Construction – Elsatech Nigeria Limited

BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION: Massive scaffolding installed at new Long Beach bridge in California

ELSATECH_NG1 — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 09:52:00 +0000

The 3.1 million-lb scaffolding system is contributing to the replacement of the 50-year-old Gerald Desmond Bridge

Construction crews lifted a massive 3.1 million-lb piece of scaffolding on Tuesday in Long Beach, Calif., as part of the construction of a bridge connecting Long Beach to Terminal Island.

Workers in hard hats looked to the sky as a crew hoisted the $10 million steel piece of equipment designed in Norway and constructed in China, then moved by a super-powered jack. Longer than two football fields, the scaffolding system eliminates less reliable, traditional wooden scaffolding systems that can be more easily knocked out by wind or an earthquake.

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Construction crews

Construction crews lifted a massive 3.1 million-lb piece of scaffolding on Tuesday in Long Beach, Calif., as part of the construction of a bridge connecting Long Beach to Terminal Island.

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Workers

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The equipment

Already the equipment has helped build the westbound approach to the bridge, which will replace the 50-year old Gerald Desmond Bridge. The total cost of the project has reached $1.5 billion.

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Cable-stayed bridge

The cable-stayed bridge is touted by city officials and developers as a project that will redefine the Long Beach skyline, with two massive towers where cables will string out alongside the six-lane, 1.5-mile roadway.

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Construction

Although construction is more than halfway complete, the bridge is one year behind schedule and $500 million over budget. The eastbound lanes and the main span still need to be finished before cars can barrel along the highway. It is scheduled to open in late 2018.

How to Hire a Contractor: Questions to Ask Before Hiring

ELSATECH_NG1 — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 08:56:00 +0000

Elsatech understands that sometimes people aren’t sure what to look for in a general contractor. They go a step beyond simply explaining their skills in an about page to writing an evergreen post which discusses the five key points to consider when hiring a general contractor. A post like this empowers their readers – potential clients – and allows them to make informed decisions on their own. Like the rest of their blog posts, the page design is clear to read with headers, followed by questions that are then answered in list format.

Are you looking for a contractor? Call us today so we can explain to you how we can meet and exceed all of your needs!”

10 things to consider when looking for a contractor

1. License

When looking for a contractor, it is important to find one that is licensed. This means that the contractor has met the state mandated qualifications for contractors. This is also important if you are looking to sell your house in the future, work done by an unlicensed contractor is not usually recognised in real estate transactions. You can find license holders on most state DLLR websites, for instance, you can find Maryland license holders here.

2. General Liability and Workers Comp Insurance

Insurance is a major factor when it comes to choosing a contractor. Your contractor’s insurance policy protects you as the homeowner from incurring responsibility for an injury sustained on your property.

3. Experience

Experience is important when it comes to choosing a contractor because you want to make sure that they are able to provide you with quality workmanship. You can ask your contractor questions like how long the have been in business, how many projects they do in a month, and if they have any references for their work.

4. References and a Positive Reputation

References and a positive online reputation is a good indication that the company has done significant work and that their customers are happy with their services. Beware of a “too perfect” looking reputation though. A 100% satisfaction rate could be a red flag indicating that the reviews posted are not from actual customers.

5. Steady and Trained Staff and Crew

Never be afraid to ask how long a company has been in business or how long an individual has worked for the company. Lengthy tenure can show that the company has a good reputation not only with customers, but within the company as well. Training is also important, you can ask questions like what licenses or special training's the company or individual has received.

6. Turnaround Time

Once you speak with a company, turnaround time is also a good indicator of what kind of company you are speaking with. If the turnaround time is too short it may indicate that the company is sacrificing quality for speed. If the estimated length of completion is wildly different from other contractors there could be an issue. During busy seasons, turn around time could be between 3-4 weeks for a standard asphalt roof replacement, or even longer if a severe weather event has occurred.

7. Pricing

Pricing is an important to look for, and not for the reason you might be thinking. When searching for a contractor, you do not want a contractor that has the highest or the lowest pricing. Contractors should be competitive with pricing, but if the pricing seems too good to be true, it usually is. You also want to make sure you are comparing “apples to apples” when it comes to pricing. Different manufacturers or types of shingles can raise or lower costs.

8. Material Suppliers

A good way to check in with a contractor would be to check with the material suppliers. If the company has a good reputation with the people they work most closely with and often (suppliers), than it is a good indication that it will be a good company to work with.

9. Communication

From the beginning of contacting your contractor, you want to make sure that they are providing good communication. Did the office get back to you in a timely manner? Did they answer all of your questions? Did they confirm the appointment? Did your consultant answer all of your questions? If the answer is “no” to several of theses questions, it may be a good indicator that the company will not be able to have open communication with you during the process of your job.

