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Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr ete Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr ete Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr eteAn energetic, experienced approach with an obsessive attention to detail and service, and the capacity to create large, complex castings.
Founded in 1987, Plasterform is one of the largest custom composite manufacturers in the world. We manufacture the most extensive line of architectural products available, including GFRC, GRG, Castone and FRP. Our 130,000 square foot manufacturing facility and 150 talented employees give us the ability to do everything under one roof – from consultation to shipping.
A design and technological innovator, Plasterform is at the forefront of the industry. Plasterform’s senior executives and managers personally oversee every step in the design and manufacturing process, and bring an artisan’s pride with the highest professional standards to every project.
Your imagination is our business. We thrive on challenges and excel at custom work. We enjoy working with designers, and we are inspired by complex and innovative projects. Using CNC (computer numeric control) routers for pattern making allows us to achieve tighter tolerances than traditional pattern making. We do what others say can’t be done. Our promise is to make your vision a reality.
We take a hands-on approach and take great care in choosing the best material and the most cost-effective method for every job.
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Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr ete Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr ete Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncrete Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) has been used as an architectural building material in North America since the 1970’s, though its use in Eastern Europe extends back to the 1940’s. It is typically an exterior product, but can also be used for interior applications.
GFRC is a lightweight composite consisting of Portland cement, water, alkali resistant fibers, polymer, additives, sand, aggregate and pigment. Glass fibers reinforce the product, resulting in a much stronger material than normal concrete.
GFRC is a 1/2" thick laminate usually installed by drywall, EIFS, millwork or masonry contractors.
Frank Lloyd Wright Fontana Boathouse Buffalo NY
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Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr ete Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr ete Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr ete LIGHTWEIGHTOnly 6 - 8 lbs. per square foot.
UNMATCHED STRENGTH
Can reduce the amount of structural steel required, and is far lighter than precast concrete or cast stone.
LOWER COST
Much more cost-effective than many other traditional materials, particularly when casting repetitive parts.
EASY INSTALLATION
Can be engineered to reduce installation time and cost.
FIRE RESISTANT
Non-combustible and meets ASTM E84 requirements.
DURABLE
Will not rot; strong and abuse resistant.
ODORLESS AND EMISSION-FREE
Safe for indoor use.
LOW MAINTENANCE
Requires little maintenance to retain its aesthetic appeal.
WEATHER RESISTANT
Can withstand the elements over time, and is strong enough for use in earthquake and hurricane zones.
FLEXIBLE
Has unlimited design possibilities.
12 STANDARD COLORS AVAILABLE
With custom color matching also available. Clay County Courthouse
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Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr ete Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr ete Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncrete GFRC is lightweight enough to reduce the amount of structural steel required for a building and strong enough to be used in hurricane and earthquake zones. It is ideal for: Columns Cornices Friezes Wall panels Domes Finials Pediments Balustrades Rainscreens
University of Michigan North Quad Residence
D’Youville College Library
University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce
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Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr ete Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr ete Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr ete1 Shop Drawings
Once a project is procured, Plasterform’s first order of business is to prepare a comprehensive set of shop drawings referencing the architectural drawings and any additional information provided by Plasterform’s client. Shop drawings typically include plans, elevations, sections and installation details. The drawings are submitted to our client who in turn forwards them to the architect for approval before manufacturing can begin.
2 Pattern & Mold Making
Once approved shop drawings and site dimensions are received, a pattern and mold must be made before casting can begin. Plasterform’s CNC programmers produce a computer file of the GFRC part using CAD/CAM programs. These programs are used to rout the model in wood or foam to exact proportions with extremely high tolerances. Once the pattern is assembled and checked for accuracy, a mold or negative can be made from the pattern by laminating resin or pouring rubber over the pattern. The mold is an exact negative of the part. Control flanges are mounted on the mold to manage part thickness and facilitate installation.
