Framing Excellence: Advanced Strategies for Streamlined Construction
As the building industry finds ways to maximize output without stressing supply changes or workers, contractors are embracing new technology and building methods, including new framing techniques.
These advancements allow them to improve a building’s structural integrity, minimize errors and maximize material efficiency without straying from a project’s overall budget.
Understanding and embracing these changes and new technologies leads to innovative, outside-the-box solutions that streamline construction without sacrificing quality or precision.
Understanding Advanced Framing Techniques
Advanced framing, also called optimum value engineering (OVE), produces structurally sound, resource-efficient buildings with more space for cavity insulation, making them more energy-efficient.
Common advanced framing techniques that can make a big difference in the final cost of a project include:
- Making the best use of common sheet sizes by designing on two-foot models. This reduces waste and labor, which can lead to budget overages and time delays.
- Spacing wall studs uniformly up to 24 inches on center.
- Spacing floor joists and roof rafters up to 24 inches on center.
- Not placing headers in non-load bearing walls.
- Using single lumber header and top plates where necessary.
- Choosing in-line framing to transfer loads directly downward just by placing floor, wall, and roof framing vertically inline.
For example, when building a new home, using scrap lumber and old drywall clips left over from other home-building projects will reduce waste, reduce the cost of supplies, and make the build more environmentally friendly without sacrificing the quality of the work.
Benefits of Streamlined Construction
While adopting new building methods may feel challenging, the benefits of using streamlined construction and modern technology to improve performance and cost are worth the initial learning curve.
The result is a home built faster and more structurally secure, energy efficient and environmentally friendly than homes built using traditional construction methods.
Better Structural Integrity
Buildings and homes are built using more precise measurements because large amounts of data can be analyzed, and accurate measurements for specific sites can be produced in real-time thanks to AI and other tools.
Energy Efficiency
Buildings with more internal cavity space for insulation are more energy efficient and can dramatically decrease heating and cooling costs without increasing the cost of construction. Better energy efficiency also means a lower environmental impact.
Faster Speed
Using streamlined construction methods like advanced framing makes it much faster for contractors to take a building project from planning to completion. Time is money, especially in today’s high-demand construction world.
So, when contractors can use tools like real-time data analysis, digital document and model sharing and fast material delivery and assembly, they can complete projects faster without sacrificing quality.
Streamlined construction methods are also more cost-effective and can save money at every project stage, from planning to material purchase to labor.
Lower Environmental Impact
Streamlined construction has a much lower environmental impact, which is important to consumers and businesses. Just-in-time material delivery and off-site production that can be automated means less material waste.
Environmentally-friendly construction isn’t just a selling point — it can also reduce the cost of materials, the need to purchase offsets and the overall cost of building.
Advanced Strategies for Framing Efficiency
Advanced strategies for framing efficiency and building are slowly becoming standard industry practices. However, that does not mean that builders and contractors must adopt all strategies simultaneously. They can choose which framing strategies work best for their projects.
Prefabrication And Modular Construction
Prefabricating building elements off-site means that necessary elements can be produced in facilities already set up for production. This saves time and money and makes the delivery logistics to the job site easier.
Similarly, modular construction of elements that can be assembled off-site means less labor cost at the construction site and fewer delays because the elements arrive faster and are ready to install.
Digital Tools for Precise Measurements
Using digital tools allows engineers and planners to obtain the most accurate measurements possible without errors. These tools can be used for planning and pre-construction, data analysis and real-time information sharing, resulting in less wasted time and better accuracy. Some of the best digital tools to use right now include:
- Field communications apps to collaborate while at the job site
- Apps and programs that allow engineers to make real-time changes in a dynamic environment
- Drones for more accurate placement measurement
Optimal Material Selection
Using drone surveillance to analyze site composition and AI to analyze comprehensive data points like environment, weather, soil and other factors means that contractors and engineers can choose the best building materials based on the building site’s unique factors.
When engineers and contractors have access to the best materials, there is less waste, lower costs and a better end product. Choosing the best materials can also be part of OVE if you use leftovers, scrap or other reusable waste materials.
Challenges and Solutions
Some challenges contractors face because of advanced building techniques like streamlined construction are labor shortages, fewer materials to fix building errors and communication hurdles. Fortunately, there are solutions to these challenges.
Addressing Labor Shortages
There have been labor shortages in the industry for some time due to increased demand for skilled construction workers and contractors. However, contractors implementing advanced construction techniques are finding long wait times for specialists in AI, drone operation and data analysis.
To minimize the wait and improve turnaround times without sacrificing quality, look for new talent in these building techniques, consider internships and promote from within if people with an aptitude for using modern tools are already on your team.
Mitigating Potential Risks
When using streamlined building techniques, there is less waste. However, that means you’ll have less on-site material to compensate for mistakes or damage. To mitigate potential risks, it’s important to do risk analysis at every stage of the build. Consider revamping crew training to include education in new techniques and using new materials as well.
Collaborating With Stakeholders
Using modern tools like the ones recommended below are great options for increasing efficiency:
- Supply chain apps like Compliance Chain
- Cloud-based data and file sharing like the AEC collection from Autodesk
- Real-time project and task training tools like Traxxeo for easy collaboration
However, collaboration depends on everyone’s willingness to communicate effectively. Make sure you use the communication tools you have to collaborate regularly with other team members.
Streamline Construction With Berry Home Centers
Embracing new advanced framing strategies and streamlined building techniques is the best way to ensure you aren’t left behind in the coming construction surge.
Environmentally friendly construction, streamlined construction and advanced framing techniques are the new normal for the industry. Embracing and learning to use these changes to your advantage will allow you to position your business as an early industry leader.
Berry Home Centers is ready to help you succeed using these new practices. At Berry Home Centers, you’ll find sustainable building materials, reliable delivery and more. Contact our team of building experts today to start streamlining your building processes.