Cape Town is a great place to build, but it definitely doesn’t make it easy for contractors. We are constantly under attack by a corrosive maritime climate and blustering south-easterly winds that test the very limits of any structure. At Steel and Pipes for Africa have seen firsthand what happens when substandard materials are used on local sites and it is never a pretty picture. The truth is that real structural integrity demands that the products be SABS and ISO certified from the start. Short changing basic steel will lead to long-term disaster. When you’re building close to the ocean, the longevity of the property is going to be determined by the materials you select.
The Real Worth of Structural Tubing
When we are dropping materials off all over the Western Cape, the talk will invariably turn to the importance of structural tubing. We can’t stress enough how critical cold-rolled tube and open-section lip channels are to modern roofing and heavy-duty framing. Getting the framework right dictates the whole pace of the project. We know delays are the number one enemy of profitability on any job site. This is why we have world-class cutting facilities just off the mill and at our Epping premises. When components arrive cut to specific length requirements, site teams can get right to work assembling instead of wasting hours making modifications on the job site. This technique minimises the wastage of material to a large extent and keeps a check on strict timelines.
Effectively Securing the Perimeter
A well-built structure is of very little value if the site is still at risk. We always advise project managers to consider robust safety hardware and boundary fencing long before the final finishing stages. The importance of high-quality palisade and steelguard systems cannot be overemphasised for commercial and residential estates. We carry these specific systems, as they provide a great combination of visual impact and solid deterrence that is never compromised. Never should setting up a perimeter be an afterthought in today’s world. It should be a big part of your baseline planning, keeping the materials safe during construction and the occupants safe when it’s done.
The Advantage of Mega Hardware Store
One of the biggest frustrations we hear from local builders is the sheer hassle of having to go to multiple suppliers. It’s a terrible waste of precious time darting around town looking for particular fixings, industrial paints and specialist tools. This is precisely the pain point our mega hardware store was built to solve. We want to provide everything professionals need under one roof. Instant access to a wide range of tools and building supplies keeps the operational momentum on site, avoiding frustrating bottlenecks and unnecessary downtime.
Together Moving Forward
All in all, regional construction is very much a collaborative effort. We have a very dedicated sales team that we are very proud of with over 370 years of combined experience. We use that collective expertise to help guide our clients through complex technical decisions. We also offer free delivery within the Greater Peninsula area to ensure those important materials are there when they’re needed most. We are very committed to growing our province through beneficial, solid, reliable infrastructure.
