Exposed concrete, also known as architectural concrete, is a specially manufactured concrete used in the construction industry for aesthetic purposes.
Unlike traditional concrete, which is often covered with paint, plaster, or other materials after completion, exposed concrete remains visible and is a deliberately designed part of the building's exterior.
In modern architecture, the focus is on its minimalist, raw beauty that makes a structure appear both robust and visually appealing. Exposed concrete is cast directly into forms that can be made of wood, steel, or plastic, shaping the final surface of the concrete. Its production requires precise techniques in mixing composition, material selection, and casting execution to ensure the finished surface is free from unwanted flaws such as bubbles, cracks, or colour discrepancies. Due to its versatility in texture and colour, exposed concrete allows for architectural design freedom and offers the possibility of giving each building a unique, characteristic façade.
Exposed concrete is characterized by a variety of features that make it a unique building material
Concrete is more than a structural material — it is a versatile design medium. Architectural surfaces can be shaped, coloured, textured, and refined to express unique aesthetic visions. RECKLI offers a broad range of solutions that help architects, designers, and builders achieve distinctive results across façade, interior, and infrastructure projects.
Presence & Feel
Presence & Feel
The feel of exposed concrete ranges from raw and robust to refined and elegant. It can communicate mass and solidity in monolithic surfaces, or appear light and precise in more delicate applications. The tactile impression — whether smooth, crisp or subtly irregular — plays a major role in how the material is perceived in both light and touch.
Surface Quality
Surface Quality
Surface quality defines the visual clarity and consistency of exposed concrete. Natural pores add character and liveliness, while excessive honeycombing indicates insufficient compaction. With proper planning and execution, surfaces can be crafted to appear dense and even or intentionally more expressive.
Texture
Texture
Texture sets the tone of the concrete surface. Smooth formwork highlights precision and geometry, while formliners introduce depth, structure and shadow play. From fine linear ribs to pronounced patterns, texture influences both the appearance and the way the façade interacts with changing daylight.
Colour
Colour
The colour of exposed concrete is shaped by its ingredients. Aggregates, pigments and cement types influence tone, warmth and brightness. Even slight adjustments in the mix can create noticeable variations, making colour coordination and consistent batching essential for large, uniform areas, supported by our trusted partners to deliver perfectly coordinated solutions from a single source.
Finish
Finish
The finish defines the final visual and tactile character of the concrete. Techniques such as bush-hammering, acid-washing or polishing reveal different layers of the material and create distinct surface expressions. Whether matte, textured or highly refined, the finish helps anchor the design intent in the built surface.
Overview of Exposed Concrete Classes
The most important guide for planning and execution is the Code of Practice on Exposed Concrete published by the German Concrete and Construction Engineering Association (DBV) and the German Cement Works Association (VDZ). It is aimed at architects, designers, contractors, project supervisors, consultants and concrete technologists. The most recent version dates from 2015.
The code defines four classes of exposed concrete:
SB1
Low Visual Requirements
Irregularities, pores, and visible formwork impressions are acceptable. Mainly used in non-representative areas such as cellar walls or commercial applications.
SB2
Normal Requirements
Standard architectural concrete. A more uniform appearance is expected, with controlled pores and joints. Suitable for most visible interior and exterior surfaces.
SB3
Higher Requirements
Concrete surfaces with clearly defined visual quality. Uniform colour, controlled pore distribution, and precise joint patterns. Often used for façades and representative building areas.
SB4
Highest Requirements
Premium exposed concrete with exceptional visual standards. Consistent colour and texture, minimal pores, and perfectly aligned joints and anchor holes. Used for landmark architecture and surfaces with the highest aesthetic demands.
Achieving Top-Grade Exposed Concrete
RECKLI products are designed to help achieve the highest levels of exposed concrete quality. Reaching SB4 – the premium class – requires precise control over all aspects of the casting process. Concrete mixture, temperature, compaction, formwork quality, curing conditions, and even weather all influence the final result.
Formliner Plafond provides an absolutely smooth, uniform surface texture that significantly reduces pores, blowholes, and visual inconsistencies. Its flawless finish supports clean edges, sharp lines, and a consistent appearance across large areas – essential criteria for SB4.
To complement this, RECKLI release agents and auxiliary products are formulated to interact perfectly with our formliners. They ensure reliable demoulding, minimize surface defects, and maintain the high-quality finish throughout repeated use.
Because exposed concrete success depends on many variables beyond the formliner itself, RECKLI supports you with more than just products. We connect you with qualified specialists from our partner network – experts who understand mix design, formwork engineering, and construction practice. Together, we help you achieve the best possible outcome for your project: exposed concrete surfaces that meet or exceed SB4 standards.
