What is Precast Concrete?

Precast concrete refers to any type of concrete structure that is manufactured at a plant and transported to the construction site. In contrast, regular concrete structures are normally molded, poured, and cured on-site. Precast concrete is used in a variety of projects ranging from home landscaping all the way to massive building and bridge construction. It is being used more and more in home and building construction because it is more readily available than ever before, and provides quality and uniformity that may be lacking in on-site concrete work.

There are many advantages to using precast concrete structures over on-site concrete construction. It is made at a plant, under controlled conditions, and undergoes routine quality control inspections. The molds used to create precast structures can be used over and over; on-site concrete molds are typically built once and discarded. Because the plant specializes in concrete, they can usually offer a variety of shapes, sizes, thicknesses, and finishes for your concrete structure. When you consider the cost of labor for a team of skilled workers pouring concrete on-site, precast concrete may save significant money on the cost of your project.

Any number of products can be made using precast concrete. Municipalities make extensive use of precast pipes for wastewater disposal and treatment. In areas that are prone to tornadoes, storm cellars made from this type of concrete are a simple and fairly economical way to provide a safe shelter near your home. New home construction often makes use of preformed concrete walls, which saves time because the concrete is already cured at the factory. The walls arrive at the construction site ready to install.