PERKA’S HYBRID BUILDING DESIGN OFFERS VALUE BENEFITS AND REAL MONEY SAVINGS

With a Prefab Perka Wood Steel Hybrid Building you not only get VALUE by the many great benefits and very asset driven features — but you get ADDED VALUE by the many aspects that eliminates waste in terms of time, money, convenience, comforts and even in potential liabilities or loss.

As you can see from the up to 21 great reasons (benefits) why you should consider building with a Perka Hybrid designed building that you can find here: http://www.perkabuildings.com/why-a-prefab-perka-hybrid-wood-steel-building/, here: http://www.perkabuildings.com/7-more-great-reasons-to-help-you-build-strong/, and here: http://www.perkabuildings.com/how-about-another-7-good-reasons-to-build-a-perka/, Perka’s unique approach to buildings offers you a very viable alternative to conventional buildings.

That said it also offers you MANY great SAVINGS from money, to time to just plain STOPPING ‘waste’!

If you just take a few minutes and look around WHERE YOU ARE sitting or standing this very minute, I am sure you can instantly see or count a number of things just being “wasted”.   Anything from unfinished spoiling food, to cleaning up after damage from a storm, to a leaky faucet, to an open or unsealed door or window — often valuable resources, hard to find time and hard earned money are just literally being, and usually most reluctantly, and certainly rarely un-wilfully wasted away.

The men and women at Perka would like to think that they do whatever they can to help with a consciousness about these things.   A kind of “closed loop” thinking…  After all, “waste” just so happens to be a fairly important “pet peeve” of the stewards leading the way at Perka.

 So what does that mean to you? 

From the production/service standpoint Team Perka takes pride in a consciousness that encourages a total minimization of “waste” – taking into account the whole “system or process” of that effort.  For that our costs are controlled while being able to still “afford” high levels of conscientiousness for quality.

For example most of the paper used at Perka headquarters is reused or recycle.   From using the back side of no longer “good” paper, to using shredded paper for packaging, to bringing paper to the recycling stations.  We keep costs in check – we can keep our price to you in check…  That said – it must still nonetheless be done with an awareness of the total resource cost (entire loop) of doing so.  i.e. if used paper is damage, filled with staples or otherwise not good for immediate use – there is awareness of the cost to “make right” that paper for re-use.  So sometimes it’s not “worth” re-using or recycling if it will cost more to achieve that objective.  Do you get the idea?

Similarly with its Building designs, fabrication, delivery, field assembly to materials use – a similar mindset is constantly encouraged and striven for.  Of course we don’t live in a perfect world and “perfection” of this ideal is probably not a reasonable expectation.  But the idea that there is awareness for this goal is tantamount to achieving any goal to minimize waste, maximize resources and optimize product output, use and satisfaction.

Stay tuned for more Blog posts in the coming days that will sharing more benefits about Perka Building designs that are not only asset optimizing but also waste and liability minimizing.

closedloop

One insulation application – three heat transfers addressed – YOU $AVE!

We recently received a GREAT question that lead to a fairly well presented and quite concise reply.

So we thought it would be a good thing to share it as part of this blog effort aiming at EDUCATION as much as any form of product promotion!!

J.C. Asked this question on a FACEBOOK post of building project we were doing: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152168635999104.1073741866.254254764103&type=1&comment_id=32159373&offset=0&total_comments=4&notif_t=photo_album_comment

What’s the difference between the insulation you sell with your buildings vs a spray foam?

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PERKA BUILDINGS REPLY 

“Great question J.C.  Actually on this particular building, for budget reasons, the insulation supplied was a lower cost (and unfortunately also a lower performing) conventional FIBERGLASS batt insulation with vinyl backing.  This insulation type has the traditional R-Values that most people are accustom to having.  The unfortunate part about that is it pretty much ONLY addresses conduction heat loss/gains, with some resistance to convection, (re: from the overlap).   So while it may meet “codes” for R-value — in the big scheme of things it generally under-performs compared to other types.

The other main insulation PERKA BUILDINGS offers is affectionately known as P2000 Insulation.  It is comprised of an Expanded Poly Styrene core board, of varying thicknesses, with either both sides covered with MYLAR or one with Mylar and one with a strong white Vinyl Barrier.

What this does, in effect, is directly addresses all three forms of heat loss/gains. While it does not actually carry a significant R-value like fiberglass does – it still quite effectively “stops” conduction much like how a foam cup prevents our hand from being scolded with hot coffee in it.  (And that is with only 1/8″ thick uncovered EPS – we typically use 5/8″ to an 1″ WITH COVERINGS!!).

