One of the benefits of working for an institution, like PCI, with excellent technical resources, is that I am able to share those resources with architects and engineers as they make choices about precast concrete.

Many colors and textures are available in precast.

For architects, one of the most popular tools is the PCI Color & Texture Selection Guide. This document allows an architect to see in one location all of the available aesthetic choices that are available for precast concrete. Currently available in digital format or online, these high-quality color plates are an excellent starting point when selecting finishes for architectural precast concrete. I emphasize that they are a starting point, because in everything about precast is a local product. The materials, the producers, and the best practices change depending on the project location -- even though the quality of the product remains across the country. Most projects are served well by using aggregates available locally to the project.

So, once you find the picture of what you want, what should the designer do? Call the precaster! By providing the number of the sample you found in the color guide, or by providing an example of a building or picture . . . the local precaster will create samples. Usually, these 12 x 12 samples are provided prior to bidding a project, so all the bids take an "apples to apples" approach for comparison. Many architectural precasters will also have racks of samples in their plant that are available for you to "shop" from. Once you have selected the sample you'd like to include in the specifications, the project has been bid, and a precaster is selected . . . the next step in ensuring your color and texture takes place.

The precaster will create "range samples." These larger-sized samples (usually 4-5 of them) are cast in the batch plant with slight variations. The architect will look over these samples and approve a minimum of three samples that are within an acceptable "range" for color and texture.

Another way to ensure that the product is what you want, is to look over the first samples as they come out of the form. Working with the precaster early will help ensure that everyone's expectations are clearly communicated and aid in the overall project quality.