[djlnc]

Aside from possible limited design options, is anyone aware of any drawbacks to the use of the precast walls they are now using for homes here?

[Keefelane66]

No! Precast home is stronger than a stick or CB construction. Quieter and my energy bills seem lower

[djlnc]

Originally Posted by Keefelane66

No home is stronger than a stick or CB construction. Quieter and my energy bills seem lower

Are you claiming that a stick built house is as strong as one with poured concrete or cast concrete walls?

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by djlnc

Aside from possible limited design options, is anyone aware of any drawbacks to the use of the precast walls they are now using for homes here?

12 Advantages and Disadvantages of Precast Concrete - Civil Engineering

The Villages walls are made locally in a factory, very precise with windows pre-installed. Specialized equipment is used to transport and install.

[Keefelane66]

Originally Posted by djlnc

Are you claiming that a stick built house is as strong as one with poured concrete or cast concrete walls?

No absolutely not mid worded statement. We were visiting just after to 2007 storm saw many stick built homes titerly blown sideways in Mallory Area

[Dusty_Star]

Originally Posted by Altavia

12 Advantages and Disadvantages of Precast Concrete - Civil Engineering

The Villages walls are made locally in a factory, very precise with windows pre-installed. Specialized equipment is used to transport and install.

Interesting article. But in #5 durability is says precast is more durable to acid attack, corrosion, etc. but it doesn't say what it is comparing it to. More durable than what? It neglects to mention.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by djlnc

Aside from possible limited design options, is anyone aware of any drawbacks to the use of the precast walls they are now using for homes here?

I had no clue The Villages were now using precast concrete for home construction.

#1 drawback in my opinion (I only do commercial construction now), is there's little or no flexibility, once the structure is done. You can't change much of anything and even something as simple as running a cable for your TV, can become a huge job. Everything that runs through the house, is run through a conduit in the walls ... anything you add, has to go on the wall.

The other potential issue I suspect, is that each pre-fab panel is probably a structural unit and necessary for the integrity of the home. That means, you can't just enlarge an area or change an interior dimension or wall.

Again, I don't do this for a living and have only done commercial versions, so I could be all wrong here and they have some new techniques, which allow precast to be practical in a residential environment.

There is no question that panelized construction, done inside a factory, can generally produce much higher quality and better tolerances, than site-built products.

[2newyorkers]

Originally Posted by Keefelane66

No absolutely not mid worded statement. We were visiting just after to 2007 storm saw many stick built homes titerly blown sideways in Mallory Area

I think you are referring to the tornado and that is when you became aware that it does not matter what your house is made of, concrete or stick. If you are in the path of the tornado you house will be destroyed.

[JohnN]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

I had no clue The Villages were now using precast concrete for home construction.

#1 drawback in my opinion (I only do commercial construction now), is there's little or no flexibility, once the structure is done. You can't change much of anything and even something as simple as running a cable for your TV, can become a huge job. Everything that runs through the house, is run through a conduit in the walls ... anything you add, has to go on the wall.

The other potential issue I suspect, is that each pre-fab panel is probably a structural unit and necessary for the integrity of the home. That means, you can't just enlarge an area or change an interior dimension or wall.

Again, I don't do this for a living and have only done commercial versions, so I could be all wrong here and they have some new techniques, which allow precast to be practical in a residential environment.

There is no question that panelized construction, done inside a factory, can generally produce much higher quality and better tolerances, than site-built products.

what he said!

[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by Keefelane66

No absolutely not mid worded statement. We were visiting just after to 2007 storm saw many stick built homes titerly blown sideways in Mallory Area

Thank you for the clarification - the same thing happens to me frequently.

[Calisport]

One negative is if you want to add a door where there is a window that probably can't be done. Like a window changed to a door out to a new birdcage.

[RICH1]

Most folks here, need not worry about anything that will last more than 20 years! Don’t buy any green bananas

[seecapecod]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

I had no clue The Villages were now using precast concrete for home construction.

#1 drawback in my opinion (I only do commercial construction now), is there's little or no flexibility, once the structure is done. You can't change much of anything and even something as simple as running a cable for your TV, can become a huge job. Everything that runs through the house, is run through a conduit in the walls ... anything you add, has to go on the wall.

The other potential issue I suspect, is that each pre-fab panel is probably a structural unit and necessary for the integrity of the home. That means, you can't just enlarge an area or change an interior dimension or wall.

Again, I don't do this for a living and have only done commercial versions, so I could be all wrong here and they have some new techniques, which allow precast to be practical in a residential environment.

There is no question that panelized construction, done inside a factory, can generally produce much higher quality and better tolerances, than site-built products.

Great points about some lack of flexibility- I’d also add that panelized construction is faster and with new home construction, it’s all about churn!

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Calisport

One negative is if you want to add a door where there is a window that probably can't be done. Like a window changed to a door out to a new birdcage.

Can be done.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

#1 drawback in my opinion (I only do commercial construction now), is there's little or no flexibility, once the structure is done.

Simple..............Ceiling, cut a groove on the inside wall (then cover) or run on outside of wall.