When the Bracing Looks Different, Crews Pay Attention
"We came into the project expecting another typical bracing day, but DonoBrace looked different right out of the crate."
That's how Grant Mast, Project Manager at Bratney Companies, describes his crew's first encounter with DonoBrace on an 11,086 square foot manufacturing and storage facility in the Greater Houston Area. What started as curiosity turned into a measurably faster erection process—and eliminated the frustrations his team typically faces with cable and hillside washer systems.
The Learning Curve: Faster Than Expected
Grant's team didn't walk onto the job site as DonoBrace experts. The unfamiliar hardware design prompted them to slow down, review the drawings together, and walk through the sequence as a crew.
"The first few minutes were a learning moment while we walked the drawings and matched components," Grant explained. "Once we saw the sequence, the light bulb went on. By the time we finished the first X brace assembly, the steps felt natural and the next ones moved quickly."
The only real pause? Checking the out-to-out length on the first assembly. After double-checking the holes at the plates, the process became completely repeatable. Fit the hardware, snug the bolts, set out to out, bring it to final tension, verify. Bay after bay.
One miss: Grant's crew didn't notice the QR codes on the drawings that link to installation guides. Even without them, the team found the drawings sufficient for anyone who reads details carefully.
Real-World Speed Gains
Grant didn't just feel faster—his crew was faster, especially compared to their usual bracing options.
Against cable systems: DonoBrace eliminated re-tensioning cycles caused by cable stretch and creep. The pace felt about 25% faster once the crew hit their stride.
Against rod with hillside washers: The difference was even more dramatic. Hillside washers require two people constantly watching to prevent slippage under load. DonoBrace offered controlled tightening that let the crew work at a steady, predictable pace without babysitting hardware.
Against angle bracing: While angle bracing can help with final squaring in perfect conditions, Grant's crew found conditions are rarely perfect. DonoBrace delivered more consistent performance from bay to bay, regardless of field variables.
Why It Actually Worked Better
The speed gains came from solving smaller frustrations that add up over a full project:
No temporary bracing clutter. The crew used DonoBrace itself to rack and square the frame during erection. Plumbing and lining went faster because the brace held adjustments exactly where they set them—no need to place extra braces only to remove them later.
Hardware that stays put. Components fit cleanly and didn't back out or shift during tightening. "That alone cut down on the time we spend babysitting other systems while they stretch or twist," Grant said.
Controlled tensioning = fewer do-overs. The system's predictable behavior during tightening meant fewer unnecessary adjustments and smoother movement from bay to bay.
What This Means for Your Next Project
Grant Mast's experience shows what happens when bracing systems prioritize real installer needs over theoretical efficiency. His crew at Bratney Companies didn't just install a new product—they worked faster, with less frustration, and maintained better frame control throughout erection.
The advantages weren't abstract. They showed up as fewer re-tensioning cycles, eliminated temporary bracing, cleaner tightening sequences, and a 25% faster pace compared to cable systems once the crew found their rhythm.
For erectors evaluating bracing options on manufacturing and storage facilities, DonoBrace is proving to be more than an alternative—it's becoming a preferred method that delivers schedule certainty and predictable field performance.
Project Details
- Contractor: Bratney Companies
- Project: Manufacturing and Storage Facility
- Location: Greater Houston Area, Texas
- Building Type: Storage Facility
- Superintendent: Grant Mast
- Manufacturer: Behlen Building Systems
- System Used: DonoBrace DB5
For more information about DonoBrace, or to discuss your next construction project, connect with our expert team.