Simple math!

Simple math!

Secondly to address Convection we TAPE ALL JOINTS with the same MYLAR type material and a strong DUCT TYPE TAPE on the white side. THAT pretty much will SEAL all the possible ‘cracks’ for any convection air flow.

Finally with a MYLAR (plastic) reflective material on at least ONE side – we also, very effectively, control heat loss/gains from RADIATION. i.e. in winter we KEEP any radiant type energy INSIDE the building and in summer prevent the HIGHLY penetrating SUN rays from virtually cooking everything inside!

So with our best offer, the P2000, you get a material that can address ALL THREE forms of heat transfer, and all with just ONE APPLICATION.

Note also that the EPS that is used in P2000, is a CLOSED cell type of foam – which has virtually an infinite shelf life from decomposition or drying.

Now, depending on the type of SPRAY FOAM you get – you will address at least two of the heat transfer types… (Note however some foams are not closed cell and can thus dry up and decompose over time.)  A thick enough foam will give great R-value and being fully applied throughout all the nooks and crannies,  will definitely prevent convection heat transfers.  Unfortunately without a radiant barrier of some sort, be it MYLAR or aluminum… you will still experience radiant heat penetrations.

One last note on the difference between MYLAR and ALUMINUM radiant barriers. Both can more than adequately reflect the radiation from any heat source, the main difference is that aluminum is also a METAL and can add BACK some conduction properties. While MYLAR is more like a PLASTIC (and by the way is also the same material used by NASA for most space insulators)… it actually has shown experiential properties of DIFFUSING the radiant heat as much as reflecting it back OUT!

One added thought here:  ADD to all these great benefits and features of a great insulation material like P2000 – a building that uses WOOD for the purlin/girt runs and you get an ADDED Thermo Break from wood being a HUGELY less (if significantly) at all conductor especially as compared to STEEL.  So this will also great help with your overall building’s insulation-ability!  

EASY TO APPLY!

EASY TO APPLY!

Make sense?  If you have ANY questions about any of this – feel free to call and speak to any TEAM PERKA Mate.  It is worth understanding this as it can literally save you hundreds of dollars in not only your installation costs but your overall energy costs as well!

Stay comfortable friends!!

REAL COMFORTABLE!

REAL COMFORTABLE!

 

 

Are you thinking of a farm Quonset Building or a Staightwall?

Good choices indeed.

In fact when we (Perka) started back in 1981, Quonset Buildings were REAL popular.  They were cost effective shelter buildings, fairly easy for the do it yourselfer and readily available with dozens of manufacturers making them all over North America!

Fast forward 30+ years —  and they are still relatively cost effective (though alot less so) and not much has really changed about them so they are still relatively easy to put up, if you like putting in thousands of bolts to put it all together!

Back then they were “sold” without much engineering calculations to support them.  Today there is much more of that available – but of course it closed the gab in the cost range.   If you are going to build something to CODE – it must be able to withstand the earth quake, wind and snow loads…  So they had to beefed up in many cases to do that.  Just like with Pole Buildings or Stick Built structures – if not built to code — SURE THEY WILL BE CHEAP!  If they are — the price will go up – and sometimes quite significantly!  So it’s always about EDUCATING yourself and KNOWING what it is you are really buying!

With alot less manufacturers – shipping costs can be a significant add on too.  Something else to watch for.

Another thing to be careful about is – actual “size comparisons”!!!   A 40 foot wide Quonset will not have the same VOLUME of space as a straight wall.  And even between straight wall designed buildings some have BOTTOM CORDS with TRUSSING all above that and so you will get LESS HEAD ROOM!  Get some sketches with dimensions if you can!

Below is an example comparing the Quonset sizes on a “40-19” model vs and 40-14 Perka Model 4000 Hybrid!

The moral of this story here is: —  ASK QUESTIONS.  Know what you are buying — hopefully BEFORE you do that!

The Common Law of business balance by Ruskin sums this up best:

“There is hardly anything in the world that someone cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price alone are that person’s lawful prey. It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money — that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot — it can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.”

The question is will you be able to afford actually paying for it LATER (usually more), if you don’t put some extra in NOW!

Make sense?

Here is that comparison!

COMPARE BEFORE YOU BUY!!

COMPARE BEFORE YOU BUY!!

If you have ANY questions about ANYTHING regarding buildings — there are some pretty good chances TEAM PERKA can help!  We have over a century of industry experience here and been actually putting building SOLUTIONS together for OVER 30 years!

Feel free to call 800-467-3752.  WE LOVE TO HELP!

