Architects love to design buildings with design elements such as precast concrete window panels and sills, beams, wall panel details, decorative concrete blocks, precast concrete moldings, walls, wall systems, and retaining walls. Concrete that is cast on site can't look as good as precast architectural concrete products for one simple reason: we create precast concrete elements face down, which minimizes the air holes. When the panels are tilted up, the face is smooth. Don't we all want to look forever young?
Take a look at the accents of elegance we've added to commercial and
institutional buildings, such as the Science and Music Buildings at Albuquerque
Academy, the Albuquerque Convention Center and the Lockheed Martin Building.
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Photos:
(above) Lockheed Martin Building, Albuquerque Academy Music building; (left)
Albuquerque Convention Center. |
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Here's an idea of what goes into producing architectural precast concrete:
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- First drawings are made and an architect/designer approves them.
- The drawings go to our shop, where the fiberglass forms are laid out and built by our carpenters.
- After the molds are set up, production workers weld a rebar cage to assure tough long-lasting quality.
- The concrete is placed. Concrete is a mix of cement, sand and aggregate. Cement is made from a natural substance — limestone that is quarried from the earth — so concrete is a totally non-toxic product and environmentally safe.
- A finisher sandblasts the concrete and seals it.
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Concrete Specifications: |
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- 4000 psi 28 day compressive strength (minimum)
- 4-7% entrained air for freeze/thaw resistance
- Mild steel reinforcing as required
- Polypropylene fiber secondary reinforcing
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Forms: Smooth surface fiberglass or other materials
Colors: Grey, buff, or integral color and opaque concrete stains available
Finishes: A range of sandblast texture or smooth cast
Custom designs are our speciality. |
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