About Us
Utilizing state of the art manufacturing techniques and materials, combined with old world
craftsmanship, Los Angeles Precast is one of the oldest and most
respected precast and cast stone companies in the Los
Angeles area. We are recognized
for our high quality craftsmanship, for finishing projects on schedule
and within budget. We take pride in our work and
our ability to relate to and
relieve the concerns of the
homeowner, architect, and contractor.
Los Angeles Precast is a family owned and managed business
specializing in the manufacture of wet cast & dry cast stone. Sited
in purpose built factory premises in Los Angeles, the Company is
ideally located to distribute to the whole of the Greater Los
Angeles area.
Work is also regularly undertaken in Palm Springs, Orange County,
Santa Monica, Malibu, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.
Having established a reputation for quality and reliability, the
Company regularly supplies all the major building contractors on the
largest projects but, nevertheless, maintains the flexibility
to supply considerably smaller independent projects. Having the
advantage of in-house Computer Aided Design the Company regularly
becomes involved with project Architects in order to assist with the
finer detailing of components.
Molds are craftsman built to the highest tolerances by a team of
experienced pattern makers. Raw materials are selected with care and
mixed under computer controlled conditions to achieve a high level
of consistency in both color and finish. After suitable curing,
products are palletized or boxed and shrink wrapped and are
subsequently delivered by the Company's own shippers which are
equipped with either forklift or crane to offload product.
Stainless steel hardware..
We use stainless steel hardware for most of our attachments, the
photo at right shows the top rail of balusters being installed over
stainless rod which has been welded to threaded stainless steel
baluster pins which were bolted into the timber framing below and at
each end. Most installer's just bolt the base rail to the framing
with corrosive bolts and cement some of the pins into the base rail.
Most never use a top rail reinforcing bar.
The photo at lower left shows a stainless steel strap being bolted to a
column.
As the column is installed, the strap will be bolted to the wood
post as shown in the photo at lower right.
The center photo below shows a hidden stainless steel connector
after attaching it to the framing.
   
Los Angeles Precast
(310) 780-8185
P.O. Box 56720
Los Angeles CA 90028
Send
mail to Los Angeles Precast with questions or comments about this web
site.
Last modified:
03/15/06
Copyright ©2001 Los Angeles Precast.
All rights reserved.
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Precast Products
We at
Los Angeles Precast are pleased to introduce this lightweight GFRC or lightweight precast concrete if you will, into our line of products. Because
GFRC lightweight concrete is made from fiberglass
strand mixed with cement matrix which gives it that stone look, it is suitable for fireplace mantle treatments.
Lightweight precast concrete
Lightweight precast concrete is usually called GFRC or glass fiber
reinforced concrete, and is manufactured and
installed in the Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Precast concrete usually weights 100 lbs per cubic foot. Gfrc usually weights 10 lbs per lin foot. Precast concrete is a lower end product
and does not simulate limestone as does cast stone manufactured by
Ventura Cast Stone . Precast concrete resembles finished concrete and the surface looks like your garage floor. Cast stone resembles limestone or sandstone. Lightweight
GFRC precast concrete is not a new
product but has been used for years, but not in architectural uses.
Our range of products are in two product types:
Dry Cast
The "Dry Cast" method is a two part process, a face material to give
you the similar finish to natural stone. Mechanically compacted to the
rear of this is the backing mix to give the units strength in the terms
of handling ability
Dry cast units are immediately demolded after casting and are hand
finished to a very high standard.
Wet Cast
Wet Cast as the name suggests produces structural products like heads
and sills but is also used for slabs, beams and other similar products,
that are for high exposure or structural situations where greater loads
are required on the finished unit. The Wet Cast also has the added
advantage of specialist finishes with the use of special sand
aggregates, a massive spectrum of colors can be achieved.
Introduction to Cast Stone (wet cast and dry cast)
Cast Stone is known by a variety of
other names including art stone, reconstructed stone, reconstituted
stone, artificial stone and manufactured stone. This defines cast
stone as any material manufactured with aggregate and cementicious
binder and intended to resemble in appearance, and be used in a similar
way to, natural stone. Cast stone is either homogenous through out or
consists of a facing material and backing concrete.
The method of production is split into two categories.
