Frequently Asked Questions

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Our products are made of high-quality wet cast concrete.  

Concrete is a mix of cement, aggregate (sand or rock) and water.  Additives are also added to help the concrete last longer though the four seasons.  Our concrete is strength tested to ensure the products will be durable and will last.  Some products are reinforced with fiber and/or sealed with environmentally friendly sealer.   We also provided a selection of colored products.  

 Precast concrete is a construction material made by casting concrete in reusable molds in a controlled environment. Once cured, the concrete is transported to the construction site for installation. 

• Speed of Construction: Precast components are manufactured off-site and are ready to install upon arrival, reducing on-site construction time significantly.
• Quality Control: Since precast concrete is produced in a controlled factory environment, it ensures consistent quality and precision in dimensions.
• Durability: Precast concrete is highly durable and resistant to weather, fire, and pests, making it ideal for long-lasting structures.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Although the initial cost may be higher, precast concrete often reduces overall project costs due to lower labor requirements, reduced construction time, and minimal maintenance needs.
• Design Flexibility: Precast concrete can be molded into various shapes, sizes, and finishes, allowing for creative and customized designs.
• Environmental Benefits: It reduces on-site waste, can be recycled, and contributes to sustainable building practices.
• Structural Efficiency: It provides excellent structural performance, especially in projects requiring large spans, heavy loads, or complex architectural designs.

Both wet and dry cast concrete products can be used for a variety of applications, including retaining wall blocks, pavers and steppingstones.  Picking the right product will save you time, money and avoid having to fix or redo your landscaping earlier than you should.

Dry Cast

Commonly used for making high volumes of concrete products for large landscape material suppliers.  The initial concrete mix has a lower water ratio and has the consistency of thick mud or dough. Industrial compression is used to form dry cast products and shorten the curing time.  

Advantages of Dry Cast

- Production: shorter curing time means a higher volume can be produced in a shorter amount of time.

- Price: sometimes dry cast products can be offered at a slightly lower price since less labor and time is needed for production.

Wet Cast

You guessed it!  The wet cast process involves a higher water to cement ratio mix.  The texture of this mix is similar to a milkshake. This mix is poured into molds and allowed to cure in a temperature-controlled environment.  Don't be fooled, the extra water does not affect the strength of our products.  It allows the concrete to form into beautiful textures and provide a smooth finish. Wet cast concrete products cure and can build strength for up to 28 days.

Advantages of Wet Cast

- Durability: The smooth finish of wet cast is the recommended method for areas prone to freeze thaw cycles, such as the beautiful northwest we live in. Dry cast products have a more porose surface which allow water and dirt to collect.  This causes the dry cast products to shift, crack or erode sooner than a wet cast product. Wet cast products can provide a denser, smoother and more durable product.

- Appearance: Wet cast is the clear winner providing a more natural look with deeper details due to the fluidity of the mix.

Landscaping projects can be expensive and can take a lot of time yet hopefully last long as well.  That is why NWCP only produces wet cast concrete products for you.  We take pride in what we make and want you to have a superior product. Wet cast concrete is dense and durable and made to last!

We do! Many of our products have colored options.  In order to provide the best product for you, our concrete is colored by dying the mix. This provides a solid color throughout the block, hiding any future accidental chips or dents.

In our minds, there are 3 different types of retaining wall blocks, 

1)the small blocks you get from big box stores, 

2)the large, heavy blocks and 

3)NWCP's mid-size landscape block

The small blocks from the big box stores are easy to handle since they are light weight.  However, the light weight usually means they don't do as good of a job at retaining the earth behind them and can be prone to lean over time.  They can be time intensive to install since so many need to be used.  These blocks are usually made of dry cast concrete (see above) so they are also porose which can cause them to shift, crack or crumble.

The large blocks provided by precast concrete manufacturers are strong and made from durable wet cast concrete.  They are heavy and do an excellent job at doing their job, retaining the earth behind them.  Installation is easy.  Once the bottom row is set, leveled and straight, the rest of the layers just stack.  However, their weight can only be handled by heavy duty machines.  This is a struggle for small areas.  The blocks are also very large in size which makes it less flexible at fitting into the right dimensions, corners, lengths, heights you need.

This is why NWCP's mid-size landscape block is the perfect fit. The blocks take on the best characteristics of each of the large and small blocks and help solve for their challenges.  The blocks are made with solid wet cast concrete making them strong and durable.  This provides a smooth, textured finish that won't break down as fast as the small blocks.  The mid-size blocks are half the size of the large blocks but still provide excellent retainage.  They can be handled with a light duty machine and are easier to manipulate.  Installation is easy.  Just like the large blocks, once the base layer is established, they just stack. Their small size makes them more flexible to fit the dimensions of your wall.

Every project is different.  Give us a call and let us come look at yours to see if the mid-size landscape block is the right solution for you.

 Maintenance is minimal—usually just regular cleaning. Occasionally, deeper cleaning may be needed for paint or oil spills. Inspections for damage are recommended to ensure longevity. 

Some products, such as our bird baths, should probably be resealed every couple of years.

Yes! We have some very exciting plans for 2026 once our new production facility is done.  We can't wait to share.  Follow our Facebook page to be the first to know.

We do offer local delivery and shipping to out lying areas for an extra fee.

We are in the process of expanding our production facility in Hauser, ID.  We hope to welcome you there in the spring of 2026 to see displays of our products.  In the meantime, we would love to show you the products at our current facility in Coeur d'Alene, ID or bring a sample of products by your job site.