What is the difference between ordinary concrete and architectural concrete?

The mix design, and the fact that the surface is the product rather than a by-product. Ordinary concrete is judged on strength and durability; architectural concrete adds appearance criteria described by categories BA1–BA3, texture classes F1–F3, porosity P1–P3 and colour uniformity RZ1–RZ3. Behind them sit specific requirements for aggregate, cement, formwork and production discipline — which is why the same concrete class can yield an acceptable surface or fail to, depending on how it was made. Worth knowing: no Polish or European standard defines these classes — there is no document that settles how many pores are acceptable. The system comes from the industry guidance of precast manufacturers, and it is that guidance which acceptance refers back to. So at higher requirements the contract and the reference element count for more than a reference to a standard.

What are the disadvantages of architectural concrete?

Colour repeatability is hard. The shade depends on the cement and aggregate batch, on humidity and curing temperature, so identical colour across all elements cannot be guaranteed — classes RZ1–RZ3 describe the permitted spread, not its absence. The surface does not forgive repairs: patching after casting almost always stays visible, which is why higher requirements call for a reference element, and that lengthens the programme. Pores cannot be eliminated — classes P1–P3 set how many are allowed on a 500 × 500 mm control area. And the cost: matrices, a slower mould cycle and tighter control raise the price against an element of the same capacity without facing requirements.

How much does 1 m² of architectural concrete cost?

A price per square metre is not quoted without defining the surface requirements, because those decide it. Category BA1 on a surface viewed from a distance is priced differently from BA3 with porosity class P1 on a principal facade. The type of formwork and matrix, the repeatability of the element in a run, and whether a reference element is needed all feed into the price. We prepare a quotation from elevation drawings with the requirements stated.

What is a reference sample and when is it required?

It is a section produced in advance that establishes the agreed surface appearance and serves as the benchmark at handover. For category BA2 it is recommended, for BA3 it is required.

Can an identical colour be achieved across all elements?

Concrete is a natural material and some variation in shade is unavoidable — which is why it is described by colour uniformity classes RZ1–RZ3 instead of promising complete consistency. Rough and textured surfaces reveal these differences less than smooth ones.

How is surface porosity measured?

As the total area of pores between 2 and 15 mm in diameter within a standard 500 × 500 mm control field. Class P1 allows about 3000 mm², with each further class correspondingly stricter.

Architectural concrete a surface defined at the design stage

Concrete whose appearance is planned from the design stage — texture, porosity and colour uniformity described by categories BA1–BA3. Clear criteria instead of conflicting expectations at handover.

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Definition

What is architectural concrete?

Architectural concrete is concrete that is consciously planned and specified at the design stage in terms of its surface appearance. Its aesthetics — texture, colour and uniformity — have a decisive influence on the visual character of the building.

Poland still lacks uniform guidelines, which leads to conflicting expectations about the appearance and quality of surfaces. That is why we describe the requirements using categories: it is clear how many pores a surface may have, what colour variation is acceptable and when a mock-up element must be produced.

The requirements apply to concrete shaped by formwork — that is, reproducing its structure. They do not cover surfaces shaped while the mix is setting, such as trowelled finishes, or surfaces worked after hardening.

You will also come across the terms fair-faced concrete and facade concrete — they describe the same class of products with a defined surface appearance.

A sample of architectural concrete in a beige shade, acid-etched surface — Acid-etched surface, beige shade.

A sample of architectural concrete in a grey shade, acid-etched surface — Acid-etched surface, grey shade.

Execution

What determines the appearance of the surface

The type of formwork directly determines the element's texture and is one of the most important quality factors in architectural concrete.

Categories: BA1, BA2, BA3
Texture classes: F1, F2, F3
Porosity classes: P1, P2, P3
Colour uniformity: RZ1, RZ2, RZ3
Formwork categories: KD1, KD2, KD3
Pore control area: 500 × 500 mm, pores 2–15 mm in diameter
Edges: Chamfered with a triangular fillet or sharp (radius approx. 3 mm)
Formwork: Form liner, timber or steel — depending on the required texture

A mock-up element is recommended for category BA2 and required for BA3.
Rough and textured surfaces are less likely to reveal colour variation.
With absorbent formwork, the permissible pore area is set at a different level from the one given in the table.

Declarations of Performance

Architectural concrete categories

A category describes the full set of requirements for the surface. The higher it is, the stricter the criteria for texture, porosity and colour uniformity — and the higher the cost of execution.

