METHOD OF PRODUCING PATTERNS IN CONCRETE AND OTHER BUILDING MATERIALS

摘要

The present invention provides a method of producing patterns in building materials, e.g. concrete and synthetic stone. A pigment has been dispersed in a surface layer (18) of the building material that has different visible light transmission properties at temperatures above a threshold temperature as compared to its visible light transmission properties below that threshold temperature. The building material also including at least one heating element (14) arranged to heat the surface layer. The method comprises energising the heating element (14) to heat the surface layer in the vicinity of the heating element to a temperature in excess of the pigment threshold temperature; in this way, the heated surface layer (18) has a different visual appearance as compared to material that has not been heated to above the threshold temperature. This allows graphics, including alpha/numerics and symbols and pictures to be displayed on a seemingly bare wall.