FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What to Expect

This question cannot be answered unless specific information is obtained. What portions of the job are we responsible for and what portion have been completed or will be completed by owner (others) Examples: Excavation, Concrete, Interior finishes, Plumbing, Electrical, Heating, Etc. (See List of typical building questions to obtain a quote))

In order to give a current cost-per-square-foot, we must determine what the project specifications entail. This may include site challenges, interior and exterior designs of structure, product and system choices, etc.

Post frame construction (pole shed, post-in-ground) is the use of solid wood or multi-ply laminated wood columns that are fully treated or treated to a minimum height where the post will be in contact with the ground. These posts or columns are embedded in the ground 5’ and set on a precast concrete pad every 6’-12’ on center depending on the type of structure and notched at the top to set a truss. A pre-engineered wood truss is then set on top of this post and either bolted or structurally lag screwed to the side of the notched column. Once all posts and trusses are set, a row of 2×4 (over top of truss), 2×6 (set in hangers between truss), or 2×8 purlins (set in hangers between truss) will be fastened every 24” o.c. or less from the peak to the eave and covered with roof steel. Also a row of 2×6 girts every 30” on center or less will be fastened to the side of the wood columns and covered with steel.

Stud wall construction is the use of field laminated 2×6 “posts” that are located at each truss bearing location. Generally every 4’, 6’, or 8’ on center. Theses “posts” have at least one bearing stud and one stud that runs up alongside the truss. These “posts” are incorporated into a full length stud wall that has studs located every 24” o.c. between “posts” and includes a single treated bottom plate and a single top plate. A pre-engineered wood truss is then set on top of this wall at each “post” and either bolted or structurally lag screwed to the side of the long stud of each “post”. Once all walls and trusses are set, a row of 2×4 (over top of truss), 2×6 (set in hangers between truss), or 2×8 purlins (set in hangers between truss) will be fastened every 24” o.c. or less from the peak to the eave and covered with roof steel. Also a row of 2×4 girts every 30” on center or less will be fastened to the side of the walls and covered with steel.

Stick Built construction is what you would typically see with single family home construction. It consists of 2×6 stud wall construction with studs 16” on center with a single treated bottom plate and a double top plate. These walls are covered with 7/16” or ½” OSB sheathing and covered with housewrap and a siding of your choice. The roof consists of pre-engineered trusses 24” on center with ½” or 5/8” OSB sheathing over top and covered with a roof guard system and a roofing product of your choice. This method is found in the UDC residential code book and is an approved method by Wisconsin inspectors. This is also the method we use for all residential projects.

A typical storage building will take 1-2 weeks generally. A more complicated workshop or residential project may take 3-4 weeks to frame in and enclose. Turn key projects may take 3-6 months or up to one year depending on the complexity and the size of the project

We are a family friendly contractor and understand that it is important to keep our people close to home. For this reason we generally try to keep our projects within a 2 hour radius of our home office in Dorchester, WI.

Post Frame buildings that utilize the wide column spacings such as 6’ and 8’ on center obtain a very good R-value due to the fact that there are not studs within this cavity which tends to be a “cold spot” every 16” or 24” within this wall cavity. By eliminating the studs you are able to fill this cavity with more continuous insulation and reduce the air infiltration significantly which is the main cause of heat loss. Other methods of energy efficiency are obtained by the use of dense pack fiberglass wall insulation, higher R-value blown attic insulation, and spray foam. Our method of construction also creates a thicker wall cavity so that you are able to install more insulation within the wall cavity and obtain a higher R-value than a typical stick built building.

We are easy to work with. We will manage a portion of your project or the entire thing. We know that our customers talent levels are different, but don’t want your talent to go to waste! We have our group of trusted contractors but will work with yours as well.

Absolutely, a building is an extension of each individual and we want you to be able to put your personal touch on it. We will offer many suggestions as well to help you through the process if you have questions.

We build all of our buildings with a 50# snow loading which is the same as all residential and commercial construction for our area. In the past couple of years we have encouraged our customers to go to 4’ and 6’ on center truss spacings to increase the purlin strength capacity and increase the pitch of the roof in order to shed snow faster. By doing these types of things snow loads should never be a concern with a Meyer Building.

The main reason we choose the stick built method for single family and multi-family residential construction is that with the use of steel roof and wall panels, condensation WILL occur on the backside of the panels if a continuous thermal break (OSB sheathing) is not installed. This condensation or dripping phenomenon occurs when the cold steel is warmed up in a short amount of time for example when the sun comes up in the morning and hits the cold steel roof. Due to fact that we do not want your wall and ceiling cavities to hold water and cause rot and mold growth, we have made it our policy to only use this method for residential construction. Other reasons, include that most local inspectors are not familiar with “post frame” construction and it is not recognized in the UDC manual for inspection approval. This requires additional engineered documentation on each project that the post frame method performs to the same level as stick built. This is adds time and extra cost to each project.

Purlins are the structural members that are fastened perpendicular to the roof trusses that connect the series of trusses together and also allow for the fastening of the roof steel. Girts are the structural members that are fastened perpendicular to the building columns and connect a series of columns together and also allow for the fastening of the wall steel.

Steel frame construction uses large steel columns and rafters (typically called “frames”) that are set anywhere from 20’ to 30’ o.c. Then a series of steel zee purlins (roof) and steel zee girts (walls) are fastended between or over top of these frames of which is covered with steel panels. This type of construction is becomes more practical when you are looking to obtain spans that are larger than 80’ in width.

Wood frame construction uses wood posts that connect to pre-engineered wood trusses that are set anywhere from 4’ to 12’ o.c. Then a series of wood purlins (roof) and wood girts (walls) are fastened between or over top of posts and trusses of which is covered with steel panels

Wood frame construction is generally more cost effective with buildings that require spans 80’ or less. This is where wood has met its capacity and steel has really only started with its capacity

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Since 1957