terrazzo industry we have supplied many leading Terrazzo installers and Companies. Cost of precast varies depending on the many variables. It starts with engineering for basic materials all the way to the final finish and product.

As previously mentioned, our choice of polymers are Epoxies. Those epoxies are especially made for "UV color stabilization". It is important to note that if the floor and walls are made of the same materials, precast must be made with the same materials. We have seen many projects that at first the precast looks the same, but with the passage of time, the "oxidization rate" color changes and after some time, the floors and walls does not match to precast stairs, columns, and front desks etc.

Another major factor is using "material mix" such as Terrazzo, Quartz or Concrete Polymer, that does not dissolve in salt/chloride environment. Surface that is subjected to all sorts of chemicals can dissolve soft or reactive materials (materials that when they come in contact with ammonia, bleach and other products can react) Obviously it is much cheaper to use crushed marble than crushed glass. This is one example of cost variation.

Material’s Science and Engineering does not stop at Coloration (natural earth or chemical), Stability (oxidization rate), Porosity (staining, and retaining surface moisture), Hardness (12 KSI materials that are hard and resilient).

Our reputation in the precast and prefab world is well known amongst the many masters. A few example are: **_Disney Epcot Center, MGM Grand, Mohegan Sun, Champs, The Public Theater, Steve Madden, W-Hotels, Met-Life, Tiffany, Gagosian, JPMC, Rent the Run Way, Valentino, McCann Erickson_** . Speaks for itself.

Many of those companies have their own advanced precast technology. They have the best facilities, experts and resources. It is, and was an honor to get recognized and appreciated by them for quality, mastery and beauty of those works that Durite had produced. Flawless in execution, exquisite and works of arts that made a world of difference and it was not just another precast.

Precast

Stairs, Treads & Risers: Manufacturing
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Durite has been involved in Restoration, Design, Manufacturing and Construction of Stair Treads and Risers spanning several decades. Any unique shapes, designs and models can be Manufactured from simple treads to the more sophisticated 3D single piece tread & risers.

Each stair tread depending on it’s own environment requires special attention. As an example in many schools, kids like to jump on stairs from a higher elevation. If this concentrated force could not be absorb at impact like a shock absorber by the tread, the minimum that could happen would be the fracturing of the stair tread. This could also lead to the dangerous conditions of stair nose breaking at impact and causing the jumper to be in sever danger.

Our work with stair treads began with replacement and restoration of the Art Deco Era stairs. Through the passage of time, we learned about different color cement and type of stones that made a certain step. Cement colors in Green, Yellow, Purple, Brown and Crimson, where desired colors for flooring & steps. During the Deco period playing with many colors of terrazzo reached its peak in design. Ironically this design movement was taking place throughout Europe and the Americas.

Cement Based Stair Treads must be reinforced with steal bars (mostly ¾" from top). Even today when Cement based treads are manufactured, this steal reinforcement is necessary. Through the years especially in a salt and chloride environment steal corrosion expands the volume of steel by almost three times, causing the fracturing and breaking of the stair surface. The fracture would eventually lead to breaking and crumbling of the surface and a slow deterioration. There are some theories about using epoxy-coated rebar to delay the corrosion process, but eventually when salt ions find a little nick or crack in the epoxy coating they will focus on that weak point and even accelerate the corrosion process.

Durite mostly manufactures Tread & Risers in Epoxy Binders. Either for Terrazzo, Concrete Polymer and or other materials. Tread & Risers Can be separate (usually more cost effective), or they can be a single piece at ninety degrees angle(not glued and mitered). Or tread and risers can be at an angle like 70 degrees (a favorite of designers). Thickness of epoxy stairs can be at 1/2" thickness required for single piece tread and riser casting.

Steel treads can be welded to a center stringer, like wings of airplane visible from all sides. Stringers can be cladded with same material, seamlessly transforming the stairs to a free standing art piece.

Some stairs require templates, Tread & Risers can be in elliptical, moon-sliver, concave, or bumped out shapes. Tread & Risers can be from a single material or multi-colors like a ribbon traveling to the left and right of the stair treads. Stairs can be translucent, similar to frosted glass.

