When it comes to constructing buildings, there are plenty of techniques that can be used. One popular method of construction is using tilt-up walls.
Tilt-up walls make it quick and easy to put up large, square-shaped buildings. If you are working on your next project and thinking about using tilt-up walls, here are six advantages and disadvantages you should know before giving the green light.
What are Tilt-up Walls?
Before we dive into the advantages and disadvantages of tilt-up walls, let’s learn a little more about them. Tilt-up is a type of construction technique that has been around since the 1900s. It consists of pouring concrete panels on site. The slabs are then propped up with materials like lumber or steel.
Tilt-up concrete can make it easy for people to build large projects quickly and do everything on-site rather than shipping concrete slabs in from other places. Now that we know a little bit more about the process, here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using tilt-up concrete.
1. Speed of Construction
One of the most valuable advantages of using tilt-up concrete is speed. While the process can take anywhere from 2 to 6 months, your crew can be working on other parts of the construction in the meantime.
Concrete takes about 4-10 days to cure once poured. Since you would do this pouring on-site, you don’t have to rely on the concrete being delivered from somewhere else.
While you’re waiting for the concrete to set, you then have time to work on the design of the building. So overall, you can finish up a building using the tilt-up method much faster than using traditional construction techniques.
2. Creative Flexibility
Unlike other building methods, tilt-up walls offer more flexibility for creative designs. Although you are working with concrete which can be a little drab on its own, you can customize the design easily. You can work with your architect to add interesting windows and doorways.
Because of the speed of the building process you can also start working on the design process early on. So talk to your project manager and design team about lighting fixtures, wall colors, and other accent pieces to add to the design. You can get abstract with it when you have enough time to work with a great team on a tilt-wall construction.
3. Energy Efficient
Unlike materials like wood and steel, concrete is one of the greenest building materials you can use. When working with tilt-up construction, the seams of the concrete come together closely. This prevents air leaks that can lead to poor insulation. In this way, concrete is an energy-efficient material since it keeps heat and light from escaping the home. Concrete is also incredibly durable so it won’t need repairs as often.
4. Durable
Concrete is an extremely durable material. This is an advantage when it comes to creating a building that is meant to last. Tilt-up concrete is also a great choice when working on large construction projects. It holds up well against all types of extreme weather as well as insects.
Depending on how thick the concrete is poured, it can also offer soundproofing. This is a great advantage if you are building in an urban area. Concrete also holds up against fires and minor damages that would cost a pretty penny to fix.
5. Simplicity
One of the disadvantages that come with using tilt-up walls is that you have to keep it simple. While you can add creative touches and designs to a concrete building, the overall structure is simple.
You are pouring large pieces of concrete that have to be intact. So think big slabs that need to hold up an entire building. This is why tilt-up construction is a great choice for large building projects that don’t need a lot of intricate crafting.
6. On Site Coordination
Unlike normal large-scale construction projects, most of the work on tilt-up walls happens on site. This means you have to coordinate with your team to make sure the site is prepared for the work. You will also have to coordinate the design team on-site and work together closely to monitor your project. This coordination can be difficult to achieve especially on large-scale projects.
Conclusion
Conclusion Overall, tilt-up walls can be a great option for large projects in busy areas. But it’s always good to have the disadvantages in mind in case you endure any challenges on the job.