Tilt-up construction is proving to be one of the most innovative and useful construction methods in the commercial building world today. It is a relatively new form of construction, but the trend took very little time to take off. Not familiar with the concept? Here’s a quick overview:
When conducting tilt-up construction projects, the walls that will make up the building are poured at the job site into concrete slabs. Each slab is custom made using wooden forms to ensure they become exactly the right shape. Once hardened, the slabs are then picked up by a crane and positioned into place with braces and footing cures to create the building’s exterior.
This method of construction isn’t a skyrocketing new trend for no reason. There is a plethora of explanations as to why this trend became popular and why it doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon.
Cost
The cost of a tilt-up project seems to be significantly less than the more traditional method of building. This is due to the fact that most of the materials needed for this type of construction can be found locally, rather than having to ship anything special in. It can also be attributed to the smaller amount of workers needed and the reduced time spent working on the project.
Speed
As stated above, tilt-up construction can be done relatively quickly compared to the traditional way of doing things. There are less opportunities for delays to set back the finishing date. Because of the way things are done, many trades can be working at the same location at the same time, allowing the schedule to stay more in tact.
Safety
Construction safety as well as building safety after completion is pretty high in tilt-up construction. Because most of the construction takes place on the ground, there is a reduced risk for injury to occur on the job site. There is also a lowered job site risk because there are fewer workers, therefore decreasing the chances of someone getting hurt.
After the building is built, the owners have a reduced risk of fire because of the use of concrete rather than a more flammable material. The walls are also stronger than other materials, making them great for security safety.
Better Over Time
Overall, buildings built using the tilt-up construction method have proven to be more durable. This method also significantly reduces the amount of construction waste after the job is done. Maintenance and operating costs are lower than traditional buildings, and as far as repairs go, the process tends to be faster and easier. Once someone does decide that the building is no longer of use to them, they can recycle the materials to be used as road material in the future.
In the end, tilt-up construction is a great choice for commercial building. Not only will it generally cost less and take less time to build, but you will also spend less time and money taking care of it over the years. If you are considering using tilt-up construction, either as a contractor or someone who needs a building, you won’t be disappointed with the outcome!
Written by Kent Murdock, owner of Randy Adams Construction in Columbia, MO. Randy Adams Construction is one of the premiere commercial construction companies in Mid-Missouri.