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Wood vs Steel = No Brainer

Someone once said that KNOWLEDGE is power… 

The FACT is — it’s the USE of KNOWLEDGE that is POWER!

knowledge-n-action-equal-power
 

OK….  so without “thinking” which would you choose? —
regardless of purpose?

 WOOD or STEEL?

There is much written about the benefits of wood AND steel.

The POWER is in KNOWING where and when to use EACH!

Someone also said —  a PICTURE is worth 1000 words.
Well here are just two!

polevsteel2

NOW.  KNOWING THIS…  what do you think?

NO BRAINER?

Untitled-4

… YES – Perka –  World Class Buildings served by World Class Teammates.

more_power_to_you-LRG

For a live discussion on this topic and MORE PICTURES visit:  https://www.facebook.com/PERKABUILDINGS/posts/10152188528584882

 

How about another 7?? (Good reasons to build a Perka?)

lovetohelp

 

Here are 7 more GREAT Reasons Why it would serve you well to put up a Perka Building System.

Continuuing from 2 previous post at: http://www.perkabuildings.com/7-more-great-reasons-to-help-you-build-strong/  AND – http://www.perkabuildings.com/why-a-prefab-perka-hybrid-wood-steel-building/
15. 50 year factory warranty on Perka Frames  – We put our money where our mouth is.  Most other companies only offer one year.  Or more with all kinds of conditions!!   PERKA IS MADE TO LAST!

16. Because we typically use expandable ends, future additions or building expansions are made easily.  All you have to do is take out the posts, girts and sheeting and add on another frame.  If you are thinking of the FUTURE we can make that work easily for you!!

17. We’ve been awarded the Gold Key of Excellence 9 times and 6 years in a row.   This is voted on by contractors and we receive it for our commitment to superior service and quality.  WE BELIEVE IN DELIVERING ONLY THE BEST FOR OUR CLIENTS!

18. With Perka, while we do have a standard roof pitch for our prefab hybrid buildings — we can design the building with ANY pitch you want.  No cookie cutter designs that will limit you.  Always “MADE TO ORDER”!

19. We can even mix wood with steel to the point that you can have a wood frame with clear spans on one end and steel or steel expandable frames on the other end and for all clear spans we would use steel.  TOTALLY FLEXIBLE AND INGENIOUS DESIGNS!

20. We have over 500 different frames with 5000 different configurations.  There is no need to be “stuck” with a particular configuration…  WHATEVER YOU NEED – WE GOT IT!

21. Since you are reading this – you are probably in the top 10% of the informed building consumer public.   This means you are doing your homework and you deserve the absolute RIGHT BUILDING, FOR YOU, based on YOUR NEEDS.  And THAT is what we do BEST as TEAM PERKA.   We listen and we will deliver.  Call us now – 800-467-3752.  WE LOVE TO HELP!

7 More Great reasons to help you BUILD STRONG!

7more

 

Here are 7 MORE GREAT Reasons Building with Perka can serve you BEST!

8. Because of the use of steel frames (trusses) for core super structure you can have wider spans and longer bay spacings than wood buildings. This makes for easier floor planning by being more flexible and practical!

9. Because steel frames have longer bays and wider spans, you can have fewer columns and this means less foundation “holes” than wood (pole) buildings.  Plus having columns sitting on piers is always better than wood poles in the ground.  In fact most poles actually do not meet codes.  (See: http://www.perkabuildings.com/pole-barn-collapse-educate-yourself-before-you-buy-all-wood/).  This makes your building more durable!

10. Perka offers TOTAL Design flexibility; you can get the EXACT building you want and need, not one that might work for you.  We can design and build to the INCH…   If you need anything more – ASK!  (ie. Inside width and height can be made to the inch and the length is endless.) YOUR PLAN is what we derive the BEST SOLUTIONS FOR!!

11.  Perka has IN HOUSE house design team – we have our own engineers, draftsman and detailers who check and recheck all our designs for OPTIMUM efficiency and accuracy.  And we can tailor the building EXACTLY how you want it!  YOU GET QUALITY FRAMES, MADE FOR YOU, THAT YOU KNOW WILL FIT TOGETHER!

12. You can get anchor bolt plans in less than 5 days, engineered data drawings in 7-10 days and the building can be delivered in as little as 3-6 weeks.  If you have any special circumstance we will always do our best towork something out WITH you. You can count on FAST NEIGHBORLY SERVICE!

13. Perka’s unique steel frame STAND ALONE design permits for UNLIMITED exterior finish choices. By turning the wood purlins to a vertical position you can virtually add ANY finish you want. Just like a roof/wall in your house! You can have the nicest looking building in your area – with STEEL inside! Instead of looking like a “shed” it can look just like your house or existing business. EASY TO WORK WITH AND FINISH!

