The Complete Guide to Tilt-Up Construction

Facility and property managers already have a packed schedule—the last thing they want to do is halt ongoing productivity with extensive construction periods.

In this article, we’ll highlight all the benefits of partnering with tilt-up contractors like Connor Construction to reduce building times and increase efficiency. Here’s everything you need to know about tilt-up construction:

What Is Tilt-Up Construction?

Tilt-up construction is a type of building method that utilizes concrete. The tilt-up technique forms concrete elements horizontally on building slabs. After the elements have been attached, components are tilted to a vertical position until the remainder of the building construction is complete. This type of construction has become popular with commercial businesses with short completion times and reduced building costs. In fact, the Tilt-Up Concrete Association estimates more than 650 million square feet of tilt-up construction is installed annually.

Tilt-up construction applies the strength and durability of reinforced concrete with efficiency. Tilt-up projects are convenient for all parties, but how exactly do they work?

How Does the Tilt-Up Construction Process Work?

The construction begins with panels tilted upward to form the building’s exterior concrete walls. Panels are constructed at the work site utilizing concrete, rebar, and wood form components. Once the materials have been shaped and cut to match the specific project design, concrete is poured.

Once tilt-up concrete walls are ready, building begins. Walls are tilted into vertical positions with quick installation into the site’s foundation. Professional contractors temporarily brace and cover the tilt-up concrete walls for protection until the roof ties the structure together. Following structural completion, contractors add cladding, siding, and veneer for further insulation to meet facility requirements.

An Attractive Alternative

Tilt-up construction has certain advantages over these types of building:

Prefabricated steel-frame construction: Expensive material with various design limitations
Steel-beam construction: Expensive material and building expenses, typically geared for high-rise construction
Wood-frame construction: Labor intensive

Interested in building or remodeling your commercial business site? With tilt-up construction, you can dramatically reduce building time onsite. Contact the experts at Connor Construction to begin your tilt-up project.

Benefits of Tilt-Up Construction

Let’s run through the advantages of tilt-up construction:

Value

One significant advantage over other traditional building types for tilt-up construction is reduced costs. Tilt-up uses concrete, requiring sand, limestone, and base rock. Concrete components are much cheaper than traditional construction materials. Another cost-saving factor highlighting tilt-up construction is personnel. Smaller construction teams and lower labor costs are typical in tilt-up builds.

Property owners also benefit from tilt-up designs throughout the process due to factors like reduced up-front costs, reduced labor costs, quick building times, efficient long-term material, and lower insurance premiums over time.

Durability

Tilt-up construction has been the preferred method of building across various industries since the process was introduced in the early 1900s. Tilt-up builds can result in a healthy lifespan of 50 or more years with little maintenance required. The design methodology combined with concrete material is utilized in many hurricane regions, as it is built to withstand severe weather and strong winds.

Speed

No other type of building can match the speed of tilt-up construction. Tilt-up building is an excellent option if you are looking for renovation services that won’t disrupt ongoing operations.

Reduced Material Usage

Contractors like Connor Construction use modern technology and software to determine exact project specifications. Advanced software eliminates expensive and unnecessary material involved in the construction process. Using modern construction technology, cost or timeline adjustments can be projected in the pre-planning phase.

Design Flexibility

Contractors like Connor Construction offer flexible services with a full range of wall finishes, colors, styles, and interior and exterior adornments. Tilt-up building produces visually pleasing designs.

Connor Construction: A Mid-Atlantic Tilt-Up Construction Provider

The team at Connor Construction upholds the core value of hard work, using it to help guide our clients’ through every project. Since opening our doors in 2013, Connor Construction has quickly built a well-known reputation as a respected commercial building contractor throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. And more than 60% of our commercial management clients partner with us for another project. Above all, we don’t sacrifice any quality while producing quick construction builds.

Contact our team today for industry-leading tilt-up construction for your commercial building.