Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How deep do your posts go in the ground?
As a rule of thumb, our posts go between 4’-5’ in the ground.
Q. Am I able to design my own building?
Our buildings can be designed to meet almost any of your needs. The key to designing your project is listening to your concerns and objectives. This is the only way to ensure a plan truly matches your needs. Our experienced salespeople will work with you to make certain your design comes to life in the most efficient manner.
Q. How much access do you need?
We need at least 15’ wide clearance-all around the building. Your salesperson will help you determine space required to build.
Q. How do you install concrete?
The advantage of a post frame building is that your building can be built with no concrete foundation. You can install a concrete floor at any time in the future without any change in design by using our standard 2’ x 8’ PWF bottom board.
Q. What strapping size do you use for your walls and roof?
We use 2” x 6”, 24” on centre.
Q. What insulation do you use?
On our walls, we use R20 and R28. For our ceilings, we use R40.
Q. What do you line your interiors with?
We use bright white coloured metal for our interiors. This bright, maintenance-free interior allows for the electrical to be surface mounted in conduit, providing easy access in the future keeping the vapour barrier uncompromised.
Q. For an insulated building, do you vent the attic?
Yes, gable vents are usually used.
Q. What is the typical lead-time for your buildings?
It depends on the time of year, contact your sales representative for more information.
Q. Can your buildings handle the snowload in my area?
Our buildings are engineered to handle the snowload to your local conditions across Canada.
Q. Are material only packages available?
Yes-ask your sales representative for information.
Q. What is the smallest/largest building you erect?
Our buildings start at 24'-110' clearspan widths and unlimited lengths.
Q. Is standard concrete used in making Perma-Columns?
No! Perma-Columns are poured in a controlled environment using the latest pre-casting and curing technology. Additives are incorporated to enhance strength, density, corrosion and freeze-thaw resistance, yielding a Hi-Dense concrete that has a compressive strength of 10,000 psi! Concrete is the most proven foundation material know to man with centuries of success.
Q. How is the steel “U” bracket attached to the concrete?
There are four strands of 1/2” or 5/8” (depending on the model) of weld-grade rebar, robotically welded to the steel “U” bracket running the entire length of the concrete pre-cast.
Q. How do you set Perma-Columns so they are all level?
Place a laser level on top of the auger head as the post holes are dug to insure that all holes are a uniform depth. Backfill the bottom of the holes with tamped stone before setting posts for greater accuracy.
Q. Will treated wood corrode Perma-Column brackets and
fasteners prematurely?
Most current generation treated wood available today is designed to minimize corrosion. However, if you have a high moisture application or are concerned with this problem, place a barrier between the treated wood and steel bracket, and use stainless steel fasteners.
Q. How is the treated splash board attached to the concrete
Position the splash board against the pre-cast concrete column, pre-drill a 3/16” diameter hole through the splash board and 2” into the concrete, then drive a split-drive anchor to attach. Stainless steel drive anchors are required for highly corrosive wood treatments.
Q. How deep should Perma-Columns be placed in the ground?
Perma-Columns are slightly wider in the dimension that resists lateral loads thus decreasing embedment requirements and are generally designed to have a base depth equal to or less than a standard wood column.
Q. Do Perma-Columns need to sit on a concrete footing?
It is recommended that the same type and size of footing used for a wood support column be used as a footing for a Perma-Column to insure that proper load-bearing requirements are achieved.
Q. How are the galvanized uplift anchors connected to the
Perma-Column?
A steel pipe is welded to the base of the four vertical reinforcing rods creating a sleeve in the base of the Perma-Column that accommodates the bolt-on uplift anchors.
Q. How are the galvanized uplift anchors connected to the
Perma-Column?
A steel pipe is welded to the base of the four vertical reinforcing rods creating a sleeve in the base of the Perma-Column that accommodates the bolt-on uplift anchors.
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