With the exception of NSW, precast concrete walling is widely used in the medium-density housing developments of most states. In NSW the perception that brickwork is cheaper may not last for long.
The growing availability of mobile cranes, together with the rising cost of bricklaying is seeing precast concrete walling capturing greater market share in NSW, and Sydney in particular.
The advantages of precast (walls, floors and other components such as stairs) in medium-density housing, include:
- Off-site manufacture of building elements resulting in speed of construction and an unobstructed building site
- Manufacturing under the quality-controlled conditions of a factory
- Loadbearing single-skin walls that provide greater floor space and are equivalent, if not better, than conventional building systems in thermal and acoustic performance
- Structural soundness.
- Fire & disaster resistant
Precast concrete wall panels, however, dominate the Australian construction market for industrial cladding in factories, warehouses and shopping centres.
Prestressed hollowcore units are often used as architectural cladding for commercial and industrial buildings. Being prestressed and made from low-slump concrete, they are very durable.They are generally used either as a cladding panel fixed to a steel portal frame in either a vertical or horizontal configuration or as loadbearing panels. Hollowcore units are usually either painted with a high-build paint or prefinished in exposed aggregate. Manufacturers have standard details for window, door and service openings.
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