Precast concrete products are moulded, poured, and cured in one location. Once ready for use, these concrete products are transported to the construction site for installation. This method ensures the quality and durability of the concrete, as the concrete mix is easier to control when cast in a controlled environment than when poured on-site.
The primary benefit of pouring in-situ concrete, though, is that the resulting concrete items do not need to be transported. Precast concrete products require special rigs when transported, since they are typically too large or heavy to lift without additional equipment.
Still, precasting generally produces stronger, higher-quality concrete products. It also has many other positive aspects that outweigh the convenience of pouring concrete on-site.
Here are some precast concrete benefits and reasons why it is an excellent choice for contractors.
Unmatched Concrete Durability
Precast concrete products are often more durable than products poured on-site. Since they are produced in a controlled facility with strict standards and regulations, the concrete mix, placement, and curing are more easily managed, achieving product quality more efficiently.
Additionally, unlike casting in-situ concrete, weather conditions do not pose a problem for precasting. Whether rain, hail, or shine, the same results can be achieved in a controlled factory environment.
Time & Concrete Cost Savings
Precasting concrete is a streamlined process, and the precaster can buy materials in bulk while managing multiple projects. The volume of raw material purchases can lead to greater discounts, lowering the client’s costs. The labour hours required for precasting concrete are also typically less than the labour involved in pouring concrete on-site.
Using precast concrete products eliminates the need for raw materials to be stored on-site, which could not only cost more but also increase workers’ risks. Without the need to wait for precast concrete items to cure and gain strength on-site, installation can be completed more quickly and efficiently, as the precast concrete products can be stored in the factory and only delivered to the site once ready for installation.
Concrete Aesthetics
Precast concrete products offer a broad variety of material aggregates, colours, finishes and shapes. Say goodbye to plain greys and whites and embrace the virtually endless choices for your precast concrete products — your creativity is the only limit. The pre-fabrication process allows for mock-ups and test samples to be created beforehand, ensuring the final product’s look will be as desired. In contrast, when pouring concrete on-site, there is a higher chance that the final product will not look exactly like any pre-produced samples, due to the different environment in which the samples are manufactured.
Custom shapes and forms are easily achieved in a precast factory setting. As long as a feasible mould can be produced, the precasting process can create a broad scope of interestingly shaped concrete products unique to the project or customer.
Types of Precast Concrete & How They’re Applied
Precast concrete comes in several forms, each suited to specific structural or architectural applications. Two of the most common types include:
- Reinforced precast concrete: This type incorporates steel bars (rebar) or mesh within the concrete to improve tensile strength. It’s commonly used for walls, beams, columns, pits, and retaining panels where structural integrity is essential.
- Prestressed precast concrete: In this form, steel tendons are tensioned before the concrete is poured. Once the concrete cures, the tension is released, transferring compressive forces into the element. This method improves load-bearing capacity and is ideal for bridges, floor slabs, and large-span structures.
Other variants include:
- Architectural precast: Designed with concrete aesthetics in mind, offering unique textures, colours, and finishes for visual impact in facades and feature walls.
- Glass-fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC): A lightweight option using glass fibres instead of steel, often used for non-structural elements like cladding and decorative panels.
These types can be tailored to suit residential, commercial, or industrial applications, offering flexibility in both structural and design needs.
Environmental Impact: Precast vs On-Site Concrete
Regarding environmental impact, precast concrete offers several advantages over traditional on-site pouring, especially in material efficiency, waste reduction, and site disruption.
1. Waste Reduction
Precast concrete is produced in a controlled factory environment where processes are optimised to minimise waste. Leftover materials can be reused across batches, and precise moulding reduces errors and excess. Conversely, on-site pouring often results in more waste due to overuse, contamination, and difficulty reusing leftover concrete.
2. Material Sourcing & Recycling
Precast manufacturers commonly incorporate recycled aggregates and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), such as fly ash or slag, benefiting from consistent production conditions. These sustainable materials are more challenging to reliably include in on-site mixes where quality control is less predictable.
3. Energy & Water Use
Factories can implement water recycling and energy-efficient production methods for precast concrete, lowering resource consumption. On-site pouring lacks these efficiencies, typically consuming more water and energy per unit of concrete.
4. Site Disruption & Emissions
Precasting reduces the need for heavy machinery, raw material deliveries, and extensive formwork on-site, lowering emissions, noise, and dust pollution. On-site pouring often prolongs construction activity, increasing environmental disturbance.
5. Transport Considerations
While precast products require transport to the site, sometimes over long distances and with specialised vehicles, this is often offset by fewer raw material deliveries and faster installation, reducing overall emissions and site disruption.
Although both methods have environmental impacts, precast concrete generally represents a more sustainable choice, particularly for larger projects where quality control, waste minimisation, and energy efficiency are priorities.
Want to Benefit from High-Quality Precast Concrete Products?
SVC is a trusted supplier of high-quality precast concrete solutions for commercial and industrial developments. We are the market leader for bespoke precast concrete furniture that demonstrates beauty, strength, and durability. Our products embody a classic elegance that stands the test of time.
For enquiries and more information, don’t hesitate to call 1300 287 782. We’ll be happy to discuss how we can help you.
