Some Questions You Might Have About Using Tilt-Up Panels for Construction

Tilt-up panels refer to concrete panels that are poured flat on the ground at a jobsite, and then they are tilted up and put into place to create walls and the frame of a building. They offer many advantages over standard production methods, and tilt-up panels are quickly becoming a favorite option for builders. If you want to have a new building erected and tilt-up panels have been recommended for you, note a few questions you might have and then discuss these with your builder. That will ensure that these panels are the right choice for you.

1. Do tilt-up panels look like concrete?

One reason many people hesitate to allow their builders to use tilt-up panels is that they don't want a building to look industrial and drab, and assume that concrete panels will make their building look like a prison. Note, however, that when the panels are being poured, they can have an aggregate added to give them color and texture. The concrete can also be painted or stamped to look like brick, stone, or any other material.

2. How do tilt-up panels affect the ground as they're poured?

Tilt-up panels need to be poured over a casting slab, and this slab is then often used as the foundation or flooring of the new building after the tilt-up panels are constructed and put into place. In other cases the slab may be used as part of the parking lot or exterior walkway of the building, after it's been cleaned and otherwise smoothed. If you're concerned about the ground under the tilt-up panels, discuss this with your builder. He or she may reassure you that the concrete used for the casting slab would need to be poured for the overall design of the building no matter the type of walls erected, so the ground isn't actually damaged by the use of these panels.

3. Is using tilt-up panels a faster way of construction?

The speed of construction methods will vary according to the building design itself, but note that tilt-up panels are not poured and then lifted on the same day. Concrete needs several days to set and harden and then the panels are lifted and put into place. If you're concerned about the speed of having your building erected and constructed, ask your builder how long the panels would take to set and be constructed. While the building may not be able to be built in a day, tilt-up panels may actually be faster than erecting a wood or steel frame, but your contractor can note the duration of each option.