Glass Reinforced Concrete (GRC) is a versatile and increasingly popular building material with a wide range of uses. Renowned for fantastic cost-saving and eco-friendly qualities that set it apart from traditional building materials such as pre-cast stone, more and more people are choosing this alternative for their planning and building works.

Lightweight yet sturdy, malleable yet durable, there are a variety of reasons why you should choose GRC for your next domestic or commercial building project. But to help you get to grips with the reasons behind using glass reinforced concrete instead of other materials, let’s take a look at some of the main benefits and features.

Lightweight But Durable

Weighing an impressive 80% less than pre-cast concrete, it’s easy to see why GRC is so popular in the construction industry. However the process of manufacturing this material ensures that its lightweight nature doesn’t compromise on durability. By spraying resistant glass fibres into the cement mix, the process serves to reinforce the material with rustproof, sturdy fibres to make it a long-lasting solution for any construction needs. Plus, by offering a lighter-weight building material it makes the construction of walls, foundations, panels and cladding much easier and quicker, allowing a more rapid construction process with impressive results.

Versatile and Malleable

One of the major benefits of using GRC is its versatility to mould it into any shape or size, and even alter the colour and texture where required. In fact, it can be manufactured to replicate almost all types of natural stone. For unique and grand design projects, it is therefore a flexible choice of building material that expands the horizons of architects and stonemasons; it gives specialists far more potential to be creative in construction than is usually possible with pre-cast concrete. As such, its uses are diverse from cladding to bespoke carved stonework and much more. When completed by a specialist glass reinforced concrete contractor, the results are seamless and durable.

Eco-Friendly Building Solution

Several factors combine together to make GRC a more environmentally friendly building solution than using traditional concrete and natural stone. Whilst the latter is inevitably a limited (and therefore much more costly) resource, concrete production contributes a huge amount to global carbon emissions. The concrete composition of glass reinforced concrete is much lower, and on top of the lower emissions in production, the product’s lightweight quality ensures that transport and construction emissions are lower too. As such, it is widely recognised at the building material of the future, making it popular for use in commercial, public and domestic projects alike.

Choosing the materials for your building project, however big or small, is a crucial one that can impact the cost, time scale and even feasibility of your designs. As a lightweight, affordable, and long-lasting material that can look equally impressive as natural stone or any other alternative, it’s no wonder that GRC is growing to be the leading product for manufacturers, architects and construction companies around the world.

Article written by Kelly Gilmour-Grassam who is a Yorkshire lass who loves travelling combined with the eating of fine food. Kelly had helpful info from Henley Stone.

Property restoration can be an exciting project and a profitable investment. With so many derelict or devalued properties throughout the UK, as well as the ever-improving property market, it’s never been a better time to seek out a restoration project. Whilst many people have gained experience and skills in renovating buildings, it’s essential to understand the unique features, qualities and problems that make period properties a slightly different ball game. So here are 5 top tips to ensure that you don’t take on more than you can handle, and that your project is a successful one.

1. Respect the Roots

When renovating an old property you must stay true to the period of the building and its individual characteristics. Try to do a little research on the background and dating of the property, so that you can strive to restore it to its former glory and make decisions that are in-keeping with the building.

2. Listed? Tread Carefully

If the property in question is a listed one, tread very carefully before committing to buy. Some buildings are sold with planning permission, but this isn’t a blanket approval for any construction or renovation works – often such consent is very specific to certain improvements and changes. It can be difficult to obtain planning permission for a listed building, making it a risky investment.

3. Seek Expert Advice

Services such as stone renovation, electrics and plumbing can often be far more complicated where period properties are concerned, because often the building structure is a law unto itself. Many of these jobs won’t be straightforward, so be prepared to ask for a professional quote before you commit to buy. This can in fact be much more useful than a survey for such unique properties.

4. Be Realistic With Your Budget

It’s essential to be aware that renovation projects on period properties can quickly spiral above the estimated budget. Whilst this isn’t always the case, beware of jumping in too deep if it looks like you’ll be on a tight budget to begin with. Try to choose a project where you will have room to manoeuvre if any obstacles do arise, rather than facing compromises or cuts later down the line.

5. Enlist Professionals

Getting the help of experts in the field is not only important for pricing things up. You might consider yourself a bit of a plumber or a competent mason, but the complex layout of period properties means that it is easy to make a mistake that can affect the stability and structure of the whole building. If in doubt, hire a specialist who can ensure the work is done safely and to a high standard, using materials that are in-keeping with the property.

Renovating a period building can be rewarding and highly profitable. But make sure that you make the commitment fully aware of the nature of the project, the cost, and any possible complications. By doing so, you can avoid any risks or nasty surprises, and ensure that your project is a resounding success.

Article written by Kelly Gilmour-Grassam who you can follow at @KellyGGrassam on Twitter. She wrote this article with information from Henley Stone and enjoying the culinary delights of gods own county.