Precast Concrete

Beautiful Project Integrating Custom Palisters and Artisan Precast Concrete Fence

craig — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:39:46 +0000

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.

Comparing Materials for Concrete Block Walls and Precast Concrete Fences

craig — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 16:48:25 +0000

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.

Increasing Demand for Concrete Rail Fencing

craig — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 23:11:01 +0000

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.

Precast Concrete for Walls and Fences

craig — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:40:37 +0000

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.

Concrete Fence Advantages

craig — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 03:09:23 +0000

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.

WoodCrete Precast Concrete Concrete Fences Concrete Walls FenceStone

Why Building With Post and Panel Precast Walling Makes Financial Sense

craig — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 19:46:51 +0000

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.

Walls Precast Concrete Concrete BrickCrete FenceStone

Green Walling Products Save Time, Money and Look Great

craig — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:55:15 +0000

There are lots of options for building perimeter walls, view barriers, retaining walls and the like so how do you sort them all out? The standard default is still concrete block (CMU- concrete masonry units) but there are other products that may be better.
Products like FenceStone (a precast concrete wall system) from Artisan Precast (www.artisanprecast.com) have a number of benefits that include a number of greener features. The list is long but according to my resident paint expert (formally of Sherwin Williams) one of the great benefits of precast concrete walls is that they are integrally colored with iron oxide pigments and this is a big deal. Since the color is added to the mix in liquid form during the manufacture of the precast concrete fences there is no need for on-site staining or painting. This eliminates the release of VOCs at the job site which can be inhaled or released into the atmosphere. Our resident paint guru also notes that painting concrete is a less durable approach to coloring as it can lead to “chalking” if not done correctly. Artisan’s products use recycled material to replace some of the Portland cement which also yields a more environmentally friendly concrete.

FenceStone Precast Concrete Concrete Fences Concrete Walls Concrete

Increasing Use of Post and Panel Precast Concrete Fences for Commercial Applications

craig — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 04:38:09 +0000

It’s about time but post and panel precast fences (e.g. www.artisanprecast.com) are finally getting the attention of commercial developers for large and very large projects. Precast concrete fences are ideal as they look great and dramatically enhance the look of a variety of commercial developments. They install quickly, provide a variety of textured appearances (brick, stone, wood, etc.), are low maintenance, superior environmentally to many other walling options, and they are cost effective. This is a powerful combination of benefits that makes products like FenceStone, BrickCrete and WoodCrete so attractive to architects, contractors and end users. The post and panel solution is especially attractive to Architects who can now provide a great boundary/perimeter/security wall that looks great and is priced right. Any serious project should carefully consider this option.

FenceStone Precast Concrete Concrete Fences WoodCrete BrickCrete

Precast Concrete Fences Dramatically Enhance Industrial Projects

craig — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:44:49 +0000

Precast concrete fences - especially post-and-panel systems - are finally getting the attention they deserve for industrial projects. The traditional and default concrete block wall solution is giving way to precast concrete fences that deliver a superior looking product at a great price. An important consideration in any project is time - will this subcontractor and this product shorten my project timeframe? In many cases, the walling is the last part of the project and the ability to get it done quickly is especially important.

Look for companies that provide materials and installation and who do precast as their only focus. The more business they do the more experience they have. Artisan Precast is a top tier provider of precast fencing and operates nationwide. Artisan is a specialist in precast concrete fencing and they also design and build their own molds - a rarity in this space.

Look for products like WoodCrete (resembles board on board shiplap style wood fences), FenceStone (looks like hand-laid ledge stone) and BrickCrete (looks like aged brick) and make sure to have it integrally colored to match your project. It is a little more expensive but worth it - you won’t have to paint it….ever!. The dramatic effect these products have on industrial projects is impressive. It’s a great way to provide a substantial upgrade in the appearance of a plant or distribution center at a great price.

WoodCrete Precast Concrete Concrete Fences Fencing BrickCrete

Concrete Fences Can Be Used Between Residential and Commercial Projects

craig — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:58:46 +0000

There seems to be a general lack of education about precast concrete fencing. The truth is that precast concrete walls and fences are ideal for delineating between a commercial and residential project. In a recent example, an eight foot high WoodCrete wall was erected between a “big box” commercial project and a condominium project.

WoodCrete is a precast concrete fence that creates the appearance of a board-on-board shiplap design. It looks like wood but has the strength, durability and sound attenuation (sound reduction) properties of concrete. The other added benefit is that it won’t rot, warp or fade like wood can so that means little or no maintenance. Now that’s a great value. Other products like BrickCrete or FenceStone from Artisan Precast provide an authentic look but at a great price. Combined with a terrific and simple component and installation process this is a tough product to beat.

In the project mentioned above, the homeowners were happy because it enhanced the look of their properties while providing sound reduction benefits and the commercial developer ended up with a great looking project. If you are considering any type of perimeter wall, view barrier, or security wall then you need to take a serious look at precast concrete fencing.

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