Heating Options for Your Post Frame Building

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Heating-Options-for-Your-Post-Frame-Building-315During the winter, in northern Indiana and southern Michigan, the interiors of buildings used for agricultural, storage, or mechanical purposes are often exposed to severe temperatures. To add to this, barns, auto repair shops, fire stations, and warehouses also must deal with frequent door openings and closings. When people are working in these structures, the environment can become quite uncomfortable.

As well, in equestrian centers and barns, extreme, frigid weather can be detrimental to the health of both animal and human occupants.

Post frame construction is a preferred building type for these sorts of structures. One of the proven benefits of post frame buildings are the ability to insulate uniformly.  Thereby they can deliver greater energy efficiency than other building types. The reason is that the vertical supports are spaced at eight-foot intervals allowing for fewer interruptions in the insulation application. Also, because of the thickness of the vertical framing; the wall cavities are thicker thus allowing for more insulating material within the walls.

Here are several strategic ways to heat a post frame building.

Heating Options for your Post Frame Building

Overhead Radiant Heating

Overhead radiant heating can reflect heat from exhaust tubes toward the floor where it will radiate back upward to warm the entire space. Some owners use radiant heat from their hot water boilers to warm the atmosphere.

The old, tried-and-true method of installing a wood or pellet stove for heat is practical. Especially when the space is not used continually or the temperatures are not extreme. This method is adequate as a secondary source of heat as well.

Floor Heating

Floor heating of a high-ceiling, post frame structure is often a practical approach. Particularly in the case when humans are present most of the time. During the winter, especially if entryways are opened and closed frequently, the floor surface can become uncomfortably cold. The situation can be especially problematic in barns or repair shops. Frequently, workers must lie on the floor to perform their jobs.

Within a barn or shop floor, designs may include an in-floor heated water system that circulates hot water through piping. Alternatively, electrical coils embedded in the flooring can provide warmth.This is a great solution for individuals working beneath equipment that may be cut off from any other heat sources positioned higher up in the building.

Incorporating these options in the original design is more economical since a retrofit can require extensive work.

Another consideration with floor heating is to determine where this option is necessary throughout. Perhaps radiant floor heating is not needed in every space since some areas may be allocated for storage and other uses that do not require the same levels of heating comfort. In this case, setting up zoning with the in floor pex tubing can be a beneficial energy efficient heat source.

Heating for Livestock

In most cases, horse, cattle, and other livestock do fine in colder weather, unless the temperatures reach below 0°F. In these instances, cold temperatures can cause illness if the exposure is prolonged.

However, a heat source in an animal barn is important for a variety of reasons. From keeping water sources from icing up, allowing humans to work comfortably, to keeping machines, equipment, and feeds from freezing.

Contact Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings for More Information About Heating Options for your Post Frame Building

Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings is a Northern Indiana leader in the manufacturing and constructing post frame buildings and components.

The requirement for heat; as noted, depends on the function of the building. The best time to consider the right heating system is during the planning stage when the owner and designer can collaborate on the future needs of the building.

For more information about this topic and others related to post frame buildings, visit the Pacemaker website. There you will see the broad range of practical and beautiful applications of post frame buildings and learn more about techniques used.

If you have questions, visit the Pacemaker Contact page, complete the simple information form, and a Pacemaker professional will contact you promptly.

Or, you may phone the post frame experts at Pacemaker at their toll-free number, (888)-834-4448.

Size Matters: Post Frame Buildings Size

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Post frame construction is the ideal solution many types of municipal buildings, warehouses, retail outlets, and more. Also, post frame buildings are a great solution for agricultural, equestrian structures, and fire stations. This building method allows economic and environmental advantages. Post frame buildings offer wide open, uninterrupted space without interior columns or barriers. Therefore, the movement of people, animals, inventory, equipment, or vehicles is made easy.

The load-bearing support for a modern post frame building is from substantial, widely spaced, treated wooden vertical columns around the outer walls. The roof structure consists of specifically designed and fitted trusses that are securely attached to the tops of the vertical columns. Consequently, this method allows the structure to withstand wind and weather conditions.

As a result, a post frame building is energy efficient and durable. Post frame buildings also allow the free movement and storage of large vehicles, animals, and merchandise without obstruction or interference.

Maneuvering within the building is simple and the line-of-sight is continuous.

Uses for Large Post Frame Buildings

Some common uses for larger post frame buildings in which clear open space is crucial for operations are:

  • Dairy buildings
  • Livestock confinement
  • Bulk storage and storage units
  • Manufacturing space
  • Warehouses
  • Churches
  • Retail space
  • Equestrian stables and barns
  • Equestrian training facilities and riding arenas
  • Workshops and Garages
  • Educational facilities
  • Fitness Centers and gymnasiums

Schools and office buildings benefit from the flexibility of post-frame construction. Because of the open space and the elimination of load-bearing walls, configuring and reconfiguring interiors is easy. Thus accommodating change and growth.

How Large Can a Frame Structure Building Be?

