Manufacture (offsite) - Aesthetic provisions (surface finishes)

Its critical the correct finishes are achieved when casting the panels. Some of the more common finishes includes;

• off form finish with concrete or flat painted finish
• off form finish with light texture paint finish through to heavy texture finish.
• sandblasted finish
• Honed finish

These may be with or without decorative features to further complicate the

Each of these finishes require a different level of quality control over the casting process. Ultimately the finish is a reflection of the quality of the bed. Where steel sheets in the bed are butt welded, the quality of the grinding of the join is reflected in the concrete. In glancing light (daylight, artificial up or down lights) the surface imperfections will be highlighted and may be quite noticeable – and very difficult to rectify.

All concrete is to be specified appropriately – refer guide to AS3610 at rear of this document which demonstrates where issues can arise in the interpretation of AS3610 to be read in conjunction with AS3610 and the commentary

The CCAA ‘Guide to off form Concrete finishes’ provide valuable insight into the subject matter including specification, quality control and final finish evaluation

Its recommended that a sample is completed of the specified surface finish, followed by a thorough review of the bed before casting and the first panel manufactured

Its recommended a patch is prepared at the same time to appreciate the likely impact of patching – particularly on grey off form panels.

Where extensive surface quality issues on off form grey concrete it provided one solution is the application of https://www.keim.com.au/mineral-concrete-stain.html which provides an off form concrete like finish at a significant cost to rectify the defective finish.