Sustainable Benefits
The earth's resources are best conserved if the service life of a building is prolonged, so the durability and longevity of precast concrete makes it an ideal choice. Precast is the fastest structural system to build and is faster than site built construction by at least two months. Some of the benefits of precast concrete buildings include: Improved Indoor Environmental Quality Precast concrete buildings emit low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), because it is inert and does not require VOC-based preservatives like wood does. Textured interior walls can provide aesthetic alternatives to VOC-emitting paints and wall boards. Precast concrete is also vermin proof, provides first class sound proofing and minimizes moisture penetration. Sustainable Sites Precast concrete construction reduces the impact to the site in both time and area. It also minimizes construction waste, noise, dust and emissions and uses fewer materials. Materials and Resources Eighty-five percent of concrete is made up of the naturally occurring materials, sand and stone. Concrete contains fly ask, a recycled material that replaces some of the cement, a material that takes the most energy to produce in concrete. Precast also contains rebar, which uses recycled steel. Energy and Atmosphere Precast concrete is a naturally insulating building material that helps keep buildings cooler in summer and warmer in winter. In addition, lighting accounts for 25 percent of annual electricity usage. When combined with reflective (white) precast concrete, efficiency is enhanced. |
