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GFRC: material and technology

What is GFRC? GFRC is glass fibre reinforced concrete, also known as GRC; in Russia it is called SFB (steklofibrobeton). According to TECHNOFORMA, it consists of four components — glass fibre, sand, high-grade cement and water; it is non-combustible (class NG under Russian standards), highly frost-resistant and can be cast into almost any shape.Articles in this section explain how the material works and how it is made — by spray-up and vibration casting, its strength, density and weight and how these affect the load on a facade, and where its strengths and limitations lie. A separate series compares GFRC with fibre-reinforced concrete, polymer concrete, polyurethane, foam plastic, gypsum, architectural concrete and natural stone, so you can make an informed choice.If you need elements for a specific project, go to the GFRC: element manufacturing page.

What Is GFRC and Where Is It Used

GFRC: material and technology

What Is GFRC and Where Is It Used

Glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC) is a fine-grained concrete reinforced throughout its volume with alkali-resistant glass fibre. The fibre takes the tensile stresses, so GFRC can be used to make thin-walled, lightweight elements of complex shape: facade panels, cornices, columns, window surrounds, decoration and small architectural forms.The main selection criterion is not the material itself but the quality of production: the mix design, the fibre type, the forming method and control at every stage. These determine strength, frost resistance and the geometry of the elements.The material is chosen by architects and developers who want an expressive facade without heavy stone or cast-in-place concrete, and by private homeowners who want classical decoration that can stand up to the weather. More about the material in GFRC: material and technology.

GFRC Composition: Cement, Sand and Alkali-Resistant Fibre

GFRC: material and technology

GFRC Composition: Cement, Sand and Alkali-Resistant Fibre

Glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC) consists of four basic components: cement, fine sand, alkali-resistant glass fibre and water. Plasticisers and modifying admixtures are added to control the workability of the mix, the rate of strength gain and frost resistance.The key component is the fibre: it must be alkali-resistant, otherwise the cement environment gradually destroys it and the element loses flexural strength. So when choosing a supplier, the question is not just what goes into the mix, but which materials the manufacturer actually uses, in what proportions, and how it controls them.This article is for architects, technical supervision engineers and clients comparing offers from GFRC manufacturers. For a general overview of the material, see GFRC: material and technology.

GFRC Production Technology: Spray-Up and Vibration Casting

GFRC: material and technology

GFRC Production Technology: Spray-Up and Vibration Casting

Glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC) production comes down to two main forming methods: spray-up, in which the mortar and chopped glass fibre are sprayed into the mould simultaneously, and vibration casting, in which a ready mix containing fibre is poured into the mould and compacted by vibration. These are followed by curing, demoulding, surface finishing and quality control.The method is chosen to suit the element: spray-up for large thin-walled panels with high flexural strength requirements, vibration casting for three-dimensional decoration and small, intricate elements. The result depends on production discipline as much as on the method.This article is for designers and clients who want to understand what happens at the plant and what to check. A general overview is in GFRC: material and technology.

GFRC Properties: Strength, Density, Frost Resistance

GFRC: material and technology

GFRC Properties: Strength, Density, Frost Resistance

The properties of glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC) are described by several indicators: flexural and compressive strength, density, water absorption, frost resistance and combustibility. Flexural strength is what sets GFRC apart from ordinary concrete: it comes from alkali-resistant glass fibre, which is why element walls can be thin.Specific values depend on the mix design, the forming method and the age of the samples, so manufacturers should be compared on test reports rather than advertising figures. According to TECHNOFORMA Group, its GFRC is non-combustible (class NG under the Russian classification) and has high frost resistance, further improved by admixtures.This article is for designers, technical supervision and clients who need to know which figures to ask for. A general overview is in GFRC: material and technology.

How Much GFRC Weighs and How It Affects Facade Loads

GFRC: material and technology

How Much GFRC Weighs and How It Affects Facade Loads

The weight of glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC) is determined by the density of the material (roughly 1,900–2,200 kg/m³) and the wall thickness. At the 10–15 mm thickness typical for facade panels, a square metre of GFRC weighs about 20–35 kg, excluding ribs, frame and embedded items. That is several times lighter than natural stone or precast concrete cladding of the same area.The key thing for the designer is to calculate not a notional weight per square metre but the actual weight of each element with stiffening ribs, frame and fixings: this is what determines bracket spacing, substructure sections and the load capacity of the anchors in the wall.This article is for ventilated facade designers, technical supervision and clients comparing cladding options. A general overview is in GFRC: material and technology.

Pros and Cons of GFRC for Facades

GFRC: material and technology

Pros and Cons of GFRC for Facades

The main advantages of glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC) for facades are freedom of form, low weight with a thin wall, non-combustibility and weather resistance. The main disadvantages are the strong dependence of quality on the manufacturer, the cost of custom moulds in small runs and the demanding design of fixing details.In other words, the material itself rarely fails; the mix design, the production process and the installation do. That is why the decision "GFRC or not" almost always comes down to two questions: does the architecture justify the cost of moulds, and can the manufacturer be trusted.This guide is useful for architects and developers choosing cladding for a residential complex or a public building, and for private clients with a classical facade design. For a general overview of the material, see GFRC: material and technology.

