With a contemporary look and an abundance of variation, there’s a lot that building designers can do with exterior concrete wall panels. While traditional concrete panel walls had a fairly limited range of colors and styles, today’s options are more extensive, thanks to alternative materials that offer fresh textures and longer-lasting color.
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Exterior concrete wall panels create a distinct aesthetic that feels modern, urban-chic and established. Because of the sophisticated and sometimes stately appearance of traditional concrete wall panels, this aesthetic is commonly used for commercial buildings, upscale lofts, private apartment complexes and luxury homes.
While the aesthetic itself has a timeless allure, the construction techniques have certainly changed over the years. Builders now prefer alternative materials over traditional concrete, recommending precast concrete wall panels and faux concrete wall panels as modern options to consider.
Why the shift away from traditional concrete? Modern materials simply offer better benefits. For one, faux concrete wall panels are extremely lightweight, making transport and installation easier overall. But don’t think that lightweight concrete wall panels are less durable — it’s quite the contrary. In fact, fiber cement wall panels are built with a unique composition of cement, sand and cellulose fibers, effectively enhancing strength and durability overall.
Another advantage of fiber cement wall panels is that they provide better weather resistance and protection from the elements than traditional concrete wall panels. They even have a built-in rainscreen that takes care of moisture management. With performance engineering, these faux concrete wall panels are resistant to warping, rotting and pests.
Furthermore, a plethora of design possibilities are available with lightweight concrete wall panels made from fiber cement. Wood, concrete, brick — you can get all of these appearances with fiber cement panels, and the color selection is impressive. For this reason, designers have been able to extend the reach of traditional concrete wall panels and use stylistic variations to add character to residential buildings, restaurants, community centers, hotels and more. The options are endless!
Take a look at some of the amazing exterior designs that can be crafted from faux concrete wall panels made from fiber cement.
The rich brown tone of this exterior is boosted by its textured surface, which adds incredible depth to the overall design. Crafted to look like wet concrete with subtle highlights and intentional color variation, this attractive industrial style has a gorgeous appearance.
Crafted from faux concrete wall panels in multiple sizes, this exterior resembles a traditional design approach that captures the attractive look of concrete. The difference, however, can be found in the ease of installation, faster construction time and longer-lasting appearance of the exterior. These details make a big difference — especially when embracing a traditional cement-inspired aesthetic.
For community centers, sports arenas or any place where people gather, bold color contrast can help create an energetic mood that translates the function of the building. Light gray block is a fantastic backdrop for eye-catching colors and accent features. Though it resembles classic concrete, the faux concrete wall panels provide enhanced durability to last and maintain their original appearance!
Unlike traditional concrete wall panels, modern alternatives provide the chic color selection and range needed to create amazing residential exteriors that look and feel like home. Neutral colors like this are a popular choice for creating a sophisticated feel.
Commercial properties, like hotels and campus buildings, also benefit from the color clarity and clean design quality possible with fiber cement wall panels, which look great with stainless steel, glass, and wood finishes. Unique color contrast can create distinct character and easy brand recognition, as is apparent for this commercial property.
Concrete-style block with a natural finish goes very easily with wood-style accents and other organic design features. For commercial properties, this familiar aesthetic can feel welcoming and relaxed while still expressing an on-trend style.
Transitional spaces and interior design schemes can also incorporate faux concrete wall panels to create a gorgeous effect. The panels are lightweight and easy to install, so they’re a fantastic choice for exterior and interior designs alike. Plus, they bring a unique stylistic charm that’s fun to work with!
Instead of relying on outdated concrete solutions, rely on the transformative, reliable products from Nichiha — our Concrete Series is the perfect solution to getting a durable, stylish and long-lasting wall design, suitable for both interior and exterior uses.
To explore modern faux concrete wall panels that are built for long-lasting beauty, strength and style, contact our team today!
Traditional concrete, known for its heft and solidity, has been a cornerstone of construction for centuries. Its substantial nature imparts a sense of permanence and luxury, making it a favored choice for statement pieces in landscape design.
Traditional concrete is a composite material composed primarily of aggregates (like sand and gravel), Portland cement, and water. The proportions and types of aggregates can vary to achieve different textures and strengths.
