Design and Fixing of GRC cladding for Architects & Engineers
At Liquidstone, we craft high-performance Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete (GRC, also known as GFRC) cladding panels and rainscreens for commercial buildings. GRC offers a superior alternative cladding materials, providing unparalleled design flexibility, cost efficiencies, faster project delivery, and a lower embodied carbon footprint when compared to traditional concrete. This guide is designed to empower Architects and Engineers to harness the full potential of GFRC in their next project.
The Power of GFRC: Benefits for Your Designs
GFRC is a composite material made from hydraulic cement, silica sand, alkali-resistant (AR) glass fibres, and water. The inclusion of glass fibres significantly enhances the mortar mix, improving its tensile and flexural characteristics.
Key Advantages of GFRC:
Lightweight & Strong: GFRC panels offer substantial weight savings compared to traditional precast concrete alternatives. This translates to significant cost reductions in transportation, handling, and erection, and can lead to substantial economies in the design of foundations and superstructures for high-rise buildings.
Design Flexibility: GFRC can be moulded into a wide variety of complex shapes and profiles, making it ideally suited for modern building exteriors that utilize lightweight, prefabricated cladding panels. This includes the creation of intricate 3-dimensional forms, curves, and diverse textures and patterns.
Durability & Performance: GFRC boasts excellent durability, chemical resistance, non-combustibility, and good sound/heat insulation properties6. It also exhibits impact resistance.
Sustainability: By significantly reducing weight, GFRC contributes to lower embodied carbon in construction compared to heavier concrete solutions.
Cost & Program Benefits: The lightweight nature and ease of prefabrication lead to lower overall project costs and faster installation times