Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Only trusted names go into the pole barn packages you buy

As the business of pole barns kits expands its horizon, with more people across the country preferring readymade kits rather than having to build an entire pole barn by themselves, we look at some of the reasons for which the adoption rate of these barn building kits has simply shot through the roof.

1. The use of trusted brands and names only – This has been one of the foremost reasons for which the use of home garage kits has increased so rapidly. Besides the assured quality of items that are used in the kits, customers get complete peace of mind – which is often not possible even in those cases where they try to build their pole barns by themselves, with assistance from an external contractor.

2. Use of self-manufactured items – Besides the usage of items manufactured by trusted brands or names, the bulk of the items used in garage building kits are manufactured by the kit makers themselves. Instances would include wood trusses, treated posts, laminated posts and so on. Again, this reinforces the faith that patrons have in these kit makers.

3. No waiting around – With pole barn kits, there is no waiting around involved. The entire package arrives in just one or two shipments and with your labor ready, you can actually have the entire Amish barn or steel pole barn ready the same day on which the kit is delivered to you in its entirety.

4. Convenience – No doubt, convenience remains a very big pull for patrons; with time being a premium for just about everyone these days, metal building kits like these have the unique ability to save on both time and effort…obviously, patrons love that aspect and accordingly prefer going for them than have to construct their pole barn themselves.

5. Quality of construction – The final output when built with the help of pole barn packages is almost always superior to that of any other pole barn made in a different way, even if the same is made by you on your own! To appreciate this aspect, you need to understand the fact that these guys have been supplying garage kits for a long time now which has made them experts in the field; even with speed, they are able to maintain a certain level of accuracy which is virtually unparalleled!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Top 5 reasons to get a pole barn kit

If you want a pole barn, you can either build it yourself or hire someone to do it.


Either way, there are huge hassles. Any pole barn requries a lot of different kids of materials. Whether you build yourself or hire someone else to do it for you. you will need to set up a way to get all this construction material. Even if you entrust the person you are hiring to build the pole barn to also obtain all of the material required, you will constantly be concerned that the person will look to make a hefty margin on the materials – while still compromising on the quality of items used.

For all these reasons and more, it makes perfect sense that you go in for pole barn kits that make the entire process of building your own pole barn that much simpler, easier, cost-effective and to your complete satisfaction.

  1. Complete control over items used – Pole barns kit companies are highly transparent regarding the quality of items used. You have complete awareness as well as control over the materials, relieving you of any possible stress about the kind of material deployed for your pole barn.
  2. Speed of delivery – With pole barn kit companies delivering all of the items required for the pole barn in just 1 or 2 shipments, you or your help do not have to keep waiting for the items to arrive in multiple installments.
  3. Speed of construction – The prompt delivery of all the items required for the construction, coupled with the fact that a lot of the parts are shipped in such a manner that they require very basic assembly to put them all together, also ensures that your final, fully functional pole barn is ready for use in very quick time; in most cases, the very same day that the items for its construction are shipped.
  4. Lower cost of labor – With the items for the pole barn being shipped in a manner that they require basic assembly and/or installation, the labor that you hire require less time and effort to put things together, which in turn translates to a faster job
  5. Customized sizes – Customized sizes of pole barns is a whole lot easier with pole barn packages. In fact a lot of the pole building plans from pole barn kit companies involve a degree or extent of customization which is virtually impossible to replicate while attempting to build one’s barn by oneself, especially due to lack of access to unique materials that the pole barn kit companies have, thanks to tie-ups with various suppliers.


Thursday, October 14, 2010

More members in the family? Get storage space created outside your house as well!

The more people you add to a house, the more space becomes an issue. If you're living on an estate farm in Texas, and your old aunt and uncle, along with their two young grandchildren, have come from Maine to spend the summer with you and your family, your house is going to feel packed, no matter how big it is!

In such a scenario, what you ideally need to do is make way within your own home for additional members, by tucking away items within the premises. But how do you do it within a very short span of time? After all, you might have a lot of stuff and you need sufficient space to tuck all those items away. What you need is a whole new building to put stuff in.

It is in situations such as these that suppliers of barn building kits and home garage kits prove to be completely invaluable and absolutely indispensable. However big a storage space you may require, you can be assured that the same will be ready for you in a jiffy.

Let us say that you do have sufficient space within your house for all your belongings but at the same time, with the grandchildren coming along with your aunt and uncle, you would like to have the exterior lawn as well as the driveway area free. Towards that end, you would like a suitable garage built that would be able to accommodate all the three cars that you own and ideally, also have some additional storage space, just in case you would like to tuck some items away.

