Products

Precast Concrete Balconies

Precast concrete balconies are usually purpose-built to tie in with the particular concrete flooring system. Balconies are produced under factory conditions and are made to suit the client's requirements and to match floor and finishes depths. Structural design is in accordance with the Building Code and the client's loading specification. Concrete surfaces are generally as cast from high quality steel moulds. This provides a high quality concrete surface or a sound base for site-applied finishes such as ceramic tiles.

Wilco has the capacity to manufacture a large variety of balcony panels, fast and economically, to suit tight construction programmes and budgets. Orders can range from one unit to several hundred, depending upon the size of the project.

Columns, Beams & Lintels

Precast beams and columns are a cost effective way of providing a fire resistant concrete system that can be used for parking garages, offices, apartments or almost any construction project. A complete precast concrete beam, column, and flooring system can be used in place of most steel or timber systems.

Wilco has the capacity to manufacture columns to suit any precast projects. From multi-level offices and apartments to single level carparks, Wilco's state of the art precasting facility allows for flexibility in manufacturing various size columns from square to rectangle, single or multi floor height columns with or without corbels.

Exposed Aggregate Panels

Panels are manufactured by the application of a chemical retarder to the concrete surface, normally by painting the mould surface prior to the casting of concrete. This delays the surface cement paste from hardening for a particular period of time, and to a depth dependent on the type of retarder. The retard depth is typically 1/3 the depth of the coarse aggregate to ensure the stone is anchored into the panel surface. After the precast panel has hardened sufficiently to permit its removal from the mould (usually overnight), the outer layer of cement paste is removed by brushing, by high-pressure washing or by a combination of both. With the removal of the cement and sand from the concrete surface, the coarse aggregate provides the texture and colour of the precast panel.

See DESIGN - Architectural Finishes

High-Rise Exterior Cladding

Architectural precast is the cladding material of choice whenever superior aesthetics or construction economy is required. Precast cladding combines the benefits of high durability, low maintenance, excellent fire resistance and energy efficiency. All precast is factory manufactured ensuring consistent quality. The versatility provided by architectural precast is appropriate for use on high-rise office buildings, where the emphasis is on prestige and aesthetic appeal; low-rise industrial structures, where economy and durability are paramount. The true benefit of architectural precast is found in the virtually limitless architectural effects that can be achieved with its use.

See DESIGN - Why Architectural Precast?

Stairs and Landings

Precast concrete staircases and landings are purpose built to suit those areas of the building where solid reinforced concrete construction is needed. Precast landing and stair flights are made to suit the client's requirements and to match floor and finishes, within the practicalities of transport and erection. Concrete surfaces are generally as cast from high quality plywood or steel moulds. One surface, the top, bottom (or one edge at the manufacturer's discretion) will be trowelled or, in the case of landing slabs, may be left rough to receive a screed. They provide immediate access for following trades and expensive formwork and temporary propping are eliminated. Wilco has the capacity to manufacture a wide variety of stairs and landings, fast and economically, to suit tight construction programmes and budgets. Orders can range from one unit to several hundred, depending upon the size of the project.

Wall Panels

Precast walls (in conjunction with beams and columns) can provide the entire structural shell of almost any building. Wall bearing with precast walls is a fast and economical means of designing a load bearing wall system.

The precast walls are ready for textured paint or plaster finishing systems. Electrical conduit and boxes can be cast into the walls during the precasting of the units.Panels can be manufactured up to 15 metres high and used for a variety of applications from industrial warehouses to fast-food outlets.

See DESIGN - Architectural Finishes

Civil

Precast components for civil engineering projects will speed up the construction time, save on-site labour costs and ensure consistency in appearance and concrete quality. Panels can be more cost-effectively produced with aesthetically-pleasing surface textures compared to in-situ concrete placement - and they can be designed to blend in with the surrounding environment.

Special Textures

Precast concrete offers unlimited surface possibilities as features can be incorporated into the panel mould before manufacture. Careful planning can allow the extra cost of a textured surface for a facade to be offset against a plain surface on an unobtrusive wall. An excellent example of this is the "broken pipe" texture, used on Candida Stationery HO, shown in the adjacent photo. This particular texture was achieved by manually breaking the tops of a series of vertical reveals and skill is required to obtain a consistent finish.

Custom

Concrete fence panels are an example of Wilco's custom precast service. They offer security and permanency to an estate perimeter, as well as reducing noise and acting as wind barriers. As the fence panels are modular components and manufactured to order they can be delivered and assembled for rapid installation on site. Precast concrete fences offer more design possibilities than other fences and custom designs allow homeowners to complement any home style. The panels can be manufactured with various reveals to match or contrast with existing architectural structures. They complement all types of landscaping and with subtle paint or plaster systems will enhance the beauty of flowers and shrubs.

Residential Housing

Wilco Precast is the leader in the manufacture of precast panels for quality residential construction. Contemporary or traditional design, this method of construction provides homes that are more durable, rot resistant, fire resistant and more energy efficient.

High performance precast concrete materials comprise the structure of the house as well as the interior and exterior finishes. Deep reveals can be achieved around doors and windows and the houses are quieter and are less susceptible to wind stresses. Insulation can be embedded within the concrete assembly where it forms a continuous barrier to heat and moisture transfer.

The entire system is formed in panels at Wilco's precast manufacturing plant and shipped to the job site where the exterior of the home can be erected on a concrete slab in a matter of days.

Litecrete Lightweight Precast

Litecrete is a revolutionary new form of lightweight precast concrete manufactured by Wilco Precast. Litecrete products are half the weight of normal precast concrete and can be used in various applications in both residential and commercial construction. The pumice aggregate used in the mix provides a built-in insulation value.

•     External and internal wall options

•     Built-in insulation

•     Rot, mould and moisture proof

•     Excellent fire resistance

•     Acoustic systems

•     Large panel sizes

•     Rapid installation

visit www.litecretesystems.co.nz

view a video of a Litecrete Systems Concrete House that was built in ONE Day