CARE AND WARRANTY

CARE

My LucyforLouie products are made of GRC... Glass-fibre Reinforced Concrete is the generic term for a high-strength composite stone made with cement mortar (primarily a mixture of cement, sand and a polymer) reinforced with alkali-resistant (AR) glass fibers.

My pieces are proudly handcrafted here in New Zealand to withstand our diverse seasons should you be using them in outdoor spaces. They are not stamped out or mass produced on a machine therefore they do have unique wee quirks and slight imperfections expected in genuine products handcrafted with concrete. I do not use plywood, particle board, timber or any forms of plastic to 'bulk up' or 'pack out' my products... The composition of my products does not allow a solid 'paint type' look or finish to be possible so please be mindful that some slight colour variation, which is naturally occurring in concrete products, can sometimes occur. These 'slight' colour variations/imperfections can also often diminish with time and light exposure.

With the composition of my products they do continue to cure over time so please insure you unwrap your piece/s on arrival to allow them to breathe - this will avoid the possibility of sweating in the packaging which could create an abnormal appearance to the finish of your piece/s. Some products may initially have a slight sheen in relation to the sealer which will diminish in time to a more matt appearance.

Although they are sealed with several coats of industry specific specialized sealer, it is recommended spills and substances that have high staining possibilities be wiped off reasonably promptly... for example not left overnight.

Clean with warm or warmer soapy water and a soft (microfiber is good) cloth – Do not use abrasive materials or solvents on surfaces, or to clean surfaces.

Protective Wax Application


To maintain and protect your furniture, apply a clear protective wax regularly to clean surfaces.

Please ensure the product is wax-only, containing no cutting agents, colorants, or abrasives.

It must be a clear wax — Carnauba wax is a simple to use ideal option.

Recommended Application Frequency:

  • Indoor pieces: At least once every 12 months

  • Outdoor pieces: At least once every 6 months

More frequent applications are perfectly safe and will not harm your piece(s).

Important Note:
If a clear wax is not applied regularly, your LucyforLouie piece may require a clear concrete sealer to be reapplied for long-term preservation:

  • Outdoor pieces: every 12 months

  • Indoor pieces: every 2 years

Otherwise, your piece will simply age naturally, developing a unique patina over time.

FACTS AND FAQ'S

Composition of product - A special mix of GRC materials and cement. GRC stands for Glass-Fiber Reinforced Concrete making it substantially stronger than standard concrete. Due to the nature of the manufacturing process, it is also of a much lighter weight.

Maintenance - Very little maintenance is required. Several coats of industry specific specialty sealer have been applied to all products before leaving manufacturing. This helps to repel water and other liquids and will help prevent deep stains from occurring such as red wine. Most spills can be removed using hot soapy water and a soft cloth. By far the best solution is to place the furniture in full sun where the natural sun rays will bleach out any imperfections. I also recommend, at minimum, an application of a clear wax at the beginning and end of each Summer season on your outdoor pieces. By applying twice annually, this will add a protective coating to your outdoor pieces which will give another level of resistance and will aid in the longevity of the furniture remaining like new... again, if you want or choose to apply wax more often it will absolutely not harm your product

Colours

Limestone is made with white cement - this is the closest you can get to white with GRC - A striking statement and being a white on white girl... Limestone is my fav :)

Concrete Grey is made with natural cement - a fabulous industrial and natural concrete appearance

Charcoal has added oxide to darken its appearance - Charcoal does fade over time (more so if outdoors) and is sometimes more prone to micro scratching and small surface grazing due to being dark in colour, this does not, and will not compromise the integrity or structure of your pieces... over the years this can create a fabulous earthy industrial appearance and vibe

Placement
Due to its lighter weight compared to traditional concrete, my furniture is generally suitable for balconies and elevated spaces.
Most pieces can be easily lifted and positioned by two able-bodied people.