GFRC vs Fibre-Reinforced Concrete: What Is the Difference

GFRC: material and technology

GFRC vs Fibre-Reinforced Concrete: What Is the Difference

The difference between fibre-reinforced concrete and glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC) is that of general and specific. Fibre-reinforced concrete is any concrete reinforced with dispersed fibres: steel, basalt, polypropylene or glass. GFRC is a type of fibre-reinforced concrete that uses alkali-resistant glass fibre and a fine-grained matrix without crushed stone.The type of fibre determines the purpose. Steel fibre increases the crack resistance and impact strength of massive structures — floors, slabs, tunnel linings. Polypropylene mainly reduces shrinkage cracking. Alkali-resistant glass fibre makes it possible to produce thin, light elements with high flexural strength — facade panels and decoration.This article is for those choosing a facade material who want to understand the difference between offers on the market. A general overview is in GFRC: material and technology.

GFRC or Polymer Concrete for Facade Decoration

GFRC: material and technology

GFRC or Polymer Concrete for Facade Decoration

The choice between glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC) and polymer concrete for facade decoration depends on the scale of the project, fire safety requirements and expected service life. GFRC is a cement-based mineral material reinforced with alkali-resistant glass fibre: non-combustible, thin-walled, with almost unlimited freedom of form. Polymer concrete is a composite in which a polymer resin acts as the binder and mineral chips or sand as the aggregate.For multi-storey residential complexes and public buildings, where strict requirements on cladding combustibility apply, GFRC is usually chosen. Polymer concrete is found in private construction and small decoration, where low water absorption and easy production of small batches matter.This article is for architects, developers and private clients comparing offers. A general overview of GFRC is in GFRC: material and technology.

GFRC or Polyurethane: Which to Choose for a Facade

GFRC: material and technology

GFRC or Polyurethane: Which to Choose for a Facade

Polyurethane facade decoration consists of lightweight elements (cornices, mouldings, window surrounds, pilasters, rosettes) cast from rigid polyurethane foam and painted after installation. Its main advantages are low weight, simple installation with adhesive and fixings, and an affordable price for small batches.The key criterion when choosing between polyurethane and GFRC (glass fibre reinforced concrete) is service conditions and fire safety requirements. Polyurethane is a combustible polymer that is sensitive to UV and temperature changes; GFRC is a mineral material which, according to TECHNOFORMA Group, is classified as non-combustible (NG class under Russian standards). For multi-storey and public buildings the choice usually falls on GFRC, while polyurethane can be justified for interiors and small private houses.For a general overview of GFRC, see GFRC: material and technology.

Coated Foam Decoration or GFRC

GFRC: material and technology

Coated Foam Decoration or GFRC

Foam facade decoration consists of elements cut from expanded polystyrene (EPS) and covered with a protective layer: reinforcing mesh with adhesive, render or a special polymer-cement coating. It is cheap, light and quick to install, which is why it is popular in private construction and on facades insulated with an external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS).The main limitations are the combustibility of the core, vulnerability to mechanical damage and the service life of the protective layer. For multi-storey residential complexes, where decoration must last for decades without constant repair and meet fire safety requirements, the alternative is GFRC (glass fibre reinforced concrete) — a mineral material which, according to TECHNOFORMA Group, is non-combustible (NG class under Russian standards).For a general overview of GFRC, see GFRC: material and technology.

Plaster Mouldings or GFRC: Exterior and Interior

GFRC: material and technology

Plaster Mouldings or GFRC: Exterior and Interior

Gypsum plaster mouldings or glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC): the choice depends above all on where the element will be installed. Plaster is the classic material for interior mouldings: it is easy to work, reproduces fine detail precisely and performs well in dry heated rooms. Outdoors, plaster does not work: it absorbs water, loses strength and breaks down when it freezes.GFRC is suitable for both facades and interiors. It is a cement-based material with alkali-resistant glass fibre, strong, moisture- and frost-resistant and, according to TECHNOFORMA Group, non-combustible (Russian class NG). If decoration is needed outside or in a wet room, choose GFRC; for ceiling mouldings in a living room, plaster remains a sensible option.For a general overview of GFRC, see GFRC: material and technology.

GFRC or Natural Stone for Facades

GFRC: material and technology

GFRC or Natural Stone for Facades

GFRC or natural stone for a facade is a choice between authenticity and freedom of form. Natural stone offers a natural structure that cannot be fully replicated and, with the right choice of stone, lasts a very long time. GFRC (glass fibre reinforced concrete) makes it possible to create complex facade sculpting — cornices, columns, curved panels — with low weight and serial production, and its texture can imitate stone.The main criterion is the architectural task. Wall surfaces, plinths, steps and accent zones are often made of stone; complex three-dimensional decoration of GFRC. Many projects combine the two.TECHNOFORMA Group works with both materials: it manufactures GFRC and has worked with natural stone for more than 15 years. For a general overview of GFRC, see GFRC: material and technology.

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