10. Contract

Your contract will show a lot about your company. It will include most of the items listed above, it should show you their license number, answer questions about materials used, timelines, and a detailed contract can show you the experience of a company. If you have a vague or hard to understand contract, it might indicate that there are hidden fees or procedures.

When it comes to finding a contractor, no two projects are the same, because no two people are the same. Trust is a major factor when it comes to finding the right contractor, and like dating, it is important to find someone you are comfortable with. Never be afraid to ask as many questions as you might need to. At AROCON Roofing and Construction, our friendly and trained staff is available Monday through Saturday to ask any questions you might have for an upcoming project you might have!

Natural Wood and PVC Porches: Outdoor Building Material Never Looked So Good

ELSATECH_NG1 — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 07:55:00 +0000

“Are you looking to revamp your weathered porch? Give us a call today so we can explain all your options!”

Elsatech is a niche construction company. They build or maintain porches, and having a specialty makes them an expert on their product, which makes their blog posts detailed, and yet still easy to understand. With so many material options to use for porches, what is your best option? Some potential clients may scoff at the idea of using unexpected materials, like PVC, on their new porch. The best way to convince them is to show them how good it can look; surprise them! The picture they post of a porch railing looks so much like wood, it’s rather shocking to believe it’s made of PVC. To follow up their point is a detailed post regarding the benefits, and also the downfalls, of using PVC in a porch design.

Wood and PVC as building materials

We know that although beautiful, over time, wood used in outdoor applications will age. Whether a deck, outdoor swing, or piece of outdoor furniture, wood will gray out and the natural grain patterns will become muted. Over time it will also begin to warp, check and crack. If you’ve recently invested in a new deck or new outdoor furniture, it’s distressing to see your purchase age faster than you’d like. But we’re attracted to wood because of its natural properties such as its grain pattern and the natural variations of every single board. There is something alluring about natural wood and it will always be a great outdoor building material.

The question is whether there is another material that has all the good qualities of wood and none of the bad ones. There is one outdoor building material that we think bears the closest resemblance to wood of any non-natural product and this is PVC. PVC will not rot, check, of splinter. It is strong, durable, and long lasting. It will not gray out or change color. If you paint it, which you can, the paint will adhere better and last longer than it does on wood. In fact, PVC holds paint better than wood since wood is expanding and contracting all the time. PVC is a solid material and is impervious to water which is why it is often used for windows, railings, columns and gates.

Now scroll back up and take a look at the PVC railing panel above. The railing panel is not wood although it looks a lot like real wood. This is one of the reasons we like it. PVC has dimension and heft to it. We can work with it like wood. We can cut and rout edges. I am able to form it into layers to make even thicker dimensions. I can give it relief from front to back instead of making it all on the same plane. I can cut out intricate patterns, cut arches, and create other cuts and angles that would be nearly impossible with wood or another building material.

But, and you knew there would be a but, there are 2 significant and important drawbacks. First, it has no natural graining and variation like wood. It lacks that authenticity of a natural building material. I cannot stain it like I can with wood. Secondly, it’s a good bit more expensive and those are important trade offs to consider.

We’ve been building here in Nashville for 23 years. We’ve built with wood every one of those years and we will always build with wood. There is a time and a place for every material, technology and trend. Some are timeless and many of the synthetic materials will improve over time. Our preference is to use PVC for the areas of the porch that are not under the cover of a roof such as railings, gates, and fences. We also envision building more decorative features out of PVC such as cupolas, shutters or other elements that have no protection from direct sun and rain.

If you follow our blog or hopefully become one of our Nashville clients, you’ll see we use both materials in harmony in our living spaces. They work great in combination. If you visit or shop our online store, you’ll see many different innovations such as our store’s inaugural product – PVC railing panels. We are passionate about building, about innovation, and about building porches and outdoor components that satisfy their purpose in a beautiful and meaningful way.

Hardwood Options: Solid Versus Engineered Floors

ELSATECH_NG1 — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 06:01:00 +0000

Elsatech understands that their customers have many options for their flooring. While some clients prefer tile and others want carpet, many homeowners are looking for hardwood options for their new homes. This post discusses the differences between solid hardwood floors and engineered hardwood, while dispelling some some misconceptions throughout the construction blog post.

Revenues for up to June 2017 amounted to £1.1billion down compared to the £1.6billion made in the same period last year.

The company made a loss of £1.2billion compared to a pre-tax profit of £343million last year

Second quarter 2017 results included net unfavorable items of £1.3 billion write down including a loss on the divestiture of the jackup fleet, impairment of the midwater floater asset group, the early retirement of debt as well as litigation matters and restructuring charges.

Construction Industry Trends: Prefabrication

ELSATECH_NG1 — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 04:39:00 +0000

Suggested Call to Action: “If you’ve considered using prefabrication as part of your next construction project, reach out to us for guidance and a design plan to suit your needs.”