4 Packaging & Shipping
We manufacture GFRC castings in all shapes and sizes. The finished parts are carefully packaged into custom wood crates to protect them from damage during transportation. The crates are built on pallets to reduce unloading time. The finished parts are now ready for delivery to the project site or a nearby warehouse. The wood crates and pallets can be easily dismantled and repurposed.
3 Fabrication & Quality Control
Now fabrication can begin. Portland cement is mixed with water, polymers, additives, sand, aggregate and pigment to precise proportions. The mixture becomes a slurry which is placed into a hopper and is pumped through a spray machine. The sprayer coats the mold with the slurry, and then introduces alkali resistant fibers into the slurry to reinforce the GFRC part. Once the mold is sprayed, the back of the part is tooled to remove air. The manufacturing process is complete and the part is allowed to dry into a solid while in the mold. Once dry, the part is removed from the mold and visually inspected. The GFRC part is checked for quality and accuracy. Air pockets or other surface imperfections are repaired.
The Cooper Union
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Conway SC
If you need a proven composite building material that is strong and durable, use GFRC. With the ability to match natural stone, precast or concrete, GFRC offers numerous finishes and textures.
Where traditional building materials require multi-tiers or components, GFRC offers part consolidation, minimizing pieces and reducing site labor. It can be secured to light gauge framing and hand set in lieu of costly crane erection.
Plasterform’s CAD/CAM capabilities allow GFRC to be cast into any desired shape. Signage with inscribed lettering can be created to any size, in any font. It’s unlimited in its design opportunities.
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Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr ete Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr ete Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr eteBeing a custom manufacturer, we understand each component is unique. We comprehend the needs of the architect and the installer. Our experienced CAD technicians aim to maintain design intent and provide practical construction details to facilitate installations. These details were developed over 25 years of proven performance. Visit us at plasterform.com for more information.
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Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr ete Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr ete Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr eteBaja Silver Muskoka Stone Sorrento Sand Pedra de Volcao
Bianco Bermuda Sand
Caldeira Velha
GFRC can be supplied in a smooth paint grade finish that requires a field applied coating, or integrally pigmented and sandblasted to achieve a look of stone or precast concrete. Plasterform’s GFRC is available in 12 standard colors and custom color matching is also available by request.
Pedra de Volcao Golden Wheat
White Portland
Madeira Gold
Grey Portland
Bermuda Sand Sienna Buff
Caldeira Velha
Desert Dunes Pebble Beach
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Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr ete Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr ete Glass F iber R einf or ced C oncr etePlasterform is committed to ensuring that our products meet international green building standards. To that end we support Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED); an internationally recognized green building rating system and certification program that evaluates a building’s environmental performance.
LEED awards projects with one of four certification levels: certified, silver, gold and platinum. Plasterform’s products can help projects achieve credits under the following categories:
MATERIALS AND RESOURCES
LEED Credit 2 Construction Waste Management Plasterform engineers products to minimize waste. Most of our projects are designed with prefab corners, and parts are supplied to suit field measurements and conditions that minimize job site cutting and thus, waste. Our products are crated using pallets and 2 x 4’s that can be easily reused or recycled.
LEED Credit 4 Recycled Content
Plasterform uses new raw materials for standard castings. Post-industrial fillers can be introduced into the casting to achieve a custom matrix specific to your needs. Contact Plasterform for assistance in developing your specifications before your project tenders.
LEED Credit 5 Regional Materials
This LEED credit promotes the use of regionally harvested or manufactured products to support the regional economy and reduce the environmental impact of transportation. Plasterform’s manufacturing facility is located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Contact Plasterform to determine if your project qualifies for this credit.
INNOVATION IN DESIGN
LEED Credit 1 Innovation in Design This LEED credit provides a project with the opportunity to achieve points for exceptional performance above LEED standards by achieving measurable environmental performance not ad-dressed in LEED. Plasterform’s materials are significantly lighter than conven-tional building materials and therefore reduce the amount of structural steel required for construction. Our products also require little or no maintenance. Contact Plasterform to find out how our products can contribute to this LEED credit.
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University of Michigan Law Library
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