Wall | Only ONE forming system needed – panel and column cast together | Two different forming systems required to cast columns and panels separately |
Wall Columns | 18″ square | From 5″ up to 20″ square columns |
Labor | 50% Less labor because panels are bigger and fewer footings required | Labor cost increase of up to 50% more |
Liners | INTERCHANGEABLE – All liners interchangeable, requiring approximately 3 hours to completely change the design | NOT INTERCHANGEABLE – Liners are laminated to dividers, thus entire divider must be purchased and exchanged |
Textures | Highly defined and very realistic replicas of various types of stone | Less defined and not as much design variety |
Production Area | 450 square feet / 42 square meters of production area and is a compact single unit | Require two separate forming systems for casting the panels and columns separately, therefore requiring additional space |
Storage | Stand-up vertically supported by the integrally cast column and panel unit – Does not require racks for support | Requires a special rack system to support panels to prevent them falling |
Length of Wall Sections | 15 Feet long/4.5 Meters and requires fewer footings (40 Footings for a 600 foot/183 meter fenceline) | 10 to 12 feet long including the column and panel – require more footings (50 to 60 footings for a 600 foot/183 meter fenceline) |
Column Caps | Caps are made with an inset on the underside allowing caps to fit over the top of the column – no grout required | Caps used with the traditional systems generally have a flat underside and rest on top of the column requiring grout for proper appearance. |
Footing Type | Thick steel I-beam embedded into a pier-type rigid concrete footing to support the wall sections | After the footings are constructed, each panel and each column are set individually, taking twice as long |
Installation – Speed | Once footings are constructed, walls are capable of being installed in half the time as traditional wall systems | Walls must be shored and braced to prevent from falling over until the column grouting process is completed, components require re-adjustment as installed |
Installation – Safety | No shoring or bracing, each wall immediately secured and self-aligned when it is installed surrounding the structural support | Walls must be shored and braced to prevent from falling over until the column grouting process is completed, components require re-adjustment as installed |
Removing or Replacing Sections | Each section can be removed without damaging the footing – creating an opening of 15 feet/4.5 Meters for access – advantageous for sites with sensitive equipment | Only the panel section can be removed as the column is connected by a grouted cell connection to the footing. This only provides an opening of 11ft/3.35M for access. |
Damage Replacement | Faster and easier replacement due to rigid footing design with support beam – the section is lifted out and a new one dropped in with little additional work | Requires the entire column, panel, and footing to be removed and each piece needs to be completely reinstalled |
Shipping | Easily set on top of dunnage on a truck bed – no racks required for delivery | Requires A-frames to support panels during shipping – creating more expense and logistical issues when using a contract trucking service |