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Walls & Ceilings 'If Walls Could Talk'
Welcome to “If Walls Could Talk” where Walls & Ceilings magazine is out to discover just that.
Listen as W&C talks with influencers in the industry who are making an impact. We are helping educate and entertain the wall and ceiling industry as only W&C can do. What brought these people to the industry? What’s in store for the contractor? And “If Walls Could Talk,” what stories would they tell? Find out all of this and more on each episode.
W&C is joined again by Tom Harris, of Tom Harris PUR Consulting, for this latest installment of If Walls Could Talk. This podcast theme is on Off-Site Construction. Harris explains on how modular construction has really started to make waves in North America. In Europe, modular design and construction have been an accepted construction technique for over 50 years and it’s truly a market leader in many countries.
In North America, there’s a stigma attached to modular that the designs are “cookie-cutter boxes” staked on top each other with limited curb appeal. They may be good for temporary housing or relocatable trailers, but not for the mainstream. As a result, modular took its place in smaller, retirement communities, low cost housing and trailer parks. That’s all changed now, Harris says.
The concept of a pre-manufactured building assembly—a component of a design—has opened up modular thinking to off-site. Complex designs, with architectural features, are now pre-fabricated under controlled conditions and shipped to the job site for placement. These building components are complete wall assemblies, complete roof assemblies, and foundations with all the architectural features of site built, but without the impact of weather, trades and having to construct them piece-by-piece on site.
Speaking from an actual jobsite, Health, Safety, & Compliance expert Tammy Clark emphasizes the importance of tailored safety approaches rather than one-size-fits-all solutions, which can inadvertently create greater risks. She highlights the role of a "Competent Person" (CP) in identifying and mitigating hazards and criticizes general contractors for imposing blanket safety requirements, such as mandatory steel-toed boots, which may increase risks for certain workers like roofers.
Walls & Ceilings Editor John Wyatt interviews Jonathan Belanus, president of JB Insulation & Drywall in Oakland, N.J., recently featured in the magazine's November issue. Belanus, a third-generation insulation contractor, discusses his company’s work in residential and commercial insulation, drywall, and firestopping, with a focus on custom-built homes. He also shares his positive experience at this year’s ICAA Annual Trade Show in Chicago, which he has attended since his late teens.
In this episode of If Walls Could Talk, W&C Group Publisher Jill Bloom speaks with Trent Cotney of Adams & Reese about his recent visit to the American College of Building Arts (ACBA). ACBA is the only U.S. college that combines professional training in traditional building trades with a liberal arts curriculum, offering students hands-on skills and creative problem-solving abilities. Cotney highlights the unique, high-quality craftsmanship being developed by students, many of whom will be sought after both in the U.S. and internationally.
The recovery effort following hurricanes Milton and Helene in Florida is slowly underway, and roofing contractors on their way in to help need to be prepared, said W&C Legal Insights expert Trent Cotney. Gas shortages, downed trees and power lines are commonplace during a state of emergency, and he cautioned regulatory enforcement won’t take a step back.
In particular, contractors need to be aware of:
Personal Protective Equipment – hard hats and eye protection, in particular.
The rise in spray foam manufacturers is driving prices down, but contractors are losing margins by competing on price instead of focusing on the product's value. Harris warns that some off-shore manufacturers are falsely marketing sealants as insulation without proper U.S. certification, risking the use of inferior products in the market.
After taking full ownership of Agent Wall Systems, Adam Taubman faced challenges during the pandemic but has since expanded the business into western Virginia. The company now specializes in load-bearing stud framing and prefabrication, influencing project designs. Taubman sees their recognition as a Top 50 Contractor as a tool to promote further growth.
W&C is joined again by Tom Harris, of Tom Harris PUR Consulting, for this latest installment of If Walls Could Talk. This podcast theme is on Off-Site Construction. Harris explains on how modular construction has really started to make waves in North America. In Europe, modular design and construction have been an accepted construction technique for over 50 years and it’s truly a market leader in many countries.