Overview of categories BA1–BA3 with their corresponding classes and requirements.
Category	Texture	Porosity	Uniformity	Mock-up element	Formwork	Cost
BA1 — basic requirements	F1	P1	RZ1	Optional	KD1	Low
BA2 — medium requirements	F2	P2	RZ2	Recommended	KD2	Medium
BA3 — high requirements	F3	P3	RZ3	Required	KD3	High

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Porosity

What classes P1–P3 mean

Porosity is measured as the total area of pores 2–15 mm in diameter within a standard 500 × 500 mm control area.

P1

Maximum pore area approx. 3000 mm². Corresponds to category BA1 — elements with basic visual requirements.

P2

Maximum pore area approx. 2350 mm². Corresponds to category BA2 — typical facades and exposed walls.

P3

Maximum pore area approx. 1600 mm². Corresponds to category BA3 — high-profile elements with the most demanding requirements.

Mock-up element

A trial surface agreed before production, serving as the reference when elements are accepted.

Price

What determines the price of precast elements

Precast elements are not priced from a per-metre price list — every element is designed for a specific project, and the difference between two projects of the same floor area can reach several tens of percent. So instead of a rate, we explain what actually determines the figure in your offer.

We prepare a quote within about a week of receiving complete documentation: dimensioned floor plans, sections, elevations and the site location with a postcode. The offer covers production, transport and installation — each item is priced separately, so you can see where there is room for savings.

Element repeatability: The single biggest variable. The same element produced in a series is markedly cheaper than a one-off, because the mould and production set-up are spread across many casts. A design based on a few repeatable types works out cheaper than one with dozens of unique elements.
Concrete class and reinforcement: A higher class means more cement; higher loads mean more steel. Sizing for the actual loads, rather than with excess margin, can cut the cost without compromising the structure.
Surface finish: A smooth, as-cast surface from the mould is standard. Form-liner textures, acid etching or architectural concrete in category BA2 or BA3 require additional formwork and tighter controls, which shows in the price.
Factory-fitted features: Cast-in boxes, conduits, openings and corbels increase the element price but remove the cost of chasing and fixing on site. On larger series this usually works out cheaper than doing the work on site.
Transport and size: The price depends on the distance and the number of loads. Elements up to 3,85 × 9,00 m travel on a standard vehicle; larger ones require abnormal-load transport with an escort vehicle and permits, which changes the calculation significantly.
Timing and season: Production runs in parallel with the groundworks, so ordering early gives flexibility in the programme. Forced deadlines and next-day deliveries always cost more.

FAQ

Architectural concrete — questions

The questions designers and investors ask most often. Yours is not here? Write to us — we'll give you a straight answer.

What is the difference between ordinary concrete and architectural concrete?: The mix design, and the fact that the surface is the product rather than a by-product. Ordinary concrete is judged on strength and durability; architectural concrete adds appearance criteria described by categories BA1–BA3, texture classes F1–F3, porosity P1–P3 and colour uniformity RZ1–RZ3. Behind them sit specific requirements for aggregate, cement, formwork and production discipline — which is why the same concrete class can yield an acceptable surface or fail to, depending on how it was made. Worth knowing: no Polish or European standard defines these classes — there is no document that settles how many pores are acceptable. The system comes from the industry guidance of precast manufacturers, and it is that guidance which acceptance refers back to. So at higher requirements the contract and the reference element count for more than a reference to a standard.Source: Fachvereinigung Deutscher Betonfertigteilbau, FDB-Merkblatt Nr. 8 — Betonfertigteile aus Architekturbeton (2020)
What are the disadvantages of architectural concrete?: Colour repeatability is hard. The shade depends on the cement and aggregate batch, on humidity and curing temperature, so identical colour across all elements cannot be guaranteed — classes RZ1–RZ3 describe the permitted spread, not its absence. The surface does not forgive repairs: patching after casting almost always stays visible, which is why higher requirements call for a reference element, and that lengthens the programme. Pores cannot be eliminated — classes P1–P3 set how many are allowed on a 500 × 500 mm control area. And the cost: matrices, a slower mould cycle and tighter control raise the price against an element of the same capacity without facing requirements.
How much does 1 m² of architectural concrete cost?: A price per square metre is not quoted without defining the surface requirements, because those decide it. Category BA1 on a surface viewed from a distance is priced differently from BA3 with porosity class P1 on a principal facade. The type of formwork and matrix, the repeatability of the element in a run, and whether a reference element is needed all feed into the price. We prepare a quotation from elevation drawings with the requirements stated.
What is architectural concrete?: It is concrete whose surface appearance is deliberately planned at the design stage — texture, porosity and colour uniformity are defined by categories rather than settled on site. The terms facing concrete and facade concrete describe the same class of product.
How do categories BA1, BA2 and BA3 differ?: The category describes a complete set of surface requirements: the higher it is, the stricter the criteria for texture, porosity and colour uniformity — and the higher the cost. BA1 covers elements with modest visual demands, BA3 exposed surfaces where every detail counts.Source: Formee — guide to architectural concrete
What is a reference sample and when is it required?: It is a section produced in advance that establishes the agreed surface appearance and serves as the benchmark at handover. For category BA2 it is recommended, for BA3 it is required.Source: Formee — guide to architectural concrete
Can an identical colour be achieved across all elements?: Concrete is a natural material and some variation in shade is unavoidable — which is why it is described by colour uniformity classes RZ1–RZ3 instead of promising complete consistency. Rough and textured surfaces reveal these differences less than smooth ones.
How is surface porosity measured?: As the total area of pores between 2 and 15 mm in diameter within a standard 500 × 500 mm control field. Class P1 allows about 3000 mm², with each further class correspondingly stricter.Source: Formee — guide to architectural concrete

