Precast Concrete

Artisan Precast was featured in the Business section of the November 3, 2008 issue of the Los Angeles Times.  The article featured a photograph of the WoodCrete product and discussed the various aspects of the concrete fence business and the advantages of using concrete fencing.  One expert spoke to the inefficiencies in construction that are inherent to the business.  Precast concrete fencing is one product that mitigates some of the factors that impact construction schedules.  By definition, the fence materials are made at a precast plant and shipped to the jobsite for assembly.  Although precast fencing does not eliminate all modifications at the project, changes to product at the job are few and far between.

Concrete fencing has distinct advantages in terms of longevity when compared to other fence materials.  This durability speaks to a sustainability aspect of precast concrete not often discussed.  Although critics would argue that substantial energy is consumed in the production of concrete - specifically the cement component - the end product lasts for decades.  This means less landfill and an overall lower use of resources since the need to replace the fence has been stretched to a life of decades rather than years.  For more information on concrete fences, visit Artisan Precast.

It may be a surprise to some people but precast concrete fencing like FenceStone is a cost effective way to enclose residential and commercial properties.  This type of fencing has been successfully used for large residential projects, large commercial projects including warehouses and shopping centers, and for large infrastructure projects.  It goes up fast, product quality is excellent, and it looks great. Best of all, maintenance on precast concrete is minimal.  This is a fast growing segment in construction as project managers and architects look for ways to reduce costs while providing an aesthetically attractive wall alternative.

More and more projects are turning to precast concrete fences such as FenceStone to achieve lower costs and to speed the completion of the project.  Concrete fences that are precast at a plant are able to be erected much faster than traditional fencing.  Add to this their superior beauty and durability and the argument becomes even more compelling.  For projects requiring fence or wall heights over 6 feet, a precast concrete fence will usually provide a much more economical option than traditional CMU or block walls.  Architects, engineers, builders, developers and city planners are, in many cases, just getting exposed to concrete fences.  Data suggests that this type of walling material will likely lead the pack in new wall construction over the coming years.

Many fence companies are coming to realize the tremendous benefits of concrete fencing. Concrete fencing is a greener alternative to most other materials and is available in a variety of colors and designs.  The leading supplier of concrete fencing is Artisan Precast.  Artisan offers concrete fencing which resembles wood, stone and brick and is available in a variety of colors.  Concrete fencing is highly flexible and can be used for a broad variety of projects and soil conditions. Walls can be constructed to a variety of heights and assembly is much faster than traditional masonry walls.  On top of all this, these precast concrete walls and fences will last a long time and never need painting as the color is infused during the manufacturing process. Cost effective, flexible, low maintenance - these are just a few of the reasons concrete fencing is among the fastest growing categories in fencing.

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Our customer’s architect used SmoothCrete for a distribution warehouse perimeter wall. To integrate the precast concrete wall with surrounding properties, custom pilasters were built creating a beautiful, customized solution. The modular design of the concrete fence panels made changes in topography and integration with the custom pilasters a breeze. This provided a very cost effective solution that also looks terrific.

Precast concrete fences have a significant advantage over traditional concrete block walls. Whereas traditional concrete block walls require a continuous foundation, precast concrete fences such as FenceStone (made by Artisan Precast) do not.  Rather, piers or columns are drilled into the ground every so many feet on center depending on the product, the post and rebar cage is then placed in the pier, and then the pier in filled with concrete. After the concrete sets, the precast concrete panels are inserted between the posts to form the fence.  Using concrete fencing enables fast installation and less use of concrete and rebar in the foundation while providing the user a beautiful and durable fence. For most projects, the cost savings can be very substantial.

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Perhaps the fires are responsible or maybe just growing awareness of how ‘green’ concrete really is. People don’t tend to think of precast concrete as a green building material but its long life and durability are a significant contributing factor. Artisan Precast concrete fences also replace a portion of the portland cement with fly ash - a material that would otherwise end up in landfills. Whatever the reason, cities, parks and recreation departments, homeowners, ranchers, and developers are turning to us for our high quality, authentic-looking ranch woodcrete rail fencing. This product comes in 2 and 3 rail versions and our proprietary molding system imparts a grain pattern and unique look that is unmatched. Our WoodCrete brand rail fencing can be integrally colored to match any project and never needs painting.

As more and more contractors, developers, architects, cities, homeowners are looking for more cost effective ways to build projects, concrete walls and concrete fences are gaining rapid acceptance. Everyone wants to create an aesthetically appealing project to increase likelihood of sale, to enable hire rents, or to simply create a more valuable project.
Whatever the reason, using precast concrete provides two great benefits - it is cost effective and it looks great. For example, FenceStone is a product that resembles hand-laid ledgestone. It is precast and assembled at the project location. This saves time and money and greatly reduces the speed of installation. This approach is more cost effective than building a wall of stone or the common practice of building a concrete block wall and then applying stone or fake stone to the facade of the wall. It also greatly reduces the cost which enables the buyer to have an expensive looking walling option for a fraction of the price. Architects value this option as they can wrap a project in a great looking wall at a great cost. Artisan Precast (www.artisanprecast.com) has a great line of precast concrete to check out.

The growing popularity of precast concrete fences and concrete walls is a logical progression as construction evolves in both design and cost engineering. Concrete fences such as FenceStone and WoodCrete employ a post and panel system that enables fast and cost effective erection of walls. These concrete fences are being employed in a wide variety of projects from residential developments to industrial centers. A concrete fence can be built to 20 feet in height without the continuous foundation requirements of typical concrete block walls. It is estimated that a precast concrete wall uses 55% less concrete in the foundation than a typical concrete block wall.

Unlike monolithically poured precast, these walls are warm and inviting. They give the appearance of authentic stone, brick and wood - especially when integrally colored. Products like FenceStone can be installed with a 3 or 4 man crew and light equipment. If your project involves a wall - whether 50 feet or 4,000 feet or more - you must seriously take a look at precast concrete walls and fences.

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I get this question all the time: “I know that precast concrete walls look great, but they look expensive…are they?” Well, the quick answer is no but it depends on the product and the company. Precast post and panel systems (e.g. www.artisanprecast.com has these products) save a great deal of installation time and that saves money. Because products like FenceStone and BrickCrete are manufactured under controlled conditions at a precast plant, fence components arrive at the site ready to be assembled. Piers are dug, precast posts are set, concrete is poured to secure the posts, and then the panels and caps are slid into place. Precast concrete products create a more controlled installation process and help ensure a quality outcome.

Now, not all precast products are the same. Ideally, precast walls should look like the real thing rather than cold fakes. FenceStone is one of the most revered of precast products as it looks like hand-laid ledge stone and is available in a variety of natural colors. The texture is on both sides and throughout the panel - there are no borders to betray its ‘authentic’ look. These products enable architects to match color, texture (wood, brick, stone, etc.) to the project to heights up to 20 feet. Crews typically work in teams of four and can assemble a typical fence of say 500 linear feet in a matter of days. Quick installation, ‘controlled’ assembly, and practially zero maintenance are propelling these products into exciting new projects. Appropriate for residential, commercial, industrial, public works and a variety of applications, precast concrete walls like those of Artisan Precast are the increasingly preferred solution for architects and builders.

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