With the prefab garage kits that are supplied, you can be assured that construction of the garage will not be a problem, even if you would like it to be one that can accommodate as many as three cars. Further, the garage will be up and ready to accommodate your cars in as little as a day, with all of the material required for its construction made available by the suppliers of garage kits.

So go ahead and prepare yourself to welcome your guests for the summer vacations, leaving all space constraint worries, safely tucked away – like the items that you will be tucking away!

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Garage kits for having a garage up in a flash!

Many of us have households with parking space for say one or two cars. So what happens when we buy a third one? Do we leave it parked outside the house? Unfortunately, that is the case with a lot of families across the country since the built up garages on the household plot can only accommodate one to two cars.

But as a matter of fact, that need not always be the case; there are enterprising ventures which supply garage kits wherein a standalone garage can actually be built up from scratch virtually in a flash…yes, here we are not talking about days, but hours in which your garage would be up and running to accommodate the additional cars in the household.

These garages are built using garage kits that manufacturers supply. At your end, all you need to do is ensure that you have labor supply at the time the kit is provided to suitably install the garage. And of course, you also need to ensure that there is sufficient space for the garage to be put up.

Probably the best thing about these garages is the fact that they are highly customizable; whether you would like to fit in one, two or three cars into these garages, there is virtually no problem at all as suitable garages can be duly set up, as per your requirements.

Moreover, the customization aspect of these garages does not end with space for accommodating cars alone. What if you would also like to have sufficient space for other storage material? Again, that is not a problem either; you can have garages that are further customized, with adequate storage space also provided alongside. Also note that the look of the garage can also be customized to a large extent, be it the design, the layout as well as its colors.

The best part about these suppliers of garage building kits is that either they themselves manufacture a lot of the items that are used or they rely only on some of the most reputable manufacturers of the requisite items that go into making the components of the aforementioned garage kits. That way, the quality aspect is always assured, under all circumstances.

So if you have been stalling the purchase of an additional car for your family only because of lack of parking space within your premises, that reason really does not hold good anymore!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Five Key Reasons for Choosing Pole Barn Designs

If you are thinking about building a barn, garage, office, shed, or similar building, experience offers several good reasons for choosing the simple pole barn design and adapting it as necessary to your specific requirements.
Actually, the name “pole barn” may be a bit of a misnomer now that these simple, economical buildings are used for all kinds of purposes both on and off the farm. The name “pole barn” comes right out of the history of this kind of structure. Back in the 1930’s, some of the first permanent pole barn buildings were constructed in rural areas from newly available telephone poles and corrugated steel sheeting.
Nowadays these highly adaptable buildings are especially popular for storage purposes and yet also function well as workshop and office space. Some love the simplicity of the design and construction so much that they’ve converted them to residential uses as well.
For almost a decade pole barn buildings have flourished because they have several advantages for the average builder. Here are just a few.
1. Versatility
Pole barn kits can be used for a wide variety of purposes. Of course they can be used for barns, but they are also commonly used for garages, sheds, cabins and vacation homes. Once you become familiar with the design, you will notice that the pole design is also used for gyms, airplane hangars, and even office and commercial buildings.
2. The savings
Foundation costs can easily exceed 15% of the total construction costs for a typical single-story construction. For a pole barn building, the foundation is made simply by drilling holes for the posts with a power auger. While hole depths of just two feet can serve for many purposes, burying the posts four to six feet deep will create excellent lateral and vertical bearing strengths. Thus you save the expense of conventional excavation projects and concrete pouring, although some do to choose to put in a concrete slab.
3. Adaptability to uneven sites
Pole barn packages are especially popular because they require considerably less site preparation than other construction types. If you have an area with contours, consider a pole barn kit as you will not have to pay for earth moving and grading in order to level the site. Thus you have more options for locating your building and will not have to resign yourself to a second choice simply due to uneven terrain that would likely require more expense to prepare.
4. Framing options
In a pole building, the poles support the weight of the building. This means the walls are non-load bearing, giving you the option of framing your building for a conventional appearance or leaving it as an open-air storage facility. This can also be a cost-saving aspect of your construction.
5. Structural Stability
Constructed properly, a pole barn building can withstand bad weather better than conventional structures. In windstorms, for example, the force or load of the wind against the walls is transmitted to the ground by the poles, thereby preventing a collapse that is more likely with a conventional frame design.


Wednesday, September 8, 2010

The Five Biggest Mistakes in Using Pole Barn Kits

Pole barns kits are a popular choice due to cost of materials, ease of construction, and multiple uses. Whether you are building a horse barn, storage shed, or even a home using a pole barn kit, you will want to avoid common mistakes that can lead to disappointment or even disaster.

