3 Steps for Perfect Concrete Flooring in Post Frame Buildings

Leave a reply

Concrete flooring in post frame building.

Concrete flooring is a great choice for post frame buildings. High-quality concrete flooring may be one of the essential components of your post frame building plan. Depending on the building’s principal function, a long-lasting and durable concrete floor will keep the contents clean and dry, facilitate ease of movement, and provide a more functional workspace. It can also help to extend the life of the equipment entering and leaving the building.

Pouring concrete flooring for new or existing post frame buildings can be expensive. However, the benefits owners receive for years to come may pay for the initial investment. The benefits are even more significant if the job is done correctly from the beginning.

Before pouring concrete flooring in post frame buildings, the building owner and designer must address three major issues. These are:

What will be the primary functions of the post frame structure?

Designing a floor to withstand the expected loads requires planning and foresight. Considerations may include:

  • How heavy is the equipment, machinery, or stored inventories that the flooring will bear? Remember future equipment is likely to be heavier and that, over time, more items will find their way into the structure as needs grow.
  • How much maneuvering will be required? While this factor also contributes to the total square footage decision, moving equipment throughout the building adds to the wear and tear of the flooring.
  • How will we heat the building? Radiant heating from coils in the floor can be a terrific asset, particularly in workshops and maintenance areas where humans will be working. Naturally, this is a decision that must be made in advance.

Proper Site Preparation

Site prep for a post frame structure is less complicated than with other construction methods. The primary objective is to ensure the space is level with appropriate sloping for any drainage.

To avoid premature cracking and deterioration, the building site must be compact and level when placing an aggregate subgrade.

Following this first step, a compacted gravel layer should be placed to facilitate drainage. This will also support the concrete layer. Certifying that this layer is once again level and uniform is a critical step before installing the concrete.

You may wish to let the subfloor settle further while the rest of the building is completed. This can help eliminate the potential for subsequent settling and shifting in certain areas after the concrete is in place.

Determining the Thickness of the Concrete Flooring

Determining the thickness of the concrete application and the type of reinforcement depends on what will be stored in the new post frame building.

A proven post frame building expert or a qualified concrete expert will recommend the best thickness for your needs. They will take into account the uses and combined gross weights of the equipment and materials that will be housed. Specific guidelines exist, although each building owner’s needs are unique.

For example, experts recommend a concrete thickness of at least six inches for heavy-duty tractors, earth movers, and dump trucks. However, lighter vehicles, including standard-sized pickup trucks, campers, and automobiles only require four inches of concrete. This will be substantial enough to survive wear and tear and provide maximum service.

Reinforcing components can also add to the life of a concrete floor. Reinforcements embedded in the concrete are a normal application to help the flooring last longer and withstand the weight and various forces.

Concrete reinforcement often consists of steel rebar or horizontal metal rods in a grid across the floor. While other reinforcement materials are available, your post frame design expert will recommend products based on your needs and budget.

Contact Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings

A longtime manufacturer, designer, and builder of post frame buildings for a variety of functions, Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings of North Webster, Indiana, is a leader in innovation and quality for clients in Northern Indiana, Southwest Michigan, and Northwest Ohio.

Experienced in all phases of post frame construction, the Pacemaker professionals will offer design ideas, quality components, and high-quality solutions for any structure.

Check out the Gallery of some of Pacemaker’s completed projects to learn about their buildings’ versatility, durability, and functionality.

For more information about Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings, visit the company website or call their experts at +1-888-834-4448.

Door Sizing Guide for Post Frame Buildings

Leave a reply

ad

Your new post frame building is only useful when you can store and access things inside it. Doors are a critical component during the planning process. To help with planning let’s look at a door sizing guide and considerations. After all, how big the doors should be is an important consideration.

You want to allow enough space for your larger equipment, vehicles, and animals to enter and exit. Doors that are too small cause headaches, and disappointment, and add extra costs after construction is complete.

Accurate measurement and considerable foresight help with choosing door sizing, which must be nailed down before design and construction begin. Last-minute changes will likely delay the project and create added expenses.

Keep in mind that overestimating is a good strategy. After all, your future camper, boat, or tractor will likely be larger than the current ones.

Workshop, RV, or Boat Storage Entry

Storing your tall and wide RV or trailer requires a much larger entry than a standard garage door. An RV or trailer can be much taller than standard vehicles and may legally be 9 feet in width. To be safe, consider adding 2.5 to 3 feet on each side. This will allow for easier maneuverability.

When storing your boat and trailer, the height of them combined is a critical consideration. Remember, your future boat may be larger than the current one, so keep that in mind. A 12-foot width by 16-foot height door should be sufficient for a typical 24’ powerboat with an engine or a similar-sized sailboat with sails furled. Each of these has an average beam or width of about nine feet.

In any case, equipment sizes vary, so accurate height and width dimensions are vital.

Equestrian Center Entrance

The overall size of an equestrian center or horse barn will depend on how many animals you expect to board and how much equipment you will need.

As for the entryways of a horse barn, the dimensions should be tall and wide enough to allow the largest horse and the tallest rider to pass through without having to duck or stoop.

