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Aesthetic Versatility, Durability, Security, Low Maintenance and Economy

Today's precast concrete wall systems offer building designers, owners and managers a solid wall construction system.

Precast concrete systems use three basic product types, sandwich wall panels, hollowcore or double tees for walls. These products can be produced to exact tolerance in a wide variety of dimensional choices to meet building specifications. The precast wall systems come with a limitless variety of finishes, varying colors and textures, from smooth to ribbed.

Precast wall systems have demonstrated high value and versatility in serving the food processing, warehousing/distribution, industrial/commercial/manufacturing and retail markets.

Every building material and construction method has its advantages—and its disadvantages. A comparison, however, will reveal that no other material or system combines as many benefits as precast wall systems. For example, with masonry walls it's often necessary to fill the cores and add pilasters for reinforcement at heights over 20 feet, not so with precast wall systems. Steel buildings, because the components are limited to standard sizes, offer less design flexibility than precast wall panel systems. Plus, steel buildings are susceptible to rust, dents and punctures. They don't offer the same degree of security as precast wall systems. The inherent strength and rigidity of precast systems most often eliminates the need for intermediate supports.

Precast wall systems also allow for easy building expansions or relocations. This keeps future construction costs to a minimum. Precast concrete is a cost-effective material choice for both short-term and long-term cost factors.

Precast wall systems have advantages over tilt-up wall systems as well. The latter, which are poured on-site, doesn't offer factory controlled quality assurance when the concrete is cast. Often, the buildings' finished floor, on which the walls are cast, suffers damage during construction. The decision of when to cast the floor system is dictated by the wall system, and in most cases the walls and the floors must be poured before the roof can be installed. Therefore, on-site pouring of tilt-up wall systems can be constrained with limited availability due to inclement weather. Increased floor costs are also a consideration for tilt-up walls, since thicker slabs are required for crane access during installation. And, compared to precast wall systems, tilt-up walls exhibit less consistency and offer fewer options for high quality uniform finishes, colors and textures, and aesthetics are sacrificed.

Review the following advantages of precast concrete wall systems and compare to other construction methods.

Secure Environment:

Of special importance to laboratories and food processing plants is the fact that the concrete used to cast the wall panels can be microbiotically treated to offer mildew resistance. Ledges that might catch dirt can be eliminated. Interior surfaces can be given a smooth, air void-free, easily cleaned finish that resists soiling and keeps maintenance to a minimum, even when harsh chemicals are used.

Design Flexibility:

Wall thickness, shape and contour variables...unusually wide openings...unconventional component lengths or widths...imaginative surfaces, colors and textures... just about any aesthetic or functional choice a designer needs to make can be made with precast concrete wall systems. Plus, precast wall systems can be load-bearing which opens up a whole new range of opportunities for designers to reduce foundation and framing costs.

Speed of Construction:

Precast wall systems can be cast at the factory simultaneously with site preparation and then delivered right on time. So delays, even for bad weather, are eliminated. Crane placement of the panels is far faster than other methods, so the building gets under roof quickly.

High Value/Low Maintenance:

New technology now makes the initial cost of precast wall panels compare very favorably with other materials and systems. Concrete is a naturally good insulator. Additional insulation in wall panels can offer even greater energy cost savings. Plus, precast wall systems traditionally have an advantage in low life cycle costs.

Quality Assurance:

One important measure of building quality is strict adherence to the design specifications. With other construction methods, variable site conditions can create the possibility of 'adjustments' or 'short-cuts' during construction. With precast wall panels, quality is controlled under factory conditions.

Durability:

Buildings constructed with precast wall panels offer better insulation with the ability to act as load-bearing members. Precast concrete lasts, and is practically impervious to the forces of nature that can damage or destroy other buildings. Fire, flood, wind, impact, rain—concrete stands up to it all year after year.

In the last two decades, precast wall panels have become the wall system of choice for aesthetically pleasing buildings of great durability and value. In industry after industry, precast wall panels have met and exceeded expectations for design flexibility, speed of construction, durability, quality and low maintenance.

...in the food industry precast wall systems offer processing plants economical, effective ways to meet government standards, especially those governing a clean, germ-free environment.

...in warehousing/distribution centers precast wall systems give designers freedom to put great expanses under roof without perimeter support columns. Precast concrete provides a smooth, hard interior surface that resists abrasive damage caused by material handling equipment. And, it allows openings wider than conventional ones to be specified without incurring uncommon costs.

...on industrial/commercial/manufacturing sites precast wall panel systems are being used to build structures offering high value, long life and low maintenance while meeting demanding requirements. Here again, precast concrete resists the damages that heavy equipment may cause.

...in retail centers precast wall systems now offer surprising and imaginative appeal while minimizing both initial and long-term costs.

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