Concrete has been around for centuries made popular for its durability and aesthetic versatility. Adding to the many widely known benefits of concrete, precast concrete has its own unique set of strengths. Not only is it durable and versatile, it’s easy on the environment and can significantly reduce construction time.
While there are a multitude of benefits to using precast concrete, here are just 7 advantages to consider for your next building project.
Control can often feel like an elusive concept in the construction industry. But using precast concrete allows you much more control over your job site and schedule. With offsite production, pieces are poured and cured in a controlled environment and then stored in a storage yard until they’re needed at the jobsite. This means you get a high-quality product that requires less onsite labor and has less impact on the construction site.
Because precast concrete is more easily controlled, the quality and durability is typically much better than cast-in-place concrete. A precast manufacturer is also more likely to receive greater discounts on materials due to the volume of purchases that can be made for multiple projects at a time. The amount of labor required to precast concrete is also far less than curing concrete on site. Add to that, precast concrete components that act as both the structural frame and architectural façade of a building and you’ve greatly reduced your material and labor costs. Like we said, more bang for your buck.
Precast is manufactured offsite in a covered environment which means it isn’t weather dependent like other site-cast products. Off-site manufacturing and just in time delivery allows for a cleaner, safer construction site and a project that is delivered on time.
Precast concrete is known for its high-quality and durability. It can easily withstand the elements and go through years and years of wear and tear while still being just as strong and resilient as it was the day it was cured.
Precast concrete is very dense and sturdy, making it a fantastic material choice for buildings where sound proofing is a top priority. Commercial buildings in large metropolitan areas often use precast concrete for this very reason. Multi-family residential and student dormitories also benefit from precast as it limits noise transfer from floor to floor.
One of the precast concrete advantages lies in its fireproof attributes. Precast concrete will not catch fire, and it will prevent the spreading of fire from room to room. It is a fantastic material to have a home or building made from for this very reason. In the event of a fire, the precast concrete will not get so hot as to drip molten particles and light other materials on fire.
Long gone are the days of boring, gray concrete structures. With a variety of aggregates, shapes, colors and finishes, precast provides you with a multitude of options. Other materials such as brick, stone, and granite can be cast-in at the plant reducing the time, staging and cost of on-site installation. With a little creativity, you can achieve the look you desire for the cost and strength of precast concrete.
So there you have it. 7 distinct advantages of using precast concrete in your next project. For more information on the sustainability of our precast concrete and some of our previous projects, get in touch with Metromont today!