New Zealand weather conditions - Although GRC is lighter than traditional concrete, it is still of a substantial weight to make it an ideal option for use in reasonably extreme New Zealand conditions if your pieces are situated outdoors. From the toughest winters in the Lower South, to the fiercest winds New Zealand can offer, GRC furniture stands unaffected. The furniture is naturally resistant to the ocean salts of our coastal conditions and tolerant of the extreme sun that our Summers deliver... You could say that it is the perfect outdoor furniture!

In some instances, you may notice some white salt deposits on the surface of your furniture. This is called “efflorescence” and occurs naturally in all concrete products. Basically, it is the natural salts coming to the surface whilst the concrete cures fully. It shows more after a period of rain and will cease over time as the concrete cures. In the meantime, the salts can simply be wiped away with a damp cloth. It tends to show more on darker colours as the contrast is greater.

Timber Bases – Natural fine or minor cracking

Timber is a natural material, and like all wood, it responds to its environment. If outdoors minor cracking can sometimes occur — particularly during the summer months due to fluctuations in humidity and temperature. This is not a fault or flaw, but simply the wood adjusting to achieve equilibrium with its surroundings.

As moisture levels in the air shift, timber absorbs or releases moisture in response. If the outer layers dry faster than the inner core, cracks may appear. Once the timber fully adjusts, these splits often settle or diminish over time.

Many assume that visible cracks mean the wood is damaged — but this is not the case. It’s simply a natural process and part of timber’s organic charm.

While this movement cannot be entirely prevented, it can be slowed by applying a UV-protective oil or other wood treatment.

Above all, don’t panic — minor cracking is not a sign of poor quality, but a reflection of real wood behaving naturally. Relax and embrace the beauty of a living material adjusting gracefully to its environment.

WARRANTY

To ensure the longevity of your piece, please refer to the Care & Use Guidelines provided.

Please note that all LucyforLouie products are individually handcrafted in New Zealand. As a result, slight variations in colour, texture, and finish may occur between the product you receive and the images displayed on the website. These subtle differences are part of what makes each piece unique, giving it character and offering you the satisfaction of owning a truly one-of-a-kind item.

Every effort is made to represent product colours as accurately as possible; however, due to differences in screen displays, I cannot guarantee the colour on your monitor will exactly match the product delivered.

I offer a warranty on all piece/s to the original purchaser provided that they are used for their intended purpose. This warranty is valid from the date of purchase.

All my LucyforLouie lightweight concrete products come with a two (2) year Commercial and Residential Manufacturing Warranty.

To insure a valid warranty lucyforlouie products must be used for the purpose and function for which they are sold. They must not be used for climbing or standing on and the warranty does not cover general wear and tear, dropping, knocking or miss use. As these products are classified heavy they are a minimum two (2) person lift and must not be dragged. The warranty will be deemed void if the product is used for other than what the product is designed for.

The warranty does not include (and we will not replace or repair product suffering from):

Ordinary wear and tear caused by using the product for its intended purpose.

Effloresce which may appear in the lightweight concrete surface when exposed to the elements, this is a natural process.

Damage/scratching caused by the dragging of objects across surfaces

Damage caused by accident, storm or wind or any other extreme weather occurrence.

Damage caused by mildew, UV degradation or fading.

Damage caused by misuse, neglect or failure to follow the Care and Use Guidelines.

Small surface crazing which may appear in the lightweight surface when exposed to the elements as this is a natural process.

Nothing in these warranty terms is intended to limit any condition, guarantee, right or remedy which may be available under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, except as permitted by that Act.

With the exception of the bench seating - I recommend a 40kg weight restriction on my products and a 30kg weight restriction on the Coffee tables.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION   -   Glass fiber reinforced concrete

FINISHING   -   Smooth and Natural concrete look

COLOURS AVAILABLE   -   Concrete Grey  -  Limestone  -  Charcoal 

ALL LucyforLouie PIECES are SUITABLE for INDOOR and OUTDOOR USE