Commercial construction

Fiber cement panel and lap siding - particularly James Hardie and LP SmartSide - is the most common commercial siding choice for buildings under 4 stories. It handles freeze-thaw, holds paint well, and works with a wide range of architectural styles. Metal panel is increasingly common on new commercial construction, particularly hospitality, mixed-use, and contemporary designs, because it's virtually maintenance-free and has a longer warranty. Vinyl is rarely appropriate for commercial use here - the freeze-thaw cracking risk and institutional appearance are drawbacks at commercial scale.

A rainscreen is a drainage plane - typically a 3/8 to 1/2 inch gap created by drainage mat or vertical furring strips - between the building membrane and the back face of the siding. It lets any moisture that gets behind the cladding drain out at the base rather than wick into the wall assembly. For fiber cement and engineered wood siding, we include it as standard. For metal panel systems, the panel geometry typically creates its own drainage plane. For commercial buildings with complex geometry, multiple penetrations, or high exposure, rainscreen detailing is particularly important.

We provide fixed-scope, fixed-price bids for commercial siding projects. The bid covers material, labor, building membrane, flashing, and trim. Variables that affect price: linear feet of window and door perimeter (flashing labor), number and complexity of transitions and penetrations, whether decking or sheathing repairs are needed, and whether scaffolding or lift rental is required. We don't bid per square foot because that number is meaningless without the detail scope behind it. We provide a line-item bid so you can see exactly what you're getting.

Yes - commercial siding warranties are determined on a project-by-project basis depending on scope, product, and conditions. We discuss warranty terms at the proposal stage and include them in the signed contract. The manufacturer warranty on fiber cement and metal panel products is separate and runs with the building - we register all manufacturer warranties at project closeout and provide documentation to the owner or GC.

For most commercial buildings here, TPO is the standard choice - it handles UV, thermal cycling, and rooftop equipment well, and the heat-welded seams hold up better in freeze-thaw than adhesive-bonded systems. EPDM is a strong alternative with a longer track record. We spec the right system for each building - not one product for everything.

A typical commercial re-roof on a building under 10,000 sq ft takes 3-7 working days, depending on tear-off conditions, decking repairs, and weather windows. We provide a project schedule at contract signing and communicate changes proactively.

For reroofing in-kind (same membrane type, same insulation R-value), engineer involvement is typically not required. For projects that significantly change the roof assembly, a structural review may be needed. We check permit requirements before every project and handle the filing.

Yes. We serve commercial roofing clients statewide - Burlington, South Burlington, Williston, Shelburne, Colchester, St. Albans, Montpelier, Barre, Rutland, Killington, Stowe, Morrisville, White River Junction, and surrounding areas. For projects in the Northeast Kingdom, we assess travel and staging costs at the estimate stage.

Light gauge steel stud framing is standard for interior partitions in most commercial buildings - it's dimensionally consistent, straight, and doesn't shrink or warp after installation the way wood can. It's also required in fire-rated assemblies where the UL listing specifies steel stud construction. Wood framing is standard for wood-frame commercial and multi-family buildings, and for exterior walls in Type V construction. The structural engineer's drawings typically specify which system is required for each element - we install both and coordinate with the structural package.

No. Our framing scope is light gauge steel stud and wood platform framing. We don't do post-and-beam, timber frame, or heavy timber work. If your project has those elements, we're happy to provide the light gauge and platform framing scope and coordinate with a timber framer for the specialty work.

We review the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing drawings before we start framing and identify conflicts or coordination needs early. We provide blocking locations for MEP anchors, leave rough openings at correct sizes and heights, and coordinate chase wall and shaft wall sequencing with the mechanical and plumbing trades. On tenant fit-out projects, we typically frame in phases that allow MEP rough-in to proceed concurrently - this keeps the overall schedule tight.

We work on projects ranging from small tenant fit-outs under 2,000 sq ft to full multi-family and commercial new construction. For very large projects (100,000+ sq ft with complex phasing), we assess capacity and discuss scheduling requirements at the bid stage. We're selective about what we take on - we'd rather commit to a project we can staff correctly than overextend and underperform.

A commercial storefront system is a non-load-bearing aluminum framing system that holds glass panels, entry doors, and glazed sidelites in a commercial building's exterior wall. Storefront systems are used in retail, office, hospitality, healthcare, and mixed-use buildings. They differ from curtain wall in that storefront is installed within the building's structural openings, while curtain wall spans continuously across floors. Forthright installs storefront framing and sets the glass packages for new construction and renovation projects.

Forthright is a framing and installation contractor - we coordinate with glass suppliers and fabricators to deliver a complete storefront package. We work with your GC or architect to source the right system for the project, manage the shop drawings, and handle the installation from rough opening through glazing and hardware.

We install standard aluminum storefront framing from major manufacturers including Kawneer, YKK AP, and Oldcastle. System selection depends on project specs, thermal performance requirements, and budget. In a cold climate, thermally broken framing is strongly recommended - it reduces condensation and meets current energy code requirements for commercial buildings.

Yes. Storefront replacement on occupied commercial buildings is a significant part of our work. We sequence the work to minimize exposure time for the building interior, use temporary weatherproofing during transitions, and coordinate with building management on access and business-hours restrictions. We've completed storefront work on retail spaces, medical offices, and mixed-use buildings where occupancy couldn't be interrupted.

Level 4 is the standard commercial finish - all joints, fasteners, and corner beads are coated with three coats of compound, sanded smooth, and ready for flat or eggshell paint. Level 5 adds a full skim coat of joint compound over the entire wall surface, creating a perfectly uniform plane. Level 5 is required when gloss or semi-gloss paint is specified, under side lighting conditions where surface imperfections are visible, and in high-end commercial interiors. It costs more - the skim coat step is labor-intensive - but it's the right answer for the right environments.

No - our commercial drywall scope is new work on new or substantially renovated commercial spaces: board, tape, and finish for full rooms or buildings. We don't take patch-and-repair calls. For commercial clients who need ongoing maintenance drywall work, we'd suggest a general handyman or small residential drywall company.

Fire-rated drywall assemblies are tested and listed by UL (Underwriters Laboratories) - the listing specifies the exact stud gauge and spacing, board type and thickness, fastener type and pattern, and any additional components like resilient channels or cavity insulation. The result is a rating in hours - a 2-hour assembly is tested to contain fire on one side for 2 hours. We build to the UL assembly number specified in the architectural drawings and coordinate inspection requirements with the GC. The fire marshal or AHJ typically inspects before boarding is completed so the assembly can be verified.

Yes - tenant fit-out work in occupied buildings is a common part of our commercial scope. We coordinate access, dust containment, and work hours with the GC and property manager. Drywall is dusty by nature; we seal off work areas with temporary barriers and schedule heavy sanding outside of occupant hours where required.