Welcome to

“Tidbits from the Top”

Welcome to our newest informative feature, “Tidbits from the Top”. These tidbits will inform you about topics relating to the building industry that may impact your building project. These topics will range from what to expect from a sales call, code concerns, types of building materials, building procedures, product availability, current issues in the industry and so much more!  We look forward to providing the latest updates in the industry and sharing our extensive knowledge with you. Each “Tidbit” will accompany the weekly special.  Tidbits will be archived for your convenience on EconomyGarages.com.

Different State –

Different Code

Not all states, or their building codes, are created equal. Economy Garages builds in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. Unfortunate for contractors working in both states, they each adapted a different set of codes. Minnesota follows the IRC or International Residential Code where Wisconsin follows the UDC or Uniform Dwelling Code. It happens to be the best-case scenario for Economy Garages’ customers because we build to the higher standard of the two codes regardless of location. This practice leads to above-code buildings in both states.

Building Phases

Economy Garages breaks up the construction of a garage into four distinct phases: Permit, Excavation, Concrete, and Building. Each phase uses different people or crews which possess very different skill sets. Permits – the process of securing the ability to construct a building within a municipality or county. Excavation – the preparation of the site to properly support concrete and a building. Concrete – the installation of the footing, floor, block, apron, driveway, sidewalks, etc. Building – the completion of the building which includes everything above the concrete. Each phase moves at different speeds depending on workload, available labor, material availability and location.

Impact of Weather

Weather affects building construction in many different ways. High temperatures can cause crew health problems due to lack of hydration, sun burn, and heat exhaustion. Low temperatures lead to frost bite and low core temperatures not to mention more clothing that slows the workers’ pace. Precipitation in the form of rain is dangerous around power tools and zaps the body of its heat and if it is snow, clearing the site before and during the day takes time and energy. Ice forming on surfaces also takes its toll on speed and safety. Wind is another factor that may deny the crew from safely standing walls, trusses, or sheeting a roof.

Polyethylene Under

Concrete Slab

This may be one of the most misunderstood building components and is one of the discussions I hear most often.  The misconception is that poly under a concrete floor will stop moisture from showing on the surface.  The poly, aka plastic, creates a barrier from moisture being introduced from the bottom side of the floor which helps in overall moisture content; however, most of the complaints come at the time where the floor is much colder than the warm, moist air above it, commonly is the spring, which is the formula for condensation.  Poly under the slab does nothing to correct this situation. 

Sales Visit – Why?

A site visit from one of our Sales Representatives is a requirement to ensure all challenges, risks and concerns are discussed prior to locking into a contract for a new building.  Elevation changes, access, existing structures, and utilities are just some of the topics that need a visual perspective.  Choosing products similar to the siding, shingles, and design style of existing buildings are much easier when it is right in front of you.  Discussing how a building is intending to be used may lead to valuable insight from our very experienced representatives. 

Garage Doors –

Delivery Time

The garage door industry has been hit on many fronts throughout the last few years.  There are many products that go into the manufacturing of garage doors including steel, foam, petroleum products, and paint that require well-flowing supply lines to hold a decent delivery schedule.  There have been recent disruptions in steel and even chemicals used to produce the foam needed in the manufacturing of many types of insulated panels.  The lack of qualified labor has also taken its toll on delivery times, from open positions at the plant through the actual delivery of product to their customers. 

H-Clips

Panel Edge Clips, more often known as H-Clips (because they look like the letter ‘H’ when looked at from the side), are small building components having a large importance.  They transfer weight across two panels of roof sheathing and are typically centered between trusses.  They give strength to the weaker panel edge.  H-clips also serve another purpose.  Sheathing panels require a small gap between sheets to accommodate expansion due to heat and moisture.  The use of these clips ensures proper sheet separation. 

20-Year Workmanship

Warranty

Minnesota and Wisconsin law requires contractors to give a one-year warranty on their work.  We, at Economy Garages, think that if you are good at what you do and have pride in building structures with best practices in mind, show it by extending this warranty.  Economy Garages instills customer confidence by extending this warranty by twenty times the requirement. 

Ice Barrier

Icicles hanging off eaves is a very common sight in our neck of the woods.  Under insulated or under ventilated attic spaces, if not both, are mostly to blame.  Melting snow from the roof travels over the colder, unheated eve and freezes.  This process can create a backup of ice commonly known as an ice dam.  This protective barrier typically made with polymer-modified bitumen, helps protect this area because it sticks to the roof deck and to itself to seal the seams.  Code does not require this added protection on garages, but Economy Garages installs this protective layer on all buildings. 

Window & Service

Door Headers

A “header” is a supporting member found above windows and doors designed to carry the load above it and move it to the sides of the opening.  Many builders use 2” x 6” dimensional lumber to build headers for openings less than six feet wide.  This may be proper to carry the loads for some applications, but it is too close to the required minimums for Economy Garages.  Our headers are built with a minimum of 2” x 8” lumber.  A calculation is done for each opening to make sure our minimum header size is sufficient.  If it is not, engineered lumber is used which is manufactured specifically to carry certain loads and can be clearly calculated.