14. Perka has an easy to read and nicely detailed 32 page assembly guide made with the “Do-it-yourselfer” or carpenter builder in mind. PERKA BUILDINGS ARE REAL EASY TO PUT UP!

 

For more info and details on any of the above benefits and feature contact your PERKA TEAM MATE!

WHY A PREFAB PERKA HYBRID WOOD STEEL BUILDING?

7reasons_title

Here are 7 GREAT Reasons Why it would benefit you to purchase and build with a Perka PREFAB HYBRID WOOD STEEL BUILDING System.  (Put simply — for more detailed info – call your Perka TEAM MATE or find out who from HQ at 800-467-3752).

1. Using wood for the purlins and girts is a GREAT ENERGY SAVER….  Wood is NOT a conductor of hot or cold and energy costs are rising through the roof! You Save MONEY!

2. Perka’s attachment clips are pre-welded on!  NO assembly required by YOU or your contractor.   You Save Time!

3. Wood girts allow for easier door and window installations. Hammer and nails are easier than a blowtorch or welder. You can install the openings whenever and wherever you want. You get convenience and save Time & Money!

4. Because Perka spaces their wood purlins and girts typically at 24” inch centers, the interior is already prepped to be finished.  You don’t have to BUILD another building INSIDE your building to finish it!  Easy to work with!

5. With all steel buildings using steel ZEE purlins, Tek screws and washers are used to attach metal and typically in 5 years or so the screws and washers leak. Wood will not leak because the wood will swell to seal the hole. Maintenance Free building!

6. It is easier finding carpenters to put up a wood/steel building. Steel erectors cost more, have less flexibility and are generally often less “creative”.  Carpenters are often experienced tradesmen, with more options and usually with alot of creativity to make things work.  This makes building alot asier and less costly!

7. In the event of wind up-lift, snow or ice loads or fire, unlike typical ALL STEEL OR ALL WOOD DESIGNS you’ll never lose a whole building.  You may lose a bay but that’s it!  If a fire breaks out in a all steel building, because the metal twists and bends, the steel purlins pull the other frames in collapsing the whole building.  Perka Buildings have purlins and girts in wood – that burn up and allow the roof section to collapse but not the whole structure.   Also unlike WOOD poles and trusses, Perka’s STEEL frames are designed to stand alone…  AND in the case of that God Forbid Fire, this actually vents the heat and the Perka steel frame remains untouched. The frame survives, stands up and after the clean up, the building’s steel structure will be ready for new wood purlins and girts to be replaced and the new exterior to be put on.  A safer better investment!

 

For more in depth info contact TEAM PERKA at 800-467-3752 or email to perka@teamperka.com.

Pole Barn collapse… Educate yourself before you buy all wood!

Pole barn collapse kills 5 cows and injures 2 more.

Pole barn collapse kills 5 cows and injures 2 more.

Check out this link on the International Building Code Website regarding post frame/stick built/post and beam construction:

 http://www4.iccsafe.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=26;t=000885

It’s also reproduced below.

This is something you can share with friends, family, neighbors thinking of building with pole barns or post frame alternatives – we know these will be priced MUCH LOWER…  as they should be… question is: “is it really worth the risk?”

 Note there are post frame companies that do build to code…  but there is NO WAY they can price it much less if at all than our PERKA BUILDING Model 4000 – let alone the ECONO MODEL!

Cheaper is seldom “BETTER”!

 PASS IT ON — Knowledge is POWER!

 

I have a question for the code enforcement community as it pertains specifically to building code enforcement for post frame buildings. Why do you generally NOT require engineering design documents for post-frame buildings?

Post frame buildings are highly stressed, structurally indeterminate structures that most generally rely on wall sheathing (wood or metal sheathing) for stability. By my estimate there are a minimum of 10 connections and structural elements that require structural analysis to insure building code compliance. Checkout loanload for financial needs. A fairly comprehensive list for a simple building follows:

1. Main columns (posts) solid sawn or laminated
2. Post embedment (constrained and non-constrained)
3. Post footing thickness and diameter
4. Truss to post connection (uplift and down load)
5. Roof purlins
6. Wall girts
7. Wall sheathing
8. Roof sheathing
9. Gable wall posts
10. Lateral bracing for gable posts and trusses

The analysis of a post-frame building is more akin to aircraft analysis than stick-frame analysis. By the time a simple, box post-frame building is ready for review by the Building Department a design package should include about 23 pages of calculations and seven 8.5″ x 11″ (A size) drawings.

