Cost and Benefits of Precast Concrete Foundation

Posted by Legendary Homes on November 21, 2014 in Insulated Pre-Cast Foundations with No Comments Yet

How much does a precast concrete foundation cost? What are the benefits of having it installed in a modular home? Precast concrete foundation walls simplify basement construction, save time and money, and result in warmer, drier modular home basements. The walls comprise high-strength concrete panels manufactured off site. Each panel contains solid concrete studs for load-bearing support and a built-in concrete footing. Some precast concrete panels include rigid insulation to keep the basement warmer and rebar and polypropylene fibers for strength. Walls can be customized by project to allow for door and window openings, steel-beam pockets and brick ledges. Manufacturers offer other convenience features such as built-in access for wiring and plumbing and wood or steel nailers for easy drywall installation. Panels range in size from 2 to 12 feet wide by 8 to 12 feet high to accommodate a variety of basement configurations.

The cost of precast concrete systems is competitive with the cost of other foundation walls. A precast concrete foundation is best-used to construct a full basement with consistent sill height; different wall heights slow the process, minimizing the cost benefit. Installers who aren’t familiar with precast concrete panel assembly will need additional training. Some manufacturers allow only certified installers to deliver and erect their systems.

Other features and benefits of precast concrete foundation walls:

Time and Labor Savings

A typical precast concrete foundation can be erected in four to five hours, about a sixth of the time needed for a formed-concrete wall. The panels can be erected in cold temperatures, which mean weather delays aren’t an issue. And there’s no on-site curing time—the walls can be backfilled as soon as the slab and first-floor joists are in place.

Stronger, Lighter, Safer Modular Home Walls

Precast concrete panels are manufactured in temperature-controlled environments, which enable manufacturers to produce concrete mixes that harden to 5,000 psi. This is stronger than the 2,500-psi concrete in standard poured walls and stronger than concrete block, yet the precast panels are thinner and of lighter weight. Precast panel systems also are more resistant to fire, termites, dry rot, and tornado and hurricane damage than other foundation types.

Better Indoor Comfort

Because many precast concrete panels are formed with integral rigid insulation, little or no additional insulation is needed to achieve a warm basement. Precast panels also are low-maintenance and have better soundproofing characteristics than other foundation types.

In case you still have question about modular homes, 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

Topic: Precast Concrete

Features of Precast Concrete Foundation Walls

While most concrete contractors would prefer to cast concrete foundation walls in place, precast concrete foundation walls have some attributes that make this technique appealing to modular home owners and builders. For concrete contractors, either erecting or actually casting precast concrete foundation panels could be a lucrative addition to what you can offer your customers.

Precast Concrete Foundation Has High Insulation Rate

The most popular precast concrete foundation walls come as nearly finished panels, incorporating insulation and interior studs ready to accept drywall. On site, precast panels go up much more quickly than cast walls, including those constructed with insulating concrete forms (ICF). And since there’s no concrete placed on site, construction can proceed in virtually any weather without concern about freezing or wet conditions. Precast concrete foundation wall erection is also simpler than cast-in-place or ICF construction and can be done by low-skilled workers with only one trained lead.

Insulated panels come in various configurations, depending on the owner’s requirements. The exterior face of the monolithic panel is 2-inch-thick concrete with integral 6 ¾-inch-deep concrete studs and reinforced bond beams, top and bottom. Standard wall panels have an insulation value of R-5 from 1 inch of rigid insulation attached to the concrete between the studs. Thicker insulation can increase that to R-21.

Precast Concrete Foundation is Crack Free and Waterproof

This precast concrete system results in crack-free and waterproof walls. The panels are made with 5000-psi concrete with low permeability. Since the concrete is cast in a factory setting, all shrinkage has taken place prior to erection of the walls so panels virtually never crack in service. A broom finish is standard for the exterior of the panels, although other finishes are available, including simulated brick or flagstone textures.

Precast Concrete Foundation Has No Footer

The base for precast concrete foundation panels is crushed, compacted gravel—no footing is poured. After excavation, 4 inches of ½-inch crushed stone is placed and compacted with a drainage system beneath. This base is adequate for most soils and loading conditions.

Precast Concrete Foundation is Above Grade

Precasters also provide panels for above-grade walls. The Thermomass system is a sandwich panel that has interior and exterior concrete wythes with a rigid insulation interior, all attached with fiber-composite connectors.

