Decorative facing

A building block unit having securely adhered to at least one surface thereof a decorative facing, wherein said facing comprises a slow-cured mixture of Portland cement, sand, and pigmented binder, said facing having a compressive strength characteristic of at least 1500 p.s.i. and high temperature color fastness.

A decorative panel comprising a substrate having one major surface which bears a continuous base coat;

• wherein a discontinuous facing is securely adhered to the exterior surface of said base coat, said facing comprising a slow-cured mixture of Portland cement, sand, and pigmented binder;
• wherein said base coat has a thickness in the range of about 0.05 to 0.15 inch and said facing has a thickness in the range of about 0.1 to 0.5 inch;
• wherein said facing has a compressive strength characteristic of at least 1500 p.s.i. and high temperature color fastness.

A method for forming a decorative facing on a surface comprising applying to said surface a mixture of Portland cement, sand, and pigmented binder at a thickness in the range of about 0.1 to 0.5 inch and then slow-curing said mixture at room temperature, whereby said mixture becomes securely adhered to said surface;

• wherein said facing has a compressive strength characteristic of at least 1500 p.s.i. and high temperature color fastness.