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Behind the Build: San Diego Visit with Brady West
This report shares insights and information gathered from visiting four construction sites, including one under active construction.
by: Yusuke Kawasaki, Ryoya Namiki, Shoko Nadata, KMEW Internship Program
Due to San Diego's warm and dry climate, the impact of ultraviolet rays is very strong. We observed that weather resistance is the most crucial functionality for exterior wall materials.
We visited a construction site managed by Brady West Inc. and spoke with Ms. Nikki Bowman, the project manager, about her impressions of the new product, challenges faced during construction, and areas for improvement.
Interview with Brady West Inc.
Brady West Inc. is a construction subcontractor that operates throughout California. Founded in 1946, it has a long history with locations in Anaheim and San Diego. The company is known for high-quality construction and leadership in the industry, focusing on teamwork and innovation to exceed customer expectations.
Their strength lies in their "all-in-one service model," which allows them to manage everything from planning to execution. The company also prioritizes safety and quality, earning the trust of major corporations.
About the New Product
During our visit to the construction site, we received positive feedback regarding the design and texture of the new product:
- It is suitable not only as an exterior material but also as an interior material.
- The natural texture finish is highly praised.
- Dark color variations of the wood grain design would make it even more attractive.
- Its distinctive design could increase market competitiveness, particularly the wood grain design, which is appreciated for maintaining a natural texture and has low repeatability.
About Corner Trim
- Corner Siding Trim: Adopting corner siding trim cost-effectively is challenging, so local procurement is common. However, large projects can create challenges with quantity management.
- Construction Challenges: Since locally procured corner trim is not specifically made for fiber cement siding, adjustments for uneven surfaces and selecting the appropriate fasteners and installation methods are necessary.
The climate of San Diego also contributes to faster degradation of caulking, which is one reason why steel corner trims are often used.
Observations from Construction Cases
The primary challenge in San Diego’s climate is UV-induced fading. CERACLAD Triple-Coated Fiber Cement Siding offers a 20-year color fade warranty, even in high UV exposure environments like San Diego. Its ability to maintain the original color over the long term significantly reduces the cost and time required for repainting in large-scale commercial projects.
Exterior Material Trends
In addition to the sites I visited, many buildings I saw during my travels also featured stucco. The balance between stucco's durability and cost makes it a popular choice for dry regions. However, stucco’s limited texture variations make expressing materiality a challenge.
As a result, in San Diego, it is common for more than 20% of a building's exterior to be finished with materials other than stucco. Metal panels, fiber cement siding, and natural stone tiles are frequently combined with stucco.
Exterior Color Trends
There was a noticeable preference for bright colors. Modern buildings often feature combinations of white with black or charcoal, along with wood grain finishes. Unique accent colors, such as burnt orange, salmon pink, and vivid pink, are also popular.
The biggest challenge in San Diego's architecture is UV-induced fading. CERACLAD’s Triple-Coat ceramic coating helps prevent fading from UV exposure. Popular products such as Cashmere Smooth, Zen Garden, and 8 Reveal are currently available in 15 colors. For customers who have previously hesitated to choose deeper hues due to maintenance concerns, now is the perfect opportunity to consider CERACLAD’s Triple-Coat products!