Why Hollowcore Flooring Is a Smart Choice for Schools and Multi-Family Buildings

When it comes to building schools and multi-family housing, performance matters. You need materials that are strong, efficient, and built to last. And that’s exactly what hollowcore flooring delivers. At Mid-States Concrete Industries, we’ve helped educational and residential clients meet their design goals while improving long-term performance.

Here’s why hollowcore is a smart solution.

1. Span Longer, Build Smarter
Hollowcore slabs are designed for strength and flexibility. Their long-span capabilities reduce the need for support beams and columns, giving architects and engineers more freedom when designing gyms, classrooms, apartment layouts, and shared spaces.

  • Fewer interior supports

  • Faster installation and lower material costs

  • Ideal for wide, open layouts in schools and multi-family buildings

We’ve used hollowcore systems across a range of educational and multi-family projects to help create large, uninterrupted spaces that are both functional and future-ready.

2. Quiet Strength: Built-In Sound and Fire Protection
Sound control is essential in both schools and residential environments. Hollowcore naturally reduces sound transmission between floors, helping create quieter, more comfortable spaces for learning and living.

In addition to acoustic benefits, hollowcore provides excellent fire resistance, helping contain fire between units or floors and supporting safer building designs.

  • Meets sound control standards in educational settings

  • Helps reduce noise between residential units

  • Provides fire-rated floor assemblies for enhanced safety

  • Improves comfort and protection in classrooms, apartments, and common areas

Whether it’s student housing, apartments, or locker rooms, hollowcore makes a noticeable difference in both sound and safety.

3. Strength That Holds Up Under Pressure
Hollowcore slabs are built to handle heavy use. From gym floors and classrooms to high-traffic residential corridors and stair towers, hollowcore delivers strength without overbuilding.

  • Supports frequent use and live loads

  • Provides long-term structural performance

  • Keeps floor depth efficient without sacrificing capacity

Across our portfolio of education and multi-family builds, hollowcore continues to be a go-to solution for durability, versatility, and lasting value.

Build with confidence. Build with Mid-States.
Hollowcore flooring delivers the strength, efficiency, safety, and long-term value today’s schools and multi-family buildings demand. If you're ready to explore smarter solutions, our team is here to help you get started. Contact us today at sales@msprecast.com.

The Truth About Precast: 4 Misconceptions Explained

At Mid-States Concrete Industries, we hear the same questions pop up time and time again. Is precast too expensive? Isn’t it just for parking garages? The truth is, precast concrete is more efficient, flexible, and cost-effective than many people realize.

Let’s clear up a few of the biggest myths.

  1. "Precast is too expensive."
    At first glance, it might seem that way. But when you consider the full project timeline and long-term value, precast often ends up saving money. It reduces labor costs, shortens the construction schedule, and keeps waste to a minimum. Because it’s made off-site in a controlled environment, installation is faster and more predictable. Less labor. Fewer delays. More control. That’s a smarter investment.

  2. "Precast is only for parking garages."
    Precast is ideal for garages, but that’s just the beginning. At Mid-States, we’ve supplied precast for schools, fieldhouses, mixed use buildings, manufacturing facilities, and more. Whether you need wall panels, hollowcore flooring, or an entire building, precast fits a wide variety of spaces. It’s strong, flexible, and built to perform wherever you need it.

  3. "Precast can’t be customized."
    Precast offers more design flexibility than most people think. Need a specific texture, finish, or pattern? We can do it. From Graphic Concrete and form liners to custom staining and finishes, we work with design teams to make sure the end result reflects the original vision, without compromising on performance. Precast is anything but one-size-fits-all.

  4. "Precast is hard to coordinate with other trades."
    With early involvement and clear communication, precast becomes one of the easiest systems to manage. Our Face-to-Face Solution helps align everyone from day one. We collaborate with architects, engineers, and contractors to make sure our pieces fit smoothly into the overall plan. The earlier we’re brought in, the better precast performs on your schedule.

Rethink what precast can do.
We’re here to help you explore smart, efficient, and durable solutions that support your project goals from the ground up. Have a specific question about a project or design challenge? Reach out! Our team is happy to talk it through and help you find the right precast solution. Contact us today at sales@msprecast.com.

Save the Date: AIA Iowa Annual Convention - September 25 & 26

The 2025 AIA Iowa Annual Convention will take place Thursday, September 25 and Friday, September 26 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, IA. This year’s theme is Resilience. Resilience reminds us to sustain the well being of the human and natural environment we design while adapting to real-world challenges.

Visit Mid-States Concrete Industries in Booth 54 from 7:30 - 8 am, 9:30 - 10:45 am, 11:45 am - 1:15 pm, 2:15 - 3:45 pm, and 5 - 7 pm on Thursday. On Friday, catch the team from 7:45 - 8:15 am and 9:45 - 11:15 am.

We love attending this event and sharing our love of precast and its benefits with attendees. Plus, it is a great time to catch up about all the projects you are working on. Our team offers dedicated sales, estimating, project management, engineering, design, production, and installation teams to meet all of your precast needs. Design teams are such an important part of the success of any project. It is a privilege to partner with the best around. We look forward to seeing you and learning about your latest projects.

Learn more >>

Step into Precast with Confidence: A Guide for Builders

Starting your first precast concrete project might feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.

At Mid-States Concrete Industries, we’re here to make the process simple, smooth, and successful from start to finish. Whether you’re a general contractor, developer, or design partner, here’s a step-by-step look at how we work with you to bring your project to life using high-quality, PCI Certified precast solutions.

Step 1: Bring Us in Early
The earlier we’re involved, the better. Our team collaborates with you during the planning and design phase to identify the most efficient precast solutions for your project. We can help with budgeting, layout recommendations, and value engineering right from the start.

Step 2: Design Assist and Coordination
Once the vision is clear, we work closely with architects, engineers, and your team to finalize design details, including panel dimensions, finishes, connections, and layout. Our in-house engineering team ensures your structure is both buildable and beautiful.

Step 3: Precision Precasting in Our Facility
With design locked in, we manufacture each component in our controlled PCI Certified plant, meeting strict quality and safety standards. Products like hollowcore slabs, stairs, wall panels, beams, and columns are built to spec and made to last.

Step 4: Delivery and On-Site Installation
We coordinate delivery and installation with your schedule to keep things moving. Our field crews are trained for efficient, safe placement of each precast piece, reducing delays and labor costs on site.

Step 5: Project Support Through Completion
From start to finish — and beyond — we’re here to support your project. Our team stays in close communication to ensure everything is aligned, questions are answered, and your goals are met on time and on budget.

Why Work with Mid-States?

  • You’ll work with a PCI Certified team committed to quality.

  • You benefit from decades of experience across industries.

  • Your project stays on track with our proven, step-by-step process.

  • You’ll have a partner trusted on schools, warehouses, parking, and more.

  • You’ll be supported by a team that treats your project like their own.

Ready to Build with Confidence?
Explore our website to see how our team can support your next project with reliable precast solutions, expert guidance, and a process built around your success.