Apr 16 2008
Recently in downtown Chicago a towering new Trump high rise broke ground. Little noticed but an important part of the job site was the fence windscreen the general contractor installed. The fence screening not only put the site in municipal code compliance, it made for a cleaner job site with less distractions in one of the city's busiest neighborhoods. Additionally, the general contractor received thousands of dollars of free publicity with a custom logo printed on the screening.
Custom construction site windscreen
Midwest Cover, a national manufacturer of windscreen products, helped the building's contractor maximize their investment in mandatory construction screening.
"A good windscreen install makes for a better job site," says Midwest Cover President, Larry Brown. "There are less distractions to workers. It makes for a physically cleaner site. Don't forget customized logos on screening will have an impact on the job site bottom line."
Brown says picking the right type fence screen material is the first step in making windscreen a profitable part of the construction project.
"Calculate the length of the project and pick your fence screen material accordingly," says Brown. A good manufacturer will have different degrees of opacity and lifespan depending on job duration.
Proper installation is also critical to making windscreen a profitable part of the job. Brown says that contractors need to install windscreen taut against fencing to prevent abrasion and material wear. Brown recommends ensuring placement with quality, UV stabilized tie wraps. Windscreen over six feet high should be tied in the middle to decrease wind load and stress on the fence.
Brown reminds managers that more and more building codes require windscreen installation before work can begin. He has heard of heavy fines meted out in Chicago to confused construction companies not up to date with compliance.
"But don't think of it only as a requirement," Brown says. "There is a real benefit to a construction company's brand and image with quality windscreen. Especially in high traffic sites, custom logos can lure real prospects. Well-installed fence screen is a net positive on a contractor's image."
Along with the real dollar savings in job site productivity and cleanup costs, a custom branded fence screen installation is the smart way to begin a profitable construction project.