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# Building Up with Precast Concrete Panels
 » Building Up with Precast Concrete Panels
## Building Up with Precast Concrete Panels
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Building Up with Precast Concrete Panels2018-10-232021-11-19/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Superior Walls/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/200px200px
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BEAUSEJOUR, MANITOBA – Builder Syed Bokhari passionately believes in creating durable, energy-efficient housing for seniors. That dedicated focus has led him to explore creative construction practices — including the use of precast concrete panels from Superior Walls by Magnis.
“I first saw a Superior Walls basement foundation two years ago and thought it was a great way to build,” says Bokhari, president of  in Winnipeg, Manitoba. “Then I went and viewed a wide variety of different Superior Walls basements and decided this was the product I wanted to use. The speed of installation truly accelerates the work on site, plus the energy-efficiency features are an asset in our area.”
Working with a design created by T-Square Techniques, Inc., Noble Builders is now approaching the final stages of construction on a three-story seniors residence at 51 Kaatz Drive in Beausejour, Manitoba. The team decided to “build up” with precast concrete panels and created the entire exterior of the building — plus the interior elevator shaft — with custom panels supplied by Superior Walls.
“We selected the precast wall product primarily for its speed in erecting and enclosing the building structure,” says Brian L. Mansky, principal owner and chief designer at  in Winnipeg. “This is technically a far superior building envelope system as compared to standard wood frame construction. While this is our first time specifying Superior Walls for a project, we’ve been so impressed with the product that we’re considering it for other projects.”
**Reliable Concrete Walls**
The 35-unit independent living residence for seniors at 51 Kaatz Drive incorporates Superior Walls Xi PlusTM panels into the building envelope.
“The exterior walls include 2,400 linear feet of eight-foot tall Xi Plus panels, and then there’s an additional 120 linear feet of 10-foot tall Xi Plus panels for the elevator shaft,” says Ray Wentz, special projects manager at Superior Walls by Magnis. “This is the first multi-story, above ground application of our products in this area.
“The advantages of using precast concrete panels in this type of building construction are amazing. Each wall panel is custom made to the exact specifications of the plan. The panels install quickly and resist mold, rot, fire and noise. These are incredible features for a senior living facility.”
Superior Walls Xi Plus wall panels (Canadian markets) feature steel reinforced concrete and 5″ Neopor® Rigid Thermal Insulation to create a barrier against sidewall water penetration. The panels are custom designed and constructed in a factory-controlled setting. Unique features of the Xi Plus wall panels include:
* 5,000+ PSI concrete
* Steel-reinforced top bond beams, concrete studs and footer beams
* Horizontal steel rebar inside top and bottom beams
* Vertical steel rebar inside each stud
* Galvanized steel stud facing ready for drywall finishing
* Insulated corners, studs and bond beams
* A four-inch insulated footer beam
* 5″ Neopor Rigid Thermal Insulation to provide an insulation value of R-24
* Four insulated access holes are included in each standard stud to provide greater ease in wiring and plumbing.
Bokhari agrees that the benefits of the concrete panels for the project make them a winner for the senior living facility.
“We had the shell up on the structure in less than four months, which is impossible to achieve with poured concrete, concrete blocks or traditional wood frame construction,” says Bokhari.
The “shell” of this structure includes a broom finish to the concrete exterior, providing a scratch coat for acrylic stucco and cultured stone accents. The finish can also be painted.
“This is a new way of building,” says Bokhari. “It’s faster and more reliable than past building methods. I can see us working on many projects in the future with Superior Walls foundations and above grade applications.”
**Interior Elevator Shaft**
One of the most beneficial aspects of using precast concrete panels on the 51 Kaatz Drive project came in the construction of the elevator shaft.
While concrete block construction has been the industry standard for elevator shafts in years past, the fast installation of Superior Walls speeds up the construction schedule. As well, these walls remain non-combustible and heat transfer is minimized as they are insulated panels.
“A concrete stairwell or elevator shaft can give building occupants additional time to escape from a burning structure because the material resists the movement of the fire,” says Wentz. “A zone delineated by concrete within a building can provide escape routes during a fire by maintaining structural integrity and allowing people to get away from the building. At the same time, this allows firefighters to more safely enter the structure and fight the fire from multiple locations and levels.”
During the construction of 51 Kaatz Drive, the Superior Walls precast concrete panels were placed in the elevator shaft with the concrete side faced inward and with a fire guard facing outside. The exterior facing wall was covered with 5/8” drywall providing the structure with its appropriate fire rating.
“The new technology in precast concrete panel construction is now better suited to Canadian conditions,” says Wentz. “We are able to apply an integrated Styrofoam and insulating component to the panels that brings it up to a R24 rating. Combined with the speed of installation on the job site, this is a real win for the construction industry.”
In 2012 the Canadian Construction Materials Centre (CCMC) declared that Superior Walls precast concrete insulated wall panels were evaluated for use in Canada.
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# Superior Walls® Xi Plus Foundation Showcased in THIS OLD HOUSE® 2018 Idea House in Narragansett, Rhode Island
 » Superior Walls® Xi Plus Foundation Showcased in THIS OLD HOUSE® 2018 Idea House in Narragansett, Rhode Island
## Superior Walls® Xi Plus Foundation Showcased in THIS OLD HOUSE® 2018 Idea House in Narragansett, Rhode Island
Superior Walls® Xi Plus Foundation Showcased in THIS OLD HOUSE® 2018 Idea House in Narragansett, Rhode Island2018-10-152023-04-05/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Superior Walls/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/200px200px
NEW HOLLAND, PA – A precast concrete Superior Walls® Xi PlusTM foundation has been installed as the starting step for the THIS OLD HOUSE® 2018 IDEA HOUSE in Narragansett, R.I. The energy-efficient wall panel system will be featured in both the October and November/December 2018 issues of  magazine.
> “This year we’ve been involved in the construction of two projects for *This Old House* and it’s been quite an honor working with their team,” says Jim Costello, president of . “For both the THIS OLD HOUSE 2018 IDEA HOUSE and the Net Zero House we supplied dependable, energy efficient Xi Plus foundations. These remarkable precast concrete panels are installed in just one day, so the teams at Sweenor Builders could get started immediately with the construction process.”
According to Jeff Sweenor, President and CEO of , the Superior Walls system got the project off on the right track. “The beauty of the Superior Walls system is that we got a perfectly straight, level and square foundation with which to start the Idea House,” says Sweenor. “Impressively, the Superior Walls team was able to accommodate all our requests to customize the foundation. They created the openings we needed and even incorporated spaces for hurricane tie downs.
“The Superior Walls foundation in the Idea House provides added living space for the future homeowners. In addition to a storage area, we’ve created a home theatre, gym and sauna room in the basement. As a bonus, the sturdy foundation is also extremely energy efficient.”
**Value of Precast Concrete**
As opposed to concrete blocks or poured concrete, precast Xi Plus concrete panels from Superior Walls are created in the manufacturing process with DOW® THERMAX™ insulation covering rigid foam insulation. The panels are available with a built-in insulation value of R-21.3 and can be insulated up to R-42+.
The wall panels used in the project provide R-values that meet or exceed energy conservation values from both the IECC and the IRC, and the Xi Plus wall panels can help in the construction of an ENERGY STAR® qualified home. The Superior Walls Xi Plus wall panels in the Idea House have achieved the NGBS Green Certified Product designation provided by Home Innovation Research Labs.
The panels were custom manufactured off site in indoor production facilities at . This eliminated any on-site soil contamination, such as the form oil used for poured concrete walls.
The Craftsman-style THIS OLD HOUSE 2018 IDEA HOUSE will be featured in the magazine, plus the house will be showcased in segments of the 2018-2019 season of the Emmy Award-winning TV series *This Old House*.
The 2,700-square-foot cottage was designed by  out of Providence, Rhode Island. Located less than a mile from the town beach, future owners of the house will benefit from the durability and energy efficiency of the precast foundation on the home.