Choice of manufacturing method
The majority of manufactures use the semi-dry method of
production. And is the more commonly widely used method of manufacture.
Early consultation with us is advisable to ascertain the correct method
of production for your project.
Sizes: Components produced using the semidry
method are limited in size with face dimensions of Ashlar units normally
no greater than 1200x600mm. This is mainly because of the fact a semi
dry mix is used, which require rapid and rigorous compaction with hand
held pneumatic tampers. The semidry method of production is best suited
to traditionally sized ashlars quoins, sills, copings, door and window
surrounds, etc.
Structural requirements: Components requiring
reinforcement which is more complex than a few straight bars or a layer
of fabric reinforcement, must be produced using the wet cast method of
production. This is because it is difficult to achieve thorough
compaction of semidry mixes around congested reinforcement.
Appearance: Cast stone can replicate a variety
of stone colors and finishes. The semidry method of production is used
to simulate limestones and sandstones. Where a component has a
particularly intricate pattern or profile including slender projections,
precast concrete may have to be used in preference to the 'semidry'
method. Good color matching between components can be achieved by both
methods, although textural differences become apparent at close range.
Economics: Rapid production rates with frequent
reuse of molds are possible with cast stone produced using semidry
mixes. Where as with the Wet Cast process a higher number of concrete molds is
required to achieve the same casting program, but careful thought a
planning stages of the contract can minimize the number of concrete molds. In
Fact an additional 2-3 weeks extra lead-time for standard or semi
standard products can sometimes be all that is needed to achieve the
same casting program.
Comparison between the semidry and wet methods
The production of cast stone using semidry mixes differs from that of
wet method in several ways.
Casting
Semi Dry ~ De-molding takes place immediately after compaction. This
allows a rapid casting cycle with e.g. up to 100 or more basic
components (sills, copings, etc.) a day from a single mould.
Wet Cast ~ Where as to manufacture the equivalent in wet cast it
would not only take longer but you would require 1 mould per cast per
day i.e. to produce 100 units a day you would need 100 moulds.
Semi Dry ~Compaction is carried out by pneumatic tampers rather than
by vibration.
Wet Cast ~ Compaction is carried out by vibration.
Mixes
Semi Dry ~ *Separate facing and backing mixes are often used for
components like ashlars, sills, heads and jambs, where the backing mix
is concealed from view. Separate facing and backing mixes are used
primarily to economize on the facing mix. BS1 217 requires a separate
facing mix to be not less than 20 mm thick at any point, with semidry
cement sand facing mixes and concrete backing mixes each mix is placed
and compacted in immediate succession to ensure that they are
effectively monolithic.
Wet Cast ~ Wet Cast units are manufactured from a through colored
homogenous mix.
Semi Dry ~ Water repellent admixtures are invariably used in facing
mixes to reduce permeability. Giving a water absorption of Grade B. All
constituents are accurately weigh batched with the moisture content
monitored regularly. Mix batches are necessarily small to prevent any
premature drying of the mix. Thorough mixing and compaction are critical
to ensure that the cast stone achieves the required density (typically
between 1850-2100kg/m2), compressive strength and permeability.
Wet Cast ~ superplasticisers and accelerators are used to ensure good
flow of the mix during vibration and compaction to achieve a smooth,
compact and blow hole free finish (where ever possible finish smooth
after dressing) also to give good early strength. Typical cube tests at
7-10 Days are that of the equivalent of that of a semi dry unit at 28
Days
Products are split into three categories.
Standard - Cast stone items that are
manufactured in accordance with our Technical specification sheets.
These items could be stock items or units, which are ready to cast at
the first available production slot, with no moulds to produce. Products
like standard head, sills or pier caps and copings. The cost of
establishing the moulds is not same, thus for small production runs
costs can be kept to the minimum. Also not forgetting lead times can be
much shorter by not having to detail, obtain approval and then construct
moulds.
Semi Standard - Cast stone items, which are
similar to details within our Technical specification sheets. But say
vary in length or require slight mould adaptation or modification.
Purpose Made - Cast Stone or
precast concrete items which are
manufactured by
Los Angeles Precast in accordance with the contract documents. These units are
made from new purpose made concrete molds. These would probably be
specialized units, which are not contained in our brochure. We have our
own in house design department, who will assist you in the process of
your design advising you in careful thought must be given in the
planning process for purpose made products. Please consider the
following.