Since there is no prescriptive code for post-frame buildings (I would write one myself and FIRE all of these expensive engineers and designers if I could write one myself) and since the job of Building Officials and Plans Examiners is to insure building code compliance and, thereby, public health, safety and welfare, it seems reasonable to me that engineering documentation would generally be required for these structures. Not only is this not the case I find that a significant fraction of code enforcement officers and Building Departments are complicit in the circumvention of the building code.

There are several counties here in Oregon and Washington that actually hand out design documents whereby non-compliant, unsafe buildings are allowed to be permitted and constructed. I gathered up all of these documents that I could find and ran a structural analysis on them all. I found 400% overstresses in all cases. When I complained to the Engineers Board about this problem, they (the weenies) claimed to have no jurisdiction over the activities of Oregon Building Departments. I complained to the Building Codes Division of the State of Oregon. BCD claimed to not only not care about the situation they claimed that THEY had no jurisdiction over the local Building Departments. I might add that when I asked the President of the Engineers Board what he would do to me if I turned in such documents. He replied “Oh, we would revoke your license.” Indeed.

Non-engineered buildings fall down at an alarming rate. We had a little sprinkle of snow here in Oregon and Washington over Christmas of 2008. Afterward I took a tour of two Oregon counties with a contractor that I work with. He was licking his chops at all the building collapses. It looked like Godzilla had walked around in those counties. Buildings had gone down in less than half the local design snow load. And that was deemed to be an “Act of God”. It was no such thing. It was the act of a bunch of incompetent contractors and Building Departments that refused to do their job. 

I spoke to a woman recently whose building had blown over in a little puff of breeze the day after the contractor left the building site. The woman owned two acres and a llama. The county Building Department had done her a favor and given her an Ag Permit. The Ag Permit saved her money and kept her from having to comply with the Building Code. It also kept her out of the clutches of the engineers. Some favor. She had absolutely no recourse. The disheartening thing is that collapse could have been prevented by the installation of a few pieces of pressure treated wood that the contractor left behind in the scrap pile.

Oregon and Washington are not the only states that don’t enforce the Building Code for post-frame buildings. I am licensed in 38 other states and ALL of them hand out Ag Permits like candy. “It’s just a pole building, who cares?” I care because when one of them falls over or blows down I have to help pay for it through my increased insurance premiums. We all do. Hell, I did an as-built analysis on an equipment storage building for a county road department that had been ag permitted. When the road maintenance supervisor found out about it HE required the analysis not the county Building Official. 

I could go on. I won’t because I know I’m already boring everyone. But my question remains – Why don’t Building Departments enforce the building code? I’m sorry if I hurt any feelings out there but I personally believe that the building code is a good thing that insures the public health, safety and welfare. And I further believe that code enforcement officers and licensed design professionals should live up to the duties and obligations that have been entrusted to them by the citizenry. Thank you – Nicholas Jasper, PE

More of what others are saying about TEAM PERKA!!

greenenergy

 

Reply by RM on July 25, 2009 at 11:54pm

Team Perka as an organization/business has great customer service that gives the contractor instant credibility with his clients.
Team Perka’s willingness to embrace alternative building techniques greatly helps them become leaders in the growing green sustainable buildings industry.  Keeping costs down in this building climate and showing them a home or building that saves money, and not just a little but allot is so needed, still quite rare but so WELCOMED from TEAM PERKA.
Perka’s Hybrid designs saves people money from the very start and this really needs to highlighted and appreciated. As a nation and industry that spends BILLIONS of dollars every year, we really need to wake up (educate) ourselves to SUSTAINABLE building concepts.  Getting contractors to use designs like Perka’s prefab WOOD STEEL HYBRID buildings is very important… because they understand your stance on sustainability and green technologies.
In my opinion, the soul of a company is just as important as the quality of the product. Supporting companies that are going the extra mile to help save resources and promote a movement towards responsible and aware construction is more important then just looking at up front costs/price.  A more long term look at costs (waste, Trusted Roofing, energy, maintenance, etc.) must be take.
With that said, the complete Perka designed Hybrid package becomes an affordable product… and one that is now being marketed by a company that has a solid and thoughtful green outlook.
I just wanted to offer my view point from the customer side. Team Perka’s staff is just great and I am inspired by the Team Leader’s enthusiasm for the next generation for our collective building industry.  Having the wisdom to see whats around the corner is going to ensure a great position and standing of visionary leadership in the building industry. RM
For more info contact TEAM PERKA at 800-467-3752 or email to perka@teamperka.com or visit www.perkabuildings.com.