1. Not checking zoning restrictions.
Some people believe it is easier to get forgiveness than permission, but don’t expect this when it comes to enforcement of building codes. Check with your local municipality about any regulations regarding the type, size, and location of any buildings you plan to erect. If needed, get a zoning variance for any plans that fall outside existing regulations. Also get any necessary building permits and subsequent inspections. In some areas, wooden pole barns are not considered permanent structures, which could result in a rejection of your request. Failure to comply with the law might result in fines, costly changes, or even the demolition of your building, so take heed.
2. Forgetting to ask about support services.
Before you sign on the dotted line (or hit submit after entering your credit card information), look into what services the pole barn kit providers offer customers. If you are not adept at construction, you might require help. In addition to the expected step-by-step manual, some companies also provide on-site help. This can range from site preparation to actual construction and installing the electrical service. You might save by contracting for these services from local providers.
3. Buying by price alone.
You get what you pay for. If you want your building to last, you need quality materials. Make sure you are getting first-quality goods from a reputable manufacturer and supplier of pole barn kits. Don’t take this on faith--ask for verification, including any written guarantees or warranties. Make sure that trusses are sealed and that posts are treated in accordance with industry standards. If your needs could be better served by special doors, windows, or other features, expect to pay more. Finally, ask about shipping costs as these should be figured in to the total cost.
4. Failing to check or prepare the soil foundation.
In extreme cases the site preparation can actually double the cost of building, so it pays to investigate this well in advance. First, all brush must be cleared from the area. Then the site must be leveled. Given a good location, this can be as simple as moving a few cubic yards of soil from one spot to another. For economy, many choose to do that themselves, even if it means renting a loader and box scraper or dump truck. If you are paying a crew to erect the building, you’ll want to have the site ready in order not to waste worker time.
5. Failing to schedule.
Anyone who has ever dealt with construction work crews knows that they are not available at the drop of a hat. The pole barn kit provider’s team might not show up for weeks. Furthermore, many builders often juggle several projects at once. When you hire, set a schedule and get guarantees that place a priority on starting when the materials are delivered and finishing your job once it is started, that is, if you want it done in minimal time. If you are doing it yourself, be sure to figure in the construction work with your other obligations. Setting aside big chunks of time works best, with extra time scheduled in for weather and other disruptions.
Your building project can be a nightmare or a dream, depending on te time you take to plan. As the saying goes, “Well begun is half done.” With a good start, you should end up with a building that will serve you well for many years.


Sunday, August 15, 2010

5 Top Tips for Choosing a Site for Your Pole Barn

There's a reason that people use the word '"oundation" as both a basic description, and as a metaphor! Having a solid foundation is important in any of your projects, whether you're learning to play a new instrument, starting a university degree, about to have a child or simply building a steel pole barn! Today we're tackling the easy foundation questions first though, with a set of 5 tips on choosing the perfect site and creating the perfect foundation for your home garage kit.
  1. Drainage
    Drainage is the first thing you'll need to ensure in the site you choose for your garage kit. A poorly drained garage will end up shifting, smelling ... possibly even breaking. If you need to lay a sand foundation, do so. Obviously the ideal solution is to lay a concrete slab to put the garage on, but the cost can be prohibitive. One common mistake that people make with drainage is to choose a lovely natural flat spot at the bottom of a hill, protected from wind and with minimal flattening to be done. Unfortunately, these are the sites that often turn into flood plains over winter.
  2. Wind direction
    Wind direction is important, especially for pole barns that are partially or fully open to the elements. You don't want your roof to lift right off and join the Wicked Witch in circling around the sky, only to come down in Oz somewhere! You also don't want to end up downwind of horse stalls, home brewing smells or fertilizer dust.
  3. Path of the sun
    Spend a bit of time checking out how the sun moves around your chosen site. If you live in a cold climate, you'll want a sunny area for your metal garage; if you live in a warm area try to pick a spot that gets morning sun, but is shaded for the rest of the day.
  4. Surrounding trees
    Surrounding trees mean shade. But they also mean bird poop, blocked gutters, and the eerie sound of leaves falling on the roof every time it gets windy. You'll need to weigh up whether protection from weather patterns, or not having to spend hours of your life on your garage roof, is more important.
  5. Flowing water
    If you're building a pole barn on the side of a hill, you'll need to consider how water will flow around the structure when it rains. You may need to create your own drainage path to ensure that the foundation aren't washed right out from under your barn.


