In today’s world, it is important that items be environmentally friendly. While most people think about this with items they purchase, it is not often thought about with building materials, read our previous article about green building here. However, there are new advancements that have made greener concrete a good possibility.

How is Concrete Green & Why is this Important?

There are a number of ways that a product can be environmentally friendly. In the case of this concrete, it is a matter of reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. They have accomplished this by changing the formula used to create the concrete. On top of this, the concrete is actually stronger and more durable, which means that it has the potential to last longer than other concrete, which helps to make it even more environmentally friendly.

Everyone understands the dangers of greenhouse gases, but not many people understand how much concrete contributes to this. Studies have shown that approximately 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions are from concrete production. The new manufacturing process can cut the amount of greenhouse gas emissions by about half. While there are still other emissions to consider with this, such as the emissions from the vehicles that transport the concrete, this is still a significant reduction in the amount of emissions produced from one of the largest segments of man made greenhouse gas emissions.

How it Works

When creating the concrete calcium and silica, among other ingredients, are used to make the clincher, one of the most essential elements in the concrete process. Typically, the ratio of calcium to silica is 1.7 to 1. However, through research it has been found that having a calcium to silica ratio of 1.5 to 1 is the optimal ratio. This is what not only produces the greener concrete but stronger as well. This mixture has been tested and has been found to be twice as strong as compounds that utilize a 1.7 to 1 ratio in mechanical tests.

The creation of this concrete was not by accident. In fact, it is the result of a five year long study done in a joint lab by MIT and CNRS. They completed many experiments and calculations before finding just the right formulation, which they say may be able to reduce carbon emissions as much as 60% .

What Does This Mean for Regular Carbon?

Since this is new, it is not something that every company will have right away. However, it does present a new way of thinking that is very exciting. It seems that aside from the residential market, that this concrete could present a better option for the oil and gas industries. Not only by reducing emissions but by creating a more resistant concrete. This is essential to their business, as leakages and blowouts are costly.

If you find yourself needing lifting equipment for an upcoming project, you will have two choices. You can rent this equipment, or you can buy this equipment. There are certainly distinct advantages to both buying and renting, and one of these options will likely be better for your needs. In addition to this, there are also some considerations you will need to take into account before making your choice. Read here on the type of lifting equipment you can use and how to safely use them.

Pros of Renting & Buying Lifting Equipment

One of the options you have is to rent your lifting equipment. According to the U.S. General Services Administration,  one of the biggest advantage to renting is that it is a more affordable option. Lifting equipment can be quite expensive to buy, and unless you are going to need this equipment long-term, renting is a better value for your money. In addition to a lower upfront price, you also won’t have to worry about extra fees like insurance or maintenance, which can also be expensive. Renting lifting equipment will also give you access to the latest technology, as odds are good the equipment you rent will be fairly new.

You also have the choice to buy lifting equipment. There are also benefits to this. First of all, you will have access to this equipment at any time. You will also find that you will be able to become well-versed in using this equipment as you will be using it often. This means you will be able to make repairs, adjustments and be aware of safety issues at all times. Another pro of buying your own lifting equipment is that you are making an investment into your company and building up capital, an important thing to have as a business owner.

Cons of Renting & Buying Lifting Equipment

Just as there are pros to renting lifting equipment, there are also cons. For one, you will find that you are limited on what you can do with the equipment. Since you will be under contract, there might be things that you want to do with this equipment, but you are unable to due to the terms. Another con of renting lifting equipment is that you may not be able to use it correctly. Since this is a new piece of equipment, and you may not be familiar with it, it could take some time to get used to. You will also be limited on the amount of time that you can keep the equipment. Finally, when you rent, you will not be investing in your business like you would be if you buy.

The main con of buying lifting equipment is the cost associated with buying. The price of the equipment is only part of the story. You will also need to pay for insurance, maintenance, fuel and other costs of running and using the equipment. Another con of buying lifting equipment is that, over time, you will find that new technology will come onto the marketplace. Eventually, your equipment will become obsolete. You will also need to consider storing and transporting the equipment.

