Slick Rock Concrete Lookbook

Slick Rock Concrete casts its bowls and tables by hand in the Texas Hill Country, and it shows in the details: color that runs through the concrete, a stained finish rather than paint, and water bowls that pour a clean sheet over a copper or stainless lip. The Cascade water bowls are the pieces our pool clients ask about most, with RidgeLine and Oasis carrying the same look into fire. Here is how the lines fit together and what the paperwork covers.

The story

Slick Rock is based in Boerne, Texas, and says that "each and every Slick Rock product is proudly made in the Texas Hill Country," hand cast by Texas artisans. The company has served landscape designers, architects and homeowners for more than 15 years. Every piece is individually handmade in Slick Rock's own fiberglass molds, which its drawings credit for consistent dimensions from one casting to the next.

The material is glass fiber reinforced concrete made from what Slick Rock describes as a proprietary high performance blend, and the Cascade and RidgeLine series use its Slick Rock Superior Strength Concrete. Raw materials are harvested locally and regionally, and recycled content is available on request. Slick Rock's fire bowls have appeared on DIY Network's "Pool Kings," and its work was featured on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

The look

Slick Rock sums up its own style as "Modern. Innovative. Awesome." and credits the shapes and colors of the Hill Country as the inspiration. In practice that means two clear silhouettes: a Square with crisp, straight walls and a Conical that tapers to a smaller foot, so it seems to float above the deck. The Oasis pieces are heavier and more grounded, and the Oasis Fire Table adds a warm mahogany plank top.

The finish is the quiet signature. Color is integral, through and through, then a water-based semi-transparent stain goes on, followed by a semi-gloss sealer. Slick Rock is clear that its colors are stained, not painted, which gives the surface a gentle variation that reads as natural stone rather than a coating.

The lines we carry

Cascade water, planter and fire on glass

The Cascade Water Bowl comes in Square and Conical shapes at 22 in. by 10 in. high, 29 in. by 13 in. high, and 34 in. by 14.5 in. high. The spillway insert can be Copper (the default), Stainless Steel, or no liner. The same shell is offered as Cascade Water plus Planter, and as Cascade Water plus Fire, where, in Slick Rock's words, "the water bypasses the fire components using a plumbed scupper," keeping the interior dry for a traditional electronic or match lit fire unit. Our guide to sheet, scupper and spillway effects shows how each pour looks.

These are the Cascade pieces we see specified most, plus the fire on glass version.

RidgeLine, Oasis and Horizon fire

RidgeLine fire bowls share the Cascade sizes and shapes, Square or Conical at 22, 29 and 34 in. The Oasis Fire Bowl is a 34 in. round at 16 in. high, and the Oasis Oval stretches to 60 in. long by 28.5 in. wide and 15 in. high. For seating groups there are two tables: the Oasis Fire Table, a 48 in. rectangle whose mahogany top doubles as an access panel for a propane tank, and the Horizon Fire Table at 36 by 36 in. and 15 in. high, with a propane tank cover available. Weights help with planning: Slick Rock lists 50 lbs for a 22 in. Cascade or RidgeLine, 150 lbs at 34 in., 240 lbs for the Horizon, and 465 lbs for the Oasis Fire Bowl.

Here are the fire pieces, each offered with match or electronic ignition.

Browse everything on our Slick Rock Concrete collection.

Finishes and colors

Slick Rock's current color pages list twelve standard colors: Adobe, Coal Gray, Copper, Denim, Gray, Great White, Mahogany, Onyx, Rust Buff, Seafoam, Shale and Umber. An older Slick Rock tech data sheet mentions eighteen, so go by the colors shown on each product page. Because the color is stained, Slick Rock notes that "actual colors may vary from the color chart colors." Onyx with a copper spillway and Great White with copper are two combinations we see often. Fire media options are black, amber, blue or clear glass, lava rock, or none. For help choosing, read Choosing a Concrete Finish Color.

What comes in the box

Slick Rock's electronic ignition burner package includes a stainless steel burner ring, the All Weather Electronic Ignition System, a 24 volt AC transformer and a media pan. The match lit package has a stainless ring and key valve. Water bowls connect with Slick Rock's Water Bowl Install Kit (flange, foam gasket, washer, nut and diffuser) on a 1.5 in. PVC supply. Fire glass, lava rock, the remote control kit and tank covers are listed as separate items on our store, and the product page shows whether a weatherproof cover is included.

