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The Benefits of GFRC Countertops
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Greetings!
Instead of using conventional precast concrete, we're noticing that more and more concrete countertop makers are switching to GFRC (glass-fiber-reinforced concrete). Many contractors like GFRC so much, they are even developing their own proprietary mixes. What makes GFRC such a great material for countertop slabs? Contractors we've talked to cite the following benefits as the most compelling reasons to make the switch.
Jim Peterson,
The Concrete Network
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Higher Strengths
GFRC has a flexural strength as high as 4000 psi and a very high strength-to-weight ratio. "Because of its high strength, we are able to pour our countertops at 3/4 to 1 inch thick rather than the typical industry standard of 1-1/2 or 2 inches thick," say Steve Silberman and Tommy Cook of Absolute Concrete Works, Seattle.
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Greater Sustainability
GFRC is more eco-friendly than standard precast concrete. It uses up to 50% less portland cement than regular concrete and often incorporates recycled materials such as post-industrial glass and silica fume (see Mixes and Materials for GFRC).
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Better Color Consistency
Allen Miller of Concrete Revolution in Denver likes to use hand-formed GFRC for many of his countertops. "The mix is very durable and resists cracking well," he says. "The look achieved with hand forming is also more consistent and uniform in color." Check out this 11-foot seamless countertop Miller recently completed using GFRC.
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Cost
Although GFRC is more expensive than conventional concrete on a pound-for-pound basis, the cross sections can be made much thinner. "One square foot of countertop requires only about 2 pounds of concrete mixture for the face coat," says Mike Wellman of Concast Studios, Oceana, Calif.
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Greater Crack Resistance
Wellman says another benefit of GFRC is its resistance to cracking. Hairline cracking may still occur around fragile areas like kitchen sinks, but with the thousands of glass fibers interwoven into the concrete, the crack will not open and will remain hairline, he explains.
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Faster Curing Times
Steve Eyler of Eycon Surfacing, Myersville, Md., says his GFRC countertops cure faster, allowing him to ship his products sooner. "A typical concrete countertop requires 7 days to cure before the polishing and grinding process can begin. With GFRC, it takes just 16 to 24 hours of waiting until polishing and grinding."
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