These are only a few of the pros and cons of buying versus renting lifting equipment. Most of the time, if you find yourself needing lifting equipment quite often, buying might be a better option for you. However, you don’t want to get in over your head financially, either, so in some situations, it is best to rent, even if you use the equipment often. There is no right answer to the question of buying or renting, what matters is that you evaluate your own situation and needs, and choose which option meets those needs better.

Prepare Now To Protect Your Siding

Siding acts as the outer wear of your home, protecting it from the damaging forces of wind and rain while providing a lovely look. Taking care of the siding helps it take care of the rest of your home. Winter brings freezing temperatures that can crack vinyl, while the harsh glare of sun fades paint. Touching up your exterior as the snow melts and spring arrives will give you a fresh look for spring and prepare the siding for the challenges of summer.

Take time to clean. Cleaning the siding is best done in spring because a surprising amount of dust and dirt builds up in the fall and winter. The warmer temperatures also mean that water doesn’t freeze on or under the siding to cause damage. Pressure washing is the fastest way, but many vinyl siding manufacturers warn against it. It should be fine for metal, wood, and other materials. Try a soft bristled brush and a diluted oxygen bleach product to clean siding that can’t handle pressure washing without damaging the lawn and plants around the home. Wait until you have at least two to three days of clear, warm weather so you can complete the job all at once.

Check For Damage

Even if you did a thorough check as part of your sealing up process for the winter, your siding needs another damage inspection in the spring. Freezing water can crack siding, along with hail and falling branches due to storms. Go around the home and pay special attention to the gables and soffits. If the exterior cladding is damaged or loose in those spots, you will increase your chances of water or pests entering the home. Damaged spots need professional repair immediately.

When it comes to painting and sealing, homes finished with wood siding need painting and sealing, or at least a check to make sure it doesn’t need it. Allowing wood to go too long without a protective coating accelerates its natural breakdown process. The same is true for Hardie board siding and other composite materials that are not sealed before installation. Homeowners that have chosen vinyl, coated metal, or other sidings types won’t have to worry about this step.

Re-sealing & Re-siding

The walls that support your exterior cladding are full of openings to let pipes, vents, electrical connections, and plumbing pass through to the exterior. Each of these intrusions needs to stay tightly sealed or you risk an opening that creates a draft or an entrance for a family of mice. Take a flashlight and inspect around the edges of where the siding was trimmed. You should be able to see in and around the fixture in question. Caulk is often the material of choice for closing up tiny gaps around plumbing pipes and bathroom fan vents, but you will need to detach some of the siding for the work to make sure the caulk doesn’t end up on the exterior panels.

Finally, spring is the ideal time for re-siding a house. Replacing worn out or high maintenance materials with something new leaves your home exposed as the work is done in sections. Spring brings the first days warm enough for this kind of work, since it is much harder to complete with cold winds and snow slowing the process. Prevent spring showers from leaving the exposed exterior damp by hanging plenty of tarps around the work areas. This precaution means that the new siding can go on immediately, shortening the amount of time your house stands exposed and uncovered. Start your preparations a few months ahead so everything is in place by the time a stretch of good weather arrives.

Contrary to popular assumptions, the construction industry is not slow to embrace technology. Technological advancements are regularly implemented by contractors who are eager to revolutionize the way they do business. Apps are one of the most widely integrated technological helps used by contractors. There are numerous iPad and Android apps available for contractors to use. To date, there are nearly 13,000 construction, design, and development related apps on the market, with more being introduced daily. With so many apps to choose from, it may be hard for contractors to select which app will best suit their needs. However, there are six applications that are widely used in the construction industry. All of these apps have received excellent reviews from users.