Elsatechng has an entire category built for industry trends, and each blog post focuses on one specific trend that influences how they do business. In a post on prefabrication, they discussed how they’ve used previously built or modular systems in some of their construction sites, explaining in detail the benefits of prefabrication, and how it can be used among site-built systems to complete projects on time and on budget. Another way Elsatechng Construction backs up their discussion on industry standards is to provide statistics on prefabrication use and forecast of future usage.

Prefabs and the modernist movement

Architects are incorporating modern designs into the prefabricated houses of today. Prefab housing should no longer be compared to a mobile home in terms of appearance, but to that of a complex modernist design. There has also been an increase in the use of "green" materials in the construction of these prefab houses. Consumers can easily select between different environmentally friendly finishes and wall systems. Since these homes are built in parts, it is easy for a home owner to add additional rooms or even solar panels to the roofs. Many prefab houses can be customized to the client's specific location and climate, making prefab homes much more flexible and modern than before.

Prefabricated homes were produced during the Gold Rush in the United States, when kits were produced to enable Californian prospectors to quickly construct accommodation. Homes were available in kit form by mail order in the United States in 1908.

Prefabricated housing was popular during the Second World War due to the need for mass accommodation for military personnel. The United States used Quonset huts as military buildings, and in the United Kingdom prefabricated buildings used included Nissen huts and Bellman Hangars. 'Prefabs' were built after the war as a means of quickly and cheaply providing quality housing as a replacement for the housing destroyed during the Blitz. The proliferation of prefabricated housing across the country was a result of the Burt Committee and the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Act 1944. Under the Ministry of Works Emergency Factory Made housing programme, a specification was drawn up and bid on by various private construction and manufacturing companies. After approval by the MoW, companies could bid on Council led development schemes, resulting in whole estates of prefabs constructed to provide accommodation for those made homeless by the War and ongoing slum clearance.^[9] Almost 160,000 had been built in the UK by 1948 at a cost of close to £216 million. The largest single prefab estate in Britain^[10] was at Belle Vale (South Liverpool), where more than 1,100 were built after World War 2. The estate was demolished in the 1960s amid much controversy as the prefabs were very popular with residents at the time.

Balloon framing

ELSATECH_NG1 — Sun, 11 Apr 2021 12:47:49 +0000

Balloon framing is a method of wood construction – also known as "Chicago construction" in the 19th century^[11] – used primarily in areas rich in softwood forests: Scandinavia, Canada, the United States up until the mid-1950s, and around Thetford Forest in Norfolk, England. The name comes from a French Missouri type of construction, maison en boulin,^[12] boulin being a French term for a horizontal scaffolding support.

Balloon framing uses long continuous framing members (studs) that run from the sill plate to the top plate, with intermediate floor structures let into and nailed to them.^[13]^[14] Here the heights of window sills, headers and next floor height would be marked out on the studs with a story pole. Once popular when long lumber was plentiful, balloon framing has been largely replaced by platform framing.

It is not certain who introduced balloon framing in the United States. However, the first building using balloon framing was possibly a warehouse constructed in 1832 in Chicago, Illinois, by George Washington Snow.^[15] Architectural critic Sigfried Giedion cited Chicago architect John M. Van Osdel's 1880s attribution, as well as A. T. Andreas' 1885 History of Chicago, to credit Snow as 'inventor of the balloon frame method'.^[16] In 1833, Augustine Taylor (1796–1891) constructed St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chicago using the balloon framing method.

In the 1830s, Hoosier Solon Robinson published articles about a revolutionary new framing system, called "balloon framing" by later builders. Robinson's system called for standard 2x4 lumber, nailed together to form a sturdy, light skeleton. Builders were reluctant to adopt the new technology, however, by the 1880s, some form of 2x4 framing was standard.^[17]

Alternatively, a precursor to the balloon frame may have been used by the French in Missouri as much as thirty-one years earlier.^[12]

Although lumber was plentiful in 19th-century America, skilled labor was not. The advent of cheap machine-made nails, along with water-powered sawmills in the early 19th century made balloon framing highly attractive, because it did not require highly skilled carpenters, as did the dovetail joints, mortises and tenons required by post-and-beam construction. For the first time, any farmer could build his own buildings without a time-consuming learning curve.^[18]

It has been said that balloon framing populated the western United States and the western provinces of Canada. Without it, western boomtowns certainly could not have blossomed overnight.^[19] It is also likely that, by radically reducing construction costs, balloon framing improved the shelter options of poorer North Americans.^{[citation needed]} For example, many 19th-century New England working neighborhoods consist of balloon-constructed three-story apartment buildings referred to as triple deckers. However, balloon framing did require very long studs and as tall trees were exhausted in the 1920s, platform framing became prevalent.^[20]

The main difference between platform and balloon framing is at the floor lines. The balloon wall studs extend from the sill of the first story all the way to the top plate or end rafter of the second story. The platform-framed wall, on the other hand, is independent for each floor.

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