Frequently Asked Questions

What is GFRC?

GFRC stands for Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete. It's a composite material made from portland cement, fine aggregate, alkali-resistant glass fibers, and admixtures. The glass fibers replace the steel reinforcement used in conventional precast, which allows GFRC to be cast much thinner and lighter while maintaining excellent structural performance.

How is GFRC different from standard precast concrete?

Conventional precast is solid, heavy (typically 140–150 lbs/ft³), and requires embedded steel rebar. GFRC is a thin-shell product — usually ¾" to 1" thick — that weighs roughly 75% less than an equivalent precast piece. That weight reduction means lower shipping costs, simpler connection details, less dead load on the structure, and faster installation.

Is GFRC as strong as regular concrete?

For architectural cladding purposes, yes. Our GFRC mix reaches compressive strengths of 5,000–8,000 psi depending on the mix design. The glass fiber reinforcement adds flexural strength that plain concrete lacks. GFRC panels have been specified on commercial, institutional, and high-end residential projects for decades.

How does GFRC hold up outdoors in California's climate?

Very well. We use alkali-resistant (AR) glass fibers specifically rated for long-term cement exposure. The material is non-combustible, freeze-thaw resistant, and does not corrode. In Central California's climate — extreme summer heat, intense UV, and cold winter nights in the Valley — GFRC performs reliably with no special maintenance.

Can GFRC be painted or sealed?

Yes. GFRC accepts penetrating sealers, integral color, and surface-applied coatings. Most clients choose an integral color and a clear penetrating sealer applied at the factory. If you need a specific color match, we can mix pigments to spec and provide a sample panel for approval before production.

How fast can I get a preliminary estimate?

We turn around preliminary budget numbers in 48 hours. Send us your drawings — even schematic-phase plans — and we'll review the scope and get you a real number, not a placeholder allowance. That means your bid goes out with actual precast pricing baked in.

What do I need to send to get an estimate?

Drawings are ideal — even early schematic plans work. If you don't have drawings yet, a scope narrative (product type, quantity, approximate dimensions, finish) gives us enough to provide a ballpark. The more detail you can share, the tighter the number.

Is there a minimum order size?

There's no hard minimum, but mold-making is a fixed cost that gets amortized across the run. For very small quantities of highly custom profiles, we'll be upfront about whether the economics work for your budget. For standard products like columns, caps, and panels, even small quantities are typically cost-effective.

Do you charge for shop drawings?

Shop drawings are included with every order. We handle engineering and detailing in-house — you're not waiting on a third party or paying separately for them.

What are your typical production lead times?

Lead times depend on scope and our current production schedule. After contract, most standard product runs are 4–8 weeks to production complete. Custom profiles requiring new mold fabrication may add 1–2 weeks. We'll give you a firm delivery date at contract so you can plan your schedule.

Do you build your own molds?

Yes — entirely in-house at our Fresno facility. We don't outsource mold fabrication to a third party. That means we control the timeline, the quality, and can iterate quickly if a profile needs adjustment before the full run.

Can you match an existing profile from another manufacturer?

Usually yes. Bring us a sample, a dimension drawing, or a reference photo. Our team will evaluate the profile and let you know what we can produce. We can often match or get very close to existing profiles.

Can you accommodate rush orders?

Depending on our schedule, sometimes. Call us directly and we'll give you an honest answer. We'd rather tell you upfront if we can't hit a date than take the order and miss the delivery.

What areas do you deliver to?

We manufacture out of our facility in Fresno, CA — centrally located in the San Joaquin Valley. We serve contractors, architects, designers, and homeowners throughout Central California including Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Visalia, Bakersfield, Modesto, and Stockton.

Do you install, or do we need our own crew?

Both options work. We can coordinate installation or deliver to your jobsite for your crew. For GCs with their own labor, we provide installation instructions and are available by phone if questions come up in the field. For projects where you need us to install, we can discuss that as part of the scope.

How are pieces packaged for delivery?

Elements are wrapped, blocked, and palletized for flatbed or enclosed trailer delivery. We include protection for finished surfaces. For fragile or large custom pieces, we engineer the packaging to the specific element.

When in the project should I bring you in?

The earlier the better. Schematic phase is ideal — we can value-engineer connection systems, suggest profile simplifications that save money, and lock in finishes before design development closes. GCs who bring us in early typically get a better price and a cleaner scope.

Do you work with architects on specs?

Yes. We provide spec sheets, dimension drawings, finish guides, and sample panels for approval. If an architect needs a custom profile specified by name, we can provide a proprietary spec or work with a generic GFRC specification that covers our products.

Are you insured?

Yes — Lions Precast carries general liability and workers' compensation coverage for commercial projects.

Who will I be talking to?

The owner. We're a focused operation — when you call or email, you reach the person who knows your project and can give you a straight answer. No dispatchers, no call centers.