Tag Archive for: Commercial Building

Commercial buildings essentially bear some differences when compared to residential buildings. However, there are some unavoidable elements when it comes to the very structure. There are different regulations and laws applying to these different types of buildings. As the commercial building is made of offices, there is a different skeleton for them. Also, the skin of the building plays a big part in the building’s appearance and protection. In the following text, we have decided to clarify what the most important parts of any commercial building are and how they function.

The Skeleton of The Building

Foundations and Footings

In commercial buildings, the foundations and the footings work together as a system. The most important factor that indicates and dictates the strength of the foundations and footings depends on the geotechnical conditions of the soil and water, which can affect things such as the tenant’s loads. Speaking of which, dead and live load requirements are critical factors for the tenant’s office selections as they play a huge part in the leasing of the entire office building, and this is especially important information for the initial leasing stages. Besides, the load capacity on the floor that is used by the tenants depends on the impact of the dead and live loads as well. Other critical stages of the skeleton’s formation for the commercial building are the formwork and sheeting, up-down constructions, and pilings with grade beams. On the other hand, for years, the greatest concern of brokers and lessees of commercial buildings has been seismic compliance.

The Frame of The Commercial Building

The frame of the building is responsible for the building’s support, and it also impacts the tenant use, floor loads, office subdivision, and aesthetics of the exterior material. The frame of the building impacts a whole host of factors, such as the column spacing, which is responsible for stability; the tenant’s office configuration, which influences the space organisation; the designated office location on the support walls; as well as the load capacity of the office equipment and its load on the entire building. The frame of the commercial building impacts floor-to-floor heights and the depth of the beams, which have the greatest impact on the lighting in the workspace, fatigue issues, morale, and productivity. Not to forget that the previously mentioned impact of the depth of beams and columns influences the leasing decisions as well.

The Skin of The Commercial Building

The Roof

There are a couple of construction types, such as adhered, fastened, loose-laid, and ballasted. When we are talking about roofing, there might be a whole load of different issues from the aspect of the impact it makes on the tenant’s wanting newer or older buildings, having full roof replacements, or dealing only with the replacement issues. Improperly handled issues with the roof can pose a serious problem to the functional use of the space, which also includes water leaks, property leasing issues, problems with renting, and most importantly, leasing issues. Working with experienced commercial roofers, characteristic of the local market or states such as Los Angeles where the aesthetics of the building play a big part, is critical for you to avoid this problem. Besides, as a special accent is given to the ecology of the buildings, even green roofs for commercial buildings can influence the leasing and how popular they are with the tenants.

Wall Cladding

Exterior wall cladding for commercial buildings can differ widely from that of residential buildings. There can be certain issues, such as performance issues, which can impact the “U” value of the wall system and how it contributes to energy efficiency. Also, the quantity and type of glass that affect the sun glare on the tenets can be connected to things such as energy efficiency, the impact of mullions, as well as the office layout configuration.

Windows and Doors

When we are talking about window types, there are a couple of important ones, which include punched, ribbon, storefront, and structural glazing. How these windows will be installed also plays a big part in framing where the windows can be installed in mullion spacing or sun shading positions. You also need to be informed that there are glass types that can impact the office configuration and productivity as they control the amount of light penetrating the space.

HVAC in the Commercial Buildings

HVAC: What Is the Purpose of It?

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. It has the leverage to impact employee comfort and the heat of the office equipment. It is one of the most common reasons why employees complain when it comes to the quality of time spent within the space. However, these systems are massive, especially when they are installed in commercial buildings, which can pose a great burden on the entire structure, so the issues of the load and the system maintenance should be calculated in advance before the system is installed or even a commercial building is built.

Commercial buildings have a whole lot of different structural requirements that may differ from residential buildings. To this end, all of the factors need to be calculated and well-thought before the construction process begins so that the building receives the value it deserves.