Manufacturers of precast concrete produces what they call double-wall panels intended to be used for an entire modular home like the walls, floors, and even roof deck. Interior and exterior 2 3/8-inch-thick concrete wythes are cast, held together by wire trusses. Rough electrical and plumbing are installed in the cavity and the void is filled with foam insulation. Precast concrete foundation panels are connected with an infill of high-strength grout. They claim that a medium-sized modular home can be erected in about five days, although that is preceded by several weeks of planning.

Superior Walls’ above-grade panels are virtually the same as the foundation wall panels. They have been used to construct up to three-story structures (a foundation wall and two levels above grade). Panels can be designed for any architectural feature desired.

In case you still have question about modular homes, 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

Topic: Precast Concrete Foundation

Dilemma with Precast Concrete and How to Avoid Them

Posted by Legendary Homes on November 20, 2014 in Insulated Pre-Cast Foundations, Modular Homes with No Comments Yet

Problems with precast concrete buildings are most often related to differential movement of wall panels and foundations and the way they are absorbed or articulated by the structure. Precast concrete can also produce an incomplete sealing between foundation sections, leading to water entry

Excessive spanning of areas by precast concrete foundation sections with no fill and no footing at all may lead to future water entry, floor slab settlement, or in severe cases, foundation movement. Corrosion and deterioration of metal components, such as structural connections and metal wall framing can be obtained with precast concrete.

Problems due to condensation forming within the modular home wall construction are also a predicament with the utilization of precast concrete in modular home construction. Condensation may form at the interior of the wall assembly due to inadequate protection against air flow through the wall, such as ex- filtration of warm, moist indoor air, or by infiltration of cold outdoor air reaching the interior wall components.

Solutions to Avoid Problems with Precast Concrete

The use of precast concrete panels as a cladding material can provide an economical and attractive method to enclose contemporary buildings. There are different forms for precast concrete structurally and its use is mostly in commercial and industrial projects.

Precast concrete wall panels may be supported on almost any kind of footing but mostly on pad footings at panel corners and strip footings. Slabs are usually poured between panels and sometimes assist support of panels. Ideally, precast wall panels should be joined at their edges or their top with fixings designed to absorb minor movements without distress but this is not always done.

Sometimes welded plates are applied that are fully rigid. Reinforced concrete shrinks for about a year after construction and footings move so there is every reason to expect movements between panels. Gaps between panels are usually filled with compressible material and should function as articulation joints provided the steel work also permits movement.

Commercial and industrial buildings of this type usually have a steel roof frame that effectively ties the tops of panels together. They often have internal steel frames to provide bracing against lateral wind load. Structures of this type are usually well engineered and reliable.

In case you still have question about modular homes, 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

Topic: Precast Concrete

Reasons Why Modular Home General Contractors Use Precast Concrete

Posted by Legendary Homes on November 19, 2014 in Insulated Pre-Cast Foundations, Modular Homes with No Comments Yet

Its superior strength, durability and overall structural integrity make precast concrete the preferred building material in seemingly countless applications, including the modular home construction process.

Installation of precast concrete structures is familiar and often-practiced in the construction of modular homes in Michigan. Unlike the installation of some other materials, it requires no specialized experience or training. Plastic product installation requires adherence to tedious and rigorous installation specifications. The specifications add time and cost to any project. Supervision, oversight and the recording of contemporaneous job notes are necessary to document compliance with the manufacturer’s specifications. Failure to comply will compromise the structural integrity of the installation, invalidate any manufacturer warranty, and produce liability to all parties except the manufacturer. Installation of precast concrete structures is fast, efficient and straightforward. Yet another way precast concrete saves you time and money.

Precast Concrete is Durable

Precast concrete structures have been seen to stand for over 100 years, and those structures will continue to function long after the designed useful life of the project has passed. Because precast concrete does not bend, warp or deviate from its original shape, it is sure to be compatible with any future plans for project expansion or upgrade.

Precast Concrete Saves Money

Manufactured using local, natural and benign materials, precast concrete’s localized production process ensure greater responsiveness and accountability to the customer from the manufacturer. Keeping you in direct contact with the manufacturer is just another way that choosing precast concrete can save you time and money.

Precast Concrete is Environmentally Friendly

An environmentally friendly product, precast concrete requires less energy to manufacture than plastic products require. Choosing precast concrete over plastics is also choosing to conserve the world’s diminishing petroleum supply and to support the American economy, since imported petroleum is the major component of almost all new plastics. Production of precast concrete products is better for our environment and better for our economy.