Top 6 Apps

AutoCAD 360

Previously known as AutoCAD WS, this Android application enables users to open and edit CAD files from your mobile device. CAD drawings can be accessed via synced files or email attachments. Integration with AutoCAD is also included for easy file downloading. Files are saved locally for easy access, making it possible to update files when an Internet connection isn’t available. The app is currently rated at 4.5 stars with over 3,000 reviews. Best of all, there is absolutely no charge for the application.

BIMx

BIM applications are widely used in the construction industry. This free iPhone/iPad app turns your mobile device into a powerhouse of the 3-D communication and presentation tools for architectural designs. The application has a 4.5 star rating with over 126 current reviews.

iConfirm

With this app, it’s easy to stay organized when managing multiple projects. The app enables users to handle forms, change orders, and use photo documentation. All documents can be signed directly on the smartphone. Additionally, it is easy to customize the documents with your company logo. There are versions of this application for both Android and Apple devices. The Apple version is rated at 4.5 stars, while the Android version rated just under that.

SmartBidNet

This application works with Android and Apple mobile devices. The app offers cloud storage and PC integration as well that is designed to make the bidding process much smoother. The app also offers users the ability to completely brand all interactions with subcontractors. The app is rated at 4 stars and above in the Google Play Marketplace and ITunes.

Handy Construction Calculators

This Android app is priced at $7.99 and rated at 4.5 stars. Users emphasize that the application is well worth the minimal investment. The app has been downloaded over 10,000 times and features over 27 different construction calculators integrated into a single application. Users can calculate the requirements for any job from laying asphalt to repairing crown molding.

Architect’s Formulator

This application is specifically designed for Apple devices. It is priced at $9.99 and features over 200 formulas to assist contractors with plumbing, carpentry, and electrical calculations. Concrete and excavation formulas are available, as well as swimming pool, parking area, and steel designs.

Technology Is Your Friend

These apps are sure to make performing construction related tasks much easier for contractors. Bidding, building, and managing a construction business can all be done via an iPad, iPhone, or Android powered smartphone. There’s no need to be chained to an office, or to lug around a laptop. With the help of these handy apps, contractors can manage most of their business related needs on the go.

Sustainable Design

Green building, also known as sustainable design, seeks to balance the effects and impacts that construction sites have on the three P’s; people, planet, and pocketbook, with an integrated approach to design solutions.

The main goals and objectives to green building is to reduce waste of critical natural resources such as water, energy and raw materials, as well as building environments that are both safe and productive.

The concept of green building also encourages the renovation of existing buildings and sites rather than building brand new. This is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly measure.

Make your New Construction Site or Existing Building/Home Greener with These Tips

Consider Using Recycled Materials: There is a recycled version of just about any building material that you can think of. Utilizing recycled building materials include both postindustrial and postconsumer materials. Some of the many recycled materials that you’ll find include: cement, steel, wood and more.

Green Insulation: Ensuring that the building or home that you’re insulating is properly insulated will save countless dollars by cutting the energy costs to heat your home or building by about 15-to-20 percent, according to the government’s Energy Star web site. You’ll also want to take into consideration the type of insulation that you use to shield out the elements.

Traditional fiberglass insulation is unsafe to breathe in and touch during installation, so why would we want to fill our homes and buildings with this stuff? The hottest new green insulation alternative trending right now is shredded newspaper and recycled denim. This new alternative also seems to rate better when compared to fiberglass insulation during performance tests.

Green Flooring Options: Increasingly popular green alternatives to hardwood floors right now include bamboo and cork flooring. This is due to their fast-growing nature. Traditional woods used in hardwood flooring such as maple, oak and pine take on average up to 120 years to reach full maturity, whereas bamboo typically grows in only 4-6 years and cork grows in about 9. The installation process for these types of wood produces less air-pollutants and does not require any toxic adhesives.

A Tankless Water Heater: A tankless water heater will save loads of energy thanks to the fact that it only produces heat if the hot water tap is turned on. There is no wasting of energy in the standby mode that traditional hot water heaters have. Tankless water heaters come in various prices and sizes. You can easily supply hot water for an entire house or building, or simply get a smaller hot water heater for just one appliance. The choice is yours.

