Precast concrete is a construction product produced by casting concrete in a reusable mold or “form” which is then cured in a controlled environment, transported to the construction site and lifted into place (“tilt up”). In contrast, standard concrete is poured into site-specific forms and cured on site.

Precast concrete is widely used in low- and mid-rise apartment buildings, hotels, motels, and nursing homes. The concrete provides superior fire resistance and sound control for the individual units and reduces fire insurance rates.

Precast concrete is also a popular material for constructing office buildings. The walls of the building can be manufactured while the on-site foundations are being built, providing significant time savings and resulting in early occupancy.

The speed and ease with which precast structures can be built has helped make precast a popular building material for parking structures. Precast concrete allows efficient, economical construction in all weather conditions and provides the long clear spans and open spaces needed in parking structures. For stadiums and arenas, seating units and concrete steps can be mass produced according to specifications, providing fast installation and long lasting service. In addition, pedestrian ramps, concession stands, and dressing room areas can all be framed and constructed with precast concrete.

The smooth surfaces produced with precast concrete and the ability of precast, prestressed concrete to span long distances makes precast suitable for use in manufacturing and storage structures. Additional applications for precast concrete include piles and deck for railroad and highway bridges, railway crossties, burial vaults, educational institutions, commercial buildings such as shopping malls, and public buildings including hospitals, libraries, and airport terminals.

A benefit of precast concrete is that the product is created in ideal manufacturing conditions. Although some products are cast outdoors, especially in temperate climates, many precast plants operate indoors where the climate can be fully controlled.