America’s modular home is the foundation upon which our productivity and industry are built. Such a valuable institution cannot be entrusted to inherently inferior products and materials. Not all infrastructure products are created equal. Durability, strength, integrity, and versatility are the essential elements of long-term value. Quite simply, plastic products are no match for precast concrete’s proven legacy of strength and quality.

In case you still have question about modular homes, 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

Topic: Precast Concrete

Precast Concrete and Its Benefits and Disadvantages to Modular Homes in Allen, Michigan

Posted by Legendary Homes on November 18, 2014 in Allen, Insulated Pre-Cast Foundations, Modular Homes with No Comments Yet

Every modular home construction material & system has its own characteristics like the precast concrete. It can lead to a greater or less extend influence the layout, span length, construction depth, stability system, etc. This is also the case for precast concrete, not only in comparison to steel, wood, and masonry structures, but also with respect to cast in-situ concrete. Theoretically, all joints between the precast concrete units could be made in such a way that the completed precast structure has the same monolithic concept as in-situ one.

However, this is a wrong approach. It is very labor intensive and costly. If the full advantages of precast concrete are to be realized, the structure should be conceived according to its specific design philosophy like long spans, appropriate stability concept, simple details, etc. Modular home designers should from the very outset of the project consider the possibilities, restrictions & advantages of precast concrete, its detailing, manufacturer, transport, erection and serviceability stages before completing a design in precast concrete.

Benefits of Precast Concrete

Precast concrete enables faster programmed times. It is not affected by weather or labor shortages. It also improves buildability as early enclosure of dry envelope enables follow-on trades to start sooner. Most modular home builders and contractors know that precast concrete produces a high standard of workmanship in factory conditions – reduces potential for accidents, addresses on-site skill shortage. Above all, precast concrete system has a high quality finish that can be left exposed where concrete’s thermal properties can be exploited in low-energy buildings.

Moreover, architectural precast concrete provides architects with an exciting medium when designing facades for a wide range of buildings, from healthcare facilities to shopping malls, commercial office buildings to sports stadiums.

Disadvantages of Precast Concrete to Modular Construction

Precast concrete system building is less flexible in its design concept than purpose-mode structures. There are home owners who do not prefer precast concrete as most modular home design they wish to incorporate cannot be fulfilled. Precast concrete alters the original concept as it needs overall modification.

Another con to using the precast concrete is its structural connection between the precast concrete units. It can present both design & contractual problems

In case you still have question about modular homes, 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

Topic: Precast Concrete

Benefits of Applying Precast Concrete to Modular Home Construction

Posted by Legendary Homes on November 17, 2014 in Insulated Pre-Cast Foundations, Modular Homes with No Comments Yet

Precast concrete, a highly efficient, practical method of concrete construction makes beautiful modular homes possible at a cost that rivals even the most utilitarian traditional houses.

The following highlights a few reasons why precast concrete is helpful in modular construction;

Faster Occupancy

Precast concrete can be manufactured and erected by one trade more efficiently and quickly than any other building system. Speedy completion means your building can be occupied and generating revenue sooner. The solid, secure, high-quality look and feel of solid precast concrete construction encourages greater occupancy at higher rents, with better selling and resale values.

Life Comfort with Precast Concrete

Precast concrete offers some of the lowest sound transmission of any building material used for multi-unit housing. When ceilings and floors are made with precast, noise complaints become a thing of the past. Tenants like the sense of security of a building that is solidly built, fire resistant, and virtually decay-proof. They know their families are safe and their possessions are protected.

Life Safety

Nothing is as solid and secure as a precast concrete building. Tenants sense the structure’s quality and permanence as they walk the floors and experience the quiet of the evening. They feel safe during the worst that nature can offer, including hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and fire. Even their neighbors offer little threat because precast protects them with superior fire resistance that meets or exceeds the fire ratings of their building codes.

Precast Concrete and Fire Safety

A major concern when building assisted living/retirement multi-family modular home is minimizing the threat of fire on lives and property. Containment requires fire-resistant building materials with two-hour or higher fire rating. A multi-unit structure built with precast floors and roofs, combined with precast dividing walls, meets these requirements and can contain a fire to within the unit of origin, leaving surrounding areas virtually undamaged.

Precast concrete does not burn, give off lethal fumes or smoke, and does not fuel a fire. Furthermore, it maintains its structural integrity even in the most intense blaze. Precast stays in place when other safety devices fail, keeping fire contained and occupants safe.

