What are the Advantages of GRC?

Lightweight Products

Although GRC has a similar density to concrete the products made from it are many times lighter due to the thin 10-15mm skin thickness used. A cladding panel manufactured from 100mm thick precast concrete would weigh 240kgs per m2 compared to a similar GRC panel of 40-50kgs/m2. In fact many GRC products can be lifted and carried by hand an important consideration with strict manual handling regulations now being introduced in many countries.

GRC products do not contain mild steel reinforcement and the problems associated with corrosion of reinforcement do not apply. GRC is unaffected by external exposure and will not rot. It is completely unaffected by exposure to UV light.

Incombustible

Most GRC formulations comply with non-combustible criteria for UK and EU standards. Polymer GRC is not classed as non-combustible but conforms to the requirements of Class O defined by the British Building Regulations.

GRC has a wide flexibility in design and manufacture, which enables it to reproduce most architectural styles and features. It can replicate virtually any surface detail and reproduce the appearance of materials such as stone, slate, terracotta and marble. Carved stonework involves specialised skills and is slow to produce making the end product expensive. GRC can match stonework in appearance and as it can be produced in thin sections it is easier to handle and fix.

GRC Products have been shown to provide economic solutions to many applications.
Although the manufacturing costs may be higher than say concrete when the reduced handling, transport and fixing costs are considered there can be an overall saving.