Advantages and Disadvantages of Precast Concrete
Precast concrete offers durable, flexible solutions for floors, walls and even roofs in every type of domestic construction from individual cottages to multi-storey apartments and modular homes. Concrete’s high initial embodied energy can be offset by its extended life cycle and high potential for reuse and relocation.
Precast concrete can also be a potential carrier of structural and construction problems as it has a number of disadvantages. Precast concrete has lesser flexibility and design. It may also provide a financial hurdle as delivery is sometimes delayed.
To further discuss precast concrete, here are its advantages and disadvantages;
Advantages of Precast Concrete
Appearance of Precast Concrete
An almost endless variety of shapes, colors, textures and finishes is available for precast concrete. It can be moulded and shaped to suit almost any design or form.
Minor variations in finish between design intent or specification and the actual outcome are common. Assessment of samples and prototypes is highly advisable. Established, professional precast companies usually deliver quality assured finishes to the standard specified.
Complex or detailed methods and finishes require a high degree of quality control and are often best handled under the controlled conditions of an off-site precast factory.
Structural capacity
Structural precast concrete panels are a strong, durable and versatile building material, particularly suited to Australia’s harsh climatic extremes and requiring minimal maintenance. They can be engineered to meet the structural needs of every type of domestic construction.
Concrete is flood and fire resistant and doesn’t shrink, rot or distort. It gains strength as it ages and in structural terms is ideally suited to the unpredictable conditions associated with climate change.
The inherent structural properties of precast walls mean that they do not require additional bracing to resist racking loads and that simple design of cross walls and junctions can provide adequate lateral bracing. Tie-down inserts to resist cyclonic winds are simple to design, install and connect.
Precast finishes are highly impact resistant, withstand wear and tear, and require minimal repairs and maintenance.
Insulation
High insulation levels are simply achieved when using precast concrete during the modular home construction. Most modular home builders and contractors do not worry about the lack of insulation if opting for the precast concrete.
Fire resistance
Precast panels are highly fire resistant with zero flammability on both external and internal surfaces.
Termite proofing
The use of woven stainless steel mesh or other termite barriers is strongly advised, to prevent termites accessing the roof structure via the insulation core. These barriers are placed across the insulation between external concrete skins at the base of the wall.
Durability and Moisture resistance
Dense precast concrete is generally not subject to rising damp or structural damage from condensation or dew-point formation. However, condensation problems can arise in any building due to temperature, humidity and ventilation conditions that encourage dampness and mildew.
No type of construction is immune but precast concrete is rarely affected by internal or interstitial condensation (i.e. from water vapor passing through the material).
Surface condensation or dew-point formation is more common and, while often causing unsightly mildew and stains, structural damage in precast concrete is unlikely.
Disadvantages of Precast Concrete
Precast concrete has very small margin for error as the incorrect dimensions of precast concrete may result in changing the entire design. It also has limited building design flexibility the manufacturers may only have fixed shapes and sizes.. Because panel size is limited, precast concrete can not be used for two-way structural systems.
In case you still have question about modular homes and insulated precast foundation, you may contact Legendary Homes Inc in Jackson, Michigan. A representative will be happy to assist you. Meanwhile you can check our modular home price sheets by signing up to our blog
