If you are building a new home and using concrete walls or pillars, or adding something as simple as new concrete stairs to the exterior of your home, the type of concrete you use can have an impact on your project. Precast concrete is one of the options you can use. This concrete is molded ahead of time, so little to no concrete needs to be poured on site. Learning the pros and cons of this type of concrete can help you decide if it is right for your project. Here are some of those pros and cons:
Cons of Precast Concrete
- You Can't Use Your Own Measurements
One of the biggest downsides to precast concrete is that you can't have the concrete piece fit to your measurements. The concrete walls, pillars or stairs are molded using common sizes. If you want something that is not a common size, precast will not work for you. And unfortunately, once concrete is cured, it is not cost-effective to shape or cut it down to a different size, so it really needs to be designed to the specifications you need.
- Transporting and Erecting Pieces Can Be More Challenging
The other disadvantage to precast concrete is that concrete that is already formed is heavy. Trying to move a block of concrete stairs or a concrete panel wall can be challenging for your crew. Sometimes, you may even need a crane or other piece of heavy construction equipment to move the piece for you. Pouring on site allows you to get the item you need without the heavy lifting.
Pros of Precast Concrete
- You Can Use It in All Weather Conditions
One of the major advantages to using precast concrete is that the concrete is already cured. Unfortunately, you cannot pour concrete in all weather conditions. Concrete will not cure or harden properly if it is raining, snowing or too cold outside. Different additives also need to be added based on humidity and the temperature. All of this is eliminated when you use precast concrete as it is already hardened off site, allowing you to use it in any weather conditions.
- You Can Construct Your Item Faster
The other advantage to using precast concrete is that it can help speed a construction project along. It can take several hours or days for concrete to harden. And in some cases, you may be unable to move forward with your project until your concrete walls or beams have cured. When you use precast concrete, you don't waste time waiting for the concrete to harden, allowing you to finish a project faster.
Taking the time to learn a few of the pros and cons of using various types of concrete will help you hone in on the type that is right for your construction project. If you have a limited time frame or are working to complete your project during the rainy season, precast concrete may be the right choice for you.
For more information regarding construction matters, consult businesses like Mershon Concrete.
