Design Ideas for GRC

The use of GRC mixes has opened up a plethora of new design possibilities for contractors who make concrete countertops, fireplace surrounds, wall panels, furniture, and other decorative elements. Because GRC is significantly lighter in weight and higher in tensile strength than conventional concrete, countertop slabs can be made without seams and span greater lengths. GRC can be cast using decorative form liners to create architectural wall panels as thin and light as standard wood paneling while permitting more flexibility in shape, color, and texture. GRC fireplace surrounds can span from floor to ceiling without requiring special reinforcement, and hearths and mantles can extend from wall to wall or be cantilevered to appear as if floating on air. GRC can even be used outdoors to make artificial rock formations, permitting the creation of dramatic rock and waterscapes without the need to haul in heavy boulders.

What’s more, GRC offers the same decorative versatility as conventional concrete. It can be formed into nearly any shape and stained or integrally colored. Various tints of gray, white, and buff can be achieved by using colored cements or pigments. The surface finish can be lightly textured or polished smooth to expose the aggregate. And GRC can be seeded with colored decorative glass or stone to create granite-like effects.