Value engineering is a practice that looks at the building materials, systems, and equipment specified for a particular project and seeks to find alternatives that produce the same results while providing greater value. It’s not just a simple exercise in cost-cutting because it looks at the value of a project holistically and from many different angles, such as construction time, durability, lead time, and construction and maintenance costs.
Material selection plays a major role in value engineering, as designers look for alternatives to traditional building materials that can provide more value while still meeting all the project requirements. For large scale buildings such as distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, and community centers, insulated wall panels are a building envelope solution that can reduce construction, operation, and maintenance costs.
Accelerated Construction and Lead Times
Precast insulated wall panels from County Prestress & Precast are manufactured to specification and transported to job sites ready to install. Their offsite, year-round production can shorten construction timelines because site preparation and building envelope production can occur simultaneously. Once installed, insulated wall panels act as a complete envelope solution, serving as both exterior and interior walls without the need for any additional insulation or finishing work.
To accommodate tight construction timelines, our PCI-certified production facilities are equipped to produce high volumes of product with short lead times
Energy Efficiency
Insulated wall panels can help large-scale buildings achieve substantial energy and cost savings over a prolonged service life. They are made of two concrete panels that enclose a layer of insulation, providing reliable and long-lasting thermal protection.
Unlike some types of insulation that are added to a building during construction, the insulation in precast wall panels does not settle during or after construction, preventing the development of gaps or thin spots that would compromise the thermal performance of the building envelope.
Minimal Maintenance Requirements
Insulated wall panels can be manufactured with pigmentation in the concrete mix to add an integral color to one or both of the wall wythes. This method provides a long-lasting finish that doesn’t need to be refreshed with new coats of paint, reducing maintenance costs. The panels also demonstrate exceptional resistance to fire, wind, and forklift damage, helping them withstand challenging working conditions.
The use of insulated wall panels can help projects maximize value while offering exceptional strength and low life cycle cost. To use County Prestress & Precast’s Insulated Wall Panels in your next project, contact our Customer Service Team.