Importance of Quality Building | Protecting Against the Elements
Depending on where you live, you might think that construction practices that protect against severe weather do not apply to you. We have seen this time and time again. Southerners don’t take measures to protect their buildings against snow and cold weather. Floridians don’t take measures to properly ensure protection against damage from storms. While some of these efforts might seem unnecessary, quality construction that protects against the elements can increase the longevity of your structure.
When going about your next construction project, be sure to consider possible severe weather. Snow, wind, hot temperatures, and natural disasters can all either destroy your building unnecessarily, or damage it over time. Read on to learn more about the importance of quality building.
Cold Weather and Snow
When it comes to snow, perhaps the biggest issue is protecting against its weight. Roofs can quickly accumulate heavy snow piles which can damage the building. If you live in an area with heavy snowfall in the winter, be sure to consider designs that allow for snow to melt quickly and withstand the weight. Be sure to pay extra attention to small structures like building entrances, garages, and carports.
Other areas to consider:
- Solar shading and other decorative elements that could increase the surface area to hold snow in the winter
- Thickness of walls and window to insulate the building in colder months
- Special glazing and products that reduce heat loss
- Designs that could be dangerous for falling ice and icicles in the winter
- Adequate cement hydration and equipment function during construction in cold months
Hot and Dry Climates
When building for hot and dry summers, a key factor is designing for energy efficiency and protecting against solar radiation. When designing for a hot climate, it is important to consider spaces with natural ventilation that can also retain cool air. Without elements like high-performing windows, ceiling insulation, moisture protection, heat-reflective foil, and UV barriers, mold and mildew can quickly grow in a building, putting residents at risk. Be sure to consider spaces that hold heat and moisture such as attics. Quality HVAC systems, ducts, and A/C units are essential to safe and balanced air flow throughout a building.
Other areas to consider:
- Low-conductivity and high R-value walls
- Orientation of windows in relation to the sun
- Dehydration of cement in hot temperatures which can cause leaks in structures
- Dust accumulation during construction, causing equipment to break
- Health and safety of construction workers
Wind and Storms
No matter where you live, quality building is essential to protect your building against damage from wind and storms. Especially if you live in an area prone to natural disasters, you have to ensure that the design of your structure or building is optimized for minimal damage. The two areas that can have the biggest protection for your building are the windows and roofs. Roof sheathing with ring-shank nails can increase your roof’s protection against wind and storms. During construction, be sure that you incorporate multiple layers of concrete and tile to protect against possible exposure during a storm. The use of impact-rated windows is another example of how quality materials and construction can protect against storms.
- Raised floors to protect against flooding
- Doors with resistance – the mechanism at the top of business doors that prevent wind from catching them. Having overhead doors under power is a great way to ensure they close with a tight seal, without injuring people opening or closing the door.
- Using fire-retardant materials
- Incorporating quality and strong materials such as cement, slate, stucco, and brick in your structure’s design
- Reliable generators
- Building with a continuous load path
What are some ways that you build to protect against the elements? Let us know in the comments below. Contact us today to find out about our construction beliefs and high-quality products.
