Why Temporary Walls Are the New Standard for Containment

Contractors today are being squeezed by rising material costs and continuing labor shortages.

Between December 2020 and June 2022, cost increases for contractors increased at an incredible pace — creating a gap as large as 24% where cost increases exceeded changes in bid prices. Although some material costs have moderated, others are still escalating, according to Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associate General Contractors of America (AGC). For example, while the price of lumber has retreated from its spike, drywall costs have continued to rise for the past seven consecutive quarters to their highest price in two years.

Material costs, lead times, and labor issues are continuing to pressure contractors’ bottom line and lead to continuing uncertainty:

• Supply Chain: Will you have what you need when you need it?
• Rising Prices: Will unforeseen spikes kill your project plan or profit margin?
• Labor Shortage: Will you have the necessary trades to do the job?

These are just a few reasons why more contractors are turning to temporary walls as the new standard for containment and dust barrier walls.

Reduce Costs and Speed Up Construction Timelines

Dust barrier walls using modular panels can significantly reduce costs and improve construction timelines.

Faster Installation, Removal, and Clean Up

Modular panels help you reduce the time to construct containment barriers. Two workers can install 100 feet in about an hour. This saves time in installation and removal and labor costs while eliminating costs associated with the cleanup and disposal of materials.

Availability of Materials

With rising supply costs and concerns about the availability of materials, you can also get modular panels more readily. For example, STARC Systems has modular dust barrier walls available at its US-based manufacturing facility.

Better ROI

While modular panels may cost more for the first use, they pay for themselves typically after the first or second use. Drywall costs are sunk costs that produce no ROI. Once a project is over, the materials are disposed of and cannot be used again.

Many contractors tell us they have successfully used our modular panels 50 or more times, allowing them to charge for containment without spending additional money on materials.

Some contractors also choose to engage rental partners to handle the installation to save time.

Environmentally Friendly

Modular dust barrier walls are also environmentally friendly. There’s no more loading dumpsters and landfills with discarded drywall and lumber from jobs. Environmentally friendly dust barrier walls provide a sustainable solution that can also meet growing compliance standards in RFPs.

Dust Barrier Containment to Reduce HAIs

Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) are the leading cause of avoidable deaths in healthcare facilities. STARC’s modular dust barrier walls meet and exceed ICRA Class IV requirements to prevent airborne pathogens from circulating outside the walls.

Without extra taping or tools, modular walls with anodized aluminum frames and integrated tongue and groove seals can provide infection control. Panels can also work with high-capacity negative air machines to maintain negative air pressure.

To learn more about modular dust barrier walls, contact STARC Systems today or request a quote online.