The refined look of natural stone
Acid etching gives precast a fine, sand-textured surface that resembles limestone or sandstone. The outer skin of cement paste is removed so the sand and fine surface of the mix are what you see. The result is a soft, even and elegant finish.
It’s a popular choice for architectural façades, where it offers the look of natural stone with the strength, speed and consistency of precast.
How it's achieved
Etching starts with a high-quality off-form surface. About a week after demoulding, each element is washed with acid in our factory and scrubbed to remove the outer skin. It is then thoroughly rinsed.
The process is fully controlled, and the reinforcement is protected by the concrete cover, so etching doesn’t compromise durability.
Two levels of finish
- Acid etched – a fine sand texture with light exposure, with the cement paste and sand most visible. This is the classic sandstone or limestone look.
- Acid washed – a lighter acid clean, available on request. It gives a smooth, matte surface with more consistent colour control, and is ideal where an off-form look needs a softer, more even tone.
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Colour and character
Because etching exposes the sand and fine surface of the mix, the choice of cement (grey or white), sand and pigment defines the final colour. See Colours on the Finishes page.
Concrete is a natural material, so some variation in colour and aggregate is expected. See disclaimer on the Finishes page.