Everything you should know about precast concrete and its many advantages

Precast concrete has long been optimised for various construction and building projects, and it’s a product that comes with a lot of merits.

If you are involved in constructing a retaining wall, for example, you may already be thinking about using precast concrete panels, which have been the go-to material for engineers and contractors for years. But what makes precast concrete so unique, and why is it a more feasible choice than other building materials? Here’s everything you should know about precast concrete and its many advantages.

1. It can easily withstand daily use. Of course, all buildings and structures will always take a bit of a hit every day, with weather disturbances, usage, and the like. But precast concrete is a rigid material, and it can readily take the brunt of daily use without any significant effect.

2. It is fireproof and waterproof. Aside from this, it can easily resist rust and mildew. Precast concrete will never warp or rot, and it will survive the hardiest weather extremes. For instance, if there is a flood or fire, a wall will not falter compared to materials like brick or wood. If you live in an area with significant cycles of freezing and thawing, precast concrete will not expand when it’s hot and contract when it’s cold, and this makes it more robust than other materials and not likely to wear down over a short period. Precast concrete retaining walls, such as those from jpconcrete.co.uk/precast-concrete-retaining-walls/, are known for their sturdiness and longevity, and they are perfect for retaining walls because you can choose from different sizes and designs, too.

3. It is a material that gets stronger as time passes. It’s true – precast concrete continuously cures, which means that it gains more strength as time goes by. There are viaducts in the continent constructed centuries ago but still stand today. And these viaducts are stronger now compared to when they were initially built.

4. It can easily support a lot of weight. In addition, its load-bearing properties are substantial, and if you need a material for your structure that can deal with immense stress, weight, or point loads, precast concrete is a logical choice.

5. You can choose your precast concrete panels with different sizes, heights, and configurations. If your project requires thin panels, you can ask the manufacturer to produce those for you. Alternatively, it isn’t a problem whether you need light, heavy, or thick panels. In other words, you can have your panels customised to work with your requirements.

6. You can customise your precast concrete panels in other ways, too – you can choose a different hue or colour with the use of special stains, and these stains are not like regular paint, which can fade quickly and degrade with too much sun exposure. You can even choose a veneer of natural stone, which can give your precast concrete panels more appeal.

7. It can adhere to precise detail requirements. Your manufacturer can produce moulds with a lot of detail, with virtually no limitations.

8. It can be installed quickly on your job site, and its impact on the site is minimal. Since the precast concrete panels will be made in a facility, they will only be delivered to your site once they are done. This reduces disruption to your site, and it can potentially reduce your expenses as well since labour requirements are minimal.