Sidewalk sheds are built as temporary structures for the protection of property or people. They are usually made of plywood, wood planks, and steel framing. Sidewalk sheds can typically be seen when there is construction work undergoing around pedestrian walkways and sidewalks, which renders the need to protect pedestrians from debris that can fall from above. Although sidewalk sheds are installed for the safety of the public, many people have found them an annoyance. Read on to find out more about how sidewalk sheds can remain essential while annoying people.
Why People Find Sidewalk Sheds Annoying
In just New York City alone, there are more than 8000 sidewalk sheds and scaffolds scattered around. As these structures are only meant to be temporary, they are usually not constructed in an aesthetically-pleasing manner. This makes them an eyesore to many people. There have been complaints that sidewalk sheds harbor nefarious activities and make it hard for pedestrians to navigate the crowded sidewalks. In addition, storeowners are unhappy that the obstructive nature of sidewalk sheds prevent customers from accessing stores as not many customers are willing to squeeze through dark narrow passages, thus driving business away. These complaints are certainly not helped by the fact that some sidewalk sheds stay up for years on end.
Why Sidewalk Sheds Remain Necessary
While sidewalk sheds are an annoyance for many people, they are still essential to keep the public safe. Whenever a building is deemed to be unsafe after inspection or when there is construction or repair work going on above a sidewalk, a sidewalk shed must be built. Otherwise, pedestrians could be hit and injured or killed by falling debris, such as bricks and tools.
To improve the experience of pedestrians with sidewalk sheds, contractors can install proper lighting and visible signages to stores while making sure that pedestrian access is not obstructed. Most importantly, sidewalk sheds should be used as temporary measures to protect the public instead of being put up as a permanent solution while putting off the repair of unsafe buildings.
Improvements Underway
As the dreary appearance of sidewalk sheds is a common complaint, companies are coming up with ways to improve them. For example, a company called Urban Umbrella has developed an improved sidewalk shed with a sleek design that is made from translucent plastic panels, recycled steel columns, and has LED lighting.
Come to Starr Industries
For top-quality sidewalk sheds, come to Starr Industries. Whether you are building a new construction or doing necessary repairs for buildings near sidewalks, Starr Industries can meet your needs in providing reliable and safe sidewalk sheds. We are a top provider of various construction solutions and use high quality materials to meet our customers’ needs. Contact us today to learn more.
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