Build Green With CarbonCast

In an era where "going green" has become a way of life, precast concrete manufacturers have a unique opportunity and obligation to participate in the sustainability movement.

Due to the inherent sustainable qualities of precast concrete, the material lends itself well to green building practices, according to PCI.  For example, as school districts search for ways to manage costs, one such way to do that is through building (or adding on to an existing structure) with CarbonCast High Performance Insulated Wall Panels.

As a PCI-Certified Plant, Mid-States Concrete Industries creates these panels with highly-trained personnel, in a controlled environment, with little waste and under strict quality control measures.

Once created, these panels can be erected quickly on a jobsite, providing minimal disruption to the site - meaning it can be done while school is still in session - and reducing the amount of energy and waste generated during installation.

Sustainability doesn't just stop once the panels have been installed though.  Perhaps one of the most beneficial things about precast is the long term reduction in energy costs.  CarbonCast High Performance Insulated Wall Panels can provide projectable energy savings over the life of a school building, according to a Technical Brief issued by AltusGroup, a group which Mid-States is a member.

The use of C-GRID connectors in these panels provides thermal efficiency with edge-to-edge and top-to-bottom insulation, as well as thermal mass.  Thermal mass is the ability of a material to absorb, store and later release significant amounts of heat, providing the opportunity to lower the average operating level to heat or cool a building.  This, in turn, lowers the building's energy costs.

Plus, if Mid-States is brought on to the project early enough, we can also help you explore ways to lessen your investment in HVAC equipment.  After all, who knows more about how energy efficient our products are than us?

Mid-States also offers a variety of finishes on our Wall Panels, and oftentimes the walls can be left exposed and/or painted on the interior.

Precast and the Speed of Construction

Although not a typical four-letter word, "time" can quickly become one on a construction project.

However, high performance precast concrete can help maintain a project schedule through speed in design, construction and finishing processes.

Working with a precaster early in the design process can help the designer chose the most efficient pieces to cast, saving both time and money.  The repetitive nature of precast panels allows design work to move quickly to the shop drawing stage.

Once designs are approved, the precast pieces can be cast in the plant, under factory-controlled settings, while the construction site is being prepared.  Because these pieces are created in the plant, weather is not a concern.  Additionally, the engineering and manufacturing precision produces exact dimensions, nearly eliminating the need for field adjustments.  Electrical conduit can even be embedded in the panels at casting.

Once produced, precast can be scheduled and delivered to a construction site based on need.  Components can be installed quickly, oftentimes shortening a schedule by weeks or even months.  As an example, Humbucker Apartments, a 9-story total precast apartment building in Madison, Wisc., was erected in just 12 weeks in the middle of winter.

The panelized system of precast minimizes piece counts and allows for quick erection, allowing faster access to the interior of the building.  Since insulated sandwich wall panels boast continuous insulation, there is no need for spray foam or installation of batts after erection.  Plus, precast generally provides fire ratings above those required, eliminating the need to add fire retardant after erection.

To speed things along even more, choose a panel that can be left unfinished or painted on the interior.  This will save time by eliminating the added step of drywalling or finishing the walls on the inside.

At Mid-States Concrete Industries, we know you are on a tight deadline, with lots of people counting on you.  Don't let "time" become a four-letter word on your project.  Contact Mid-States today!  The earlier you bring us in, the more help - and savings - we can provide.

Precast Chalk Talk: Episode 1

In our new series, Precast Chalk Talk, we explore the Precast Industry.

What is concrete? Hagen Harker, president of Mid-States Concrete Industries explains concrete.

New Year, New Opportunities, New Goals

On New Year’s Day, I like to take some time to unwrap my calendar for the new year, check out all the photos (usually dogs doing silly things), and then fill it in with all of the important things to remember throughout the year.

Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, due dates, vacations, business trips, annual macaroni and cheese competitions (wait, everyone doesn’t do this?), graduations and more are all inked into the year’s plan. It is amazing how many wonderful things we have to anticipate each year, and then there is the anticipation of not yet knowing what might fill up the rest of your calendar for the year. Will you receive an unexpected wedding invitation? Will Nsync finally schedule a reunion tour? Will you have the opportunity to take a trip for work?

And what about resolutions? Are New Year’s resolutions something you make? There’s arguments on both sides of the fence as to whether resolutions should or shouldn’t be made. For what it’s worth, here are my two cents: the new year is a perfect time to resolve to do something better, or many an improvement, or learn something new. There is something psychological about the changing of the calendar that makes it feel like I am making a fresh start. My goal is to be better every day than I was the day before. If setting a goal at the start of a new year can help someone become better than they were previously, I am all for it.

The Value of Indoor Parking

Have you ever hit the snooze button one too many times or just woke up a little later than planned? You spend the morning running around and getting everything ready for work and trying to decide if you have time to make coffee or swing through a drive thru on your way into the office. After realizing you are out of coffee filters anyway, the drive thru it is. Then, you get out to your car and it is freezing, so now you have to scrape the heavy frost off of the windshield. Because you are in a hurry, you go with the great driving style of leaning way down to view your path through the small part of the windshield that is actually staying defrosted. And because of all this, you no longer have time to stop and grab a cup of coffee. It is going to be a LONG morning! This is the reality of many renters during the winter months.

Indoor parking for tenants has several obvious advantages. A few of them are:

• Security

• Vehicle wear and tear

• Convenience

• Protection from the elements

One of the greatest advantages and sells of apartment garage parking is the added security. If you live in an apartment with only an open parking lot or parking on the street, you leave yourself and your vehicle far more exposed. This may not be much of a concern in a generally crime-free neighborhood and may not prove worth the additional cost, but it can prove quite an advantage in an area that's more prone to nighttime prowlers. Plus, you won't have to be as worried about walking alone to your building or remember not to leave anything valuable in your car for fear of attracting thieves.

These types of parking options also help the building owner to have a more successful property, allowing owners to charge a higher rent. These properties also oftentimes average a higher occupancy rate. Underground/indoor parking is common for multi-family residential, mixed-use, and senior living communities. Especially in the Midwest, people want the convenience of a climate-controlled parking area.

In a senior living community, under-structure parking is often a desirable amenity. It can provide a sense of security to tenants, protection from inclement weather (which is especially important to residents that might be more susceptible to falls), as well as offers some storage space.

In working on various projects in cities all over Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa, we have come to understand just how imperative the right parking offerings are to a project.

Indoor parking provides solutions to several potential issues and concerns. It also helps projects be more successful for owners. We are here to help. If you have any questions and want to speak about an upcoming project, please contact us at 800.236.1072 or sales@msprecast.com.