An Uptick in Building and Construction Requires Protecting Critical Components — Here’s Why

With the reopening of states, residential housing demand may experience a V-shaped rebound. Though economists express cautious optimism, new home sales jumped 21 percent in June compared to May. Mortgage applications grew by 21 percent from last year too — and this past June, they hit an 11-year high.

What’s driving demand? Low mortgage rates, combined with an ever-changing list of government assistance programs, mortgage forbearance, and limits on foreclosures. Together, this creates a perfect environment for homeownership or renovations, which typically increase during economic downturns. Besides, with more people living and working under the same roof than ever before, many are realizing the need to reconfigure their spaces for their new lives. For the construction industry, home building and renovating will equate to an uptick in demand for materials — and ultimately, these materials will need to be protected at every stage, from manufacturing to shipping and storage.

Most companies can’t afford the risk of damaged materials, resulting in delays and other problems. For example, if workers don’t realize they’re using damaged materials, the finished home could have structural imperfections. This leads to potential liability issues and dissatisfied homeowners. Here’s a look into why it’s essential to protect critical construction materials and components.

Keep costs from shooting through the roof

It’s no secret that building or renovating requires significant investment. New homes may cost anywhere from $100 to $200 per square foot to complete, and the average remodeling cost ranges from $15 to $60 per square foot. Though labor and construction take up a big chunk, the materials used may increase the overall price, creating a Money Pit situation, even for brand new construction.

Depending on the project, builders will need a range of materials: wood for framing; concrete for driveways, sidewalks, and foundations; marble for countertops; and cylindrical piping and trim work. High-gloss surfaces, such as chrome faucet fixtures, and heavy, fragile items, such as toilets and sinks, will need to be protected to ensure they arrive on-site in pristine condition.

Construction waste accounts for 33.3 million tons of rubbish sent to landfills every year. That includes construction materials that are damaged in transit or during storage. Many materials are shipped from across the country, or even overseas, leaving them victim to all kinds of shock, vibration, adverse weather, or temperature fluctuations that may crack, scratch, or mar the materials.

The result is an unnecessary delay due to reshipping as well as increased labor and material costs. Reshipping also increases carbon emissions — and for builders working on “green” homes, this now chips away at any positive environmental impact from these structures.

How to nail the protection of construction materials

Reduce the likelihood of damage to construction materials, windows, doors, trim, and cabinetry by protecting them during transit and storage, and even during use. Shock and vibration during transit can take a toll on heavy and fragile items, such as toilets and sinks, as well as high-gloss surfaces and furnishings, including marble countertops, chrome faucets, and appliances. Cylindrical piping and trim work may also be subject to damage.

Bulky and fragile items benefit from engineered foam or foam-in-place on-demand systems, which provide the cushioning and protection needed to keep items intact during transit and storage. Alternatively, high-gloss or class “A” surfaces can be shielded with Microfoam® and Pregis PolyMask’s temporary protective films, which offer friction to guard surfaces against shifting. This prevents the surfaces from getting scratched, as well as protect installed components like countertops from construction dirt. These options are also lightweight, reducing transit costs. Then there are foam profiles, which encapsulate piping and trim work to prevent cracked pipes from being unknowingly installed in a home, that, later on, may cause significant damage.

Shoring up the floors and foundations

Did you know using foam can also improve the durability of construction materials during and after installation? For example, using concrete curing blankets made of Microfoam insulates mixtures for driveways, sidewalks, and foundations against colder temperatures, which helps foster uniform expansion and prevents cracks. They also keep out heat, which can create excess moisture.

Keeping mold at bay is an issue for homeowners, too. That’s where polyethylene sheet foam, such as Astro-Foam®, comes in. It not only dampens sound when it’s used as floor underlayment, but it also guards against moisture. It makes hardwood, laminate, and vinyl floors more comfortable by insulating against extreme temperatures too.

Don’t get hammered by damaged materials

During an economic downturn, protecting building and construction materials helps keep new construction and renovation projects within budget. When materials arrive intact, builders and contractors save time, labor, and overall costs, as well as prevent needless delays.

Not sure what packaging to use to get the job done? Get more information on protecting your building and construction project.

Call in the Pregis Team to help