New tool/new barn

bebster · Nov 13, 2003

Are the saw cuts the ones in the slab, and there to create a controlled crack so the slab doesn't contract and crack just anywhere? If so, how has that worked for you? I'm planning to pour a slab soon and am concerned about this issue.

chim · Nov 13, 2003

Nice. I liked the looks of your new building enough to visit the company's website and request literature. This afternoon a rep called to discuss a few things. He'll be sending info. He did say the buildings are sent as kits, and are relatively easy to assemble. Did you find someone to hire for the assembly, or did the manufacturer hook you up with someone? Thanks................chim

Junkman · Nov 14, 2003

I had a slab poured 3 years ago in a garage addition and they didn't put any score marks in it at all. The contractor said that if it is on a good base and it has the wire in it, it shouldn't crack. My floor is 4000 # mix with fiberglass, 6" thick, with 4" square reinforcing wire installed over 12" base of stone dust and 1/2" stone mixed together that was compacted every 4" in depth. Then there is a 6 mil plastic vapor barrier between the stone dust mix and the concrete. It hasn't cracked in the past two winters and it is an unheated garage addition. I am located just outside of Southbridge MA, and it gets about 30" of frost in the ground around here......

Whiskey · Nov 14, 2003

Rdam:

my vote still goes for Bota-barn of course it's said with a southren draw /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Whiskey

rdam · Nov 14, 2003

( Are the saw cuts the ones in the slab, and there to create a controlled crack so the slab doesn't contract and crack just anywhere? If so, how has that worked for you? I'm planning to pour a slab soon and am concerned about this issue. )

That is correct. The slab was poured about a month ago. It's 4 inches thick, 3000 psi, wire mesh, with 12"x18" footers all around. Time will tell how well it was done.

My next door (country) neighbor pours Wal-Mart and supermarket slabs for a living. He said the quality of the work looked good.

rdam · Nov 14, 2003

( Nice. I liked the looks of your new building enough to visit the company's website and request literature. This afternoon a rep called to discuss a few things. He'll be sending info. He did say the buildings are sent as kits, and are relatively easy to assemble. Did you find someone to hire for the assembly, or did the manufacturer hook you up with someone? Thanks................chim )

I dealt with a rep in Florida who also installs/constructs them. The thought of constructing it myself never crossed my mind. If it's a Home Depot 8x10 or a "Rubbermaid", I'm your man.

I looked at several different manufacturers. Most of the ones I saw used a steel, square frame on the inside. Some used wire and turnbuckles (inside) to strengthen and secure it.

This is the only one I saw that used round tubing vs square. There are braces and supports (purlins?) everywhere. This model "felt" more substantial than the others I looked at. The finish work on the steel siding and supports also looked of higher quality. This unit is engineered and built to code for the expected wind load in my area. It included three sets of certified, engineered, plans (about 20 pages) that are more technical than what I've seen for my house. wind load, side force, lateral component, metallurgy, pi, cosine, gross demestic product...you get the picture.

Ask the rep where you can see a completed building near you. If you can't let me know and I'll take some more detailed pictures next time I'm up there.

Junkman · Nov 14, 2003

In Florida you don't have to worry about frost and most concrete work is done well the first time. It looks great from the pictures and I only wish that I could see the floor in my garage. Too much junk in there now...