Fuel and ignition

Every fire piece runs on natural gas or propane. Slick Rock rates its electronic ignition burner at 31K BTU in the 22 in. basin and 83K BTU in the 29 and 34 in. basins. The AWEIS manual calls for 7.0 in. water column nominal on natural gas and 11.0 in. on propane, 6 in. from burner to enclosure edge, 36 in. from burner edge to a combustible wall, and 96 in. from burner top to a combustible ceiling. It also requires drainage in the enclosure and warns: "Do NOT use this appliance if any part has been under water."

Controls can include a remote, Bluetooth control, a timer switch or an emergency shut-off key switch, and AWEIS can be tied to pool automation through a relay. Slick Rock also makes SUBEIS, a submersible system rated up to 400K BTU per hour for fire on water effects; ask us if you want that look.

Warranty

The Slick Rock Warranty and Liability document covers concrete products for "one (1) year from the original date of purchase," for structural cracking and sealer failure only, and composite products for "two (2) years from the original date of purchase," for structural issues. Slick Rock may repair, reseal, recolor or replace at its discretion. The warranty requires the recommended cleaning and maintenance, is "null and void in cases of neglect or misuse," and excludes installation and placement. The AWEIS ignition manual adds its own term: three years residential and one year commercial from the date of purchase.

Care

Slick Rock pieces are factory sealed, and occasional resealing may be needed over time. Slick Rock is firm that "chemical cleaners should never be used on a concrete surface," and it rules out pressure washers and harsh scrubbing. Keep the drainage holes clear, because poor drainage is what leads to cracking. Basins can be re-stained or resealed later, and an elastomeric interior sealer is available on request for the basin. Slick Rock does not publish winterizing steps, so ask us before your first freeze; our guide to fire and water bowls covers the basics.

Lead times and ordering

Lead time is shown on each product page, and our team confirms it before your order ships. See Shipping and Returns for delivery and inspection policies, or call 888-887-1870, Monday to Saturday, 9 to 5 Eastern.

For designers

Slick Rock is one of the better documented brands for specifiers. It publishes a dimensioned PDF drawing for every Cascade, RidgeLine, Oasis, Horizon and Camber size, CAD files through its CADdetails microsite, a CSI guide specification and a tech data sheet. Custom sizes and finishes are available on request. Trade buyers can use our Contractor Program for project pricing.

Common questions

What is the difference between the Cascade spillway and the fire on glass scupper?

The spillway is a copper or stainless insert that lets water pour over the bowl's lip in a sheet, used on water-only bowls. The fire on glass version uses a plumbed scupper so the water bypasses the fire components, which keeps the interior dry for a standard electronic or match lit burner under fire glass.

Is Slick Rock concrete stained or painted?

Stained. The color is integral through the concrete, then a water-based semi-transparent stain and a semi-gloss sealer are applied. That is why Slick Rock notes that actual colors may vary from the chart, and why a basin can be re-stained and resealed later if it ever needs refreshing.

Can I use a chemical cleaner on my bowl?

No. Slick Rock's care guide says chemical cleaners should never be used on its concrete, and it also rules out pressure washers and harsh mechanical scrubbing. Clean gently, keep the drainage holes clear, and plan on occasional resealing over time. The warranty depends on following the recommended care.

Sources

1. Slick Rock Concrete, home page, Texas Hill Country, hand cast, features
2. Slick Rock Concrete, Why Choose Slick Rock, handmade, fiberglass molds, SRSSC, Pool Kings
3. Slick Rock Concrete, Resources, colors, burner options, spillway and scupper, weights, elastomeric sealing
4. Slick Rock Concrete, Warranty and Liability
5. Slick Rock Concrete, Care and Maintenance
6. Slick Rock Concrete, Tech Data
7. Slick Rock Concrete, CSI Guide Specification, address
8. Slick Rock Concrete, AWEIS Ignition System Instructions 2024, p.4 to 6, p.11, p.14 to 15, p.17
9. Slick Rock Concrete, SUBEIS Install Instructions
10. Slick Rock Concrete, Water Bowl Install Kit Instructions
11. Slick Rock Concrete, Match Lit Burner Install Instructions
12. Slick Rock Concrete, Cascade Water Bowl
13. Slick Rock Concrete, Water and Fire Features
14. Slick Rock Concrete, RidgeLine Fire Bowl, custom sizes and finishes, controls
15. Slick Rock Concrete, Oasis Fire Table
16. Slick Rock Concrete, Horizon Fire Table
17. Slick Rock Concrete, Camber Water Bowl, stained not painted
18. Slick Rock Concrete, Specs and Drawings
19. Slick Rock Concrete, CADdetails microsite