Steel building efficiency FS Construction Services

Steel Building Efficiency: How Efficient Are Steel Buildings?

It seems like everyday we are inundated with stories on new technologies, new ways to generate or conserve energy, and the never-ending stream of upsides and downsides involved. And while these are often fascinating and exciting ideas, there’s also truth that refining and customizing longstanding practices and materials can also be of tremendous benefit, such as steel building efficiency.

 

Steel Buildings are Energy Efficient

 

So let’s take a little time to talk about steel buildings. For all the virtues of a steel building, perhaps one of the lesser-mentioned benefits is their energy efficiency. This is achieved in a variety of ways, though perhaps none of them is more foundational than how steel itself fits together. A steel building can be constructed with minimal to no gaps, meaning fewer places for heat, or cold, to escape. Additionally, unlike wood, steel doesn’t settle or twist over time, meaning that if it’s built right, it will stay energy efficient for a long, long time.

Steel is also highly customizable and versatile. This allows for better ventilation and insulation options. Speaking of which, steel buildings often have thicker walls, meaning more space for insulation to fill. Steel buildings are capable of housing many windows and skylights, increasing light and warmth from sunlight. If done strategically, this can reduce the overall need for lighting and heating.

There are a number of other reasons we could go into, but we’ll leave with one final point. While every structure requires maintenance, steel buildings often require less. Generally you don’t have to worry about rot, mildew, or pests, also meaning you generally don’t have to worry about holes, cracks, and gaps where they’re not supposed to be.

If you are looking for the strength, customizability, and efficiency of a steel building, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services new building addition

Project Profile: Monroe County Fairgrounds New Building Addition

Here at FS Construction Services we have a lot of experience building structures for a variety of different occupants. And while we find joy in all of our work, it is always an exciting day when we get to work on a job that’s just a little bit outside of what we normally do. Over the years we have constructed many buildings for farmers and farm equipment, for businesses and organizations, and for families in residential areas. And now we are happy to say that we can add goats to that list.

New Building Addition for Goats at Fair

Earlier this year we had the opportunity to build an addition to the existing goat barn at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. This addition is 18’ x 120’ x 12’ and has been styled and designed to match the existing structure and flow seamlessly into it. This addition not only matches visually, but also functionally. The pre-existing building was framed 10 feet above the ground, with wire fencing installed underneath, to allow for air circulation within the goat barn. We added a similar framing build to the addition to keep the airflow pathway open.

Additionally, we installed a 10’ x 10’ Raynor SteelForm S20 manually operated overhead door for consistent, easy access to the new addition.

Sometimes, it’s the little things that bring you the most joy in your work, and knowing that we were both able to help our friends at the fairgrounds and keep those goats cool and protected is certainly a joy we got to take away from this project.

If you are in need of a new building, or a new building addition, whether it’s for peoples, goats, or another species entirely, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

Gateway FS Construction Services Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Once again, the year has flown by and we are already at the end of 2022. While we here at FS Construction Services would much rather be busy than bored, it does make the time go by quickly. Another full year of projects, new and returning clients, and the ever-present perk of getting to work with the wonderful people in our surrounding communities.

Happiest of Holidays to You and Yours

With this year nearly done and another one fast approaching, we wanted to take a little time to wish you and your loved ones a wonderful Christmas season and a Happy New Year. We hope that you are able to take some time off, get some much-needed rest, and have the opportunity to spend time with friends and family.

The list of tasks to be done and new ideas to explore certainly isn’t going anywhere and it will need tended to soon enough. But until then, we wish you a peaceful end of the year. We are looking forward to a little downtime, some good food, and a moment to take in the things in life that really matter the most.

We are thankful for the family, friends, and clients that we get to work with each day and their constant example of hard work and steadfastness we get to experience firsthand. We are grateful for the inspiration and the opportunity to serve so many wonderful men and women and look forward to what 2023 will bring our way.

As always, we are here for any of your building, grain system, seed system, roofing, garage door, and painting needs. If you have any questions at all, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services strong columns machine storage

Project Profile: Strong Columns for Unmatched Space

At FS Construction Services we love an impressive feat of engineering. We work with so many construction materials so often that it’s genuinely exciting when someone comes along with a new and better way of doing something, including strong columns.

Superior Strength Columns Support Massive Space

For the past few months, we have been discussing the pork farm machine storage project we recently completed, which was a massive 81’ x 200’ x 20’ agricultural building. The project included a variety of highlights and features that we have since been breaking down in further detail.

Perhaps one of the most impressive things about this project is just how big the building is. Yet for all of its size, the interior of the structure is one giant, clear span of uninterrupted space. So we thought we would spend some time discussing how those big spans are achieved and how a building of this size can be constructed to last the test of time.

