The present disclosure describes architectural blocks configured to give the appearance of real cut stone. A fresh plaster composition may be applied to one or more surfaces of a block, such as a concrete masonry unit (CMU) to form an architectural block having the appearance of cut stone. The fresh plaster composition includes a cementitious component, such as white Portland cement, water, a limestone aggregate component, and optionally an adhesive component. The limestone aggregate component includes a fine sand portion and a coarse sand portion that effectively enable the appearance of cut stone after finishing of the hardened or curted plaster surface via sanding and/or polishing.

Antimicrobial and odor control masonry-based material compositions used to form a structure or surface include a base material and a halo active aromatic sulfonamide compound of Formula (I):

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wherein the variables R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, X, M and n are disclosed herein. The compositions and processes utilizing the same can be used to form surfaces and structures that maintain antimicrobial and odor-controlling properties over extended time periods.

A mixture along with methods of preparing, uses and/or products made from the mixture and methods of preparing products made from the same. Where the mixture contains 0.5% to 10% by weight of one or more superabsorbent polymers and 90% to 99.5% by weight of one or more protective-colloid-stabilized polymers based on one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers and optionally one or more additives. Where the percentages by weight are based on the dry weight of the mixture and wherein no mineral binder is present within the mixture.

The present invention provides dry mixes for skim coat mortars having improved pot life and workability while reducing cellulose ether dosage comprising a white cement, one or more fillers having a sieve average particle size of from 15 to 60 microns, from 0.25 to 0.5 wt. % of one or more gel-like crosslinked cellulose ethers containing polyether groups, preferably, a mixed cellulose ether having polyoxypropylene dioxyethylene ether crosslinks, and from 1 to 2.5 wt. % of one or more polymer redispersible powders (RDP). At least one gel-like crosslinked cellulose ether has a crossover point as measured by oscillation rheometry, at which storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) intersect and are identical, of 1.0ω or less. The present invention also provides methods of using the dry mixes.

Vinyl acetate-ethylene and/or styrene-(meth)acrylic ester copolymers along with processes for preparing the same and uses for the same. Wherein the vinyl acetate-ethylene and/or styrene-(meth)acrylic ester copolymers are in the form of water-redispersible powders for producing hydraulically-setting building material dry formulations. Where the storage stability of the protective-colloid-stabilized vinyl acetate-ethylene or styrene-(meth)acrylic ester copolymers in the form of water-redispersible powders is improved by drying aqueous dispersions comprising protective-colloid-stabilized vinyl acetate-ethylene and/or styrene-(meth)acrylic ester copolymers, one or more water-soluble inorganic salts, and one or more desiccants. Where the water-soluble inorganic salts are selected from the group consisting of alkali metal sulfates and where the desiccants are selected from the group comprising polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl acetals, nonionic polyvinylpyrrolidones, nonionic poly(meth)acrylamides, polysaccharides and proteins.

Systems and methods according to present principles enhance aspects of applied plaster coats. In particular, the materials include a synthetic substitute aggregate (SSA), added to a cementitious base coat, for a plastering step prior to application of stucco or acrylic synthetic finishes or finish coats. The addition of SSA to a pre-blended cementitious base coat creates a light weight product which in some implementations is highly advantageous for the plastering industry.

A cement mortar composition comprising a water-soluble cellulose ether, a starch derivative originating from tapioca, cement, an aggregate, and water has advantages including a less change of flow with time, easy application with a trowel, a short setting time, and a reduction of construction time.

Building construction materials containing inorganic hydraulically settable binder(s) and at least one protective colloid-stabilized polyvinyl acetate copolymer having specific ranges of vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, and ethylene show improved adhesion under widely varying conditions when used in hydraulically setting construction materials, especially after thermal storage conditions.

The present disclosure describes architectural blocks configured to give the appearance of real cut stone. A fresh plaster composition may be applied to one or more surfaces of a block, such as a concrete masonry unit (CMU) to form an architectural block having the appearance of cut stone. The fresh plaster composition includes a cementitious component, such as white Portland cement, water, a limestone aggregate component, and optionally an adhesive component. The limestone aggregate component includes a fine sand portion and a coarse sand portion that effectively enable the appearance of cut stone after finishing of the hardened or curted plaster surface via sanding and/or polishing.

Water-redispersible polymer powders with improved characteristics in building materials are prepared using a drying aid which is a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer also containing vinyl ester monomers and specific comonomers.