Tips to reduce construction cost

Here are few tips and technologies that you'll be able to use to cut back construction price

Tips to reduce construction cost:

1.Look for economic building plots

2.Build small and tall

3.Use area effectively

4.Square or rectangular floor plans are economic

5.Keep your design simple,avoid difficult designs

6.Find a good contractor who will save construction price.Let us (Izza Architects) assist you scale back 20% of your total construction price

7.Find local available materials and labours which would save you transportation price to a great extent

8.Keep an eye fixed on price at each construction stage

9.Planning is more important than the rest.Plan everything neatly before beginning any work

10.Last but not least never depend upon cheaper product which are of less quality.Carefully consider the standard before you think about any product.

Technologies used to reduce construction cost:

1.GFRG

2.Porotherm smart bricks

3.EPS Panels

1.GFRG is a viable and tested method to construct economical homes

GFRG (Glass fiber reinforced gypsum) is an Australian technology which can save construction value 20-30%.This have been used by Australians since 1990’s only as walls.

Professors from IIT Madras created analysis and found out this technology will be used for all structural components like walls,floors and roofs in a building.They have engineered a a pair of level model house in IIT field 2013 that was completed in thirty days for 6.5 lakhs/flat.

What is GFRG and how is it better than conventional building?

GFRG stands for glass fiber reinforced gypsum.These panels are factory-made using phosphogypsum that may be a waste matter from fertiliser industry and glass fiber used as a reinforcement. GFRG panel image is shown below.

GFRG is of 12 m long and 3 m tall.The hollow cavities inside the panel is full of concrete to produce additional strength to the panel.Every third cavity is full of concrete and reinforced with steel.Other cavities will be full of waste matter like Quarry dust or fly ash depending on the local availability to create them additional economic and Eco-friendly.

Factories producing this GFRG panels:

FRBL-FACT RCF cochin,Kerala

RCF Mumbai

These panels are precast in factories and transported to construction site and erected with the assistance of crane.

Erection of GFRG panels:

Advantages of using GFRG:

1. Economic, can save upto 30% of the total cost
2. Rapid construction
3. NO beams or columns needed
4. Eco-friendly
5. Cooler upto 4 degrees
6. Fire resistant upto 1000 degrees
7. Earthquake resistant
8. Light weight(43 kg/m2) hence low load transferred to the foundation
9. Saves tonnes of cement and sand
10. Reduces CO2 footprint
11. Increased strength
12. Greater life (Lasts upto 80 years, Conventional building lasts upto 50 years)
13. Water resistant
14. Less maintenance cost
15. More carpet area (Usable area inside house)

Uses of GFRG:

1. As light weight load bearing wall
2. As partition wall
3. As compound wall
4. Cladding in industrial structures
5. Pitched roofing
6. Horizontal roofs/slabs

Certifications given for GFRG:

• US Green building council
• Ministry of housing development of India
• Building materials and technology council
• Indian institute of technology-Madras

Our recent updates www.izzaarchitects.com

2.Porotherm smart bricks:

Porotherm are advanced smart clay brick or walling material designed for all building formats (multistoried buildings, individual houses, large apartments, villas, educational institutions, hospitals, hotels, commercial complexes). This is a product specially created keeping in mind the changing climatic conditions, keeping homes naturally cool & comfortable throughout the year for generations.

Advantages:

1.Natural and green

2.Comfortable and healthy living

3.Fire protection

4.Easy installation

Disadvantages:

• The compressive strength of Porotherm Thermo bricks(3.5 N/mm²) is very less than Class I clay bricks(7 N/mm²)(Based on British Standard 3921:1965). This restricts the use of Thermo bricks in huge structures.
• These bricks have density of approx. 694 to 783 kg/m3 which is pretty less than that of clay bricks (which ranges from 1400kg/m3 to 2100 kg/m3). Thus the Porotherm bricks cannot be used, specially for foundation and base-slab works in areas of high round water table as they would not be able to resist the negative pressure of water and capillary action.
• The water absorption of Porotherm bricks is 15% .Preferred absorption is 10% in clay bricks as more absorption leads to salt attacks and thus reduces the strength of the structure.
• Continuing use of clay bricks in construction industry will lead to extensive loss of fertile top soil. This can lead to devastating environmental hazard.

3.EPS Panels:

Expandable polystere panels are precast panels which are cost-effective,lightweight construction material with excellent insulation properties.

Advantages :

• Effective and durable thermal insulation
• Absolute water and vapour barrier
• Air-tightness for controlled environments
• Long life, low maintenance
• Lightweight, fast and economic construction
• Hygienic food grade finish
• Most cost effective insulation material available.

Disadvantages:

1.Complex construction as it involves hanging nets.
2.Toxic, ordinary polystyrene foam insulation board is easy to burn, toxic combustion fumes is emitted when burnt.
3.Material strength is poor, prone to cracking and falling insulation phenomenon.
4.These panels needs strengthening treatment because of its limited strength.

Although the advantages of polystyrene foam insulation board is more, but the disadvantages are more deadly. At present, the market has been gradually reduced the use of EPS panels.Here are few tips and technologies which you can use to reduce construction cost