Our partners at Walters Buildings have used their in-house engineering team to create columns of superior strength in every way. These 3-ply columns utilize their Shear Transfer Plate technology which increases the load capacity of each column, essentially making them twice as strong as a solid 6×6 post. These columns were then fastened to the concrete foundation with L brackets, securing them in place along the entire length of the building.

The end result is a huge building that can easily accommodate large machinery while withstanding the wind, rain, and snow. If you are in the market for a new building, even if it’s not an 81’ x 200’ behemoth, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services pole barn vs. post-frame

Pole Barn Vs. Post-Frame: What’s the Difference?

Pole Barn vs. Post Frame: Today we are excited to tackle a regular source of confusion and discussion in our industry: what’s the difference between a pole barn and a post-frame building?

Explaining the Difference Between Pole Barn and Post-Frame

We would love to say that the answer is a complex debate that has raged on for decades, but the reality is actually fairly mundane, though no less important to understand. “Post-frame” is a type of construction method. According to the National Frame Building Association, “Post-frame construction is an engineered wood-frame building system that meets UBC and IBC standards.”

What separates it from other types of construction is their speed of installation and the materials needed. “Because the larger posts and interlocking frame can handle greater loads than stud-wall construction, fewer structural materials are needed, which saves time and other costs.”

So if that’s post-frame, what is a pole barn? Well, a pole barn is simply a common type of building resulting from the post-frame construction method. Most of us have a picture in our minds of what a pole barn looks like, but that’s actually why we wanted to take the time to make this distinction. All pole barns are post-frame buildings but not all post-frame buildings are pole barns. The number of applications for a post-frame building are vast, and not simply limited to a rectangular barn-style building.

Agricultural buildings, commercial buildings, municipal buildings, churches, schools, fire stations, and even homes are all possible post-frame building options. Post-frame buildings can provide huge open spans, easily insulated swaths of wall and roof, durability, customizability and more.

If you are in need of a new building, whether you are looking for a pole barn or something entirely different, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services Dripstop machine storage building

Project Profile: The Benefits of Dripstop

Recently, we discussed a major machine storage project we completed. This project featured so many specific types of work and skills that we thought it would be helpful to highlight certain aspects of it over multiple months, including our use of Dripstop.

Condensation Protection with Dripstop

The 81’ x 200’ x 20’ structure is not only huge, but we were able to install some of the highest quality materials to provide our client with a dependable storage building that will last them for many, many decades to come.

One of those features that will directly affect the longevity of the building is the inclusion of Dripstop technology. Dripstop is a way to prevent condensation from gathering inside the roof of a building. We wanted to take a quick look at why that’s so beneficial in a machine storage situation like the one we recently completed.

The HDF A felt of a Dripstop application is installed to an uninsulated metal roof. It’s made of polyester-interlocked fibers with tiny spaces among them. When the sun sets in the evening the felt reduces the difference in temperature between the air and the roof, delaying the condensation process. When condensation does start to build on the roof during the night, the felt traps the water particles inside. In the morning, as it starts to warm, rather than the water droplets falling onto the ground below, they are trapped inside the felt until the day when they quickly evaporate. This process protects any electrical equipment within the building from getting exposed to water.

Additionally, tests have shown that this adds more protection from the corrosive elements of livestock confinement. Though not the same as traditional insulation, Dripstop felt does actually provide some of the same benefits of heat insulation. It also helps deaden sound, is bacteria resistant, and has a low combustibility.

It’s no surprise why Dripstop is a favorite of ours and we were happy to include it as part of our major pork farm project. In the meantime, if you are in need of a steel building, wood building, or post-frame building, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services metal siding cleaning tips

Tips for Cleaning Your Metal Siding

It’s the time of year where you’re likely to find yourself outside watering plants and noticing the growing spiderwebs around your windows and doors. And while you may be tempted to knock them down quickly and carry on, it’s worth asking yourself when the last time you cleaned your siding was.

 

Low Maintenance Metal Siding Cleaning Tips

 

If you have metal siding, a little care here and there can go a long way towards extending the lifetime of that siding. The frequency at which you want to perform an inspection depends on where you live and the kind of beating your siding and roof takes on a regular basis. But generally you will want to first check for any obvious issues like chipped paint, rust, or other damages.

Check for any branches touching your siding or your roof and if you can, cut them back so they don’t scrape against the house. You will also want to clear off any leaves or other debris that might either damage the panels or clog your gutters.

Speaking of gutters, make sure to do an occasional check for clogs. Not only do you want to make sure your gutters are taking water away from your house, but standing water can cause corrosion after a long enough time.

