ADVERTORIAL
Panels – the smartest way for the speedy erection of your new building
Trumod, a major light steel frame manufacturer, has acquired the panel plant previously used by Vela Building Solutions, which offers alternative building solutions to bricks and mortar. Trumod’ s investment lies in the product’ s versatility and quality, which will significantly impact the alternative building solutions market.
Trumod has set up the manufacturing plant at its facility in Springs, Johannesburg. Its capacity is 500m 2 of wall surface, per eight-hour shift. The panels consist of an external board – either fibre cement or Magnesium oxide( MGO) – depending on the use. The injection of a high density Poly Urethane( PU), under strictly controlled conditions – cause the PU to bond with the board. This provides for an extremely rigid panel, that with a‘ tongue and groove’ interlock, that has exceptional thermal and sound insulation. The bonding of the PU to the boards also assist with the absorpsion of sound and the‘ knock effect’ experienced by a large number of the Alternative Building Systems( ABS) – is virtually obliterated.
For double storey buildings, additional steel studs are fitted into cavity of the panel, before‘ foaming’ – increasing the load capacity of the panel.
Window and door frames can either be‘ factory fitted’ or on site – depending on the design and specifications of the frames.
As the panels are relatively light and the cost of the raft foundation or other support structure is significantly reduced in comparison to conventional building methods. The lighter support structure also has the benefit of easy removal – especially for mining camps – where the restoration of the site to its original state, is of critical importance.
The‘ Vela’ panel, as it was previously known – was widely used for both permanent and temporary structures. A good example of the permanent structure is the housing project in Delft, Cape Town. Three years ago, 1 250 double and single storey buildings were erected. On a recent site visit – the structures and cladding were inspected. The harsh Cape weather had no visible effect on either the structures or the external paint and weather proofing. No structural defects could be found on a random search.
The panels are lightweight and easy to handle.
18
MARCH- APRIL 2017
AFFORDABLE
SA HOUSING