The way a structure is constructed directly influences its quality, functionality, and construction time. Therefore, depending on your project's needs, it's worth considering less conventional methods in your planning, such as dry construction.
This option, already recognized in the market, offers several advantages in terms of safety and efficiency. It's important to understand the contexts in which dry construction should be applied and its impact on the structure. Once you've learned more, you can determine the best option for your project.
Follow along and learn more about dry construction, how it's done, and its main advantages.
As the name suggests, dry construction is a method that doesn't use water to create the materials on the construction site. The only exception is the foundation, which even in this context requires materials that include water in their construction.
This change represents a major innovation in relation to traditional methods applied in civil constructionThe use of mixtures such as cement, concrete, and mortar is common in all types of construction. However, mixing these components with water during construction takes time and can lead to other unforeseen problems, not to mention the need to wait for the material to dry after application.
Depending on your project's objectives, dry construction offers considerable savings in materials and construction time—all without compromising the final result. This means you can deliver a high-quality property on a tighter budget.
It's worth noting that dry construction systems are regulated by ABNT (Brazilian Institute of Technology), establishing safety and quality standards. Furthermore, the Civil Construction Regulatory Standards (NRs) provide precise guidelines on how to apply this construction method. NR 18, for example, addresses the organization and planning of the construction process.
In practice, dry construction involves a series of techniques and methods, each with its own applications and particularities. Understanding these differences is essential to applying each method correctly. Learn about the main dry construction systems currently available.
Drywall is one of the most widely used dry construction systems today. The technique involves the use of prefabricated plasterboard profiles and panels, which are attached to the building's structure to form walls and ceilings. In renovations, it's a popular option as a covering for different areas of the property, as it eliminates the need to redo the base structure.
Each panel is quite lightweight compared to a conventional masonry structure, allowing for faster and more efficient construction. Besides being a highly functional option, drywall can be used as part of your decoration and aesthetic finish, creating a layer that can be molded and adjusted to your preferences. The material is also easier to remove and replace in future renovations.
Expanded polystyrene, or EPS, is a rigid and highly resistant cellular plastic material made from styrene and water. In construction, this material is used to make monolithic EPS panels, which consist of a sheet of EPS covered on both sides with galvanized steel gratings.
Each panel is used as part of the building's structure, providing support and strength. Due to their low weight, one of the most common applications is in ribbed slabs.
To complete this structure, a layer of mortar is applied over the EPS panels. Even though the mortar contains water, its impact on the construction process is so low that this method is recognized as dry construction.
The use of steel and concrete is a constant in the construction sector, even in dry construction. One example of this is the double concrete wall, a system that allows you to take advantage of the main qualities of this material without having to deal with its fabrication on the construction site.
In this system, construction is done using modular concrete slabs that arrive pre-assembled at the site. This means there's no need to mix the concrete before application. Once delivered, the blocks are connected by a truss, offering greater stability.
This method is quite common in the construction of shopping centers. The high productivity of the work allows the space to begin being used in a short period of time, in addition to making the cost of the project lower.
In addition to the concrete, steel plays a fundamental role in dry construction. In Steel Frame, for example, this material becomes the main component, serving as the foundation for the rest of the structure.
The term "steel frame" can be translated as "steel grid" or "steel frame." It's a lightweight steel skeleton, assembled before the addition of other masonry components. It serves as the foundation for supporting the structure, from which the walls will be constructed. tiles and other elements.
Because it's lightweight, strong, and flexible, steel offers better structural performance and reduces construction time. It's also a highly sustainable option, as steel can be reused and recycled even after the building is demolished.
Before the use of steel or masonry, wood was one of the most common materials in the construction of various structures. In fact, this practice can still be adopted today, with techniques such as wood framing.
It's a structure similar to a steel frame, creating a skeleton for the building. However, reforested wood is used as the main material instead of steel. This changes the way the project is conducted, in addition to providing a distinctive aesthetic result.
It's important to use the correct type of wood for these projects, not only for environmental reasons but also because of the impact on the building's load-bearing capacity. After all, different types of wood also have different levels of strength and rigidity. As an extra precaution, all materials should be treated to prevent fungus from forming or insects from entering the wood.
