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Since 1995, a nationwide network of Oldcastle manufacturing facilities has produced Belgard interlocking pavers, paving stone and garden wall products. These products include the traditional and antiqued paver and wall series. All Belgard products have a long history of successful applications on thousands of residential and commercial projects throughout the United States and Canada. |
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Press
Oldcastle APG's New Patented "Rugs" Allow Consumers to Visualize Their Patio, Driveway or Sidewalk Dreams
Belgard® Paver Stone "rugs" help consumers see what their project would realistically look like without breaking ground or a sweat!
Atlanta (February 3, 2005) - Oldcastle APG today announced that the United States Patents and Trademark office approved the patent protection application for their Belgard Paver Stone "rugs," which allow consumers to more effectively visualize home improvement projects. Paver and natural stone dealers have traditionally used individual blocks and "sample boards" to show consumers what their products look like, making visualization of an entire patio, driveway or sidewalk nearly impossible. Oldcastle APG is solving that problem by providing their local companies, dealers and contractors with innovative "rugs" that roll out to cover the proposed project space so the consumer can better gauge colors and how their project will look when finished.
The official patent, designated "Hardscape Surface Sheet and Method of Representing a Hardscape Surface," was issued at the close of 2004. The patent prevents industry competitors from developing and using similar marketing and product materials.
"For years, our industry was faced with consumer complaints related to the difficulty of envisioning a final driveway, sidewalk, pool deck or patio, which in many cases led to buyers remorse once the project was completed," said John Kemp, Vice President of Marketing at Oldcastle APG. "Its difficult to hold a paver and imagine what hundreds or thousands of them will look like fully installed, which is why we developed rugs that allow consumers to see from 25 to more than 100 square feet of Belgard products in the actual project site," he continued.
Oldcastle's invention relates to hardscape surfaces and more specifically, how to realistically represent those surfaces to consumers. Selling and then installing hardscape products like patios, sidewalks and retaining walls often requires looking at many different products to ensure they match the decor of a project's surroundings and are aesthetically pleasing to the customer. Too often in the past, the final decision was based upon placing only a few actual pieces of the hardscape surface in the area where the material was to be laid, making it difficult to accurately assess the final look and feel of the finished project. Thus, the Belgard Paver rug was born, providing an efficient, affordable and artistic way to assess a hardscape surface in relation to the project surroundings.
Oldcastle's rug, including Belgard paver images, is easily transportable and large enough to provide an illusion that the actual hardscape surface is present. The rugs are durable vinyl/nylon and polyethylene sheets that can withstand a range of elements and conform to the contours of a surface under its own gravitational weight. The rugs are typically between about 36 to 42 inches wide and five to 25 feet long, and 10 millimeters thick. They also have grommets that allow dealers to secure the rugs into position, creating a more realistic image.
"For Belgard manufacturers, dealers and consumers, selecting the right hardscape for the job is as simple as rolling out the carpet, taking in the resulting imagery and placing an order," said Kemp. "The dealer then just rolls up the rug and moves to the next project!"
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About Oldcastle APG
Oldcastle Architectural, Inc. is a leading supplier of building materials. The company is comprised of five major product groups including concrete block, pavers, patio blocks, ornamental concrete, brick, packaged cement mixes and roof tile. Located in Atlanta, Oldcastle APG operates as one division of Oldcastle, Inc., the leading producer of aggregates and concrete products in the United States.
About Belgard
Belgard Paving Stones are a tumbled paver with various textures and sizes that give the appearance of natural stone, and are available in an elegant range of styles, patterns and colors. The adaptable line ranges from the large-scale Mega-Bergerac to the versatile Dublin Cobble or the tumbled circle of the Bergerac. Choose from the extensive, existing color palette or mix the blends for a custom look that is limited only by your imagination. Regardless of the style or shade, Belgard always delivers a high-end quality product that is sure to turn heads. Since 1995, a nationwide network of Oldcastle manufacturing facilities has produced Belgard paving and garden wall products. Belgard continues to set the standard for landscape design ideas and innovation. For more information about Belgard Paver Stones please call (770) 804-3363 or visit www.belgard.biz
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Oldcastle® is an industry leader in quality manufactured hardscaping materials & fine architectural building products. The Architectural Products Group of member manufacturers now operate over 40 plants located in 25 states throughout the United States and Canada.
Oldcastle® has grown to become one of the top building material companies in North America with more than $12.3 billion in sales in 2006. Utilization of centralized best practices, combined with local leadership and product awareness has made Oldcastle the industry's leading masonry, concrete, glass and specialty distribution solutions provider.
Belgard Architectural Products Group provides a wide range of architectural masonry and concrete products including interlocking concrete pavers, block retaining walls and masonry wall veneers to homeowners, contractors, builders, dealers, designers and engineers alike. Belgard pavers and retaining walls are manufactured to the highest quality and standards in the industry. For more information:
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