Precast Concrete Walls (Superior Walls) vs. Poured Concrete Walls

Comparing Costs, Installation Specs, and Durability

When planning a custom home build, one of the most critical decisions involves choosing the right type of foundation. This choice significantly impacts the structural integrity, energy efficiency, and long-term durability of your home.

Is there a truly unbiased comparison of precast concrete vs. poured concrete online?

We couldn’t find one, so we set out to compare three factors (cost, installation, and durability) as honestly and objectively as possible.

We hope you find this information helpful in forming your own opinion on precast vs poured or block foundation systems, and which is the right choice for you.

 

Precast concrete wall being lowered into place with a crane.

 

How Much Do Superior Walls Cost? Are Superior Walls More Expensive Than Poured Concrete Walls?

You might have heard that Superior Walls cost more than poured concrete. While pricing varies from state to state, in most cases the costs are comparable, mostly due to the reduced labor costs with precast concrete.

Superior Walls require fewer additional materials and accessories compared to poured concrete. For instance, items like concrete additives, additional concrete, and external damp proofing are often included or not needed with Superior Walls.

By choosing Superior Walls, homeowners and builders can benefit from a more efficient, cost-effective, and durable foundation solution, supporting long-term structural integrity and energy savings.

To get an accurate price estimate for your project, please contact us.

 

How Are Superior Walls and Poured Concrete Walls Different?

Each wall is custom-built to meet specific project requirements, ensuring a perfect fit and maximum performance. This customization allows for greater flexibility in design and application, making these walls suitable for a variety of residential and commercial projects:

  • High-Strength Concrete: The use of high-strength concrete ensures greater strength and longevity compared to traditional poured or cast-in-place concrete walls.
  • Steel Reinforcement: The integration of steel reinforcement provides additional support and stability, further enhancing the structural integrity of the walls.
  • Moisture Resistance: These walls are highly resistant to moisture, preventing issues such as mold and mildew that can compromise indoor air quality and structural integrity.
  • Energy Efficiency: The thermal mass of high-strength concrete helps to moderate indoor temperatures by absorbing and slowly releasing heat. This property reduces the need for additional insulation and contributes to energy savings. Studies have shown that buildings using high-density concrete can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 25%.
  • Long Term Durability: Superior Concrete Walls are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions and resist moisture penetration, which can be a common problem with poured walls.

All Superior Walls are manufactured pre-fabricated in a controlled environment, ensuring consistent quality and strength. Poured walls, on the other hand, are created on-site, which can lead to inconsistencies and potential weaknesses.

 

Precast foundation installation for a custom home.

 

Keep It Moving, No Bottlenecking, Quick Installation

After manufacture in a factory-controlled environment, Superior Walls panels are delivered to the new home job site on special carriers. There, cranes carefully lower the custom walls onto a bed of clean crushed stone, where they are permanently installed into place by specially trained crews. A triple bead of Superior Sealant forms a tight permanent seal against moisture. As soon as the foundation is in place, building can begin immediately – usually the same afternoon.

  • Our professional crews install most average-sized basement systems in 1 day.

  • Poured walls require more time and labor to complete, increasing the overall cost of the project.

Here’s a chart comparing key differences between precast and poured foundations.

 

Superior Walls vs. Poured Concrete Installation

 

Chart comparing attributes of Superior Walls vs. Poured Concrete

 

Over all, poured concrete walls are also more subject to fluctuate in project costs as many variables can affect construction and installation. Superior Walls manufactured in a controlled environment deliver consistent, efficient, and precise results each time – minimizing disruption in project timelines.

Check out our FAQ for more information about installation and delivery.

 

Real-World Case Study

An architect in Alexandria, VA shared how he saved time and money by designing and having his home built with Superior Walls.

Superior Walls project in Alexandria, VA.
Source

Hear What Contractors Say About Superior Walls

“Bayside Developers, Inc. started using Weaver Superior Walls, LLC Superior Walls, LLC in 1998. Superior Walls are the most important part of our construction phase. Their commitment to quality and customer service is by far the best in the industry. Customers are constantly asking “why aren’t all basements made this way? As Maryland’s premier custom home builder, Weaver Superior Walls, LLC & Superior Walls will always be part of every home we build.” – Bud Rice (Google review)

“Superior Walls is a fantastic way to build your project on a solid (and square and level) foundation. I recommend Weaver Superior Walls, LLC to all of our customers.” – Brooke Rush (Google review)

Contact Us

If you’re considering a switch to precast concrete for your next job and have questions or concerns, we would love to speak with you. Call 717-733-4823 or contact us here.

In the meantime, you can visit our page for Construction Professionals where you’ll find installation guides, checklists, code evaluation reports, and more.