Tidbits from the Top

Welcome

Tidbits from the TopWelcomeWelcome 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...

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Hurricane Fasteners

Tidbits from the TopHurricane FastenersHurricane fastener is a general term for special products used to secure a truss to the double top plate of a wall to combat uplift loads due to high wind...

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Concrete Zones

Tidbits from the TopConcrete ZonesThe area in which Economy Garages pours concrete is larger than our excavation zone but smaller than our building zones.  This area can fluctuate slightly from...

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Seasonal Excavation

Tidbits from the TopSeasonal ExcavationExcavation is one area that Economy Garages does not conduct year-round.  It takes additional labor, equipment and expense to prepare the ground during the...

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Company Longevity & Buildings Built

Tidbits from the TopCompany Longevity & Buildings BuiltA gentleman by the name of Toby Tobias, which owned a lumber yard in Cloquet, MN, had an idea of pre-panelizing wall sections to speed up...

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House Wrap

Tidbits from the TopHouse WrapHouse wrap is a general term used to describe an exterior weather barrier installed under most sidings.  They often are known by the names like, Typar, Tyvek, and...

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Building Phases – Building

Tidbits from the TopBuilding Phases - BuildingThis building phase is often looked at as the “now we’re getting somewhere” phase.  It takes the other three phases, although not so grandiose, to get...

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Clearance from Grade to Wood Siding

Tidbits from the TopClearance from grade to wood sidingMost people do not realize that there is even a code for the clearance from the ground to wood sheathing and sidings.  Over the years, we have...

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Two Week Schedule

Tidbits from the TopTwo Week ScheduleA new schedule is created every Friday that projects the next two weeks of building.  There are many factors that can alter scheduling including weather,...

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When do we ship the building?

Tidbits from the TopWhen do we ship the building?Economy Garages will only ship a building to be constructed once a building permit has been received, all payments are current, all concrete work is...

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Excavation Zones

Tidbits from the TopExcavation ZonesEconomy Garages does not prepare sites in all our concrete or building zones due to the type of equipment that must be transported and the location of pits to get...

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T1-11 Wicking Process

Tidbits from the TopT1-11 Wicking ProcessT1-11 is a very commonly used sheet product used as a structural sheathing and is also a final siding.  This product needs to be sealed by paint to ensure...

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Price Guarantee

Tidbits from the TopPrice GuaranteeWhen a quote is given to a perspective customer, the price will be honored for a limited time due to the volatility of the labor and materials markets.  Economy...

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Clean-Up

Tidbits from the TopClean-UpI find it interesting when contractors say there is no cost for clean-up.  Are they saying that their employees are not getting paid, gas is free, or landfills don’t...

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Aluminum Shortage/Allocation

Tidbits from the TopAluminum Shortage/AllocationMany products used in construction are being impacted by a shortage in raw materials.  Many of these shortages are due to the lack of labor to acquire...

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Windows – Stock vs. Delivery

Tidbits from the TopWindows - Stock Vs. DeliveryEconomy Garages stocks 4’ x 2’ glider windows in white and clay.  They are insulated units that glide on metal rollers for years of smooth operation. ...

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Grade Beam Vs. Footing

Tidbits from the TopGrade Beam vs. FootingThese two terms are very close in meaning and can almost be used synonymously.  Both terms refer to reenforced concrete used as a foundational support for a...

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Building Phases – Concrete

Tidbits from the TopBuilding Phases - ConcreteThe concrete phase consists of the completion of all concrete including garage floors, aprons, driveways, and block.  The concrete crew will dig the...

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Road Restrictions

Tidbits from the TopRoad RestrictionsLooks like the snow has finally melted, so let’s get this building project rolling... right?  Not so fast!  The fact is that weight limits are placed on roads in...

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Effects of Salt on Concrete

Tidbits from the TopThe Effects of Salt on ConcreteHave you ever looked down at the concrete while pumping your gas or while walking on a sidewalk and wondered why the concrete looks like the...

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Building Phases – Excavation

Tidbits from the TopBuilding Phases - ExcavationExcavation involves the demolition of buildings, removal of existing concrete, asphalt, stumps, surface organics and ultimately the delivery and...

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Cement Shortage/Allocation

Tidbits from the TopCement Shortage/AllocationIt may be a surprise to most of us, but even the ready-mix concrete industry has been disrupted by a shortages.  Cement is a key ingredient in concrete...

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Vapor Barriers

Tidbits from the TopVapor BarriersA vapor barrier in the building industry is typically polyethylene sheeting, or better known as plastic.  To qualify as a vapor barrier, the poly must be a minimum...

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Building Phases – Permits

Tidbits from the TopBuilding Phases - PermitsDepending on the area in which the building is to be built, either a Zoning Permit or Building Permit will be required.  In areas that have a state...

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Garage Doors – Wind Load

Tidbits from the TopGarage Doors - Wind LoadNot all garage doors are created equal. The code in Minnesota and Wisconsin requires garage doors to withstand a 95mph wind. This code requirement must be...

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Building Phases

Tidbits from the TopBuilding PhasesEconomy Garages breaks up the construction of a garage into four distinct phases: Permit, Excavation, Concrete, and Building. Each phase uses different people or...

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Impact of Weather

Tidbits from the TopImpact of WeatherWeather affects building construction in many different ways. High temperatures can cause crew health problems due to lack of hydration, sun burn, and heat...

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Sales Visit – Why?

Tidbits from the TopSales 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...

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Garage Doors – Delivery Time

Tidbits from the TopGarage Doors - Delivery TimeThe 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...

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H-Clips

Tidbits from the TopH-ClipsPanel 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...

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20-Year Workmanship Warranty

Tidbits from the Top20-Year Workmanship WarrantyMinnesota 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...

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Ice Barrier

Tidbits from the TopIce 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. ...

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Window & Service Door Headers

Tidbits from the TopWindow & Service Door HeadersA “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. ...

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Supply Chain Issues

Tidbits from the TopSupply Chain IssuesProblems with the supply of different materials has reared its ugly head many times over the years.  Prices or lack of petroleum being produced affects...

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