Sunday, August 8, 2010

5 Extras to Think About When Buying Home Garage Kits

Just because you’re building your own garage, or grabbing a great-value garage kit, doesn’t mean that it has to be ultra-simple. Even those with little building experience can quite easily incorporate many different extras into their home garage kit or pole barn packages; items that make your garage a much more pleasant place to be and work. Today we check out 5 extras that can make a world of difference to the feel of your home garage kit.
1. Windows
Sure, you want your shed to feel like your sanctuary ... but you also want to keep the power bills down and have a bit of connection to the outside world! Windows are an 'essential extra' in building garage kits, and you can get either double hung or slider style windows, at sizes up to 48" long, quite easily in your garage kit.
2. Sliding doors
These are usually made for pole barn packages only, and if you do certain types of work in your garage can be extremely handy. Easy to open and close, it's possible to get in and out without opening the entire garage up to the neighbourhood with a sliding door.
3. Garage door openers
If you’re using your garage for its original intended purpose (that is, if you have been successfully convinced that a second lounge room, a home gym or a workshop is out of the question!), and will be parking your car in here at night, this is one garage accessory that you won’t want to live without.
4. Louvers
Louvers help ventilate the garage without overt breezes. Not all types of louvers can be shut, so they do open up the garage to the conditions outside somewhat. If you live in mild temperatures, louvers are fantastic; if you live in extreme temperatures they'll add a fair bit to your power bill.
5. Gutters and downspouts
With many garage kits these attachments come separately. You'll need to decide on the best configuration for drainage (into a rainwater tank is ideal, if possible!), and order your gutters and downspouts accordingly to ensure that your metal garage base isn't washed out in the first storm.


Wednesday, July 21, 2010

4 Important Considerations Before Erecting Garage Kits

Adding a metal garage onto your house is now a far cheaper and easier exercise than it used to be, with the availability of home garage kits that can be shipped all over the country. However, putting up a garage isn’t quite like putting together your Meccano set - there are quite a few important considerations for homeowners thinking about adding some valuable home garage kit space. Today we go through 4 of the most important things to know and think about.
Check building regulations
Dealing with the council is almost always a hellish experience, a nightmare of forms that need to be signed in triplicate and hand-delivered before a 42 day wait can commence. However, dealing with the council is much easier if you find out what you are allowed, and not allowed to do, before you start. If any neighbors have a problem with the building, you'll also be sure that you're in the right before the conversation even starts.
Making good use of the space
If you plan it right, you can get a lot more bang for your garage building kit buck with a couple of neat extras that make good use of the space in your garage. For instance, why not build a pit into the floor so you can easily work on cars without worrying about a jack giving way and 2 tons of metal falling on your head? Or make a few modifications to the beams in the roof so you can use them as storage for canoes, boxes, bikes etc?
What else do you want to use the space for?
Garages shouldn’t just be for cars! Grab a model that has space for the car as well as plenty of wiggle room, and you can create a new laundry room, a music practice room, a 'boys room', or just a space for chillaxing with plenty of couches, curtains and lamps.
Don't overestimate your resale value
Garages can be a 'valuable' addition to your house ... but most of that value will probably come from the uses that you and the family find for it. According to real estate professionals, you are likely to see around a 40-50% return on the cash spent on a new garage. Make sure that the rest of the cash you spend is worth it to you.


Friday, July 9, 2010

Four Functional Types of American Barns

When you were young, all barns fell into two simple categories ... those you were allowed to while away the long childhood hours in, and those that you weren't! As a kid, the thing that was most special about your barn was simply the fact that it was yours. Now that you're grown up, making your own decisions and spending your own cash, there's a bit more thought that needs to go into your choice of American barn. Today we check out 4 functionally classified types of barns that can be built with pole barn kits, easily and on a budget.
Tobacco barns
Travelling by train through the countryside of some tobacco-heavy states, tobacco barns are still a ubiquitous part of the landscape. Air-cured tobacco needed a barn to mature in, but when the states started actively discouraging tobacco cultivation due to its health effects, most tobacco barns were instantly abandoned. Now the little tobacco that is still grown is cured on scaffolds placed throughout the fields. Not quite as romantic as the old barn!
Hop barns
These could once be found on every second farm, especially throughout New York's hoop belt. Now only Washington State still produces hops, and the hop barns that can still be found are more historical relics than functioning hop kilns. The design is very distinctive, though - you'll most likely recognize the tall, narrow buildings with a cupola over one area - where the hop kiln was located inside.
Pole barns
Pole barns can still be found across the country - they provide an easy maintenance yet undercover area for storage and work, and they are also exceedingly easy to put up! Nowadays you don't have to go out and hew your own tree trunks, though - you just buy a pole barn package. If white ants are a problem in your area, there are plenty of steel pole barn packages available.
Rice barns
You might not recognize this building unless you've spent a lot of time in South Carolina - the rice barn is generally seen in Asian countries. South Carolina rice barns were usually clad in beautiful, romantic cypress shingles. Hay lofts, interior stairwells and gabled rooves make this type of American barn iconic.