Composite Concrete Planter

Planters..!!!


Let's explore more about uses of composite concrete..

One of the most widely used product fall in the category of landscape articles - Planter. Below is the example of low bowl planter. As we have seen in our previous blog on concrete furniture, this bowl planter is made of pigmented concrete (colored concrete). The color was developed using green and yellow iron oxide. 3D curve surface was created using light weight fiberglass mold.

Low Bowl Concrete Planter

Sealed concrete surface added gloss to its final look, but high gloss effect was only possible with polishing application. Below is the sketch of the low bowl planter. The product is about 4ft wide and 1.5 ft tall. It weights only 100 KG as its hollow from inside.

Sketch of Low Bowl Planter

We have tried to float this planter in the water tank at site and it was really floating on water..!!!   You are thinking in right direction, you may design a floating garden on lake or any other stable water body..!! Remember to seal inner surface before you float this planter.

We will discuss more in our next blog.. meanwhile let me know whats in your mind about this blog..


Best Regards,
Dave

Composite Concrete Furniture

Dear All,

Greetings..!!!

Lets find more about composite concrete..!!!

Composite Concrete is the material can be used to produce wide range of products like street furniture, patio, floor, decorative concrete products, cement articles, water features, planters and other landscape items etc...

Below is the picture of a garden seating and coffee table made of pigmented composite concrete.
It looks too heavy but they are hollow from inside and light in weight. The overall weight of the product is below 80 kg so that two people can move it easily.

Composite Concrete Outdoor Furniture

Its all possible to shape sharp edges of the table and seating. The surface is sealed with weatherproof material to protect the product. The color is part of the material and so over time it doesn't fade or change. The bright orange color of chair (Right Side) was created using iron-oxides. Its a combination of Red and Yellow Oxide available in the market. The color of brown coffee table was obtained from brown pigment. Generally, these pigments are available in powder form.

To create crispy sharp edges, fiberglass mold was used for this project. You can use marine plywood but beware of texture finish of the same. I choose fiberglass mold as it light in weight, provides variety of shapes and smooth finish.

Here is another example of composite concrete- Garden Lamps..!! You can see the thickness ..!! yes its too thin compared to other ordinary concrete products. Approximately, 1/2 inch thick...!!

Variety of colors like green, brown, red, orange, grey, its all possible with composite concrete. Advantages of composite concrete can be listed as delicate thickness, sharp edges, light in weight and Stronger than ordinary plain concrete. Generally, composite concrete compressive strength is above 30 MPa and Flexural Strength above 4 MPa up to 20 MPa.

Composite Concrete Garden Lamp

As a member of concrete family, the minimum service life of these products are 20 years. They are long lasting durable products. 

Cost Analysis:

1. Mold Cost        ~ 20% ( based on its repetition)
2. Material Cost   ~ 70% ( based on its recipe)
3. Labor Cost       ~ 10% 

Check out website to explore more about composite concrete.

Thanks.