Understanding the two concrete approaches
For many commercial and industrial buildings in calgary, owners and builders are constantly comparing precast concrete with cast in place concrete. Both systems can deliver reliable strength and durability, but the ideal choice depends on your project specifications, budget, and schedule. This article walks through the key advantages, limits, and best use cases so you can build a clear plan for your next project.
Precast concrete means concrete elements are formed, cured, and finished in a controlled factory, then brought to the site and installed by a specialized team. Cast in place (CIP) concrete is mixed, formed, and poured at the site, where it cures in the same place it will be used in the finished buildings.
What CIP means in concrete and construction
What does CIP mean in concrete?
In concrete terminology, CIP simply means “cast in place.” A CIP footing is a footing formed in excavation on the project site, reinforced with steel, and then filled with concrete that cures in the ground.
What is a CIP in construction?
In construction, a CIP method relies on temporary form work, shoring, rebar, and field crews to place and finish the concrete. These elements are not precast products; instead they are built and poured in order, day by day, section by section. Because CIP work is exposed to changing weather, labour availability, and open excavation safety limits, builders usually factor extra contingency time into their construction schedule compared with precast installation.
Where precast concrete shines
Precast concrete products are manufactured indoors under consistent conditions. Mix design, curing temperature, and quality checks are repeated the same way on every pour, which helps deliver predictable durability and strength. Precast concrete walls and panels can include built-in insulation, textured architectural finishes, and precise openings for doors and glazing that match your project specifications.
For commercial buildings and infrastructure across alberta and western canada, precast products can reduce overall construction time. While foundations and underground services are being completed, precast concrete products are already in production. When the site is ready, panels are delivered, lifted into place, and installed in a carefully sequenced step pattern that minimizes disruption.
Precast walls can also integrate insulation and textured finishes in a single system, turning the structure, thermal layer, and architectural design into one complete package. That makes precast an ideal choice when you want high performance buildings that go up fast and look finished the same day the panels are set.
Downsides and limits of precast concrete
What is the downside of precast concrete?
No concrete system is perfect. The main downside of precast concrete is that panels, openings, and connection details must be locked in early. Once products are cast and stored, late changes in layout or structural design are harder to accommodate. The site also needs enough access for trucks and cranes, plus safe working zones to land panels in the correct order.
Precast concrete products are not always the ideal choice for very small projects, tight renovation work, or buildings with limited crane access. In those cases, cast-in-place concrete may be more efficient because form work can be carried into confined spaces and built around existing walls.
Where cast-in-place is still the best fit
Cast-in-place concrete is still the default for many foundations, parkades, underground tanks, and complex structural elements that are easier to form on the project site than to transport as finished products. A CIP footing can be poured to match the exact shape of the excavation, while temporary form panels and bracing control the concrete until it reaches design strength.
For some custom architectural walls, CIP allows more freedom to experiment with form liners, curves, and one-off features. When builders and designers want a truly unique title feature wall, casting in place can be the true best option—provided the crew has the right experience and enough time in the schedule.
Cost and meaning of panel installation
What is the meaning of panel installation?
Panel installation is the step-by-step process of lifting precast panels or cladding into place, plumbing and bracing each piece, then grouting and tying connections so the building behaves as a single system. Panel installation includes layout, survey, hardware, temporary bracing, and final inspection.
How much does it cost to have paneling installed?
There is no one-size-fits-all quote. The cost to have paneling installed depends on panel size, height, access, crane time, and labour. The best way to plan the work is to start from a detailed erection plan that sequences the order of panels, crane picks, and bracing so the site stays safe and efficient.
How much to charge to install paneling?
Contractors usually use realistic crane-time estimates, crew-hour budgets, and travel costs to build a true price. At Omega Precast, we provide panel installation guidance and support so your project budget and schedule stay on track, and we help you use the right combination of precast and cast-in-place work.
What is the best way to install paneling?
The best way is a clear, documented sequence: confirm lifting points, verify project specifications, dry-run crane moves, then set panels in a logical order that closes walls and buildings efficiently. Each step is checked so the system performs as designed for years to come.
Beyond walls: erosion control, tanks and more
Precast concrete products are not limited to building envelopes and walls. A variety of precast products are used for erosion control, underground tanks, utility vaults, retaining walls, and drainage structures. Owners can also use them to simplify maintenance and replacements and provide long-term value.
Because these products are made in high-strength concrete and installed in a controlled step-by-step process, they can often be placed, backfilled, and put into service faster than cast-in-place alternatives. For owners in precast calgary markets and across alberta, that means less disruption to operations and safer, shorter excavation windows around busy buildings and roads.
Why Omega Precast is an ideal partner
With years of experience serving calgary and western canada, our team understands how to use precast concrete and CIP together on active construction sites. We help builders compare options, review project specifications, and choose the precast concrete products and panel types that best fit their project goals.
From early design input and budgeting, to the day panels are delivered and installed, Omega Precast can deliver complete support. We work with your project team to confirm mix designs, insulation values, textured finishes, and connection details so that every concrete element arrives ready for installation.
Next steps: bring your project title and drawings
If you are preparing a new commercial or industrial buildings, or upgrading existing walls, the best first step is a short conversation with our design and estimating team. Share your basic project title, location in calgary or elsewhere in alberta, and any available drawings. We will review the types of precast products or CIP elements that are most ideal, then outline an order of work and preliminary plan.
Before you purchase any concrete products, we can also highlight where precast concrete and cast-in-place concrete might be combined in the same project to create an ideal balance of speed, durability, strength, and cost for your buildings.
To get a quote, click to open your email client and send your drawings and project details to our email address, along with your preferred day and time for a call. We will respond the same day wherever possible and help you use the right precast products and precast concrete products for your construction needs in calgary and across western canada.