Speed of Construction

Precast components can be manufactured and erected more efficiently and quicker than any other building system. The use of precast walls speeds the modular home process. Construction rates of one floor per week and better are often achieved. Architectural insulated wall panels used for the exterior of a building can provide a durable, attractive, energy-efficient envelope. Ancillary recreation, parking, and convention facilities are commonly constructed using precast concrete framing with long span precast roof and floor members

Durability of Precast Concrete

High-strength precast concrete components are cast under controlled conditions in the Lafarge plant. When precast concrete elements are pre- stressed, concrete is cast around highly tensioned pre- tensioning strands that run through the steel forms. After the concrete has cured, the pre- tensioning force is released into the beam placing the concrete in compression.

In case you still have question about modular homes, 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

Topic: Precast Concrete

Build your Modular Home with Superior Walls® Basement

Posted by Legendary Homes on November 14, 2014 in Insulated Pre-Cast Foundations, Modular Homes with No Comments Yet

Some people are hesitant about including a Superior Walls® basement as part of their modular home. They worry about the space being damp and cold, making it virtually unusable for living space. With Superior Walls®, you can be sure that your basement will be a comfortable space that adds functional living area to your modular home. Whether you use your basement as a playroom for the kids, a home office for mom, or a place to watch the games for dad, you will appreciate the extra space to spread out.

Superior Walls® Means High Quality

Builders know that Superior Walls® offers the highest quality foundation products available. They use the most durable materials to ensure that your basement will stay comfortable and dry, no matter what the weather is like outside. These well-constructed basements are highly energy efficient as well. The strong walls are well insulated to maximize energy conservation and prevent unnecessary energy loss through the basement walls. Saving energy is good for your wallet as well as the environment.

More Savings with Modular Home with Superior Walls®

Superior Walls® is the brand that most modular home contractors go to because of its affordability and cost saving benefits. It gives more savings to the home owner by reducing the energy waste.

The energy-efficient walls help lower energy costs and reduce energy leakage while providing increased living and storage space in a comfortable setting. Modular home builders also benefit from saved job site time and labor when certified Superior Walls installation crews set the walls in place in less than one day.

Great Resale Value of Modular Home

More living space means more value for your modular home when it is time to sell. Potential buyers will appreciate the extra space to do with as they please. Well-constructed basements are usually considered a positive selling point for most buyers.

When designing the home of your dreams, you can choose as many features and upgrades as you desire and your budget can manage. One of the most popular upgrades that our customers choose is a basement by Superior Walls®. This foundation system offers unmatched benefits in sustainability and efficiency while adding living space and comfort to your modular home.

Choose a foundation system that will not only add to the livable square footage of your home, but also help you reduce your energy costs as well. Add a Superior Walls basement to your new home!

In case you still have question about modular homes, 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

Topic: Modular Home

Benefits of Insulated Precast Foundation to Modular Home Construction

Posted by Legendary Homes on November 11, 2014 in Insulated Pre-Cast Foundations with No Comments Yet

Most modular home contractors would prefer insulated precast foundation because they have some attributes that make modular home construction achieve great quality and efficiency.

The following are the benefits of insulated precast foundation to modular construction;

Affordability

We build all our modular homes with insulated precast foundation in a controlled factory environment. This results in a much shorter construction time, more efficient use of resources and less wastage, so we can bring you superior quality housing at a much lower cost.

Quality

Our controlled production environment allows us to build with precision and accuracy, guaranteeing you a stronger, better-built insulated precast foundation. Throughout construction the building materials for your modular home will be shielded from the weather to prevent mould or warping.

Energy Efficiency of Insulated Precast Foundation

We build our modular homes to the highest environmental standards, to minimize your energy consumption and reduce your power costs. All external walls and ceilings have integrated insulation. Additionally, the windows and glass sliding and bi-fold doors are double glazed using toughened 5mm glass.

Cost Savings of Insulated Precast Foundation

A modular home is an affordable alternative to traditional housing, without the risk of unexpected extra costs or construction delays. Because we build your home in our controlled factory environment we are able to accurately predict our costs and take advantage of economies of scale; savings which we pass directly onto purchasers. Your site costs and the cost of insulated precast foundation also will be lower as your modular home requires minimal footings and site preparation compared to a conventional home.

Environmental Responsibility of Insulated Precast Foundation

Our progressive, refined manufacturing techniques ensure that almost all waste from the manufacturing of each home is recycled or used again. Legendary Homes Inc is an environmentally sensitive company which strives to increase productivity and efficiency, and simultaneously reduce the carbon footprint associated with every home we manufacture.

