Precast concrete, a highly efficient, practical method of concrete construction makes beautiful buildings possible at a cost that rivals even the most utilitarian industrial building. Understanding some of the benefits of precast concrete will assist designers in evaluating the impact of precast concrete on the environment and the building operation.

Benefits of Precast PDF

DESIGN-BUILD EFFICIENCY

Precast concrete offers an efficient delivery model for your project; allowing building construction to proceed while the design is developed.

AESTHETICALLY VERSATILE

Precast concrete can take nearly any shape or size, be manufactured in virtually any color and comes in a wide variety of finishes. With precast, you are limited only by your imagination.

REDUCED COSTS

Precast concrete products are manufactured off-site, under roof and are delivered ready to install when needed. This innovative process compresses project schedules, reduces safety concerns, reduces site disruption and reduces overall project costs by requiring fewer trades for construction and fewer people on site.

ENVIRONMENT RESISTANT

Precast concrete structures provide superior resistance to fires, natural disasters, insects and mold. Like no other building material, its resistance to rain, wind damage, earthquakes, termites and decay provides lower maintenance and insurance costs. It can also withstand many winters of freeze-thaw cycles better than other building materials.

THERMAL EFFICIENT

Costs associated with heating and cooling can be greatly reduced through concrete’s thermal mass benefits. Reduced peak heating and cooling loads can be achieved because concrete reacts slowly to changes in outside temperature.

LOW MAINTENANCE

The exterior of a precast concrete structure can be left unpainted without damage from the elements. If painting is desired, repainting is needed only every five to ten years. Precast concrete interiors are less subject to damage and easier to wash.

SOUND CONTROL

Because of concrete’s density, precast buildings absorb sound making it an ideal choice for commercial and residential buildings.

WI-FI COMPATIBLE

With offices increasingly wired for information technology, it is good news that precast buildings do not interfere with radio signals, local Wi-Fi or internet networks. This makes precast the most technology-friendly building material.

WANT ONE MORE BENEFIT?

Precast concrete is completely recyclable, making it an environmentally friendly choice.

TOTAL PRECAST SOLUTION

Total precast concrete building systems in which architectural and structural precast/prestressed concrete components are combined to create the entire building, are becoming the format of choice for many construction teams.

Total precast solutions benefit the:

Owner

In any format, the advantages benefit every member of the construction team — especially the owner, whose goals are always paramount.

  • Speed to Market
  • Early Input
  • Meets USDA Surface Standards
  • Effective Pricing
  • High Quality
  • Energy Efficient
  • Strong Image
  • Fire Resistant
  • Low Maintenance
  • Safety
  • Smooth & Ledge Free Finishes

Architect

Total precast concrete systems provide specific advantages to architects that make the design process smoother.

  • Aesthetic Variety – Many options for color and finishes including thin brick, acid etch, sandblast, waterwash, formliners, and features
  • Strong Finish Approval Process
  • Comprehensive Design And Drawing Support
  • Reduces Construction Time
  • Cost Effective
  • High Performance / Energy Efficient Wall System
  • Efficient Design
  • Green Design
  • Interior Design Flexibility
  • Load Bearing Wall System Saves Money
  • Tight Floor-To-Floor Heights

Contractor

General contractors find precast concrete components make their job easier at the site, ensuring a smooth process for the owner and designer in both the short and long terms.

  • Safety – Fewer trades on-site
  • Construction Speed
  • All-weather Construction
  • Foundation Aid
  • Fire Resistant / Fireproofing
  • Smooth Erection

Engineer

Structural engineers report no difficulty in learning to design with total precast concrete systems. They also benefit from the material’s ease of use and efficiency.

  • SCC, Lightweight & High Strength Concrete Mix
  • All-in-One-Components
  • Clean Spans to 110’
  • Comprehensive Design and Drawing Support
  • Easy Handling
  • Lateral Design Flexibility
  • Prestressed 80’ Columns
Image of high performance concrete being used on a building

DISCOVER HIGH PERFORMANCE PRECAST

Precast concrete is a high performance material that integrates easily with other systems and inherently provides the versatility, efficiency, and resiliency needed to meet the multi-hazard requirements and long-term demands of high performance structures.

Choosing precast concrete during the design build process can provide a multitude of architectural, construction, and design benefits. Whether you are designing commercial structures, residential structures, parking garages, bridges, or another type of structure, consider precast concrete as your building material of choice.

High performance precast concrete inherently provides versatility, efficiency, and resiliency.

VERSATILE EFFICIENT RESILIENT
Aesthetic Versatility Site Efficiency Structure Durability
Virtually any color, form, and texture Minimal site disturbance Long service life
Facade integration Negligible waste Barrier wall system
Historic compatibility Accelerated construction Functional resilience
Structural Versatility Energy and Operational Efficiency Multi-Hazard Protection
Load-bearing envelopes Scalable performance Storm resistance
Economical sections Thermally efficient Earthquake resistance
Long open spans Low life-cycle costs Blast resistance
Use Versatility Risk Reduction Life Safety and Health
Recyclable Design assist Indoor environmental quality
Deconstructive reuse Reduced and trades Passive fire resistance
Adaptive reuse Enhanced profitability Meets FEMA 361

Versatility

Precast concrete provides excellent versatility in aesthetics, structural design, and use. Precast concrete provides a number of architectural benefits. It comes in almost any color, form and texture, and can also be veneered or embedded with natural materials. It can also be utilized as the primary structural system saving material, time, and money. Precast concrete can also provide greater open spans by reducing the number of interior columns thereby increasing flexibility in the use of the floor space.

Efficiency

Precast concrete provides efficiency in use of materials, construction, and operation. Precast concrete is the fastest building system available, and minimizes negative effects at the project site. Precast also provides a very thermally efficient and almost maintenance free envelope that helps reduce overall lifecycle costs. Precast concrete has been used in a variety of projects focused on sustainable design due in part to its efficiency benefits.

Resiliency

Precast inherently provides a high level of resiliency which protects against multiple hazards such as fire, severe storms, explosions, and even earthquakes. Precast also does not contain any VOCs or provide a food source for mold which helps maintain a healthy indoor environment. It is also a great sound insulator and can help maintain more uniform indoor temperatures thereby improving occupant comfort.