Durability: It’s highly resilient and can withstand harsh outdoor conditions, making it ideal for permanent outdoor furniture and fire pits.
Weight: Its substantial weight makes it suitable for stable installations where movement is not desired, like in public spaces or windy environments.
Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care, retaining its quality over time with basic cleaning.
Timeless Appeal: Offers a classic aesthetic that ages well and fits into various design styles.
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Luxurious Feel: Its substantial weight and feel convey a sense of luxury and grandeur, perfect for high-end design projects.
Weight: While the heaviness can be an advantage, it also makes transportation and rearrangement of furniture challenging.
Cracking: Can develop cracks over time, especially in fluctuating temperatures.
Limited Design Flexibility: Heavier and less versatile for intricate designs compared to lighter materials.
As you shop for outdoor products you may find some made from “cast stone.” Cast stone is a product more akin to traditional concrete but with a high level of refinement and control over its aesthetic qualities. It's typically made from fine and coarse aggregates, cement, and a mix of natural sands, and it may also contain color pigments. One of the defining characteristics of cast stone is its texture and appearance, which can be fine-grained and smooth, achieved often through acid etching.
We’ve compiled a list of common terms used to describe different types of concrete products. These are general definitions and the specific composition and application may varry from maker to maker.
Air-Entrained Concrete: Concrete that contains tiny air bubbles intentionally introduced during mixing. These air pockets increase the freeze-thaw durability of the concrete, making it suitable for colder climates.
Cast Stone: A highly refined architectural precast concrete used to simulate natural cut stone. It's made from a mix of white and/or grey cements, natural or manufactured sands, and crushed stone. Cast stone is used for aesthetic applications where a stone-like appearance is desired.
Fiber Reinforced Concrete: A concrete mix containing fibrous materials to improve structural integrity and reduce cracking. Fibers can be synthetic, natural, or glass fibers. This type of concrete enhances overall energy absorption and durability.
Fiberglass Reinforced Concrete: Similar to GFRC, it involves the use of glass fibers for reinforcement. It's typically used for creating more intricate and aesthetic designs in concrete products.
GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete): A type of fiber-reinforced concrete that uses glass fibers for reinforcement. It is known for its lightweight, strength, and design versatility. GFRC is commonly used in architectural applications, including outdoor furniture and decorative panels.
GFRC Waterproof: This refers to GFRC products that are treated or manufactured in a way to make them resistant to water penetration. This feature is essential for outdoor items to ensure longevity and durability against weather elements.
High-Performance Concrete: This concrete type is characterized by properties such as high durability, increased strength, and resistance to harsh environmental conditions. It's commonly used in specialized projects like nuclear power plants and offshore structures.
High-Strength Concrete: A type of concrete with a compressive strength higher than standard concrete, often exceeding 40 MPa. It's used in structures that demand high load-bearing capacity, such as skyscrapers and bridges.
Lightweight Concrete: Concrete that uses lightweight aggregates such as expanded clay, shale, or slate, resulting in a lower density compared to traditional concrete. It's often used in applications where reducing the weight of the structure is important, like rooftop gardens or balconies.
Precast Concrete: Concrete that is cast and cured in a controlled environment, usually at a manufacturing plant, and then transported to the construction site. This method ensures higher quality control and faster construction time. Precast concrete is used for various applications, including wall panels, beams, and staircases.
Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC): A highly flowable type of concrete that spreads and settles into place without the need for mechanical vibration. It's used in complex forms or where reinforcing bars make traditional concrete placement difficult.
Shotcrete: A method of applying concrete projected at high velocity onto a surface. It's often used for curved or thin structures and in applications where conventional molds are not feasible.
Stamped Concrete: A decorative concrete type where freshly poured concrete is stamped with patterns or textures before it sets, often resembling natural materials like stone, brick, or wood. It's popular for patios, driveways, and walkways.
Traditional Concrete: A composite material composed of aggregates (like sand and gravel), Portland cement, and water. It's known for its heaviness, solidity, and wide range of applications in construction, including outdoor furniture and structures.
Waterproof Concrete: Concrete that has been treated or formulated to prevent water penetration. This is crucial for structures exposed to moist environments or where water resistance is a key requirement.
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