Documents

Documents for this product

Technical catalogue, installation manual, declaration of performance and FPC certificate — what design and handover call for.

Guide to architectural concrete
Guidance for design and production: categories BA1–BA3 with texture, porosity and colour-uniformity classes, formwork requirements, release agents, surface treatment and pigmentation, water repellents and glazes, and transport and installation rules.
PDF · 26 pages · 3.9 MB
Tolerances — full edition
Recommended tolerances for precast concrete elements and the rules for checking them in production and on site: modular coordination, partial and final tolerances, requirements to PN-EN 13670, setting out, factory and site inspection, and the complete set of tolerance tables. Document in Polish.
PDF · 46 pages · 4.2 MB
Declaration of Performance 01/26 — wall elements
Precast walls in normal-weight and lightweight concrete, classes LC12/13–C50/60. Standard EN 14992:2007+A1:2012, certificate 0761-CPR-1152.
PDF · 1 page · 0.5 MB
FPC certificate — wall elements (EN 14992)
Certificate of conformity of the factory production control 0761-CPR-1152 for “wall elements”, issued by MPA Braunschweig (notified body 0761) under system 2+. Międzyrzecz plant, valid until 28 September 2027.
PDF · 1 page · 0.08 MB
Product tolerances
Permissible dimensional and geometric deviations and surface requirements for precast elements, arranged by product standard: wall elements EN 14992, ribbed floor elements PN-EN 13224, linear elements PN-EN 13225 and others. The basis for accepting elements on site. Version 2026-02, contract annex, in force from 1 January 2026. Document in Polish.
PDF · 7 pages · 0.2 MB
General installation conditions (OWM)
Scope of the standard installation service and additional works, performance conditions, preparation of the work front, setting out, substrate and access routes, interruptions and standstills, and acceptance. Version 2026-02, in force from 1 January 2026. Document in Polish.
PDF · 8 pages · 0.6 MB
NORDCERT certificate — precast concrete products (EN 13369)
Certificate no. 2284 issued by Nordcert AB, Stockholm, for the factory production control of precast concrete products group B to EN 13369:2018 with supplementary Swedish requirements (Nordcert CB5). Authorises use of the BBC mark. Międzyrzecz plant, identification PO 24, valid until 31 December 2027.
PDF · 1 page · 0.6 MB
NORDCERT certificate — ready-mixed concrete (EN 206)
Certificate no. 7316 issued by Nordcert AB, Stockholm, for the production of ready-mixed concrete to EN 206:2013+A2:2021 and DS/EN 206 DK NA:2020. Międzyrzecz plant, valid until 31 December 2027.
PDF · 1 page · 0.04 MB
Certificate ITB-EPD 561/2023 — normal-weight concrete precast elements
Type III environmental product declaration certificate issued by the Building Research Institute (ITB) in accordance with EN 15804+A2. Issued 1 December 2023, valid for 5 years.
PDF · 1 page · 0.2 MB
Certificate ITB-EPD 562/2023 — expanded clay concrete precast elements
Type III environmental product declaration certificate for lightweight concrete products, in accordance with EN 15804+A2. Issued 1 December 2023, valid for 5 years.
PDF · 1 page · 0.2 MB

All documents

Guides

More about this product

Articles on the decisions that precast takes before production rather than on site.

Working together

We'll select the right elements for your project

Send us dimensioned floor plans, sections and elevations — we will prepare an element selection, a schedule and a quote. Preparing a quote takes around a week on average. We deliver and install across Poland as well as in Germany, Czechia, Slovakia, Denmark and Sweden.

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