At CastConcrete, we specialise in the pre-cast fabrication of Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete and the design of bespoke concrete furniture.
GFRC allows us to produce stronger, thinner, and lighter designs, and provides a unique finishing touch to any room.
From raw, unrefined, to perfectly smooth, or a custom terrazzo, concrete‘s diversity and appeal is undeniable. With endless finishes and combinations to play with, we’re certain that together we can create a bespoke piece, perfectly suited to your tastes.
Our passion for concrete goes beyond the physical properties of the material itself. This is why we dedicate ourselves to create handcrafted bespoke creations every time. Each piece borne from the relationship formed with our customers.
Material & Customisation
GFRC is a strong stone material that can be customised and cast into any shape for indoor and outdoor use making it one of the most versatile materials, available in a variety of colours and finishes from unrefined to hyper-smooth.
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GFRC is a composite material made up of Portland cement, fine aggregates, alkali-resistant glass fibres, additives, and water.
Each component contributes to the overall strength and properties of GFRC, and care needs to be taken with mixing in other materials, which is why we only use products specifically manufactured for GFRC and sourced from global suppliers.
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GFRC results in a concrete product with much higher flexural and tensile strengths than normal concrete, allowing us to create furniture that does not rely on steel or metal as a reinforcement.
The alkali-resistant glass fibres used in our finished products has a tensile strength that is 3-4 times greater than steel, will never rust, and so does not need any special requirements in terms of product manufacturing.
GFRC is versatile, customisable and boundless. It’s minimal in maintenance, and is sealed to last. It is easy to see why it is rapidly growing in popularity.
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Strong: It can hold a flexural strength as high as 7,000psi (48MPa) or greater and has a high strength-to-weight ratio.
Light: Due to its increased strength, it can be cast in thinner sections meaning it can be made 75% lighter than similar pieces made with traditional concrete methods.
GFRC does not require traditional steel reinforcement methods. Therefore, complex shapes are easy and GFRC can be formed into virtually any shape including inbuilt sinks, curves, waterfall drops, and more.
Because GFRC is significantly lighter in weight and higher in tensile strength than conventional concrete, countertop slabs can be made without seams and span greater lengths.
Tough: GFRC doesn’t crack or chip easily like traditional concrete, making it such a good choice for kitchen and bathroom countertops. Similarly, GFRC is made of minerals and will not burn (not inclusive of sealers).
In addition, the nature of concrete acts like a thermal regulator when exposed to flame, however, please refer to our Care & Maintenance Guide for more information.
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GFRC offers the same decorative versatility as conventional concrete. It can be formed into nearly any shape and stained or integrally coloured.
Various tints of can be achieved by using coloured cements or pigments. Each concrete mix starts its life as a neutral white, though our most popular range has got to be the subtlety and diversity of our shades of grey. Combined with our range of textures and finishes, there’s an endless amount of options to choose from.
Feel free to select a shade from our gallery. A wide range of concrete colours are also available on order, so if you have a particular colour in mind please let us know and we will try our best to match it.
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The surface finish can be textured or polished smooth to expose the aggregate. And GFRC can be seeded with coloured decorative glass or stone to create terrazzo.
As part of our process, we will ensure that the surface of each piece is polished and sealed to the greatest possible standard, and that the sealer used is food-safe, water-based, and highly resistant to stains and abrasions to minimise maintenance costs over the years and allow you to use your furniture with peace of mind.
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At CastConcrete we understand that various projects may require additional materials such as wood, metal, and glass, which go beyond our realm of expertise.
As a result, we work with talented craftspeople to combine our concrete expertise with other material experts.
Design & Applications
Due to its properties, GFRC is a specialised form of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) with many applications. With so many finishes and combinations to consider, discussions and design decisions to be had, you may be certain that we will help guide you to give form and identity to your piece.
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GFRC can be cast using decorative forms to create tiles, stair treads, room dividers and façade wall panels, as well as architectural wall panels as thin and light as standard wood panelling while permitting more flexibility in shape, colour, and texture.
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GFRC can be cast into bathroom sinks, basin bowls, baths, shower trays, vanity tops and units.
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We manufacture signage, lobby desks, meeting room tabletops, and more. Each item may be customised with your company’s brand elements.
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Due to its durability to heat, GRFC is suitable for indoor and outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and fireplace mantels.
GFRC 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.
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GFRC can be effectively used to create concrete dining tables, bench seats, backsplashes, and kitchen countertops either with an integral concrete sink or top/under-mounted wash basin.
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GFRC can be cast into outdoor bench seats, tabletops and worktops, landscaping, and water features.
From the molecular art of mixing concrete to design and daily use
While long-lasting, it is important to clarify that our GFRC products are handmade and are intrinsically varied in colour and texture as a characteristic.
Similarly, features such as air-bubbles, blemishes, colour variation, dimpling, and non-structural hairline cracks can result as a by-product of concrete casting. These are not a structural problem, but an aesthetic marker for the handcrafted product, making every piece unique.