Nosing of Treads (without Risers) can be a straight edge (ninety degreessharp), or rounded edge. Thickness is 1/2" but at the nosing it can look like 2" or any other dimension within design reason.

None-Slip Nosing can either be strips of epoxy and Carboradom (Silicon Carbide) similar to a very rough sand paper. Or None-Slip Nosing can be more elaborate, as metal strips inserts (typically 1/8" in Zinc or Brass that can be inserted in one or several parallel lines and raised up from the stair surface by 1/8" for foot grip).

Most stairs / risers that Durite Manufactures are Epoxy based. Other polymers does not stand to the constant surface honing by foot traffic and traction.

Acrylic Polymers even though very attractive and could achieve water clarity, are not molecularly stable yet. They can fracture or amber. Other materials that are Polyester based can last longer, but once the surface ware’s off it cannot be brought back to factory level shine.

In recent years Tread design are lending heading towards combining fiber-optics at nosing. Nosing that extends and pass the Risers by 1" or more, can have low voltage diodes emitting lights embedded for downward lighting, way finding and alerting the person’s visual field by making it safer to see the edge of the tread, especially when the treads are black in color or other colors that its hard to see the edge of the stairs while descending.

As new materials such as Photo Emitting Crystals and Phosphates are being perfected. The use of strips for illuminating stairs in the event of electric outage and way finding will no longer be necessary if treads can illuminate or project downward light.

New treads will have inbuilt features for way finding in the dark, including in Parks, Sidewalks, Airports, Transport Hubs and other public areas.

In future, photovoltaic solar power could be imbedded in the tread surface, electric current stored inside the tread and with low voltage diode lights couldbe emitted from the stairs as needed. Similar to our many landscaping lighting.

Stairs, Treads, & Risers

Wall Paneling/ Wainscot: (Manufacturing/Fabrication)
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Durite has been manufacturing and installing wall systems since the late 70’s with crushed natural stone mixed with Elastomeric Acrylics. Durite was one of the first to bring the EFIS (Exterior Finish Insolated Systems) system to America. Surfacing many high to medium rise exterior buildings that up to today they have not fractured or discolored. In the early 80’s, Durite was contracted to produce a combination of concrete and acrylic polymers for Disney’s Epcot Center. The Panels created where works of arts and received a heart full thanks from Disney. This was a great honor from a company that has masters in the art of castings and material engineering. Durite works with Disney expanded to create translucent panels that was glass composition in clear resin. Panels where back lite and extended from floor to ceiling. Amazingly after all those years they are still at the Coral Reef Epcot Center.

The next important project with wall paneling was for a special client with many vintage cars. Request was for a high impact resisting walls that looked like light gray concrete, but easy to wash down (3 stories high) with smooth surface that would not allow carbon deposit and makes wash down of these floors easy. In the early 80’s we developed the "Concrete Polymer" that had to be prefabricated in panels, installed and patched without any repaired markings. Through the years we learned how to use this material for flooring as well, and it has become one of our most popular flooring.

Today, we are very advanced with wall systems, we can make any type of composite materials, from Terrazzo, Quartzite to Concrete Polymer. We can make materials for interior and exterior. Single piece without joints, wrapped around columns and curved walls. Panels that can allow light through, with infinite possibilities of materials used in mix, from natural earth’s materials to organic and synthetic.

We created many famous materials that are pioneering such as Nobu NYC ( Natural Bamboo Rings in Black Obsidian) , Valentino , City Center’s, Mohegan Sun, MGM, and many others.

Walls & Wainscot

Intro & History
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Durite is so advanced in this technology that many soft materials that could not be water-jet, could be cut with jewelry precision. This may sound odd for a person that has not done water-jet and it is difficult to technologically explain about the cutting deviation with water-jet. As an example our early works started with creating a very unique Bamboo cross sections imbedded in natural black obsidian. More than 30,000 pieces of bamboo had to be cut from cross sections in different diameters. At the time water-jet technology was the solution, but to our surprise after the jets, the thickness was not uniform and the edges were jagged. We had to learn the hard way that the best method was labor intensive old fashion hand cutting. This experience prepared us for many future projects that combined “Organic” with “In-Organic” materials. Organic expands with moisture in air and in-Organic does not. This type of material combination is very attractive but susstable to failure and cracking if methods are not scientifically and engineering based on sound principals.

