Your concrete slab is the foundation your building will sit on for decades — getting it right matters more than almost anything else.

Pro Tip #98: Expansion Joints at Building Perimeter

Leave a 1/2-inch expansion joint between your slab and the building's base rail. Concrete expands and contracts with temperature. Without an expansion joint, the slab can push against the base rail and cause it to bow outward.

Why This Matters

Every metal building project has details that separate a smooth experience from a frustrating one. This tip comes directly from real-world experience working with customers across Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Kentucky. The issues that cause the most problems are almost always the ones that could have been avoided with a little advance planning.

Putting It Into Practice

Before your next step in the building process, take a moment to apply this tip to your specific situation. Every property is different, every project has its own challenges — but the fundamentals hold true across the board.

If you have questions about how this applies to your project, reach out. Sean Duncan at Rescue Metal Designs has seen virtually every situation that comes up in the Mid-South market, and a quick conversation can save you significant time and money.

A properly poured slab will outlast the building sitting on it. Do not rush this step.

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