Concrete is an extraordinary material that is practical, expressive, and aesthetic all at once. Due to its evolving nature, concrete over the decades will slowly patina and continue to express its beauty in subtle ways. It has moved beyond the cracked footpath and dirty driveway and is now seen by designers as the ‘new black’ because it is possible to use it in interior and exterior contexts. Also because of its fluidity, concrete can be transformed into virtually any shape that becomes a solid mass therefore the design possibilities for creative expression are endless.

Form-s offers both traditional Wet Cast and Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete (known as GFRC or GRC). There are benefits to both methods and the selection of the material will be driven by the design of the concrete piece. We use GFRC for most pre-fabricated pieces due to its superior strength, durability and ability to make it lighter in weight and fabricate more complex designs. Wet Cast concrete is used in all cast in situ pieces and its main advantage is its absence of restrictions on size and shape as it is formed up and poured in a single piece which gets rid of the need for joins or grout lines. Both methods can be used to cantilever and span long distances without the need for support structures and both offer a wide range of customisable finishes and colours. Contact Form-s with any design ideas and questions you may have.

The biggest advantage of concrete over natural stones like marble or granite is that it is completely customisable; you can sculpt, mould, and texturise it to your desire; from a high-gloss sheen to a non-reflective satin finish. It can be ground and polished to expose stones, glass and sand. Cost will be based on the complexity of the form, the mould-making process, and the desired finish, rather than the size.

Concrete if untreated is a porous material, much like marble and limestone. This means it is susceptible to staining. Concrete sealers have come a long way over the years and the focus is on making sealers specific to individual concrete applications. Form-s uses and recommends different sealers depending on the context in which it is used and the desired look. Our high-end sealers are extremely resistant to staining, heat, outdoor weather conditions and abrasions.