Eventually, most building owners will lament that they should have built a bigger structure to accommodate growth and changing needs. A post frame construction can generally clear span up to 80’.

The durability of Post Frame Buildings

The principal elements of post frame buildings are the specially treated vertical laminated posts. These posts are six or more feet apart and anchor at least four feet into the ground. The advantage of this type of construction is that high wind and weather forces are directed into the ground. Conventional “stick-frame”  structures secure at ground level to a foundation or basement. Additionally, these are more vulnerable to shear forces in high force winds. In many instances, post frame structures survive catastrophic conditions while nearby conventional buildings suffer heavy damage.

Adaptability of Post Frame Buildings

Post frame structures can be maximized to the sized building site. Driven by zoning requirements and the configuration of the lot, owners can build to yield the maximum square footage available with the flexibility of post-frame methods. And, as mentioned, additions are simpler given the wide spacing of the vertical columns.

Contact Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings

Experts in the field of post-frame materials production and construction, Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings is keeping pace with the rapidly growing demand for high-quality post frame buildings. Advantages like open and clear space, time-to-completion, efficient use of materials, expandability and adaptability, affordability, durability, energy savings, and sustainability are driving more companies, municipalities, and individuals to adopt this type of construction.

If the size and flexibility of your new building are important, contact Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings to discuss ways that post-frame construction can benefit.

Visit the Pacemaker Buildings gallery for examples of the many potential applications, large or small, of a post-frame building.

If you have questions, visit the Contact section of our website.

 

The Advantages of Using Post Frame Buildings for Factories and Businesses

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The Advantages of Using Post Frame Buildings for Factories and Businesses-315

Many businesses, especially newer ones, are looking for the economical and appropriate space to conduct their operations. With business growth as a core objective, business managers continually review and assess the requirements for a successful expansion, hoping that they can move before their existing facilities interrupt operating efficiency.

The optimal solution, particularly for factories and many businesses, is to have a facility that is:

Custom designed for efficiency and growth

Whether your business requires individual office spaces, wide-open retail space, room for ample and easy-to-access storage, or a combination of these, post frame buildings can accommodate many configurations without having to work around load-bearing walls and other interferences.

Adaptable to changing demands

As your company grows, existing post frame buildings within can be reconfigured to adapt to changing conditions.

Easily expandable

Adding space is easier than with conventional structures because of the widely spaced vertical support columns.

Durable

In high wind areas, building a structure that is proven to withstand severe wind damage and flying objects is essential. Specifically, in hurricane and tornado-prone areas, structures need to be built to last.

Attractive

The reputation of any business starts with the appearance of their facilities. A beautifully clad, designed and landscaped business facility or factory will create the best impression. Thus help to gain acceptance in the community.

Affordable

If expansion to accommodate growth requires a sizeable investment, further growth may be curtailed.

Post Frame Buildings Provide the Best Solution for Growth

Adaptable, Flexible, Durable, Attractive, and Affordable

A well-designed post frame building often minimizes interior load-bearing walls and pillars. The weight of the roof is borne by the sturdy pressure-treated vertical wooden perimeter columns. These columns are anchored at least four feet into the ground. This configuration leaves an unobstructed open area perfect for a variety of uses. From offices, retail shelving, production areas, and storage, to the ease of maneuvering for people and equipment.

One of the most important features for a growing enterprise is the ability to shift partitions and equipment to accommodate higher volume and greater efficiency. Due to eight-foot or greater spacing between the vertical posts, makes it easy to add post frame additions.

The widely spaced and deeply anchored wooden posts of a post frame building redirect wind load forces. Forcing them directly into the ground. Conventional construction is more likely to “shear off” at ground level where it attaches to a foundation during severe wind storms. After heavy storms, some post frame buildings have remained standing while other buildings in the area were leveled.

A post frame building can have the same architectural features as overhangs, dormers, porticos, and more as standard-built structures. In addition, any exterior cladding like brick, wood paneling, stucco, wainscoting, and more is possible. Many people find that stylish post-frame-built home is an excellent option. Especially when panoramic vistas and open spaces are to be enjoyed.

Post frame construction often requires less time to build, more efficient use of materials, and labor to assemble. The time from plan to finish for many post frame structures has been one-half the time spent for a conventional stick or metal frame buildings.

Many of the components can are pre-built and fitted, thereby eliminating the waste that is of usually part of a normal construction project.

Contact Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings for More Information

Pacemaker Post Frame Buildings is the Midwest’s leader in post-frame construction. Strategically located in Northern Indiana, Pacemaker is a manufacturer, supplier, and builder of top-quality post frame buildings and components.

Manufacturers and businesses should contact Pacemaker before making a final decision on any new facility. Post frame buildings meet all the criteria for any growing business, and Pacemaker can help you to make the right choices.

Visit the Pacemaker Post Frame Building website gallery to view some of the remarkable and practical structures built for a wide range of applications.

Also, on their website, Pacemaker offers their free downloadable Guide Book for planning a new building.

If you have questions, visit the Contact Us page of the Pacemaker website with your contact information or phone 1-888-834-4448.