Green Consumer Watchdogs

Green consumer watchdogs around the world meticulously seek to encourage greener building and less waste. Consumer watchdogs aim to ensure that the construction industry contributes to sustainability by meeting government targets and standards.

Because the construction industry is also a major resource generator, it is important to find balance with sustainability by designing greener, building greener and managing waste more effectively. While the construction industry is a major resource generator, it is also a major producer of waste, which is why it is crucial for action to be taken by these watchdogs.

With all of that said, there is progress being made and there are initiatives to improve waste problems by recovering energy. Recycling waste to energy is a cost-effective viable alternative and solution to the reduction of carbon emissions.

GreenBuild, the United States Green Building Council, recently held their annual conference in Philadelphia and the focus of this year’s conference was on health. It seems that health is a green building mandate that has received little attention and recognition. Health focus in particular was of indoor air quality and on leveraging healthy building materials.

So when moving forward your next construction project, please consider all of this information and go green as best as you can by doing whatever you can to improve indoor air quality, make use of recycled materials and reduce carbon emmissions.

Winter is perhaps the most problematic of the seasons, not least because of the hazards that cold conditions can present to people who are out and about. Since construction sites call for caution even in the best of time, it should come as no surprise to note that combining the two results in a scenario that is more dangerous than the sum of its parts. However, this scenario is not unmanageable, meaning that construction can continue with minimal risk even in the depths of winter so long as supervisors remember a small set of simple but nonetheless essential procedures that should be carried out on a routine basis.

Our Top Ten Safety Tips For Construction Sites In Winter:

1. Constant exposure to the elements can exact a serious toll on humans even under the best circumstances, never mind the combination of cold temperatures and chilling precipitation that the season can bring. Since frost bite and other cold weather-related injuries are common maladies in wintertime, supervisors on the construction sites must be prepared to provide assistance to the affected.
2. At the same time, supervisors should make sure that their personnel understand the signs of frost bite and other cold weather-related injuries so that assistance can be provided as soon as possible.
3. Supervisors should inspect the construction sites each morning to check for potential problems. Some of these problems can be solved outright, while others might need to be managed until winter is over.
4. It is crucial that the paths on construction sites remain clear. In most cases, the paths should also be sprinkled with salt, though more eco-conscious companies might prefer to use a substitute. For example, sand is cheap but provides both excellent traction and the low albedo needed to absorb more sunlight.
5. Bear in mind that the process of clearing the snow should not create more obstacles. Piling the snow can be more convenient than melting it, but pile it too high and it can end up obstructing sight.
6. Furthermore, make sure to inspect probable locations for the formation of icicles that can fall on personnel. Remove the icicles with care if that is possible. However, if the icicles cannot be removed, rope off the area so that personnel will not be working beneath them.
7. Portable heaters can be useful tools on construction sites, but their presence can also create hazards. Supervisors should make sure that their heaters receive inspections from LP-Gas technicians before seeing usage so that potential problems can be caught and fixed.
8. Be sure to use heaters in the right manner. For example, heaters should be placed on fire-resistant surfaces with plentiful ventilation, while their hoses must remain clear and unobstructed. Furthermore, combustible materials should not be brought into the presence of heaters because of the potential for combustion.
9. Propane tanks should be placed upright on stable surfaces. Securing them is important, but using metal might not be a good idea because metal-on-metal contact can result in sparks.
10. Supervisors and their personnel should not fail to practice the usual methods for remaining safe on construction sites in winter. In fact, all parties should go even slower because the potential for danger is that much higher.

Safety Equals Being Proactive

In conclusion, remaining safe on construction sites in winter means being proactive about potential problems. Supervisors need to plan ahead so that their personnel can continue building without problems even in the most perilous season. At Murtagh Brothers we make every effort to make sure our sites are safe for everyone involved.