Modular Home in Michigan

Why use precast concrete?

Precast concrete is the ideal solution for your next residential or commercial project. Precast concrete provides durability, flexibility, and versatility both in the design and construction stages of the project. Precast concrete homes and building have great fire ratings and often eliminate the costly process of fireproofing.

Why build a precast concrete home?

Concrete homes are extremely sound and durable. A total precast home is extremely mold and mildew resistant compared to a traditional wood or brick home. Total precast homes have no beams and columns in the basement which provides long clear spans for a very flexible design. Precast concrete homes have a very high fire rating and provide a great storm shelter because of their strength. Precast floors are great when combined with radiant heat.

Why use concrete construction for a prefabricated building?

Concrete construction is extremely fast, and very durable. Buildings can be erected in any weather condition including harsh winters. Concrete, prefabricated buildings have great fire ratings, are very sound, and versatile.

What is the difference between Precast concrete construction vs. traditional construction?

Concrete construction is durable and long lasting, and retains its value throughout time. Precast concrete construction lessens the construction process which saves money on financing costs.

How flexible is precast concrete design?

Whether you use our wall panel system, or our hollow core floor system, or if you build a total precast home, the design possibilities of concrete construction are endless. Call us today to learn more. You’ll be surprised at how versatile precast concrete is!

Why use Prestressed Concrete vs Poured Concrete?

Prestressed concrete has very good crack control and strength to weight ratio. Precast concrete is able to create longer, thinner spans than poured concrete.

Why is precast concrete so heavy?

In fact, concrete is actually 31% of the weight of structural steel. Concrete weighs 150lbs/ft3, steel is 490lbs/ft3. In office structures, a completed concrete structure (floors, walls, roof, beams, columns etc.) could be as much as 19% lighter than a composite steel frame and concrete slab building.

What kind of Quality Control/Quality Assurance is in place in the precast industry?

PCI has three different certification programs:

Plant Certification – First introduced in 1967, covers the overall management of the quality system within precast/prestressed plants.

Personnel Training and Certification – First introduced in 1985, covers the qualification and certifications of the people doing the product inspections and managing the Quality Assurance departments within precast/prestressed plants.

Erectors Qualification/Certification – First introduced in 1999, covers the training and qualification of field services personnel.

What are some key things to look for when inspecting precast?

Good bearing conditions i.e. bearing pad is in correct location, surface is uniform, structure is plum, well aligned. Welding of connections is appropriate and complete to stage of construction. Loads being applied at time of inspection are appropriate to intended design.

What are the benefits of a wall panel system?

Precast wall panels are an energy efficient alternative to steel and masonry, providing a hard wall and eliminating the need for exterior columns. Precast wall panels are not only energy efficient, but also mold and mildew resistant. Precast wall panels provide flexibility in the design phase of your home or building.

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

Insulated precast foundation can have several forms that effective strategies to install them are utilized by many manufacturers and contractors. Some consist of steel-reinforced concrete ribs that run vertically and horizontally in the panels. Others are solid precast concrete panels. Panels are precast and cured in a controlled factory environment so weather delays can be avoided. A typical panelized foundation can be erected in four to five hours, without the need to place concrete on site for the foundation. The result is a foundation that can be installed in any climate zone in one sixth of the time needed for a formed concrete wall.

The controlled temperature of the processing plant allows the manufacturer to work with concrete admixtures that focus on ultimate strength rather than cure time and temperature. Manufacturers and contractors of insulated precast foundation are able to produce mixes that harden to 5,000 psi, which is stronger than concrete block or concrete walls formed and cast in the field. Better control of the concrete mixture and curing environment allows the use of low water/cement ratios that result in a dense material that prevents water penetration.

Ways to Effectively Install the Insulated Precast Foundation

Take Advantage of the Thermal Mass and Insulation Capacity

The key benefit of the insulated precast foundation is attributed to its thermal capacity. It regulates the heat inside the modular home. The precast concrete has the ability to store heat and minimize daily temperature loss. When the materials used are sandwiched properly, the precast foundation can produce high insulation rate, lowering the HVAC needs.

Eliminate Non-essential Materials

Components of insulated precast foundation have the innate strength and capacity to multi-task in almost any project. Not only can wall panels be attractive building facades, they can be a load-bearing system that eliminates the need for other structural systems, often using materials harvested much further away. Those same wall panels can function as the interior surface of the structure. Efficient design allows for the elimination of additional framing and drywall, structural steel, and possibly some foundation work.

Reduce Construction Waste

By delivering components as they are needed with almost no additional “packaging” required contractors of insulated precast foundation help minimize site impact. And, by delivering large pieces that are “full service” structures — incorporating structural and aesthetic design – site disturbance can be decreased through conscientious use of precast.

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

30% of all housing use insulated precast foundation in the United States. Although much low-rise housing is timber-framed, concrete systems are being used increasingly, particularly in areas that are vulnerable to environmental hazards such as hurricanes and tornados. Information from the PCA (Portland Cement Association) suggests that panelized insulated precast foundation systems are used for low-rise housing in several states. Although the potential benefits of quality, less labor costs and reduced site time are accredited to insulated precast foundation, buyers had been discouraged by the previously plain appearance of panels, risk of water penetration and difficulties of installing insulation. However, recent development such as improved moulds, improved concrete mixing techniques, availability of rigid foams and a range of surface finishes have effectively reversed this trend.

In a series of interviews with US modular home builders, it was found that up to 70% chose a house with insulated precast foundation or with foundation that offers efficiency and durability at a lower price. Finishes, flexibility and thermal mass were perceived as incidental benefits. However, it is clear that the traditional list of perceived benefits of concrete construction has been extended to include these factors and others such as speed and ease of construction; the idea of prefabrication is gaining value in the US modular home building market.

The following are the key factors why your modular home needs an insulated precast foundation;

Benefits of Insulated Precast Foundation

Fire and Thermal Resistance

The performance of concrete in fire is well documented and so is the insulated precast foundation. The requirements for protection and surface spread of flame in low-rise housing are well within concrete’s capabilities in this aspect. For example, a 150mm thick concrete wall can provide over 90 minutes fire resistance, which is in excess of what is required for most housing. Thus, insulated precast foundation has an established and inherent advantage over both metal and timber solutions in terms of fire performance.

Concrete’s thermal capacity allows heat to be absorbed and stored in the building structure and either re-radiated or ‘purged’ during cooler periods. In modular home construction, there is currently a growing interest in providing ‘comfort cooling’ as a selling point. The impact of insulated precast foundation system is well known, and so the opportunity to use concrete as a more sustainable alternative to HVAC systems as it gives tangible benefits to both modular home builders and owners.

Quality

One of the key perceptions attributed to production in controlled environments such as precast concrete factories is that the greater degree of control and the lesser degree of risk will result in a higher quality product compared to its on-site equivalent. The ability to work in a weather-independent and controllable environment means that strength, surface quality and consistency, and detailed design features in insulated precast foundation components should be much easier to achieve.

Cost and Value

Perhaps the most difficult to assess of all the aspects of factory produced insulated precast foundation is the issue of cost. On one side there are the potential savings offered by mass production and simple assembly, but alternately, the cost of transport, erection and attendant overheads of operating a production facility must also be borne.

Durability

Insulated precast foundation can provide a dwelling with a solid and durable construction that will prove resistant to impact damage and be easy to maintain provided all the normal standards and regulations are adhered to. Building code and construction standards specific to precast concrete ensure that concrete is used safely and appropriately within buildings to provide a robust, durable and stable structure. The resulting dwellings will be long lasting and simple to maintain.

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