Serving Canada for over 35 years 🍁

Trusted performance on
today's concrete.

Ashford Formula has been Canada's trusted concrete densifier for 35 years. We now offer Ashford FA applied during placement to tackle the unique challenges posed by GUL/Type IL concrete. To support your sustainability goals and for the best possible outcome on your concrete floor we recommend both.

View Products Spec Support
// The Original Densifier
Ashford Formula Logo
75+
Years in use
0
Topcoat required
CSI
Spec ready
// Product Line

Two products.
One complete system.

Designed to work at different stages of construction — from fresh placement to existing slab renovation — Ashford FA and Ashford Formula address the real challenges of modern cement chemistry.

Product 001 — Trowelling Aid
Ashford FA

A colloidal silica trowelling aid applied during slab finishing. Designed to address the challenges of GUL (General Use Limestone) and Type IL blended cements that produce sticky, slow-setting, difficult-to-finish surfaces.

  • Improves workability on blended cement slabs
  • Reduces surface bleed water and blistering risk
  • Enhances early surface densification
  • Compatible with power trowel operations
  • Ideal for warehouse, industrial, and commercial floors
Product 002 — Densifier & Hardener
Ashford Formula

A reactive silicate densifier applied to existing or newly cured concrete. Penetrates and permanently reacts with calcium hydroxide to produce a harder, denser, dustproof surface — with no topcoat required.

  • Permanent chemical reaction — not a surface coating
  • Hardens and densifies from within
  • Eliminates concrete dusting
  • Increases abrasion and impact resistance
  • Long-term verified performance in industrial environments
// Technical Context

The GUL cement challenge.

The widespread adoption of GUL and Type IL blended cements in Canada has introduced new finishing and performance challenges that traditional methods don't fully address.

Known Issues with GUL / Type IL

  • 01 Reduced calcium hydroxide — Blended cements produce less CH during hydration, limiting the material available for densification reactions.
  • 02 Sticky, slow-setting surfaces — Limestone filler content alters finishing windows, leading to premature closure or delamination.
  • 03 Higher bleed water potential — Creates weaker surface zones and dusting problems under traffic loading.
  • 04 Unpredictable set times — Variable performance across different batches and weather conditions creates contractor risk.
01

During Finishing — Apply Ashford FA

Colloidal silica is worked into the surface during power trowel operations. It reacts immediately with available calcium hydroxide to begin densification and improve surface workability regardless of cement type.

02

After Cure — Apply Ashford Formula

Applied by sprayer and worked into the surface, Ashford Formula penetrates the slab matrix and reacts with residual CH and silicates. The result is a permanently harder, denser surface from within.

03

Specify Early — Lock in the System

Both products can be written into Division 03 specifications, ensuring the system is selected at the design phase. CSI-formatted spec language is available for architects and specifiers on request.

// Technical Data

Specification support.

Both products are supported by full technical data sheets, SDS documentation, and CSI specification language ready for inclusion in project specifications.

Ashford FA — Technical Data

TypeColloidal silica trowelling aid
Application StageDuring slab finishing (fresh concrete)
Coverage RateConsult TDS / project conditions
Cement CompatibilityGUL, Type IL, Type GU, blended
SubstrateNew concrete — commercial / industrial slabs
VOCCompliant
Specification DivisionDivision 03 — Concrete
DocumentationTDS, SDS available on request

Ashford Formula — Technical Data

TypeReactive silicate densifier
Application StageCured concrete (new or existing)
Coverage RateConsult TDS / project conditions
Cement CompatibilityAll portland-based concrete
SubstrateCommercial, industrial, retail floors
VOCCompliant
Specification DivisionDivision 03 — Concrete
DocumentationTDS, SDS, CSI spec language available

// CSI Specification Language

Specification language conforming to CSI MasterFormat is available for both Ashford FA and Ashford Formula for inclusion in Division 03 project specifications. Contact us to request spec language tailored to your project type — warehouse, data centre, retail, or institutional.

// Reach Out

Let's talk about
your project.

Serving Canada 🍁. Whether you're specifying a new project, troubleshooting an existing slab, or requesting technical documentation — get in touch.

Technical support, specification assistance, and product samples are available for architects, specifiers, and contractors across Canada 🍁.

Territory Canada 🍁
Support Technical data sheets, SDS, CSI spec language
Available Site visits, lunch & learns, specifier presentations