Unlike other concrete structures such as walls and foundations, concrete beams are by nature precast – meaning they are cast a factory before being sold, rather than being cast by construction crews on-site. There are manyprecast concrete beams to choose from, each with their own benefits and drawbacks.
Most Precast Concrete Beams will be reinforced by steel rods spanning the length of the beam, providing extra support and strength without the cost of a solid steel beam. Precast concrete beams can also be arranged into a variety of different configurations in order to support different loads and match the specific needs of any construction project.
Floorspan Contracts offers three different types, the “standard” concrete beam, the light concrete beam, as well as the newer Lightbeam+. Although the specific measurements and qualities of these precast concrete beams are unique to Floorspan Contracts, the general categories of standard and light concrete beams are applicable to the industry as a whole.
Light concrete beams are the cheaper option andare designed for small scale domestic projects such as house extensions, while standard beams are slightly more expensive, but are designed to take a heavier load and thus are suited to larger-scale construction projects such as office buildings, schools, or larger houses. The Lightbeam+ is Floorspan Contracts’ new design, reducing materials and therefore cost, whilst maintaining structural integrity under heavier loads such as factories, schools, and other larger construction projects.