Better and Faster Walls

by John Fleming

A new store is about to open in Puerto Peñasco. By the time you read this it will probably be operating. The business is called Muros y Plafones Ligeros (Light Walls and Ceilings). It is located on Calle Sonora just east of the intesection with Kino and is owned by brothers Roberto and Lorenzo Fierro.

The Fierros have the franchise for Murofast, a steel stud building system, Walls go up in hours . Plafones (dropped paneled ceilings usually used in commercial buildings) create space for ducts, wiring, and lighting. They can go up in days. Lorenzo, who gave us a tour of the shop, showed us a special kind of fibered skinned drywall that is waterproof and can withstand excess humidity. Cement board , drywall and numerous other materials will be available.

In addition to selling materials, the Fierro brothers are available for construction projects. They have lots of experience in the business, having lived and worked for 12 years in Redlands, California, where they did primarily high speed framing and drywall installation. They recently built a house in Guadalajara and completed the basic structure in 5 days.

In Puerto Peñasco the Fierros have built and remodeled a number of buildings: the new Rocky Imports variety store, several residences in Cholla Bay, including a large and imposing edifice on top of a hill, and improvements to Botica Lux and Reyna's Jewelry. We have used their services on our property and have been favorably impressed with their promptness and attention to detail.

I believe the Fierros are on to something. Steel and cementboard are Mexico's answer to its housing future. The electric screwgun will probably replace many of the shovels and trowels that Puerto Peñasco uses today. It's already happening in the United States. I can hear the song of power guns drifting across the border.

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