What is fibre clay?
Fibre clay is a generic term that describes a material that combines fibre, resin and minerals. The resulting product is commonly used to create fibre clay garden pots and containers.
Fibre clay goes by many names including Fibreclay, clay fibre, fibre stone, Fibrecotta and sand fibre. Some names are registered trademarks but are often used interchangeably – a bit like vacuum cleaners are called ‘Hoovers’. Whilst the names may vary, the manufacturing process remains similar.
Sandstone-effect fibre clay pots from Floresy.online
How to make fibre clay pots
The fibre clay process combines a resin, a mesh or fibrous substance with inorganic minerals i.e. stone or clay.
Fibre clay planters, as well as other product made from fibre clay, are made in moulds. Layers of resin, mesh and the mineral mix are placed in the mould until the desired thickness is achieved.
The mesh varies from product to product but sometimes includes fibrous waste products from other industries. For example, cellulose plant fibre from pulp mills during the paper-making process. The mineral is often powdered stone or a clay-based mineral such as the clay used to make terracotta. The mineral mix gives the pot its faux stone finish.
The pots are left to dry and are not fired like a terracotta or clay post would be. Once dry, the resulting product is a hard as concrete. It’s the layering that gives it its strength just like plywood or indeed glass fibre.
Pigments can be added to create the look of different stones such as slate or terracotta. The fibre clay garden pots can also be glazed or polished to achieve different finishes.
Classic cone-shaped Fibre Clay Pots with sand effect finish.
What are the benefits of using fibre clay garden pots?
There are many reasons why fibre clay garden planters are popular:
- Pots made from fibre clay are lightweight which is a great advantage for gardeners. A pot made from concrete or natural stone is extremely heavy even before it contains a plant. This lightweight feature is particularly important for balcony and roof gardens.
- The fibre clay bonding method creates a very strong substance. So, this means that fibre clay pots are strong, weatherproof and durable – a must for any outdoor planters.
- Fibre clay can include a great variety of minerals. This means that a great variety of finishes and looks can be achieved. These finishes include sandstone-effect, concrete-effect and lead-effect planters.
- The manufacturing process for fibre clay often uses waste materials from other industries.
- The energy costs for producing fibre clay garden pots are low making it an efficient process.
- Fibre clay garden planters are relatively cheaper than their real-stone equivalent.
Roller fibreclay pot grey set from Floresy.online
Fibre clay garden pots from Floresy
Floresy stock a range of high-quality fibre clay pots. We recommend these pots for businesses as their lightweight design is a useful feature for multi-use spaces in hotels and retail units. The price is also a great feature! Please view our full range of plant pots and planters, including our fibre clay offerings and let us know if you have any questions.
Shallow dish-style bowl fibre clay pots with a sandstone finish.
