There is a popular misconception that concrete lacks style and quality. Concrete, people say, should not be used in contemporary buildings as it looks dated and out of place. Precast concrete, which is a type of concrete that is cast offsite and then transported and installed, is said to be an equally bland choice for a building material.
Does precast concrete ever look good in a modern urban landscape? Is it too old fashioned to consider concrete as a stylish, environmentally friendly construction material? Here are some views from www.jpconcrete.co.uk on whether concrete and precast concrete, in particular, can ever look great in modern building construction.
Precast Concrete Benefits From Consistent Quality Standards
If you are creating a modern building the chances are you want it to look streamlined and eye-catching. It can be difficult to achieve this streamlined look with concrete, but precast concrete offers excellent quality and uniform consistency in quality. The concrete is manufactured in a factory and therefore benefits from close monitoring and a precise construction method. Each piece looks the same, and this can be used to create streamlined and high quality modern building designs.
Precast Concrete Keeps Its Looks
Use precast concrete on the exterior of a new building and you can be sure it will stay looking as good as new for decades. Precast concrete effectively resists weather conditions like wind and rain. It does not allow rainwater to enter the building. And it will not corrode or rust, meaning there is minimal maintenance involved in its upkeep.
Precast Concrete Offers Design Flexibility
Precast concrete can definitely look great in a modern building because it is flexible and provides solutions to design problems such as how to finish the interior of a building to make it stand out. Precast concrete is often used for decorative structural elements within a building. It is also available in a variety of colours and designs. The days of boring grey concrete are long gone. Precast concrete can be created using dyes and additional material to add texture to the blocks. Since the surface is smooth, minimal effort needs to be made in preparing walls for paint.
Precast Concrete is About More Than Looks
While the above advantages are certainly beneficial, there is more to precast concrete than the surface. Precast concrete is also more environmentally friendly than other materials. Concrete is made from natural elements and the way in which a precast concrete structure is created means that waste is kept to a minimum. Precast concrete also uses less water and less energy. If you are looking for an environmental solution for your modern building, precast concrete is a great option.
Low Maintenance
A large number of construction company owners have been relying on precast concrete probably because it does not require much maintenance. You can leave the exterior structure unpainted without having to worry about disastrous effects of nature. Owing to being immensely dense, this material can absorb sound without any hassle, hence, perceived ideal for residential buildings.
All these reasons and more make precast concrete an excellent choice for regenerating or building from scratch. It looks great and provides other cost and convenience benefits. Precast concrete can make a big difference in the overall success of the project.
