Pacemaker Buildings is an experienced, professional design and post frame contractor that has the equipment, knowledge, and expertise to help you every step of the way.
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Pacemaker Buildings is a regional leader in designing, manufacturing and constructing post frame buildings for the agricultural, commercial, equestrian, and suburban markets.
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Pacemaker Buildings have been able to perfect the art of crafting beautiful, durable, cost-effective structures for more than 30 years. Just ask our clients!
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Post frame buildings are durable, practical, and economical. Whether you are planning a rural structure like a barn, shed, or equestrian center or an urban construction for a firehouse, vehicle garage, retail establishment, or warehouse, post frame buildings provide long-lasting reliable service.
Sometimes our initial ideas and projections turn into something much bigger. This problem often arises as planning begins on post frame buildings. Whether your building is designed to maintain and service farm equipment, a fully equipped metal or wood shop, or is used to restore and house antique cars and trucks, your needs can quickly grow beyond your initial idea. Consider the idea of phase building your post frame structure.
Or, you may have already calculated precisely how much space you will eventually require. Unfortunately, during this process, you realize you cannot afford to have the entire job completed at once. In these instances, phase building may be the best option for your project.
Post frame construction is great for phase building as it offers the greatest flexibility for future expansion. This is due to the vertical beams being widely spaced at 6-10 feet. Therefore removing parts of the wall to create new space is easily accomplished compared to conventional construction methods.
When designing a building to house your vision, you will need a plan that will allow for straightforward, compatible upgrades, and expansion.
Your initial plan should address the capacity you believe you will need in the future. Building too small at the beginning can be frustrating. But having no room to expand can be much worse.
Proper planning to expand without obstructions or other problems will make growth more efficient and affordable.
Note that where you locate “Phase 1” of your building can impact future expansion. If vehicles or large equipment will be involved, placement for accessibility is essential in the planning. Leave enough space for your add-on, plus sufficient maneuvering room for your vehicles.
Ensure that all possible phases are on the initial plan, this will be essential for building future phases. You can even build phases 1 and 2 on opposite sides of the lot and connect them later, as long as it’s planned out.
If your budget is the main limiting factor, and you require the extra space for storage initially, you could build the entire shell but partition a finished section from the rest with an overhead door or two. This will allow you to expand your workshop when you have the funding. You can perform the entire site preparation, and construct the entire outer shell.
Then you can put the finishing touches on the part of the building you will use immediately. This includes the electricity and plumbing work for the needed work area.
Later, when you are ready, and the funding is available, you can finish the incomplete part of the building with plumbing and electrical work. During this completion phase, you can consider completing the insulation and adding the HVAC, walls, and ceiling finishes as well.
Companies like Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings have experienced designers who are familiar with developing plans for future expansion. With your vision in mind, they will work with you to develop strategies for a building that will meet your immediate performance demands without busting your budget.
Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings, headquartered in North Webster, Indiana, is a premier supplier and builder of post frame buildings. For four decades, Pacemaker has led the way in innovation, superior materials, creative techniques, and personalized design throughout Northern Indiana, Southwest Michigan and Northwest Ohio.
For more information and to view some past projects, visit the Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings website. If you have questions about designing your shop for future expansion, call the professionals at Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings at +1-888-834-4448.
As with any building, your post frame structure will need repairs during its lifetime. Whether you use the structure like a barn, equestrian center, or commercial building; damage done by humans, animals, machines, and weather will require attention to bring it back to top condition. Because of the simplicity of post frame construction and sophistication of design, many common post frame building repairs and upgrades are far more straightforward than with other traditional forms of construction.
Let’s start with the ultimate repair or upgrade project for a modern post frame structure. Suppose your post frame barn has been in place for decades, and the exterior has begun to look worn and dated. This could be due to sunlight, wind, ice, snow, machinery, and more. You inspect the building and find the support structure is still in great shape, with many more years of service to come.
You do not need to waste the money on demolition and reconstruction of the entire building. Simply remove the outer “skin” and roofing of the building and replace them with new cladding. The process is relatively easy and will save you money. Choose newer materials that suit the weather conditions and use of your post-frame structure. This will ensure you get the most out of your re-cladding project.
Some post frame buildings were built decades ago and did not have the advantage of new post frame materials and techniques. As a result, some vulnerable, untreated wooden vertical support posts may have started to rot.
Don’t despair. You do not need to tear your post frame structure down to start over. Instead, you can simply sink and anchor new treated posts side-by-side with the existing ones. If you have a concrete floor, the supplemental posts can be bolted in next to the existing supports.
If a fallen tree or severe weather has somehow diminished the integrity of one or more roof trusses, you may adopt a similar strategy to strengthening those rotting frame posts. Securing a new truss next to the old one will create a more robust, undamaged support system. Once done, apply new roofing over the damaged areas, and you will be back in business.
As time passes and your needs change, you may discover that your building access needs have changed. To accommodate larger equipment, for example, a wider doorway would be a great benefit.
With a post frame structure, widening doorways is far easier than with traditional buildings. Widely spaced vertical posts allow building owners to create broader access by repositioning individual posts on each side and extending the header to accommodate the broader opening.
Always be sure to consult a professional post frame company before proceeding with moving posts to avoid structural weakening.
While not necessarily a post frame repair, adding an office or additional storage above can add significant value to your post frame building. Before starting, make sure that the overhead structure is designed to handle the extra load.
You may add a stairway for easy access to the new space. You can segregate the upper room with walls and windows and even install heating and air conditioning.
For over four decades, family-owned Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings has been designing and producing components for high-quality buildings throughout Northern Indiana, Southwest Michigan and Northwest Ohio With a team of highly skilled professionals, Pacemaker has advanced the materials and techniques of post frame building with new technologies and building practices.
For more information about building or post frame building repairing a post frame building used for businesses, farms, storage facilities, civic buildings, firehouses, churches, schools or homes, contact Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings in North Webster, Indiana.
Visit the Pacemaker website to view some of their amazing finished projects.
If you have questions, phone the post frame professionals at 1.574.834.4448, or leave your information on the Contact Us page of the website.
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