Like solid wood, the appearance of concrete will change over time and with use. The sealer used to protect your item is a high performance, food-safe, water-based sealer that provides excellent stain and abrasion resistance, requiring very little maintenance for years of quality service.
To ensure that your product remains beautiful for years to come, we’ve compiled a Care & Maintenance Guide to help you increase the lifespan of your concrete furniture’s natural, organic beauty.
Textures & Finishes
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Polished
Polished to a beautifully smooth and closed surface that exposes a small amount of the concrete’s fine aggregates. The most versatile finish as it can be used in almost every application.
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Polished, exposed fibre
Exposed Fibre is similar in finish and texture to the Polished. This variant allows for the reinforcing fibres to show through in the final piece, adding another layer of visual textural quality to the final piece.
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Etched
This exterior finish can be etched to a variety of different levels to best suit your particular application. The finish is also popular for interior wall panels as it adds an element of depth and texture to any room.
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Raw
One of our most unrefined and natural finishes, this hand placed concrete mix creates voids throughout the surface that adds depth and contrast to your pre-cast product. The voids are left unfilled, though the surface is polished to eliminate any jagged protrusions leaving a smooth to the touch finish.
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Hand pressed
This concrete mix is hand placed allowing for larger voids throughout the final surface. These voids are then filled with a different shade of mix and ground to a perfectly smooth finish. This two-toned effect allows for an endless combination of finishes and adds a beautiful aesthetic to the final piece.
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Terrazzo
Our most vivid finish is the Terrazzo. This mix combines chips of marble, quartz, granite, glass, or other suitable aggregate within the concrete mix, allowing for endless colour combinations and finishes. Terrazzo is ideal for custom, one of a kind pieces as it may be applied to most applications.
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Veined
This finish creates a whole new aesthetic to the standard concrete appeal. A fully customisable finish with options in vein density, thickness, position and colour, one may truly create a unique and bespoke piece, whether applied to a countertop, vanity or wall panel. The possibilities are endless.
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Smoke
A subtle and unique way to enhance your concrete piece. Smoke is created through a natural reaction between the concrete and a special additive applied to the form prior to casting, allowing for a customisable finish. One may choose just how much “smoke” they want in their piece, as well as whether to have a rough or perfectly smooth final finish.
Colours & Swatches
CastConcrete products are available in twelve standard colour options. Custom colours may be requested and subject to an additional charge.
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Natural White
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Light Grey
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Ecru
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Pastel Peach
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Blush Pink
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Sage
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Ocre
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Dark Grey
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Clay
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Teal
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Ultramarine
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Black
Get in touch to book
a consultation
For additional information, email us at info@castconcrete.eu
A little care of your surfaces is all that’s required.
Care & Maintenance for all products
Our guide can help you maintain the aesthetic of your finished product to near-new condition without any special materials or extraordinary interventions.
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No maintenance is required when a client looks after their concrete product from CastConcrete.
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Cleaning couldn’t be easier. Damp, soft sponge or cloth and a mild dishwashing liquid. After cleansing, make sure that it is entirely dry before placing objects back onto the surface.
• Do not use products that contain trichlorethan, methylene chloride, or have a high alkaline/pH levels.
• Avoid cleaners with citrus ingredients.
• Avoid acidic or gumption cleaners.
• Do not use JIF/CIF or similar abrasive detergents to clean your item.
• Avoid using abrasive cloths or scrubbers.
Over time, using abrasive products can wear away the sealer and lead to staining and discoloration.
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As with almost all types of bench-top surfaces, do not place hot pots or pans directly onto the bench-top. Always use protective gloves and place hot items on trivets or chopping boards.
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Avoid excess weight being placed on your concrete product. This more so applies for areas with no support underneath such as overhangs on a kitchen bench-top, the centre or edge of a dining table top, or a bench-seat.
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It is recommended to wipe up spills, food, or liquid when it is noticed, and to try and mitigate spills remaining on your piece for a period of time.
• Pay particular attention to acidic liquids and products with staining agents such as lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, oil, red wine, and coffee. They can lead to staining if left on for a significant amount of time.
• Try and place cooking oil, hand soap, hand cream, liquid foundation, and other similar products on a decorative dish or plate. This to prevent any leaks that will gradually seep into your concrete piece over time.
Should you stain your furniture please refer to ‘After Delivery, Installation, or Collection’ below on how this may be repaired.
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Avoid dragging, sliding, or throwing objects onto the concrete piece. This includes (but is not limited to) items such as handbags, groceries, washing baskets, serving dishes, mugs, chopping boards, boxes, pans, and firewood. Scratches in the sealer could occur if this happens.
Never cut directly onto the piece, as this could scratch or pierce the sealer and increase the risk of staining. Using items such as placemats, decorative mats, or tea towels as a protective barrier can help. Small stick-on felt pieces can be applied to the bottom of objects to minimize possible scratching.
Should you scratch your piece, please refer to After Delivery, Installation, or Collection on how this may be repaired.
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To prevent liquids being trapped between the surface and the object, try and place items such as vases, pot-plants, hand-soap, and oils on a decorative dish or a plate.
