What is Gunite?

Gunite is a dry mixture of cement and aggregate that is combined with water at the nozzle, as it is sprayed through a gun at high pressure. It is the perfect medium for sculpting artificial rock because it does not sag or slump like concrete. To give it strength and durability and so it has a place to adhere, gunite is usually applied over steel mesh or steel rebar. In foundation repairs, gunite can be shot directly over damaged, cracked concrete and crumbling rubble walls, leaving a smooth, even surface. Shotcrete is not quite the same thing as gunite. Like gunite, it is sprayed with a gun, but shotcrete uses wet, ready-mixed concrete, which sags when applied to vertical or overhead surfaces (1 – 3+ slump). Gunite does not sag or slump (0 slump), making it perfect for carving, stamping and sculpting.

Click here to see a movie clip of gunite applied to a small water garden.