Dry construction presents itself as the best option for buildings of various types and sizes. In the right context, it opens up new opportunities for improving project performance. Next, we'll explore the benefits of this innovative construction technique!
One of the main advantages of dry construction is its impact on construction time. Because it's not necessary to use large amounts of water to mix the material at the construction site, the team also doesn't have to wait for everything to dry before proceeding. This feature makes a significant difference in overall construction time.
With a faster process, you reduce costs and reduce the chance of unforeseen issues. You can also increase customer satisfaction, as they receive the completed project faster.
One of the main considerations in civil construction is the comfort provided to occupants in the interior space. In this regard, dry construction offers several advantages, such as thermal and acoustic comfort.
The type of material used in dry construction often already has properties that promote acoustic insulation, making interior spaces quieter and more pleasant. In conventional masonry, however, other systems are required to provide thermal and acoustic insulation, increasing the complexity and cost of the construction project.
One aspect we mentioned about dry construction is how the techniques used can be lower cost compared to traditional methods. But here's another advantage: it's also easier to calculate the total cost of the project during the planning phase.
In masonry construction, the process of mixing mortar, concrete, or other materials with water often involves significant waste because it's not always possible to calculate exactly how much material is needed. However, when these components are removed from the calculation, as is the case with dry construction, you can more accurately estimate your material costs.
The construction of various structures, slabs and masonry walls have an environmental impact. The construction itself can spread dust and toxic substances around, negatively impacting nearby green spaces. Furthermore, a longer construction process means higher energy and fuel consumption by the equipment used on the site.
By streamlining the process and reducing material waste, the result is a construction with a reduced carbon footprint. Furthermore, the larger the scale of the project, the more significant this difference becomes.
Even when a structure needs to be demolished or renovated, it's still possible to reuse a significant portion of the building materials. Steel, for example, is recyclable and reusable, making it suitable for new construction. Drywall, on the other hand, is easier to dispose of than conventional masonry and uses recyclable waste, producing less waste.
In the dry construction examples we've mentioned, you may have noticed that many techniques can be applied in conjunction with other methods, including conventional masonry. This combination allows you to better leverage the advantages of each available resource.
With proper planning, you can integrate different methods into the same project, optimizing functionality and cost. This applies to both renovations to already completed masonry structures and new buildings.
Another important issue is how the construction method impacts the long-term maintenance of the structure. Depending on the materials used and the construction techniques employed, the property may be more susceptible to wear and tear, increasing the need for maintenance.
This is a common problem in many properties built with traditional masonry. Any problems during the construction process increase the risk of cracks, which demands more attention and generates higher costs in the long term.
Many dry construction systems are modular, with parts assembled independently. This means that when it's time to maintain each structure, it's possible to replace only the damaged part, avoiding the need to renovate a larger portion of the structure.
Even with all the advantages we've mentioned, there are still some points to consider when it comes to dry construction. It's important to consider them during the planning stage of your project. Find out what they are!
Dry construction systems are already widely adopted in various projects. However, to achieve the desired level of quality, it is necessary to rely on specialized labor with a thorough understanding of how to implement each method during construction.
The same applies to choosing suppliers for your projects. All materials must meet the necessary quality standards to ensure the efficiency of your structure. Without this, the construction may not achieve the required level of safety.
In many cases, the main barrier to using dry construction instead of conventional masonry is not material, but cultural. Many professionals and clients are accustomed to traditional structures, which influences their design choices.
So, to take advantage of dry construction, you need to show your client that it's the best option to meet their needs. Working on negotiation techniques and deepening your knowledge of dry construction methods are good ways to improve your argumentation.
Dry construction, with its more economical modular approach and lower environmental impact, is an interesting method for various projects. Therefore, it's worth delving deeper into the subject, understanding the benefits, and adding this type of construction to your portfolio.
Was this content helpful to you? Share this post on your social media and help others learn about the potential of dry construction!
EN 
PT_BR 
