Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) is today’s most popular construction material. Compared to traditional concrete, this material has seen significant improvement that continuously replaces conventional concrete in many constructional works.
Its mixture of cement, fine aggregate, water, chemical, and alkali-resistant glass fibers makes GFRC a specialized concrete form. Its fibers work like reinforcing steel in reinforced concrete, adding flexibility, tensile, and strength, enabling it to be used as a strong and lightweight architectural concrete product for building panels.
Not only that, but GFRC can also be used for façade wall panels, fireplaces, surrounds, vanity tops, and concrete countertops, thanks to its unique properties and strength. The possibilities of the products it can produce are endless.
As today’s concrete countertop professionals opt to use GFRC, it’s no surprise that many around the world are looking for the best GFRC manufacturers, especially in Ireland. Hence, we will enlist the companies that supply and manufacture this concrete alternative for your reference.
1. Elemental
Elemental aims to embody its name’s meaning, manifesting the forces of nature and the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water. And with its sworn oath to this business, it has become one of Ireland’s premier architectural cladding specialists, taking pride in promoting and educating the architectural community on the advantages of rain-screen cladding, rail systems, and panel solutions.
The company offers a wide range of services, making it a one-stop shop where you can find all your construction needs, from crafting an idea to completing the installation of your project. It handles design assistance to give you the best specification choices that fit your budget. Elemental also helps in cutting and routing and provides optimization services to give you the best value from your panel choices.
Just so you know, Elemental’s rail system is considered the “best in the industry.” Its panels have the British Board Agreement (BBA) certification, proving its products can withstand even years of abuse from different elements.
2. Techrete
Techrete has made a name as a market leader in the design, manufacture, and supply of precast concrete facades in the UK and Ireland, making it known as a precast concrete façade specialist since its founding in 1985. The company offers a complete precast solution, from customization to manufacturing to installation.
Techrete credits its 38 successful years to continuously developing its manufacturing and technical expertise by combining state-of-the-art technology and skill craft-based processes. The family-owned business is built with integrity, honesty, loyalty, safety, and quality. It has always been committed to its clients and employees in everything it does and safely meeting the projects’ deadlines after ensuring it has surpassed its quality.
In Techrete, the clients’ loyalty is of utmost importance, and the repeat businesses over the years are the foundation of its forward order book. Hence, it treats everyone involved in its projects, from employees to clients, as family.
3. Cretetops
Cretetops has been known for making stunning bespoke furniture made from GFRC. It specializes in GFRC, which can be used in kitchen worktops, vanities, fireplaces, and hearths. Located outside Cookstown, Northern Ireland, the company’s director boasts 15 years of experience in the construction industry and has extensively trained in using GFRC in Sydney, Australia.
This business understands that concrete is no longer just a building material. It has become a highly flexible design component that can be turned into a sophisticated and contemporary-looking product used in interior and exterior spaces.
To prove this claim, Creteops has worked with the leading architects and designers to bring up concrete’s full potential. Its products are ideal for retail and office environments and hospitality spaces like hotels, bars, and restaurants.
In Cretetops, its products are individually produced and hand-finished so that you can get the exact item that matches your style.
4. Concrete Fair
Concrete Fair sees itself as an expert in GFRC and conventional wet cast techniques, creating specialist polished concrete products. With over 20 years in the business, it has become Ireland’s leading expert in producing bespoke, hand-crafted concrete products.
Led by the couple Pat and Marie Hally, who has spent five years overseas perfecting their craft, they have aimed to become the top manufacturer of polished concrete countertops and products in the country and the UK.
Today, Pat and Marie lead a team of carpenters, cabinet makers, and GFRC specialists to deliver a wide range of polished concrete products throughout Ireland and the UK. They have already worked with some leading commercial and retail fit-out companies, like Pure Fit Out, and leading hospitality groups like the Press Up Group.
This year, Concrete Fair eyes to launch its own online store, offering an array of products, from polished concrete basins to sinks to vanities, that will be available for purchase directly.
5. Concrete Design Studios
Concrete Design Studios boasts decades of experience and technical knowledge in the concrete industry. But despite being a known expert, the company still decided to continue its journey to discover more about this material. And its continuous exploration of GFRC’s boundaries opened many new possibilities, changing how people think about concrete. From there, Concrete Design Studios was born.
This company has completed a floating lightweight concrete media shelf in a raw concrete finish for the Stephen Green project, 50 feet curved bar top for the Bow St. project, 24 feet distressed break bar for Rocket’s Diner project, and kitchen and island countertops for the Dundrum kitchen and Swords Kitchen projects, and more.
6. Tayens
Tayens supplies natural stone, GFRC, and stone memorials in Ireland and the U.K. The company has 16 years of relationships with quarries, factories, and key personnel worldwide and 14 years of experience in manufacturing facades and furniture for construction projects all over the globe. Tayens opts only to use the best-in-class granite, supplying and installing custom-designed memorials. With its collaboration with the top manufacturers of revolutionary building construction materials, Tayens has what it takes to be one of the bests in this field.
7. DeZi Construction
Another leading company specializing in GFRC and GRG materials supplies is Zhuhai Dezi Construction Materials Co., Ltd. The company is committed to delivering exceptional construction solutions by combining the best Eastern and Western architectural styles.
With over 25 years of experience, Dezi has become an industry leader and pioneer in composite design, engineering, and manufacturing. Its 200 people and 1000 M2 production facilities prove its strong commitment to quality and innovation. With its dedicated professionals, who always put expert touch and passion into every project they do, you can be confident that DeZi can meet and even exceed your expectation to turn your vision into a remarkable reality.
The business offers a complete package of services, from conception to completion, promising engineering excellence and quality products. Some of the services it provides are artificial rock landscaping, fences, benches, column, crowns, domes, outdoor furniture, planters, and ceilings made of GFRC.
With its vast experience, DeZi already has an extensive and diverse portfolio of inspirational architectural projects it has done since 1992, such as Shenzhen Qianhai Financial Center, Hong Kong LOHAS Park, Imperial Pacific Resort, Macao the Londoner Gambling Hall, Grand Lisboa Palace, and Macao Fisherman’s Wharf.
Conclusion
With GFRC’s ability to construct lightweight panels and its high compressive, flexural, and tensile strength, it’s no surprise that it has become a leading material used in many constructional works today. It has several benefits: fire-resistant, versatile, weather-resistant, directional load resistance, and more.
But as GFRC is already a good product by itself, the only thing you have to do is find the best manufacturer that can deliver. Look for the one that offers everything you need, from conception to creating to supplying and installing. Sure, it may be pricier than others, but it can save you much money in the long run.