Metal siding isn’t prone to mold or fungus, but you may want to give them a good washing every now and again. Rather than power washing, spray them down with a garden hose. If there are any spots that need extra cleaning, use a little dish soap or car washing soap to scrub at the problem area.

Metal siding and metal roofs such as products by our partner Fabral are a strong, unfussy solution for most houses. If you are in need of updating your current roofing or siding and have any questions, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services metal roof

Project Profile: The Elegance of a Metal Roof

We have been in business for close to 50 years now at FS Construction Services, but there is still something that feels fresh and exciting about a particularly well-implemented design. And one kind of project seems to inspire feelings most often: a brand-new metal roof. There’s something so satisfying about the clean lines, the sturdy construction, and the strong colors. Knowing that they’re designed to last longer than the amount of time we have been in business is just the cherry on top.

Consider Easy Maintenance Metal Roof

 

Recently we had the opportunity to install a 6500 sq. ft. roof for a client, and the result reminds us why we enjoy these projects so much. The 24-gauge 1.5” SSR standing seam roof replaced the old shingles we removed and disposed of. We laid down felt-backed insulation under the new roof as well as new 6” seamless gutters, downspouts, and leaf guards. We also put a modified roof onto the existing pergola to help water drain.

One of the other features of this project that we had to consider was the house’s skylight and chimney. We want our installs to be seamless, but also practical, so we took particular care to make sure that our roof plan incorporated these elements while still providing our client with a sealed and safe roof. Similarly, standing seam metal roofs will expand and contract with the changing temperatures. However, when they are engineered and installed properly, these movements are accounted for.

If you have been approaching the time for a new roof and have considered if a metal roof might be for you, be sure to check out just how they easy they are to maintain. If you have any questions at all, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services Walters buildings

The Walters Buildings Difference

We spend a lot of time with buildings and building materials here at FS Construction Services, so we know a good quality building when we see one. Which is why we’ve been so happy to have been able to partner with Walters Buildings for as long as we have. We wanted to take a little time to highlight why they have been such good partners and maybe give you an idea of what to expect if you are in the market for a new post-frame building.

FS Construction Services and Walters Buildings

Walters Buildings has many of the same advantages of larger manufacturers while maintaining the advantages found in smaller companies. Walters’ buildings are fully engineered to meet compliance and safety needs. They produce their own steel, trusses, and trim to maintain quality. But one of things about them that our clients have appreciated the most over the years is just how customizable they are. Their buildings are produced with innovation and customization in mind, meaning they can be fitted to a wide variety of applications.

On the material end, Walters uses 28-gauge steel with G-90 galvanizing on that steel, making it protected even if it gets scratched. Their 14’ heeled trusses provide more room for insulation, and those same trusses can be customized to fit your exact building profile. They also use patented sheer transfer plates, which can tolerate more stress than traditional columns.

But none of that would matter much if Walters didn’t operate with integrity and care for their customers. Walters is a family-owned business with local representatives and a commitment to keeping their standards high.

So if you have been thinking about a new post-frame building, know that when you work with us you get the best of both worlds. If you have any questions, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.

FS Construction Services machine storage building

Brazinski Pork Farm #1: A Mammoth of Machine Storage

At FS Construction Services we always enjoy a good challenge. Often times our challenges involve making the right decision for a small space or figuring out how to best utilize a limited amount of resources. And we like that. Being backed into a corner usually inspires creativity. However, it’s not hard to admit that it’s a lot of fun during those rarer moments when we have the opportunity to go all out on a project, such as this machine storage building.

 

Huge, New and Functional Machine Storage Building

 

This was the case recently when we worked with a large pork farm to construct a brand-new machine storage and feed facility. We will actually be discussing this multi-month project for the next few months, highlighting a different aspect of the project each month. For now, though, we are going to discuss some of the overall features of the project as a whole.

This 81’ x 200’ x 20’ structure features huge, clear spans making it able to store multiple types of large agricultural machinery. The underside of the metal roof has been outfitted with Dripstop to prevent condensation from gathering inside the roof. The building also has 4’ blue wainscoting around its entire exterior. This not only enhances the building’s appearance, but it also makes for an easier replacement at the most likely damaged point of the building. Finally, we installed two sets of 40’ x 18’ double sliding doors and a 30’ x 18’ steel backed, insulated Raynor door with a 1.5 hp operator.

We will be diving into more of these aspects in greater detail in later months, so be sure to check back to learn more. In the meantime, if you are in need of a steel building, wood building, or post-frame building, please let Gateway FS Construction Services know. Give us a call at 866-551-3454, and let our specialists help you find exactly what you are looking for. We look forward to providing you the best customer service experience.