![]() “Any additional detail that architects can give us is very much appreciated. “Everything that is presented in a design can be done,” Vap says. Work with the architect to get all the information so your crew can showcase its talents and complete something more exciting than a flat wall. When presented with plans that include a curved wall, soffit or arch, think of the possibilities. They take pride in their quality work, and curves make work interesting. Specialty contractors like to do work that has details. When an “S” shape is required, a contractor needs to place “C” shaped pieces end to end to create the “S.” This can cause the transitions to be a challenge.Ī bank lobby renovation brought life back into a dated branch, with a curved ceiling cloud feature that became a bold focal point. Some hand curvable framing products are difficult to manipulate into the desired shape. There are variables among these newer products because not all framing products that can be curved are equal. This can cause an installation to take longer, or worse, not hold its shape. Note that some products cannot be locked into the desired shape. Check with the manufacturer for recommendations about locking in a curved shape. The curve needs to be secured so it keeps its integrity when it is fastened to a ceiling, floor or wall. You are only as good as your layout,” says Travis Vap, CEO of South Valley Drywall Inc., Littleton, Colo. “The greatest challenge with curves is laying them out correctly. This typically is done by drawing the desired radius on the floor, and bending the track to match the radius. ![]() They come in a variety of widths and lengthsįor these products, once the track is cut to length, the curve needs to be created. Some designs actually bend the metal to form the curves. ![]() Most are made from 20-gauge steel, and they are manufactured with segments that make the entire track flexible to form a curve. There are several metal framing systems that can be curved on the market. Johnson selected an alternative to slip tracks and other straight metal framing tracks-“curvable” metal framing tracks. The Hammer-Lock feature makes securing the product in the desired shape significantly easier and faster. I’m not here to come in and butcher a curve that the painter is stuck dealing with, and I’m not creating more work for myself in the end.” Johnson adds: “I take a job from framing through to paint. ![]() Drywall contractors do not have to patch and repair curves, and painters can get in right away. What Johnson and other contractors have discovered is if a curve is created right the first time, there are no call backs to fix a flat or rough spot in the curve. A slip track doesn’t do me any good in a situation like Cycle Gear because it costs me more in labor, my guys can cut their fingers, and we don’t need a product like that because snow and wind loads are not a concern in Katy.” Then, we as the framing contractor cut and notch a slip track, which has perforations in it, to create a curved wall. “The way it works is the wall goes up to the roof deck, going many feet up to the bottom of the roof joists. “Slip track is designed for snow and wind loads, and we see it used a lot in Dallas and northern Texas,” Johnson explains. He determine deflection was not needed in this application and reviewed and approved the curving process with the appropriate project team. Heavy-gauge slip track was specified to create the curves, but Johnson relied on his 20 plus years of experience to think of another way. The architect incorporated radius soffits and curved walls for a helmet display wall and three feature walls. Ray Johnson, owner and operator of Tejas Contractors Inc., in Katy, Texas, faced this dilemma when working on a store called Cycle Gear, a motorcycle shop in Katy.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |