Though building a concrete foundation should be left to the experts, getting an insider perspective is always helpful to understanding what goes into building your home. Measuring the footprint of the ensuing building determine the volume of concrete needed, as does wall thickness determined by climate and water table in the area. Once a… Read more »
RG Smith Company Blog
The Most Impressive Modern Feats in Construction
Man has always had a passion to build new things to improve their way of life. And throughout history there have been some truly monumental feats in construction. We all know about the Great Pyramids and the Great Wall of China, which are incredible accomplishments given the lack of resources at their disposal. Modern engineering… Read more »
Construction Workers Deserve Safe Work Environment
The health and safety of all construction workers should be of the utmost importance to every construction and contracting organization around the globe. Owners and foremen should put the interest of the workers and their safety above all else. Unfortunately, not all organizations value these principles the same. The standards prescribed by the United… Read more »
Adaptive Reuse Eliminating Rust Belt Urban Blight
A trend you can trace back to mid-century New York City, particularly from the ‘Beat Generation,’ apartments converted from old industrial complexes is an increasing trend. Seen in both large and medium size cities across the country, apartment conversions are seeing increasing momentum, particularly across the so called ‘Rust Belt,’ spanning sections of Illinois, Michigan,… Read more »
Arch Welding Trade High in Demand
Professional welding services yield the strongest construction for the money. Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), or stick welding, is versatile and is relatively easily performed for field work and construction. Large housing or facilities requiring expansive space are better suited for the strength of steal I-beam construction, without the need for pillars and loadbearing obtrusions…. Read more »
The Differences in Wood & Steel Frame Construction
There are advantages to structures designed on both wood and steel framing. Different structural sizes and budgets are fundamental to deciding on the appropriate building material. But whatever’s practical for your purposes determines the best material for your structure. Large facilities requiring expansive space are better suited for the strength of steal I-beam construction,… Read more »
Oil Bust Prosperity Shakeout
By now you know- gas prices are plummeting. Hopefully- unless you lead your life with blinders on- you also know this means more to the economy than what you just see on the surface. And what it means isn’t necessarily all good. “Yay! Now we can go places in our cars for cheaper!” Say… Read more »
The Real Economic Impact of Plummeting Oil Prices
Dropping oil prices are great for keeping prices down at the pump. This is always a bolster to consumer confidence, freeing up consumer spending cash. But remember for every action, there is a reaction. Or in this case, for every reaction there is an action. At the source, the oil fields across the country-… Read more »
The Ever Changing Construction Industry
Thanks in great part to a booming economy, construction sites are everywhere you look nowadays. Urban landscapes in cities from coast to coast are unrecognizable from what they were even a couple months ago. As the cranes go up to change the face of skylines around the country, the construction industry itself is changing as… Read more »
The Top Inherent Dangers to Construction Workers
We all know construction work is tough, dangerous work. Since even before the dawn of the industrial revolution, when steel manufacturing took-off and the quintessential I-beam-laden construction site was born, builders were exposed to inherent danger. Thankfully since the 19th century, we have seen the advent of the hardhat, noise protection and safety harnesses…. Read more »