What is Lightweight Concrete? — Kreo Glossary

Definition

Concrete that achieves a significant reduction in weight by the substitution of lighter materials for the concrete aggregate.

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Purpose

Lightweight concrete is used to reduce the dead load of structures, improve thermal and acoustic insulation, and enhance fire resistance. It is suitable for applications where weight reduction is crucial, such as high-rise buildings and long-span bridges.

Examples of Use

• High-rise buildings: Reducing the weight of floors and structural elements to lessen the load on foundations.
• Roofing systems: Providing lightweight and insulating properties for flat and sloped roofs.
• Prefabricated elements: Used in the production of lightweight precast concrete panels and blocks.

Related Terms

• Lightweight Aggregate: Materials like expanded shale or pumice used in lightweight concrete.
• Structural Concrete: Concrete designed to bear loads and withstand structural stresses.
• Thermal Insulation: Materials or methods used to reduce heat transfer.

Notes

Embarking on new construction or a redesign is always exciting. You want to ensure the space is perfect for your client’s needs, and a significant component of creating the perfect space is choosing the right materials. Lightweight concrete cladding panels are perfect for any design and any space, whether residential or commercial. Lightweight concrete is a unique building material that provides effortless sophistication to a design.

From wall panels to unique inset designs, lightweight concrete is truly the best material for your space. Let’s look at a few reasons why you want this material for your next project.

Lightweight

Dekko’s proprietary lightweight concrete cladding is just that — lightweight! Because of this, no foundation or structural modifications are necessary. This saves on time, labor and money, helping make you a go-to designer for clients who want great design at a great price.

Also, because of Dekko’s concrete cladding’s lightweight properties, shipping worldwide is not a problem. More designers and architects are turning to online purchasing for their building materials for an easy and fast design process and then hiring local contractors for easy installation. Lightweight panels let you do both, easily.

Customizable

Home and business owners are as unique as their style. Homeowners don’t want cookie-cutter home designs, and business owners want to stand out from the competition.

Lightweight concrete cladding can help clients realize their forever home dreams and business owners create a space that is truly unique and help bring in repeat customers. (For a real-life example, check out the recent Mississauga Genesis Showroom, one of Dekko’s inspirational commercial projects.)

Lightweight concrete cladding can be customized quickly and easily. Because it is available in easy-to-cut panels, the pieces can be cut on-site without the requirement of specialty tools or professionals.

Plus, cladding panels can be ordered in standard or custom sizes and come in a variety of designs and colors, ready for any design possibility!

Not only that, but Dekko also offers specialty inset designs. Dekko’s design team can help you create the perfect design or easily customize an existing design to your individual specifications. Check out our gallery to get some customized inset design ideas.

With such versatility, lightweight concrete cladding truly offers limitless options!

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Versatility: Perfect for Indoors or Outdoors

Homeowners love the option of expanding space from inside to outside, or vice versa. Having the option of sliding open a glass wall and stepping out into their gardens screams luxury and is a feature that homeowners love.

Carrying the design through both spaces, however, means keeping the look as seamless as possible. While not all indoor building materials are suitable for outdoor use, lightweight concrete cladding is!

The design pictured above is a perfect example of expanding space to the outdoors while keeping the look seamless with the help of lightweight concrete cladding. Visually, the room looks more spacious, even with the glass doors closed, because concrete cladding gives a smooth, minimalist look that keeps the eye moving from the inside right to the outside.

Functionally, home and building owners can rest assured that this look can handle all types of weather conditions. And because it is available in custom sizes specific to each individual owner’s needs, lightweight concrete cladding is the perfect building material for any unique look your client wants.

Shipping: Simple and Effortless

As mentioned previously, more designers, architects and contractors are heading online to source their building materials. Because lightweight concrete cladding is much lighter than traditional concrete, shipping isn’t an issue. And with a clear and easy to navigate selection of colors, styles and even customizations, ordering is simple.

This feature is particularly beneficial in commercial use where retailers are rolling out store openings simultaneously. To do this, contractors need to be constructing simultaneously as well.

Rather than having to source materials to pick-up in each location, which could take concerted effort if openings are widespread, ordering supplies from one location to be shipped all over saves considerable time and effort. And that equals money saved and satisfied clients!

Installation: Easy and Cost-Saving

One of the major benefits of lightweight concrete cladding is that it’s so easy to install. Because it’s lightweight, the panels are easy to handle and don’t require specialized professionals to cut or install it. It’s a quick and relatively mess-free process.

This ease of installation is crucial for both commercial and residential applications. In commercial construction, time equals money and deadlines are strict as any delays in openings take away from clients’ bottom line. To learn more about how to take your commercial space up a notch, check out this article.

For residential clients, there’s nothing more frustrating than being told a project will take longer than estimated. Homeowners want to get back to enjoying their homes with their friends and family and to show off their renovations or additions.

Durable and Safe

Lightweight concrete cladding is one of the most durable and safe building materials out there. It can withstand the high traffic of commercial applications as well as the wear and tear of busy families. And part of that durability includes low maintenance. Spills are easy to clean with a damp cloth and repairs take almost no effort.

Not only is lightweight concrete cladding durable, but it’s also non-combustible, which is often required in commercial applications and should be a consideration in residential applications as well.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Lightweight Concrete Panels.

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