Bioretention Planter, GFRC

GFRC Lightweight Concrete

Tournesol’s glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) concrete planters offer a variety of textures and color combinations with a thin face coat and a thicker back coat. The face coat is pigmented concrete without glass fibers, and the stronger back coat is a mixture of cement with glass fibers for reinforcement, yet without any color pigment. Our finishing textures like Acid Etch, Sandblast, and Travertine are natural concrete finish variations, while our Natural Sand and Fine Grain options rely directly on applied paints and textures.

Care & Maintenance

Concrete is a porous surface that absorbs moisture and minerals, which can cause changes to the surface’s appearance. Like most concrete surfaces, our GFRC can be sealed using commercially available clear concrete sealers, Tournesol uses Brightstone Sealer. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when reapplying.

Planters in exterior applications have standard drain holes in the bottom. As an option, you may request a planter without a drain hole, yet you must use a pump-out (or siphon) tube to remove water. Water standing in the bottom over a long period will harm the plant(s); it may eventually break down the interior damp-proofing material and compromise the structural integrity of (crack or break) the planter if water remains in the bottom of the planter in climates where freezing occurs.

The interior of each planter is sealed with Xypex Concentrate as a water-resistant, damp-proofing layer to prevent most efflorescence (water and dissolved minerals transmitted from the pot’s interior to the outside surface). Small surface stress cracks may eventually appear in the container but are typically restricted to the face coat of the concrete, not the stronger backing coat, and will not affect the overall strength and integrity of the planter. A touch-up kit is sent out with GFRC planters, contact Tournesol for application and repair instructions as needed, per finish.

Though GFRC planters are designed to hold up to the elements, they can still scratch, crack, or chip if care is not taken.

• Clean GFRC finishes with soap & water applied by a bristle brush to get into the textured areas.
• Rinse products well to wash away soap and grease.
• Do not scrub with abrasives.
• Do not use harsh chemicals on the planters or in proximity.
• Do not push or pull full-planted pots by the top lip.

Download the Care, Maintenance & Warranty Guide (PDF)