Perceptions of precast concrete cladding in the UK market

Precast concrete cladding accounts for about 5% of the UK cladding market, despite its performance and aesthetic advantages over competitor materials. A study of perceptions of precast concrete cladding (PCC) was undertaken with the aim of assessing awareness and use of PCC in the UK in its most popular applications (i.e. commercial and residential buildings), in addition to identifying possible directions for future research and development. Interviews were undertaken with participants who were familiar with PCC (predominantly on commercial buildings) and who had had experience of stone-faced, reconstituted stone, cast stone and brickfaced precast cladding. The interviewees identified major opportunities/impelling factors thought to encourage the use of PCC and major barriers/impeding factors thought to discourage its use. A simple scoring system was used to combine the number of responses for each factor with the relative importance assigned to each response. 'Buildability', 'quality' and 'speed of erection' were the most highly rated impelling factors whereas 'lead time', 'initial cost' and 'logistics and cranage' were the most highly rated impeding factors. Developments in production techniques, finishes and sustainability performance together with the need for improved marketing of the product were identified by interviewees as key activities to improve PCC's share of the UK cladding market.