Benefits of Using Tilt-Up Concrete Construction

There are many benefits of a project built with tilt-up construction that continue long after it has been completed.

Durability

Tilt-up concrete buildings are extremely durable. Many structures created in the 1940s are still in operation today, with little apparent wear. A testament to the strength of tilt-up construction, general contractors in earthquake-prone California now use this method for 90% of their one-story industrial building projects.

Fire Safety

The concrete used in tilt-up panels meets the fire-resistance standards of even the most demanding building codes. For example, a 6.5" concrete wall offers a fire resistance rating of four hours or more. Tilt-up panels are also frequently used in the building's interior as fire walls. Tilt-up buildings offer real protection and safety for their tenants' employees, property and ongoing operations.

Ease of Maintenance

Tilt-up construction buildings require little in the way of ongoing maintenance, outside of periodic cleaning and repainting as desired. Concrete is impervious to insect or rodent infestation, so this problem becomes a relative non-issue as well.

Repairs and Expandability

In the event a wall is damaged by a forklift or truck, damages are typically more localized on a panel than in other types of structures, like steel buildings. Also, the modular design of the panels allows for easier repairs and expansion of the building.

Security

Facilities that require positive security and management of the interior environment - prisons, classified manufacturing facilities, businesses with clean rooms - will appreciate the strength and control afforded by concrete and tilt-up buildings.

Reduced Insurance Premiums

Because tilt-up concrete buildings have superior fire resistance ratings and have been proven to withstand severe weather and earthquakes, these cement buildings typically enjoy better insurance rates than steel buildings or other types of structures.

Reduced Operating Costs

Concrete provides excellent insulation, reducing the ongoing heating and cooling costs for the tenant. This insulation extends to sound as well as temperature. Workers in a tilt-up office building located in a noisy area will be less affected by the environment. By the same token, a manufacturing business that generates noise will have less effect on its neighbors and will find it easier to comply with local noise ordinances.