Is Precast Concrete the Right Material for You?

Precast concrete separating a neighborhood with the street.

Precast concrete is incredibly versatile. Just in case your vision of concrete is limited to sidewalks, let’s go over some of the most common uses for precast concrete

Parking structures

When planning a parking structure, durability, economy, and ease of installation will be on your mind – enter precast concrete. From the columns to the architectural veneer, precast concrete is a material we commonly see all over parking structures. 

Foundations

Just as for parking structures, using precast concrete for foundations is relatively standard. It is moisture-free and creates energy-efficient spaces– perfect for basements. Because the foundation can be created off-site, you can dig the foundation simultaneously and finish your project faster.

Bridges

Precast concrete is strong and durable – making it perfect for all parts of a bridge. With precast concrete, you can easily create a design that fits the architecture and environment of space.

Culverts, Curb Inlets, and Catch Basins

Concrete is the perfect material for any project related to water. It doesn’t leak or rot. Any waterway design is easily achievable with the versatility of precast concrete. There’s a reason ancient Romans used precast concrete for their famous underground tunnels.

Sound Walls

The best way to block sound and reduce noise pollution is with a thick, dense wall with no gaps for sound waves to travel through. Precast concrete walls can be built anywhere from 1 to 14 feet. They are able to blend into any color, texture, or style of a space so that the wall won’t be an eyesore. 

Retaining Walls

Retaining walls don’t need to be fancy, but they do need to be solid and robust. Most of the standard retaining wall systems specify precast concrete because it works the best. 

Office Buildings

We spend forever at work, so we might as well make our offices pleasant. Precast concrete allows for designs that look good and make our lives easier.  From the noise blocking properties to the ability to create large, open spaces, precast concrete is the way to go.

Multi-Unit Housing

One of the most important aspects of designing multi-unit housing is to integrate privacy. Your occupants don’t want to feel like they are living under, over, and right by other people – even if they are. The key to this is a strong sound barrier. A dense wall, a.k.a. a precast concrete wall, is the best option for reducing sound. Plus, using concrete will often reduce your fire insurance rates.

Hotels, dormitories, senior living communities, and even hospitals and medical centers will all benefit from precast concrete construction.

School Buildings

Getting schools built quickly is essential – whether building extra space for a more extensive student body or to replace deteriorating infrastructure. Precast concrete typically has a faster time to completion, which will keep your project on track for the first day of school.

Precast concrete gives schools the same noise blocking and fire resistance that is also important in multi-unit housing. It also holds up really well against the wear and tear from lots of kids.

Retail Shopping Centers

Shopping center structures need to conform to the area planned. In some areas, shopping centers are large, sprawling complexes with a large footprint. In other, more urban areas, they may be more compact and include parking structures to maximize space. Precast concrete is versatile enough to adapt to whatever your shopping center needs. 

American Precast Concrete

This list even isn’t the whole picture. Contact us at American Precast Concrete to see what we can do for your unique project. Stay up to date with all things American Precast by signing up for our newsletter and following us on social media as well!