-
Design and detailing of in house production drawings- Some times
it is of necessity to produce working drawings of Architects details
to enable production of moulds.
This process can some times take any thing from 2 10 days,
dependant on how long it takes to get details approved.
-
Approval of production drawings.
-
Production of Patterns- Sometimes it is necessary to produce units
from rubber molds.
-
This may involve the pattern being produced and before moulds are
manufactured, approval of the pattern may be sort from the Architect
or Client.
-
Approval of production patterns
-
Manufacture of concrete molds
-
Production of Units
-
Curing of units
-
Packaging and Transportation to Site
Remember adequate time must be allowed for production of concrete
molds.
Colors and Finishes
Natural stone colors are achieved either by reliance on the color of
crushed rock and sands and aggregates or by the addition of pigments.
White cement gray cement and a combination are often used. The use of
pigments can give the cast stone greater scope in the selection of
suitably graded aggregates, which permit good compaction and achieve a
strong, dense mix. Iron oxides based pigments are normally used in small
quantities (e.g. 0.2%-1% yellow iron oxide by weight of cement for
yellow sandstone's and up to 5% red iron oxide for red sandstone). High
proportions of pigment powder (above say 6 - 8% by weight of cement) are
used sometimes to achieve unusual colors like blues and browns but
generally these should be avoided.
A variety of traditional ashlar finishes can be replicated with cast
stone, including plain, boasted, tooled, rockfaced, vermiculated. The
other ashlar finishes are normally produced from latex:sand or concrete mold
liners.
-
Semi Dry ~ Plain finishes normally produced using sealed plywood
mould liners or, where the shape, detail or longevity for mould
dictates, fiberglass is used.
-
Wet Cast ~ unlike the semidry method, the wet cast mix produces a
surface laitance which has to be removed after demolding to reveal
the color and texture of the fines layer. The laitance is removed by
either acid etching or retarding the surface within the mould prior to
curing and washing off after demolding to achieve a smaller large
expose of aggregate.
Here is where specialist aggregates can be used to achieve some
wonderful and varied finishes and colors.
Structural Use
Dependant on the situation all cast stone both Wet and Dry Cast can
be used. But there are limitations in the Dry Cast process as opposed to
Wet Cast: -
-
Wet Cast ~ unlike the semidry method, the Wet Cast mix is poured
into the mold as thick liquid mix and compaction is achieved by
vibration. So even the more complex arrangement of bars can be
compacted sufficiently. The added advantage being the need to put any
secondary support like pressed or fabricated steel lintel saving
costs. Also
Los Angeles
Precast can manufacture structural beams for larger vehicle
entranceways for example.
Cast stone by
Ventura Cast Stone installed in California city's such as
Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Ventura or Santa Barbara has to be
mechanically fastened to the wood frame of a building usually with
stainless steel or galvanized attachments, this because of earthquake
codes. There are many historical buildings in California with cast
stone as part of their facade. Cast stone in
Los Angeles, Beverly hills, Bel Air, Ventura and Santa Barbara was at it's
most popular in the 1900's. In Santa Barbara, cast stone was used
extensively in the downtown district and also in a primitive form at the
Santa Barbara mission in the form of adobe, a mixture of mud and straw or horsehair
mixed with water and hand shaped into molds. California precast columns, CDI precast pool coping, CDI precast
or limestone moldings
and CDI fireplace mantles.
We also install the products exclusively
manufactured by other company's including,
Sierra concrete design, Sierra stone and Dura art stone, Stone legends,
Moonlight molds, Fineline precast, Concrete design inc. Studio cast
design, Concrete design inc, CDI, Architectural products, Haddonstone,
California precast, Adriatic precast, APS precast, napa stone, Studio Cast
precast,
We have installed products made by Sierra concrete
design, Sierra stone and Dura art stone, Stone legends,
Moonlight molds, Fineline precast, Concrete design inc. Studio cast
design, Concrete design inc, CDI, Architectural products, Haddonstone,
California precast, Adriatic precast, APS precast, napa stone, Studio Cast
precast,
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