Precast concrete comes from nature. You can design your construction with blocks made of sand, rivers, and gravel called precast concrete blocks.
Precast concrete has some usage in buildings and also in interior decorations. Due to the reliability, durability, decorative colors, and textures, these precast concrete blocks are used in retaining walls.
There are several types of precast products, which differ in size, shape, and concrete grade, and are used in a number of construction projects, such as walkways, stairwells, and parking garages. In addition to providing decoration, it also offers the following advantages:
- softness
- anti-fire
- bend during fires
- protection against high winds and storms
Except of the above options, decorative precast makes a beautiful space you can design according to your specifications. For instance, you can change the colors or size you want.
Using of new building materials is one of the factors that distinguish modern interior designs from others.
Precast decorative moldings are an accentuating element that complements the foundational architectural pieces that make up the overall design. Precast moldings can help achieve your design vision, whether elegant ornamentation or modern styling.
As precast concrete walls are strengthened with steel bars, they are highly resistant to natural disasters, including strong winds and earthquakes. This product is an example of a structure that can speed up the construction process. In addition to reducing weight, prefabricated walls have also reduced the structure’s complexity.
Architecture precast concrete has some advantages. Here are these advantages:
- Fast implementation, and as a result, a shorter time frame for implementation (possibility of creating schedule tables, and project planning)
- Ability to move the walls (possibility of reusing the walls elsewhere)
- Fast implementation of work and short investment period for construction and therefore high return on investment
- Color and design variations
- Implementation ease (all steps will be carried out by the manufacturing company without the employer having to be present)
- Strong resistance to earthquakes, unfavorable weather, and environmental conditions (acidic and alkaline)
- Low costs result from the smooth and polished surface of the parts, which eliminates the need for coatings, including plaster, soil, and top plaster
- Saving time, money, and raw materials
- Not requiring skilled or specialized labor
Steps and methods of building precast walls
- Reinforcement and concreting
- Bullet drawing and leveling of concrete
- Spraying concrete hardening paint
- Troweling the surface after spraying concrete paint
- Staining and hand trowel
- Spray the release on the surface
- Stamp the desired format
- Concrete processing
Décor precast concrete textures and colors
The number of colors that can be varied between decorative objects is limited. When aggregates are exposed, the final color may differ due to surface texture.
- Color additives and the cement color (white or grey) affect the color of the smooth textured precast stone
- light aggregate exposure is also affected the fine aggregate color
- Medium and heavy aggregate exposure results in color influenced dramatically by the fine and coarse aggregates
Based on Cavalli, there are many different types of precast concrete:
- Precast concrete walls
- Precast concrete wall panels
- Precast concrete slabs
- Precast concrete blocks
- Precast concrete stairs
- Precast concrete columns
- Precast concrete fence
- Precast concrete lawn edging
Where do the decorative concrete blocks use?
Commercial or industrial buildings are the most common applications for decorative precast concrete blocks. Cast concrete lintels, window sills, arches, keystones, columns, and other ornamental features are good ways to augment the building exteriors.
They are ideal for adding elegance and grandeur to concrete homes or enhancing residential views and new construction.
Guarantee product quality and appearance
Few changes can be made to alter the appearance of architectural details once they are incorporated into a structure. For custom parts, discussing your expectations with the precaster from the beginning is essential to avoid disappointing results.
With decorative concrete’s visual prominence and impact, it is vital that the finished piece’s color, texture, and detailing meet your aesthetic expectations. Ask them to prepare their plans to confirm and ensure the accuracy of details. Also, ask to see a sample of the concrete used for the final color and finish evaluation.
Preservation and protection of decorative precast concrete
Using a waterproofing method for precast concrete is the best way to minimize staining, dust ingress, mold, and rottenness, and prepare the concrete for cleaning. The Stone Institute recommends the use of silane (or a mixture containing either) for architectural sprayed concrete because these products penetrate the water surface to form a water-containing resin within the voids of the concrete. They can also help reduce frostbite damage. For continued protection, it may be necessary to reapply every few years. However, if you want the concrete to age or weather naturally, it is usually not needed.
Customization and Cost Comparison
Costs can vary widely for different architectural accents, depending on the degree of customization required. More complex designs require more time to create and can be very costly.
Custom molders create custom molds for most of their products, forming the desired profile in wood, foam, plaster, or plastic, then molding the shape into rubber molds into which concrete is poured.
For a fully custom project, expect to pay extra for the preparation of purchase plans and mold making in addition to the initial costs of casting and delivery of the finished product. To achieve greater economy, balance the needs of a project with the degree of custom shape required, opting for standard stock shapes or semi-custom parts, if possible. This not only reduces costs but also simplifies production and shortens the delivery time.
Order quantity can also affect the price. If a customer only orders a few pieces, they can be very expensive to produce. If a larger quantity is ordered, the cost will drop dramatically.”
Final words
In a nutshell precast decorative concrete is a choice to beautify your construction facade which has benefits such as:
- Speedier construction
- Cost reducing
- No need for vast storage for materials on the site
- No need for skilled labor
To get more information or details about decorative precast in Toronto, please contact Cavalli home.
