The Basics of Concrete Pumping Technology

From its inception, concrete pumping revolutionized the concrete industry. Previous methods of concrete placement could be inefficient and hazardous, especially on large-scale projects. In its most rudimentary form, these historical methods of placement involved shuttling wheelbarrows full of concrete from the mixer across vast and obstacle filled job sites, then placing the concrete in the formwork by hand, which required much time and manpower. Concrete pumping technology has mechanized and streamlined this process, allowing for greater volumes of concrete to be placed with fewer workers needed. And when employed by experienced commercial concrete contractors in San Francisco, the benefits of the technology are felt by the customer in the quality of the finished product and the impact on their bottom line.  

Seismic Design in San Francisco

Constructing buildings in areas affected by significant seismic activity, such as in the city of San Francisco, requires specific expertise from all the professionals involved. From the creation of the plans and designs by the architects and engineers, to the skilled placement of the foundational building components executed by San Francisco’s commercial concrete contractors each stage of the process must keep an eye toward earthquake, or seismic, design. With the myriad forms buildings take on and the variety of materials employed in their construction, there are several strategies to ensure every structure, whether it is a skyscraper or apartment building, can withstand the violent forces of an earthquake.

Rebuilding The Bay Bridge

One important consideration when devising a construction project in the Bay Area is the ability of the structure to withstand destructive seismic forces. If a structure is seismically unsound, there can be disastrous consequences. When the Loma Pietra earthquake of 1989 rocked San Francisco and Oakland, many structures failed, including homes in the Marina district that were knocked off their foundations, sections of the I-880 freeway that collapsed, and the upper deck of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge that crashed onto its lower deck on the eastern span of the bridge. As the area looked to rebuild, professionals in the construction field, from engineers to Bay Area commercial concrete contractors, came together to ensure the repairs and new construction met high seismic safety standards.

Home Remodel: Adding a Bonus Room

Adding a room to your home is an exciting type of home remodel because you have the opportunity to increase the square footage of your home and, if done well, also increase the home value. As you consider the design and execution of your new addition, consider contacting a local home remodeling contractor to consult on the project. This type of home remodel can be an involved process and a contractor can help you synthesize your needs and vision into a project plan, budget, and timeline, as well as fill you in on some details and challenges they’ve run across in projects similar to yours that you can keep in mind.

Updating the Windows in Your Commercial Business

Unlike updating your business’s computer software, updating the physical windows of your business doesn’t have to be a hassle and can instead transform your work environment for employees and customers, and make an impact on your bottom line.

Winter wishlist - Prioritizing Home Remodel projects with the best return on investment

Not all home remodel projects are equal when it comes to how they will impact the price of your home when you put it on the market. While it may seem logical that endeavoring a large home addition like a master suite or installing an in-ground pool should increase your home’s value and pay dividends on those remodeling costs, that is not always the case. The return on investment (ROI) of your next home remodel is easy to calculate, and something that you can also get help with from your local home remodeling contractor.  

Two Conco Projects on the Block in Portland

The Conco Companies continues to build its reputation as one of the leading commercial concrete contractors in Portland with two multi-use and multi-family residential projects in the downtown area. As the city’s need for more residential units continues, many in the construction and development industry are working to meet the demand with modern designs, striking and resilient materials, and skilled workmanship. The results are a boom to the community and to Portland’s skyline, as well as to the portfolios of groups involved in their creation.