Why Precast?
Advantages of Building with Precast, Prestressed Concrete
Architects, engineers, general contractors, developers and owners in the Midwest have been specifying Spancrete precast products for more than 60 years. These time-honored architectural and structural precast components combine to form strong, long-lasting fixtures in our everyday lives. Every member involved in the construction project benefits from the many advantages of using precast building products.
Precast offers Design Versatility
«Versatility» is synonymous with Precast. The selection of structural and architectural precast concrete products offers aesthetically pleasing yet economical solutions for many types of construction projects. Precast concrete offers a variety of surface finishes and textures. Choose ribbed, raked, broomed, sandblasted or exposed aggregate finishes. Color and reveals are available, enhancing your architectural treatment choices. Precast wall panels are not only ideal for new construction projects, but can be matched to existing structures for additions. Precast concrete components can easily be designed to accommodate future growth. Interiors can be reconfigured simply and quickly for the changing needs of the building. And don't forget that precast products can span over long areas, resulting in large, open interiors without obstructions or expensive support structures.
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Beauty
Nothing combines beauty with versatility, economy, and efficiency like precast concrete. With all the choices of decorative finishes, wall panels combine a custom architectural exterior with a durable interior surface to create an attractive, long-lasting building. The pattern, texture, and color variations are practically unlimited, from exposed aggregate finishes to thin brick patterns.
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Durability
Durability is the one quality that allows precast, prestressed concrete to outlast competing materials. With its durable design, Precast is exceptionally resistant to impact, corrosion, weathering, and abrasion, rendering it virtually maintenance free.
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Project Efficiency/Speed of Construction
Precast concrete offers rapid, all-weather construction. It can be constructed year-round, in all types of weather, making fast-track construction a routine job meaning projects are done faster and occupied sooner, for a quicker return on investment. In addition, insulated wall panels maximize thermal efficiency to save energy costs and conserve natural resources. Durable, fire-resistant precast concrete also lowers maintenance costs and insurance rates, for even greater savings, while plant manufacturing of precast concrete under an established quality assurance program ensures consistent reliability, and saves production costs through repetitive operations. As soon as Spancrete® hollowcore plank is secured in place, it becomes a working surface for trades such as mechanical contractors, electricians, and plumbers. This advantage accelerates the entire construction process, facilitating earlier occupancy. Because construction crews work year-round, in all types of weather, Spancrete projects stay on or ahead of schedule.
Watch a news story about installation at Hancock Condominiums
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Green Building Construction
Precast concrete components reduce energy consumption in several ways: precast construction allows minimal air infiltration, thermal mass delays internal temperature changes and reduces peak heating and cooling loads, and sculpted shapes facilitate the design of shading devices for window areas. Precast components can be cast with insulation attached during manufacturing process, to increase the structure's R-factor.
New Video on Green Living
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Long Term Cost Savings
Low maintenance costs and insurance premiums, coupled with greater occupant satisfaction and higher resale values, are demonstrated benefits of building with precast. The durability of precast, prestressed concrete components means that buildings last longer and look better over the years.
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Occupant Satisfaction
Precast building systems reduce vibration, assist in noise control, and create a safer environment. Occupants can enjoy the inherent quiet and comfort that precast concrete provides. In fact, precast concrete buildings typically have higher occupancy rates, greater tenant satisfaction, better lease rates, and outstanding resale values. One of the most remarkable competitive advantages of precast concrete is its performance on life safety issues. Precast components and precast structural systems have demonstrated added value in fire safety, wind, flood, earthquake protection and noise control for overall occupant comfort.
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Fire Safety
Precast is unsurpassed in providing fire protection and containment when incorporated into a comprehensive, balanced design. Precast concrete does not burn or give off lethal fumes in even the hottest of fires, and it maintains its structural integrity, giving occupants more time to evacuate safely and extinguish the fire. The fire rating of precast hollowcore plank saves on insurance costs and enhances tenant satisfaction.
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Weather Resistance
Precast concrete provides protection against the winds of hurricanes and thunderstorms, and has recently been cited as an effective barrier to damage from tornadoes as well. Precast concrete also is impervious to termites and dry rot, creating a structure that does not weaken over time.
Video demonstrating Weather Resistance
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Low Sound Transmission
Precast is a high-density material that provides excellent, if not unsurpassed, sound reduction, allowing tenants to benefit from a quieter and less disruptive environment. Precast floors, roofs, and walls have high STC ratings and offer superior sound absorption and impact sound reduction.
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