**About This Old House Ventures, LLC**
This Old House Ventures, LLC, is America’s No. 1 multiplatform home-enthusiast brand, providing trusted information and expert advice through its award-winning television shows, *This Old House* and *Ask This Old House*, its highly regarded *This Old House* magazine, and its inspiration- and information-driven digital properties, including thisoldhouse.com. *This Old House* and *Ask This Old House* are produced by This Old House Ventures, LLC, and are presented on PBS by WGBH Boston. National underwriting for *This Old House* TV is currently provided by GMC, The Home Depot, State Farm Insurance Company, Marvin Windows, Gorilla Glue, HomeAdvisor, and Titan. Established as This Old House Ventures, LLC, the company is headquartered in Stamford, CT, with offices in New York, Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Concord, MA.
**About Sweenor Builders**
Based in coastal Rhode Island, Sweenor Builders Incorporated is an award-winning builder of luxury custom homes. The firm’s portfolio features a full range of in-house design/build and interior design services, as well as collaborations with New England’s leading architects.  Founded in 1989, the company has become one of Southern Rhode Island’s most sought-after builders thanks to the guiding principles of its President and CEO Jeff Sweenor. He surrounds himself with craftsman who share his passion for delivering rewarding client experiences, and quality homes that last for generations. For more information, visit: .
**About Union Studio Architecture & Community Design**
Union Studio was founded in 2001 with the goal of making an impactful civic contribution to communities of all types through exemplary architecture and urban design. The firm served as the architects on the Concord Riverwalk project and received an Honorable Mention from the New England Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for their work on the project. The Union team embraces a traditional, pedestrian-friendly approach to design featuring vibrant, beautiful spaces that help to enrich our communal and civic life.
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# Precast Concrete Foundation Stands Up to Hurricane Florence
 » Precast Concrete Foundation Stands Up to Hurricane Florence
## Precast Concrete Foundation Stands Up to Hurricane Florence
Precast Concrete Foundation Stands Up to Hurricane Florence2018-10-052019-02-13/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Superior Walls/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/200px200px
NEW HOLLAND, PA. – When Hurricane Florence hit in September, emergency shelters quickly filled up across Moore County, N.C. As directed, the Abbondanzio family evacuated their cherished home and headed to one of those shelters. After flood waters receded, they returned to find their home had easily survived the storm’s wrath.
“We took a direct hit from Florence and had more than 13 inches of rain, very high winds and local flooding,” says Abbondanzio, a resident of Carthage, N.C. “We couldn’t believe it when we returned and our home was dry, safe and secure.
> “When I built my home in 2014 I used precast concrete foundation panels from . Not one drop of water entered our house from Florence. I’m convinced that the Superior Walls foundation saved our home.”
**Investment Pays Off**
Located about 130 miles from the East Coast, the Moore County area has suffered from extensive flooding from the hurricane. Downed trees (including a huge one in the backyard of the Abbondanzio residence) have made life difficult for residents.
“Roads in our community were washed out in some places and trees were lying everywhere,” says Abbondanzio. “This storm shut down the town. We couldn’t believe our New England 1860’s reproduction style home had no damage at all.
> “When pricing out our foundation four years ago, the  product was just a little higher than a poured concrete or concrete block foundation. However, I was impressed by the warranty offered for sidewall water penetration and the fast installation time. When I worked out the numbers and the benefits, it was a no-brainer.
“Now that we’ve seen how efficient and dependable this precast concrete foundation can be in storm conditions, we’re recommending it to everyone. This investment was well worth the price and we now have even greater peace-of-mind for the future.”
**Manufactured for Success**
As opposed to concrete blocks or poured concrete, precast concrete panels from Superior Walls are created in the manufacturing process with DOW® Styrofoam™ boards, which provide excellent rigid foam insulation.
Superior Walls XiTM wall panels feature steel reinforced concrete and 2-1/2-inches of DOW® Styrofoam™ insulation to create a barrier against sidewall water penetration. The panels are custom designed and constructed in a factory-controlled setting. Unique features of the Xi wall panels include:
* Insulated access holes for ease in wiring and plumbing
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