Placing an entry on each end is always a good idea to enhance ventilation and create ease of movement. If you are housing a horse trailer, you will need to allow the trailer and towing vehicle to enter and leave without too much maneuvering.

A 14’ by 14’ door at each end of your post frame horse barn should ensure easy access for horses, vehicles, and humans. You may also consider individual stable doors leading to a grassy area or arena.

Barns and Farm Buildings

Barns and other farm buildings can serve many purposes, and over time, those purposes may change.

If your post frame building should serve as a place to store equipment and perhaps a workshop for repair and service, the entryway must be sufficient to accommodate the largest pieces you want to store. Keep in mind that your future equipment may be larger, so take a liberal view when gauging doorway dimensions.

Also, ensure the approach to the access is straightforward and that unnecessary maneuvering will not be required.

Use these considerations as a door sizing guide when planning your post frame building.

Work with a Professional Post Frame Designer

Experienced professionals like those at Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings in North Webster, Indiana, have addressed these issues in hundreds of past projects.

By understanding the benefits of post frame buildings and their many uses, your professional design consultant will help to ensure that the entryways will be sufficient now and in the future.

For more information about the durability, practicality, benefits, and cost savings of a modern, beautifully designed post frame building, contact Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings. They are a long-time, family-owned designer, supplier, and builder of high-quality structures for many functions.

You can view some of Pacemaker’s many completed projects by visiting their Gallery.

To make your appointment for a consultation, complete the brief Contact Us Form or call 1-888-834-4448.

Considerations When Hiring a Post Frame Building Contractor

Leave a reply

Post Frame Building Contractor

Identifying a proven, reliable contractor at the outset of any construction project is essential. After all, staying within budget, avoiding delays, and having ongoing communication are vital elements of a successful project. This is why having a secure and trusted contractor-client relationship is key. Here are some considerations when hiring a post frame building contractor.

While post frame construction requires fewer materials and labor and generally lower costs, specific considerations are essential when identifying and working with a contractor.

Once you select a post frame building contractor, developing an agreement that covers your needs is essential. Below are some crucial considerations to keep in mind.

Important Elements of Your Post Frame Contractor Relationship

Reliability and Reputation

A proven post frame material supplier and contractor should have years of experience. They should also have a positive reputation for completing projects on time and within budget. Do your research to ensure that the company has excellent planning, artisanship, and professionalism. Look online for reviews and feedback from previous clients.

A company like Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings of North Webster, Indiana, has been producing high-quality, state-of-the-art post frame buildings for nearly a half-century. They have proven their expertise and reliability many times over, and have reviews to prove it.

Costs

As a customer, getting what you want at the amount you budgeted for is vital to the building process. Your contractor should be able to provide a detailed explanation of the quality of materials, the labor, flexibility, time-to-completion,  site prep, permits, and all other relevant components. Ensure that the supplier can provide each element clearly in writing to the client.

Insurance

A responsible post frame contractor will always be licensed, bonded, and insured for any contingency.

Most importantly, insurance coverage must be in place to protect against the unexpected. After all, any situation that may cause the contractor to walk away can leave the customer with a hefty financial loss and no building.

Thus, clients should always secure a copy of the contractor’s liability insurance policy. This will show which contingencies are covered before beginning the project.

Benefits of a Full-Service Contractor

Clients need to understand where the materials will come from and who will perform the job. A full-service post frame company like Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings manufactures all essential post frame components using precise specifications in their own plant. They also employ experienced building personnel to construct each building. Ultimately, the entire building process is handled by the same team.

Sometimes “skeleton” companies make proposals, purchase components from various lumberyards and vendors, then subcontract the entire building process. These scenarios tend to blur the lines of communication and accountability. This can often leave the prospective owner unsure of the outcome.

Establishing Reliable Time Frames

A proven, experienced post frame contractor knows how long each phase of the process should take. Avoid a company that works around subcontractor schedules. Instead, choose one that will ensure the right workers and materials will be on hand to complete the project on schedule.

The contract should provide a clear, detailed review of the timing of each part of the project. Any time target modifications can be made before work begins rather than after the project is well underway.

Policies Regarding Change Orders

While changes requested by the customer during the construction process can be expensive and somewhat disruptive to the original plan, they do occur. Clients should make sure that a Change Order Policy is written into the contract. This will allow for some flexibility at each stage if necessary.

Getting all plan elements set at the outset is the most efficient way to proceed. Your post frame contractor should offer suggestions during the planning process that will best meet your needs and make subsequent changes less likely.

Work with Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings

For decades, satisfied customers in Northern Indiana, Southwest Michigan, and Northwestern Ohio have benefitted substantially by working with Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings for their agricultural, commercial, civic, equestrian, and suburban structures.

To view photographs of many of their finished projects, visit the Pacemaker Post Frame Gallery on their website.

To make an appointment to discuss your project, call the Pacemaker office at 1-888-834-4448.

Or you may schedule an in-person consultation with a Pacemaker professional by visiting their website and completing the easy Contact Us Form.