Material
Blend Concrete Design handcrafts its concrete pieces using Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC), a lightweight, durable material that offers higher strength and flexibility than traditional concrete. The addition of fibres allows FRC to be cast into intricate, thin structures while maintaining its strength, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. Its natural textures and tonal variations make each piece unique, and our range of 13 custom colours ensures the perfect fit for any space. Plus, our high-quality sealers protect against stains and scratches, making FRC a low-maintenance, long-lasting choice.
Fibre Reinforced Concrete
What is FRC?
Blend Concrete Design’s concrete pieces are handcrafted with Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC).
Our FRC is a cement based composite material comprised of cement, fine aggregate, water, acrylic co-polymer and fibres. Beyond the foundational similarities of cement, water and aggregates, it’s the infusion of fibres that distinguishes fibre reinforced concrete from traditional concrete.
The fibres in FRC reinforce the concrete, much as steel reinforcement does in traditional concrete. The fibre reinforcement allows for higher flexural, compressive and tensile strength than traditional concrete, resulting in a lightweight, durable material that can be cast into thin structures in a wide range of shapes, colours and textures. The strength of the material means it’s more resistant to cracking than traditional concrete products.
Natural characteristics of FRC
Just like stone or natural timber, fibre reinforced concrete is a natural product and features unique, natural and raw textures and tonal qualities. Air pockets, colour variation and natural patina are distinctive qualities of concrete. These characteristics should be celebrated - they make your concrete piece unique to you. Check out Blend’s Qualities of Concrete. Guide here for more information.
Why FRC?
Top five benefits of FRC
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
- More resistant to cracking than traditional concrete
- Coloured pigment is mixed into the concrete mix to create concrete colours
- Its lighter weight (than traditional concrete) means it can be moved around a space or relocated and more easily delivered and installed
No staining or scratching
There’s no need to worry about staining your concrete piece. Blend applies high-quality, UV stable sealers to protect our concrete surfaces from staining and scratching. If you spill a cup of coffee or glass of red wine, simply wipe the spill as soon as you can. Like other materials, such as timber or stone, if you leave a spill on a surface for a long period of time you’ll stain it, however with our concrete you’ll stain the sealer (not the concrete).
Our concrete pieces are low maintenance. The best way to look after your concrete piece and prevent staining and scratching is to protect the sealer. Our Care and Maintenance Guide sets out a few steps to do this.
FRC in a range of 13 colours
Blend offer a range of 13 concrete colours. We create our range of concrete colours by mixing coloured oxide pigment into the concrete mix – our colours are not ‘painted on’, they form part of the concrete mix. Our colour range has been thoughtfully created to ensure there’s a perfect colour for every space.
Design & Mould Making
Industrial design
At Blend Concrete Design, the synergy between our industrial designers and artisans is at the heart of everything we create. Our designers push the boundaries of innovation, while our artisans bring these concepts to life with expert craftsmanship. Together, they work closely to ensure every concrete piece is both functional and beautifully designed. From the initial concept to the final touches, this collaboration allows us to produce unique, high-quality furniture that reflects both precision in design and the artistry of handcrafted work.
Mould making
Blend creates unique shapes by casting FRC into moulds designed and built in house that consist of flat, circular and complex surfaces. Blend Concrete Design’s mould making capability allows us to design unique shapes, bring to life custom concepts and create practical, durable and aesthetic concrete basins, mirrors, side tables, coffee tables.
Care & Durability
The durability of our product
Concrete is the perfect choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor settings due to its inherent durability and resilience. Our products are designed to withstand the demands of everyday life while retaining their beauty. We take extra care to apply high-quality sealants, ensuring your benchtops and surfaces remain protected and maintain their smooth, polished appearance for years to come. Whether exposed to heat, moisture, or the elements, our concrete designs are built to last, making them a reliable and stylish addition to your space.
How to care for our products
Over time, your concrete piece will develop a unique patina, enhancing its character and charm. At Blend, we seal our concrete surfaces with high-quality sealants to protect them from stains and scratches, ensuring they stay beautiful for years. Minimal upkeep is required to maintain the surface, making concrete a convenient and durable choice for your space. For more detailed care instructions, you can find all our Care Guides here, offering helpful tips to keep your piece looking its best.
Custom Concrete
The team at Blend Concrete Design is dedicated to producing high-quality custom concrete creations to enhance both interior and exterior spaces. By collaborating with our clients, we tackle design and production challenges to turn any custom vision into concrete reality.