Labor shortages, shipping delays, raw material scarcities, and rising costs. These challenges have become far too familiar to the construction industry over the past couple of years. 91% of contractors report high difficulty finding skilled workers, and a record-high 95% are facing at least one product shortage.1 This means contractors are forced to turn work and new business down, which has a domino effect across myriad industries.
One major material shortage has been and still is lumber. Due to concerns around the economy and a lack of protection for workers in manufacturing settings, many lumber mills cut back on production during the pandemic. But as people stayed inside, there was an uptick in home improvement projects. Furthermore, construction was able to continue at near pre-pandemic levels because it was deemed essential work across many states.2 Both of these reasons have contributed to why we’re still dealing with lumber shortages today.
Alternative Materials vs. Precast Concrete
In construction, what got the job done decades ago still gets the job done today. But in the face of new challenges, it’s important to innovate. Choose building materials, prefabrication techniques, and designs that support less pricing volatility, building resilience, and safer jobsites —such as precast concrete. Wood framing usually costs less than precast upfront, and it offers levels of eco-friendliness and natural beauty that may be ideal for low rise housing structures. Precast concrete buildings deliver greater protection and durability for the long-service lives of schools, mixed-use buildings, data centers and offices.
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Precast Concrete Buildings
More and more industrial, commercial, institutional, and data center projects are turning to precast concrete due to its inherent benefits, current availability, and price stability compared to other materials such as wood and steel. Precast construction empowers companies to cut costs and accelerate projects in a time when delays and inflation are the norms.
Precast concrete is prefabricated in molds and forms and cured in a factory-controlled environment prior to delivery to the job site. It’s significantly easier to install precast components instead of directly building a wood or steel frame or casting concrete in place. This reduces labor hours, transportation costs, and workers and machinery required on site. Additionally, precast construction is not affected by inclement weather. Precast concrete panels and systems are manufactured to high quality, rigorous industry standards and can be erected quickly any time of the year, preserving production schedules and accelerating project timelines.
These molds can be reused from panel to panel, system to system, and project to project, which is more environmentally friendly than tossing molds after each use. The panelized, repetitive nature of precast concrete elements minimize piece count, eliminate adjustments with exact dimensions, and allow for quick design and erection.
With Precast, It’s Possible. Get in Touch & Learn More.
As the construction industry continues to see the effects of the pandemic, shortages and delays will hinder business. While you may have historically stuck to resources such as wood, steel, and cast-in-place concrete, there’s no better time to transition to precast concrete. Generally, there’s greater availability, and the price is more stable than traditional building materials. This reliability can make a world of difference for a construction company, enabling production to stay on track and secure profits consistently.
As a leader in construction, you’re contributing to our nation’s critical infrastructure. You have an important job to do, and you should work with building materials that support and enable your growth. Download our Precast Concrete Producer Product Matrix to learn more about available options through PCI-MA.
