Most
of us are familiar with what is known as “tilt-up” construction. This
type of construction is evident by the name. In simple terms, concrete
wall panels are formed on the ground or on the building’s concrete floor
slab, allowed to set and then tilted up. The end result is a fast and
cost-effective means of wall construction. This process is not to be
confused with pre-fabrication.
The first tilt-up walls were done
on simple warehouses. This is where insulation and finishes did not
really matter. Tilt-up has come a long way since those early days. There
are benefits and drawbacks to this type of construction. The benefits
are mainly two: cost and speed. Lower cost and faster construction are
no-brainers, as tilt-ups have taken full advantage of the continued
trend of cost overruns and scheduling delays.