GRC facade cladding

Custom moulds set the stage for your unique GRC facade cladding, allowing you to unleash your creativity with both complex and simple geometries. 

We employ a special spraying technique to cast our GRC elements. This ensures a low water/cement ratio, enabling us to create countless geometries. 

Each construction project typically requires several element variations, and our skilled and dedicated mould workshop can create these variations by adjusting and modifying the moulds. 

As a result, one mould can be used for multiple variations, keeping costs down even for more complex buildings. 

We produce all elements to measure and create the variations at the factory to avoid on-site adjustments. This also helps minimize waste, both for us and in the overall construction project. 

Curious about what we mean by "freedom of choice in all geometries"? 

The facade elements for Sky Park and their organic shapes are an excellent example of the malleability of GRC and the numerous geometric possibilities. 

You can also look at projects like the NSM Service Building or the sculptures at Herlev Hospital. 

You - and the laws of physics - set the limitations. 

We custom manufacture all our elements, so we can help you create unique facades with precisely the surface and texture you desire. 

The possibilities are nearly endless, and we primarily have two methods to create variation in the surface: 

The first method is to create patterns and textures on the elements through processes like CNC milling, patterns from Reckli applied to the mould, or construction in our mould workshop. 

With this method, we can replicate even the smallest details. 

The second method is to expose stones and aggregates after the initial curing. 

This exposure creates a raw expression that adds texture and depth to the surface. 

The size of the chosen aggregates will partially affect the production method as well as the thickness of the elements. Therefore, we are happy to advise you during the design phase to ensure your project achieves the exact expression you desire. 

These methods can also be easily combined. 

Colors are a crucial part of design and contribute to the overall expression of a building. 

Colors bring the surrounding nature or cityscape into the design - or create contrast to it. 

Therefore, we have developed methods to give you great design freedom in this area. 

Our GRC elements are colored by adding iron oxides to the mix before casting. Without color additives, our GRC is either gray or white, depending on the type of cement chosen. 

If you desire a different color, we will work together to determine whether the color should be based on white or gray cement. We then add colored iron oxides and other aggregates to achieve your desired shade and tone. 

With this method, we can achieve any cement-based colors.  
Using white cement has an impact on the color of the GRC, typically resulting in clearer colors with color additives. The iron oxides are non-toxic, highly coloring, and do not fade over time. 

If you wish for even more vibrant colors than the typically slightly matte concrete colors, we offer painting the elements with silicate paint. Painting is done in our paint booths before delivery. 

Color choices that bring nature in: 

You can read more about our "Metropolis" project. 

The project had color selection as a primary focus to connect with the surrounding sea. Here, we mixed marble powder into our GRC to achieve a beautiful blue color with a shimmering effect. 

The short answer is no.

With a GRC facade cladding, you get a technically maintenance-free facade.

If necessary, the facade can be cleaned, after which it will appear new again. 

Do you want to know more about the material properties of GRC?  

Read more here.

Yes, GRC facade cladding can be easily cleaned to make it look like new.  

Furthermore, our latest development in GRC has achieved a better finish and a smoother surface, increasing resistance to algae and dirt. 

Do you want to know more about the material properties of GRC?  

Read more here.

It's rare for any material to be truly "sustainable." 

Our GRC possesses several qualities that make it ideal for projects seeking environmental certifications or where CO2 emissions are a critical factor in the project. 

For instance, we can emphasize the following qualities that are relevant to environmental impact and may be useful for comparisons with materials such as concrete, metal, and wood: 

Weight and Strength: 

GRC is a very strong material, and our techniques and high material quality allow us to create incredibly thin elements - as thin as 12 mm. 

This means that our GRC elements are very light - light enough to be installed on a load-bearing timber structure. The elements impose a very low load on the building. 

The lightweight of the elements reduces transportation costs, and since we always produce to measure, there is wasted no resources on transporting material that might be cut off and discarded later. 

Durability & Lifespan: 

Our GRC has a durability of more than 100 years and requires minimal maintenance after installation. The elements can easily be cleaned to look like new if the need arises. 

Often, our elements will outlast other parts of a building, and we are starting to see examples of our elements being carefully removed, cleaned, and reused during renovations. 

Coupled with a production process free of toxic substances, with low energy consumption, and a focus on minimizing waste (e.g., by producing only to measure), our GRC is also a good choice if you want to environmentally certify your construction project. 

Weather Resistance: 

GRC is an incredibly resistant material. Compared to other building materials like wood and metal, it neither rots, rusts, dents, nor burns. 

Facade cladding in our GRC is also resistant to all weather conditions - freezing cold as well as scorching heat - providing you with a solid building envelope that lasts for many years. 

All of the above makes our GRC an obvious material choice if you want to certify your construction project for environmental sustainability, and if CO2 emissions, environmental impact, and EPD documentation are crucial in your project. 

You can find our EPD here.  

And you can read more about environmental impact, material choices, and GRC here. 

Yes, GRC is a fire resistant material.

Our GRC has an A1 fire classification in accordance with EN 13501-1:2018.

Do you want to know more about the material properties of GRC?  

Read more here.

GRC is the general term for glassfibre reinforced concrete, which is a cement-based composite material reinforced with glassfibres.  

The glassfibres enhance its flexural and tensile strength and improve fire resistance. This makes GRC cladding more durable and resistant compared to conventional concrete cladding. 

Compared to conventional concrete elements, GRC has a thinner cross-section with a typical thickness of only 12 mm. This results in a lower component weight, reducing the load on the building. The thinness and low weight make GRC elements easier to handle, transport, and install. 

GRC is an exceptionally formable material that can be shaped into complex geometries that are not achievable with conventional concrete.  

See examples of how our GRC has been used in other projects right here.

GRC or GFRC? What is what...?

You have probably come across both acronyms when researching glassfibre reinforced concrete and it can (understandably) be quite confusing as the two terms are used interchangeably.

Both terms reference the exact same material: 

a type of concrete that combines cement, water, a polymer admixture, and glassfibres.

The reason for the two acronyms is mainly founded in a difference in spelling between British and American English.

As such, the British acronym "GRC" is on occasion referred to as glass reinforced concrete as it is devoid of the F that is prevalent in the American acronym, "GFRC".

However, it is simply dependent on the difference in the British spelling “glassfibre” and the American spelling “glass fiber”, which separates the two words.

As BB fiberbeton has both a Danish and a British factory, we use the British acronym and spelling.