Our US and International Patent allowed us to create narrow shapes as thin as 1/16” thickness that could be cut in any shape, color added and designed. Our first major project was for the Carl Segan Wing at the Motefiore Children’s Hospital in the Bronx. This was our opportunity to serve the community and show what functional art is all about. Designed by the Rockwell Group we worked on over 100 design elements to create a journey of life from basic cell elements to finger prints and animals & humans. Those elements where installed in terrazzo floors and created an interactive and playful atmosphere for the children that the hospital serves. The wow factor of this design and floors had such an impact that many started featuring the “Bridge of Life” on their web site and publications. Even though this was a complement to us, but we had to legally peruse and ask the removal and proper credit for this work.

Since then some 20 years had passed and through time we had created many interesting and innovative designs, floor logos and wall emblems. Durite was Commissioned by Nassau County and the State Department to create the First 911 Memorial for the Police & Fire-Fighters at Eisenhower Park in Westbury New York. Durite used this technology to create Police, Fire-Fighters, City and State Government Emblems that are jewelry precision. By day the different emblems and designs look like solid stone, and by night the stones are back lite and emblems turns into stain glass windows, similar to cathedral glass. This Memorial and Technology is the first of its kind in the world. An absolute Wow factor standing tall for over 25 feet, proudly representing our nation and our fallen heroes and all their families. State was so impressed that commissioned us for other projects.

Residential Application, Mosaics & Terrazzo:
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In residential we worked with stone designers that water-jet marble with olive leafs and vine motif and imbedded in terrazzo, reminiscent of the old Roman Villas. Mosaics in terrazzo reminiscent of the old Pompeii Floors (at a lesser cost than hand cutting the mosaics), and many more similar projects.

In New York many building lobbies and floors with Mosaic pattern like Greek Keys, Chain Links, and other motifs, were constructed in the late 1800’s. Many of those buildings have now major cracks running through the Mosaics, or the mosaics had deteriorated. In many projects we were able to replicate the existing and send it to the installer. Many of those building they can have Tax incentives for restoring Historic and Landmark. We have worked on many Landmark Buildings for both exterior and interior replicating materials and art that could not be constructed, or too expensive to create with conventional methods. Such as 21 West Street In NYC.

Commercial, Hotels, Institutions, Educational & Medical Facilities:
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Many designers and owners that are knowledgeable, do know that what can be used for commercial can be used for residential and vise-versa. As a matter of fact commercial takes much more usage and abuse than residential, simply because of the larger amount of foot traffic and dragging items on floors.

We have done many interesting and pioneering projects with the water-jet and Durite’s Patent technology. As an example we were once approached by the design team working on the Benjamin Franklin’s Library. We were told that miraculously they have the finger print of Benjamin Franklin and if we can translates this on a Foyer of 9’ X 11’. Wow!! This type of works cannot be done with water-jet. Each pattern would require a different setting and it would be cost prohibitive to program thousand of small elements. Durite has been able to create a Patent that what ever than can be scanned as photo it can be turned into natural stone or composite stone similar to terrazzo in 2D or 3D. One of the floor panels at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore 36” X 36” is a Thumb Print translated into stone.

We have created many corporate and institutional logos for very famous names and symbols that are easily associated with that specific firm or institution. We had send them to Porto Ricoh, Vegas, Miami, Singapore and Japan for easy install by local contractors. Our Latest project in Modular-Water Jet Chain Link Flooring won the 2015 National Awards in Terrazzo. Set over 1800 sf of floor with no expansion joints created a chain-link of white and black pattern used in the most difficult environment of restaurant flooring without any sealers or flooring protection. This is Functional-Art at it’s best.