WHY AREN’T RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS BUILT WITH SAME CONSTRUCTION METHOD.
What’s A Residential Building?
Wikipedia defines residential building as buildings constructed as dwellings which are intended for private occupancy whether on a permanent basis or not. These are where people primarily sleeps and do some domestic activities. Dwellings are divided into the following types: single-family, semi-detached, row house, duplex, triplex, fourplex and apartment building.
What’s A Commercial Building?
In a broader sense, commercial buildings typically refer to properties or buildings that accommodates activities intended to make profits. Commercial buildings are an important part of doing business, both for those who own them and for those who rent them. According to upCounsel, a commercial building definition is one in which at least 50 percent of its floor space is used for commercial activities, such as retail, the providing of services, or food service (restaurants and the like).
For example, a building in New York City that is 10 stories high with 6 of floors being dedicated to apartments or residential dwellings, with the remaining 4 floors being dedicated to commerce, would not be considered a commercial building.
Additionally, a commercial building (or, land) may also be defined as a space that has the potential for being one that brings in income. They are six different types of commercial properties, which are; Office, Retail, Industrial, Multi-family, Land etc.
Read on to learn some of the reasons residential and commercial buildings aren’t built with same construction method,
1. Building Materials used: Every project (building type) requires certain materials to meet the demands of a building design. In general, the materials used for the construction of residential buildings differs from those used in commercial buildings. The average home uses timber frame construction because timber is considered the most cost-effective and structurally appropriate for smaller-sized buildings. While some architecturally designed homes implement steel framing into construction, the average homeowner generally can’t afford to invest in a steel-frame home.
Commercial construction projects have larger, more complex design requirements that demand different materials than the timber commonly used for residential properties. Steel frame construction is most commonly used for commercial projects because it is a more resilient material and allows for larger and taller buildings with greater longevity.It is essential to consider the quality and rating of steel and the construction techniques that will be used before signing a contract.
According to this commercial construction guide, residential properties are much smaller. This means different materials are used. In the United States, wood is predominantly used for building houses, while commercial properties are usually built from cement, with steel frames. This is because wood is much cheaper than steel, meaning homeowners can save a lot of money. Wood is also sturdy, provided that it is well looked after. However, concrete and steel are much sturdier than wood, which gives commercial buildings longer lifespans and makes them much safer (which is especially important if the building is going to be used as a warehouse or factory).
2. Equipment Used: Since different materials are used in the construction of residential and commercial properties, the equipment used will also differ. The large-scale nature of commercial construction requires specialized equipment to complete most projects. Heavy machines (earth moving equipment, cranes etc.) are necessary to construct many commercial buildings. Even the largest house rarely needs a crane. Because of this difference in equipment used, commercial and residential projects also hire different contractors. For commercial projects, crane operators are required, while for residential properties carpenters and stonemasons are often required.
Experienced operators are required on commercial jobs so that they can shut down machinery if it becomes dangerous. This isn’t usually the case on residential jobs. These machines must be operated by experienced professionals to ensure job safety and project quality.
Mistakes and accidents that are made on residential projects are often much easier to remedy than those in commercial construction and don’t lead as easily to a lawsuit.
3. Permits and Codes: Any type of construction must adhere to specific codes and can only go ahead when permits have been obtained from the state’s issuing body. The reason for this is so that the project proceeds safely, without endangering anybody’s lives during or after the building’s construction. There is a big difference in codes construction team must adhere to when building a residential / commercial property.
Commercial buildings have stricter regulations than residential. The reason for this is that the safety concerns in a commercial building aren’t the same as in a residential building. Both require adhering to specific codes and obtaining permits from the municipality in which the structure is being constructed. In addition, commercial buildings are usually much larger than residential ones, which makes them more dangerous, especially if heavy machinery is used in them.
Commercial properties have different rules and regulations for:
- Building Materials
- Electrical systems
- Plumbing
- Construction techniques
- Design
- Size
Construction management professionals for commercial projects are well-versed in the relevant local and federal building regulations that are necessary for commercial projects. Additional standards are in place for commercial buildings to protect against safety concerns related to elevators, IT concerns, handicap accessibility, parking lots or parking garages and others.
Commercial codes and permits are complex and require experienced professionals to ensure compliance while residential buildings also adhere to building standards, these requirements are considered simpler and easier to comply with than commercial construction.
References:
Upcounsel – Commercial Building Definition: Everything You Need to Know.
Wikipedia – What is Residential Building.
Indeed – Commercial Building: Definition, Types and Tips.
Build – Residential Construction vs. Commercial Construction: What Are The Main Differences.
CDMG – Key Difference Between Commercial And Residential Construction.
BuilderSpace – Commercial Construction vs Residential Construction.