Standards Compliance of Insulated Precast Foundation

All Legendary Homes Inc. modular homes are fully American Building Code compliant. In fact the insulated precast foundation, frame, windows and doors of our modular homes far exceed the minimum requirements under these standards. For example, the standard minimum glass thickness in residential windows is 3mm, whereas Legendary Homes Inc’s windows and glass doors all come with toughened 5mm-thick double-glazed panels.

In case you still have question about modular homes, 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

Topic: Insulated Precast Foundation

Is Insulated Precast Foundation Right for your Modular Home

Posted by Legendary Homes on November 10, 2014 in Insulated Pre-Cast Foundations with No Comments Yet

While most new modular homes in the U.S. are framed on site using conventional lumber, insulated precast foundation is now utilize to build a new home. Below is an overview of how insulated precast foundation affects modular home construction.

Modular Homes

A modular home uses conventional stick framing and must satisfy the same building codes as a site-built home, and holds its value about as well. Modules are built in a factory and finished on the inside. They’re trucked to the site and set in place with a crane. The local builder knits them together and adds finishing touches, like decks.

Although you’ve probably seen a modular home – usually two halves of a simple box – rolling down the highway, they’re not the whole story. Modular homes come in all quality levels and price points, and some manufacturers combine custom-built modules in different ways to create complex designs, that include insulated precast foundation and other popular architectural features.

In principle, the factory environment offers better control over everything from the framing to the insulation, but in reality the product varies. The quality offered by some modular builders can equal site-built homes and some firms have designed “green” homes. Other modular builders have been known to cut corners – for example, with thin interior walls that offer little privacy from noise. Ask lots of questions, get references, and scrutinize the product specs as carefully as you would with any home. Expect higher quality to carry a higher price tag.

Insulated Precast Foundation

An insulated precast foundation panel is a sandwich of rigid foam insulation between oriented strand board that results in a structural panel. Precast foundation panels come with pre-cut window and door openings as well as conduit for electrical wiring. They’re used for walls and ceilings, and can be combined to create nearly any home design. Specially trained crews assemble them on the jobsite. They’re often used to cover a traditional timber frame, or post-and-beam structure, but they can also be self-supporting.

A modular home with insulated precast foundation panels tends to be well insulated and draft free, so it needs less energy to heat and cool than a typical stick frame. As such, you may need a smaller heating and cooling system.

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

Topic: Insulated Precast Foundation

Specifications for Precast Concrete Used in Modular Home Construction

Posted by Legendary Homes on September 20, 2014 in Insulated Pre-Cast Foundations, Modular Homes with No Comments Yet

Structural units of precast concrete are manufactured in the grade of concrete and to the sizes. Where the installation of precast concrete units in any structure is such that the faces of the units are to be left exposed either internally or externally, the exposed surfaces of the units as finished shall be uniform in color and in texture. All cement, aggregates and other materials used in the manufacture of the units should be obtained from the approved sources throughout the period of manufacture.

The precast concrete manufacturer should have full details of proposed method of carrying out all operations connected with the manufacture and assembly of precast concrete structural members, including a description of the types of casting bed, mould and formwork for the various types of members; the procedure for concrete casting and the method of curing the concrete; and the procedure for transporting, handling, hoisting and placing of each type of precast structural member. Particulars of the temporary supports deemed necessary to ensure adequate stability during erection and fully proof against the effects of construction loads, wind load and other transient loads.

Twist of Precast Concrete

No corner of a nominally plane surface shall deviate from the plane containing the other three corners when utilizing precast concrete.

Squareness of Precast Concrete

When considering the squareness of a corner of the precast concrete, the longer of the two adjacent sides being checked shall be taken as the baseline, and a line perpendicular to the baseline shall be taken as the check line. The shorter side shall not vary in its distance from the check line so that the difference between the greatest and the shortest side is not more than the distance.

For the purpose of this requirement, any error due to lack of straightness shall be ignored; squareness shall be measured with respect to the straight lines which are most nearly parallel with the features being checked. When the nominal angle is other than 900 the included angle between the baseline and the check line shall be varied accordingly.

Flatness of Precast Concrete

When using the precast concrete for modular home construction, the deviation from a 1.5 m straight edge placed in any position on a nominally plane surface should not exceed 6 mm.

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

Topic: Precast Concrete

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Legendary Homes Inc
10197 S Meridian Rd US 127
Clarklake, Mi 49234
(517)206-2435
http://LegendaryHomesInc.com
Todd_Rutledge@LegendaryHomesInc.com

Located in Jackson County Michigan