Over time, liquid that is trapped may seep into your concrete and cause staining. Depending on the object and volume of liquid spilled, removing the object and leaving the patch uncovered could allow the furniture piece to breathe out the moisture, but if the liquid has staining agents, it may mark or cause discoloration.
Should you mark your bench-top by trapping a liquid or leaving on a staining agent, please refer to After Delivery, Installation or Collection on how this may be repaired.
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Hairline cracks are defined as cracks, generally smaller than 1mm in width that do not threaten the integrity or stability of the piece nor prevent the continued and normal use of the concrete product. Hairline cracks are possible and are considered an inherent part of the product, not a defect. It is possible for hairline cracks to occur at any time during the life of the concrete product, but they are not a common occurrence. Should a hairline crack develop, it is advisable to get in touch with us as soon as possible to limit any possible staining to your concrete surface. Hairline cracks can be treated and resolved by simply recoating the surface with a fresh layer of protective sealer, applied by CastConcrete.
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While durable, both concrete and natural stones like marble are ‘brittle’ materials, as opposed to ‘elastic’ materials such as plastics. While it is difficult to chip concrete, it is possible, especially around the edges of the piece.
Should chipping occur, please refer to ‘After Delivery, Installation or Collection’ on how this may be repaired.
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How exciting, your new concrete product is about to be delivered, installed or collected from our studio!
It is important to point out that in the few days/weeks of your concrete piece being delivered, installed or collected, the sealer may still be curing and hardening to provide a tough protective surface so we suggest you take extra care during this time.
This will surely serve you in the long-run as caring for your item will guarantee that it remains in peak condition for years.
If you have trades on site, completing other work throughout your home, it is important that you inform your tradesmen to avoid using your concrete piece (especially if it is a concrete bench-top) as a bench to place their food or tools on. Making it clear to them that the concrete piece is still curing and needs to remain uncovered due to sealer requirements. If it is damaged by trades or others on site, the ‘sand and re-seal’ procedure below is an option.
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Should you or someone in your home scratch, stain or chip your concrete piece, or notice general wear over time, you may get in touch and we will look into the best way to try and repair your piece.
CHIP FIX
For chips, CastConcrete can create a grout mix to fill the chip. Whilst the grout mix is designed to fill the chip, it will not disguise the area completely. We will certainly do our utmost to patch what has been chipped away as closely to the original finish as possible.Repair costings €200
Based on 2x site visits to attend site and apply grout mix to fix chip & reseal
SAND & RESEAL
If you have stained or scratched your piece, in most cases, CastConcrete will need to sand back and re-seal the item.The sooner we can be notified about the above, the better chance CastConcrete will have to repair the concern and avoid further issues. If you are noticing general wear and want your piece to be freshened up, this is also the opportunity to have CastConcrete sand back and re-seal your item.
The sand and re-seal process, aims to repair your piece and bring it back to its original condition, naturally, this will depend on the extent of damage done to the piece. We will endeavour to repair your item to the best of our ability. As the piece will be sanded back to a certain point, clients should expect new variations, colours and pinholes to appear. Any pinholes would then be filled by the sealer.
Under 1m2 = €300
Between 1-3m2 = €400
Between 4-6m2 = €500
7m2+ = Price on request
Based on 2x site visits to sand and re-seal
Additional guidance for bathroom & kitchen
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Whilst following the Care & Maintenance Guide for all products, there are a couple of other tips for products in the Bathroom. In particular, the areas around cleaning and trapping water and other liquids.
For integrated sinks in bathroom vanity tops or trough style sinks, if your sink has a waste plug, it is important you don’t use strong/harsh cleaning products to clean your waste. Avoid using a rough sponge or scourer to clean your waste.
How you clean your waste, will also affect the concrete area around the waste, so follow our same steps under Cleaning in Care & Maintenance for cleaning your waste.
Avoid forceful scrubbing on or around your waste as this will result in damage to the sealer. If you see water pooling down the sides or at the bottom of your integrated sink or trough style sink, wipe over it. This will aid in long term appearance and minimise possible discolouration.
It is important to follow the steps under Trapping Water and Other Liquids to ensure certain objects aren’t sitting directly on your bench-top and have some form of decorative dish/plate underneath to minimise the chance of marking or discolouration.
If you use products such as oil-based foundation, oil based body products, nail polish remover or products with staining agents (such a turmeric or coffee) and you drop or spill this on your top, wipe it up as soon as you notice it. Leaving this could cause marking or discolouration.
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Integrated kitchen sinks, integrated drain grooves or ramps are very often additional features clients opt for. It is good to know of the ongoing upkeep these particular elements may need.
Concrete is a product that needs a little extra care to alleviate things such as scratching or staining. With integrated sinks and drain grooves or ramps in kitchens, this care is required even more so as those elements are specifically there for draining liquids and placing heavy, sharp, or hot items onto them.
At CastConcrete, we do offer a kitchen integrated sink and drain grooves/ramp which has been specifically designed to help drain liquids more effectively however, pooling may still occur, which can increase the risk of marking or staining. Similarly, putting hot pots and pans into the sink or setting them down aggressively can also lead to staining and marking.