If you are constructing a new building and it is located in an area that often has high winds and heavy rains, you need to take many things into consideration during construction. Below is some information about how to keep the exterior of your building secure so you and your employees can be safe while inside of it.
Exterior Wall Cladding
Exterior wall cladding is decorative panels that can make your exterior walls look like they are made from something else, such as aluminum alloy, stainless steel, copper, PVC, and vinyl siding. Besides giving your building a decorative appeal, they protect it from high winds and rain. To help the panels stay organized, they are generally installed in rows over a plywood sheathing.
There are many attachment systems for exterior wall cladding. One commonly used is known as the clip rail attachment system. This system consists of horizontal or vertical rails that are attached to clips. The clips are placed in intermittent rows. The clips that are attached to the rails pass through the exterior insulation and then clip back to the structure. This holds the insulation and the wall cladding securely in place. A type of silicone is placed between the panels as an air and water barrier.
A building engineer will install the cladding as it is very important that it is installed correctly. There may be building code requirements, depending on where you live. The building engineer will know of these requirements.
Interior Panels
Because you live in an area with heavy rain, your business may be moisture-prone. If moisture build ups anywhere inside your building, this can cause mold and mildew to grow, which can be dangerous for you, your employees, and the structure itself.
Interior panels are a type of interior wall cladding that do not rely on drywall. Interior panels also have a moisture resistant core for even more protection from moisture. The interior panels can be installed before windows, doors, or the roof are installed.
These panels also benefit contractors because if they used drywall and it rained before the building was completed, the rain could damage the drywall. If they use interior panels, they will not have to worry about this.
Roofing System
You also have to take into consideration the roofing material you are using for your new building. If you have chosen a metal roof, instead of using exposed fasteners, use cleats or clips. This is because the cleats or clips will not be exposed to the heavy rain and high winds, which allows the metal to contract and expand. This reduces the chances of the roof buckling during high winds or heavy rains.
If you choose a slate roof, use flat head slating nails that are made from copper, as these nails are much stronger. To make the roof even more secure apply a polyurethane sealant or roof cement under any exposed parts and the slate. Use approximately four nails for each slate. Choose durable and high quality underlayment.
Talk with a building engineer for more information about exterior and interior wall cladding and a roofing contractor about the best type of roof for you to use for the area that you live in for more information.
Share26 April 2017
My family owns a thriving timber business. For over thirty years, they have been meeting their customers’ needs in my home state. One of the reasons for their success is their commitment to purchasing state-of-the-art heavy construction equipment to use in their business. After buying the most technologically advanced machinery available on the market, they also strive to maintain it for the safety of their employees. If you own a business, you need to regularly schedule a professional to check the safety of your heavy construction equipment. On this blog, you will discover how to protect your employees by hiring someone to regularly check the safety of your machinery.
