Considering precast concrete as flooring in your latest construction project? This is where you need to be before you start.

In this article, we’ll discuss the things you need to consider when choosing precast concrete as your go-to flooring option, and when to contact the team at Specialty Precast.

So What Do You Need to Consider When Choosing Precast Concrete as Flooring? 

There are, in fact, several things you need to consider when opting for precast concrete flooring in your construction project. Here, we’ll discuss some of the most common:

Type of Permanent Support

Precast concrete comes to your site pre-moulded, so it can’t be shaped once it’s in place, the way poured concrete can. As such, you need to consider the type of permanent supports you’ll need in place to make way for the precast concrete.

Type of Temporary Support 

When you’re installing precast concrete flooring, you will need temporary support solutions as your project is pieced together. Make sure they are the right size, capacity and weight before you start bringing in your precast concrete.

Maximum Span

Most precast concrete slabs for flooring have a span of 15m. If you need something customised, you will need to contact your manufacturer and discuss your specific dimensions before it shows up to site, only to find it doesn’t fit where you need it. 

Thickness & Weight 

Precast concrete flooring is generally between 125 to 150mm in thickness, and fairly sturdy in terms of the weight capacity it can hold.

However, if you don’t check this before you start building (especially if you intend on using flooring in something like a multi-storey complex), you need to make sure it can withstand it without causing structural issues in the future.

Thermal Insulation 

Thermal insulation is one of the key reasons many architects and construction companies choose precast concrete for flooring. Its energy efficiency properties make it great for sustainable projects, but if you’re looking for a particular rating, you should check with your manufacturer.

Fire Resistance 

Fire resistance is another main reason why precast concrete makes an optimal flooring material, so it’s important to consider this (and the specific rating you’re looking for) when choosing the right mould or design for you.

When to Contact Specialty Precast

If you want quality precast concrete for flooring in your next construction project, contact Specialty Precast.

We are always working hard to make sure our products are some of the best in the business, and it’s this commitment to excellence that has earnt us a reputation you can rely on over the last forty years or so.

To find out more about your options for precast concrete flooring, contact us today.

Are you planning on installing a water tank on your property, but haven’t considered the benefits of a precast concrete option? If so, this is the article for you.

Here we’ll focus on the advantages of installing a precast concrete water tank – both in comparison to plastic water tanks and poured concrete water tanks. We’ll also discuss when you should contact our expert team at Specialty Precast for assistance.

Advantages of a Precast Concrete Water Tank 

The benefits of precast concrete water tanks for your home or office are almost innumerable. In this section, we’ll break down some of the most common reasons people opt for this solution.

Durable 

As a man-made manufactured concrete, precast concrete water tanks are a lot more durable than those made with poured concrete. And they are especially more durable than plastic or PVC versions.

Long-Lasting 

Even water tanks made from poured concrete will deteriorate sooner than those constructed with precast materials. 

This is because the construction quality isn’t quite as high and there will often be unavoidable gaps in the poured concrete. Of course, this doesn’t happen with the precast concrete options we have available, and what’s more, it’s less likely to rust or deteriorate in other ways.

Cost Effective

Even with the recent fluctuation in the construction industry, precast concrete is still thought to be a much more cost-effective option than its plastic or poured concrete counterparts. This is especially the case when you consider the amount you’ll be saving on reduced maintenance costs.

Improved Hygiene

Research suggests that rainwater stored in tanks made of precast concrete – as opposed to plastic or poured concrete – is more hygienic. This is because precast concrete tanks are better at keeping out pollution, which means the water is cleaner for you to drink.

Improved Temperature Control

Concrete is great for maintaining temperature control. So the water that is stored in a precast concrete water tank is a lot cooler than plastic (or poured concrete, for that matter).

Easy Installation & Quick Delivery 

One of the biggest benefits of precast concrete is its ease of installation, and our water tanks are no exception to that. And because they’re made in moulds, the project is complete from start to finish a lot sooner than other options on the market.

Customisable, Aesthetically Pleasing Designs

Plastic or even poured concrete water tanks usually only come in a range of sizes and capacity levels. This is not the case when you choose a precast concrete water tank, because your dimensions, capacity level, colour and so much more is completely customisable to your specific needs.

When to Contact Specialty Precast 

While we don’t manufacture water tanks for in-ground installation, you’re more than welcome to contact us about your above-ground requirements, and other options you have available for your project.

We are always working hard to make sure our products are some of the best in the business, and it’s this commitment to excellence that has earnt us a reputation you can rely on over the last forty years or so.

To discuss your precast concrete needs with experts in the industry, contact us today.

So you’re in the market for a precast boat ramp, but don’t know how to go about it? This is the article for you.

Here we’ll discuss some of the most important things you need to consider when designing boat ramps made from precast concrete, whether installation is determined by the tides and why we wouldn’t recommend designing your own boat ramp.

Factors to Take Into Account When Designing Precast Boat Ramps

There are several things you need to take into consideration when designing any precast product, but it is especially important to take certain factors into account when designing a precast boat ramp.

Here we’ll discuss some of the things you may not have thought about when designing your precast boat ramp.

Size of Ramp

The size of your precast boat ramp needs to be taken. This includes the width and length of your ramp, and it is important to be aware of your required dimensions.

The facility or harbour at which you store your boat may be able to provide you with guidelines as to the size of your boat ramp, but you may also be able to ask our experts during the design phase.

Size of Your Boat and Car

One thing that will help determine the dimensions of your boat ramp (and is therefore something that influences the design) is the size of your boat. A longer, heavier boat will require a boat ramp that is longer and able to sustain the weight placed upon it, but if your car or boat is smaller and doesn’t weigh so much, it will influence your required measurements.

Slope

The ramp’s slope and how far it can be out of the water is something you will need to consider during the design process. If the slope is too narrow, or too wide it may cause serious issues and damage for people using the ramp.

Distance to Coast

How close your preferred precast boat ramp location is to the coast is something you will also need to take into consideration when it comes to the design of your boat ramp.

Maximum Weight

Just as you need to consider the weight of the boat, car or other vehicle and trailer that may be using the ramp at any given time, you also need to be aware of the maximum weight your ramp is designed to take.

If you exceed this capacity, you may end up causing damage to:
– your vehicle or trailer
– your boat
– your precast boat ramp
– boat ramp infrastructure
– marine environment and the animals inhabiting it

Local Government or Authority Requirements

Of course, if your local government or marine authority has certain requirements about the design of your precast boat ramp, these usually trump any other considerations.

These regulations or restrictions need to be followed to a T and should be verified before you start your design to ensure you will be able to use the precast boat ramp when your project is complete.

Do You Have to Wait Until a Certain Time of Day to Install a Precast Boat Ramp?

Unlike in-situ or poured concrete, you generally do not have to wait until a certain time of day to install your precast boat ramp, as it doesn’t rely on high or low tide as much.

That said, it is something you should check with the relevant authorities and installation should always be completed by a trained professional with the appropriate qualifications to do so.

Why We Wouldn’t Recommend Designing Your Own Precast Boat Ramp

While basic plans and sketches are one thing, we at Specialty Precast would not recommend designing a boat ramp without assistance from a professional designer.

This is because designing boat ramps, the regulations you need to follow and the necessary certifications are not something your average layperson would know (or even know they need to be aware of).

At Specialty Precast, we’ve been in the industry for decades, honing our craft as specialist manufacturers of civil precast concrete and boat ramps that stand the test of time.

To get started on the design of your precast boat ramp, speak to the experienced team at Specialty Precast today.