In recent years, prefabrication has transformed the construction domain. Moreover, when you use prefabricated parts for scaffolds, there are fewer labor costs. Workers can also assemble the parts quickly at the construction site. But, while prefabrication has its benefits, it has its cons. So, in this article, we shall cover more about prefabricated scaffolding advantages.
What is Prefabrication in construction?
Prefabrication refers to producing building components and then assembling them on-site. This approach is quite different from conventional methods. Under the latter approach, buildings are built right from scratch. But, when parts are manufactured at a factory, it helps to produce them precisely. Significant labor is also reduced during the final assembly phase. Besides, builders can improve quality control and shorten the project timelines.
Why is Prefabrication in Construction Important?
When components are built off-site, it helps in reducing the construction time. Workers can then focus on foundation work and preparing the site. Apart from reduced labor costs, this also leads to swift project completion. Additionally, a factory environment enables precise construction and better material handling. It also reduces the waste as components are made with exact specifications. Eventually, the approach is more sustainable due to the use of less resources. Generation of waste is also less compared to conventional methods.
How Prefabrication in Construction Works?
When components have to be manufactured off-site, the team commences with the design phase. Detailed plans and specifications are also presented for the parts. Later, the parts are manufactured at the factory. Once the parts are manufactured, the team ensures to develop them with certain specifications. Quality standards are also met during the manufacturing phase. Soon after manufacturing, the components are taken to the site. Once they are at the site, they are assembled to form the structure. This is one of the main prefabricated scaffolding advantages.
What are the Most Commonly Used Prefabricated Items?
Contractors commonly use many prefabricated items. These reduce the overall costs and expedite construction. Let’s now check these ahead.
Wall Panels
Pre-built sections of walls are always built at the factory. These include exterior finishes, insulation and framing. Later, they are transported to the construction site.
Roof Trusses
When workers are at the factory, they produce pre-engineered roof structures. These are then delivered at the site for quick assembly.
Floor Systems
Prefabricated floor joists or panels are designed as per the building’s layout. Quality checks are also carried out before the installation process.
Modular Units
Pre-constructed sections of a house are first manufactured at a different location. A bit later, they are assembled at the construction site. Such modular units include everything from bathrooms to kitchens.
Windows and Doors
Pre-hung windows and doors are often produced inside a factory. This ensures consistent quality and makes installation quicker.
Staircases
Pre-assembled staircases can be transported with minimal labour. The approach also saves a lot of time and effort during the assembly stage.
How many Job Sites Use Prefabricated Materials?
We actually can’t figure out a certain percentage of prefabricated materials. This percentage can depend on many factors, like the project type and scale. The decision of considering such materials will also depend on the contractor’s preferences. But, the use of such materials is increasing significantly. A report also reveals that more than 80% of the industry professionals are now using prefabricated materials.
What are Prefabricated Scaffolding Advantages?
There are many benefits of using prefabricated materials. Let’s take a quick look at these.
Swift Construction
Prefabrication expedites the building process. While the parts are made off-site, the workers can focus on preparing the site. This reduces the construction time and supports faster project completion.
Cost-Effective
Such a method of fabrication lowers the labor costs. It also reduces the amount of material waste during the manufacturing phase. Money and time are also saved as there’s less chances of rework.
Improved Quality Control
When parts are manufactured at a factory, workers take care of precision. This ensures quality and helps meet the industrial standards. Reliable performance can also be expected with prefabrication.
Reduced Labor On-Site
Prefabricated materials are usually delivered after manufacturing. This means that workers don’t have to spend considerable time on-site. They can simply speed up the building process by assembling the parts.
Sustainability
When you consider prefabrication, it can minimize material waste. The factory also manufactures the parts with efficient use of resources. Additionally, workers don’t have to spend a lot of time constructing the building.
Flexibility in Design
Among the prefabricated scaffolding advantages, modular elements can be customized. This offers flexibility in the architectural design with efficient production.
What are the Cons of Using Prefabricated Materials?
Prefabricated materials also have some cons besides their pros. Let’s go through the disadvantages.
Limited Design Flexibility
Prefabricated parts are often based on standard designs. This limits customization and modifications of designs. In fact, it will be quite challenging to alter the designs.
Transport Costs
When large parts have to be transported, the contractor has to bear the shipping costs. Expenses can also increase if the site is quite far away.
Initial Investment
Prefabrication can certainly save a lot of money. But, the initial setup costs can be higher, especially for custom-built parts.
Transport Damage
If the components are fragile, then they can get damaged. This will lead to additional costs for repairs and replacements.
Dependence on Quality
The quality of prefabricated materials depends on the manufacturer. If the quality is not good, then it can affect performance.
Ultimately, assembling the parts may need skilled labour. Training also needs to be imparted to set up the materials. But, seeking such workers may seem challenging in some regions.
How Can Contractors Stay Ahead?
Towards the end, contractors can stay ahead by embracing technology. They can also adopt tools like project management software to streamline operations. Mobile apps can also help place orders of prefabricated parts ahead of time. The app will also help them take snaps of the items once they arrive. Such photos will then confirm whether the parts have been damaged post arrival. Assigning crews to different projects can also be possible using an app.
Conclusion
Finally, if you have to execute a construction project ahead, then why not choose parts from Scaffolds Supply? While you’re about to make a purchase online, we assure you quality. During the manufacturing phase, we have also met safety standards.