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Carports and Metal Buildings: Testimonials for Engineered Carports

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 22:28:04 +0000

With Fall weather fast approaching and Winter storms soon to follow, Mother Nature can make it quite challenging to shelter vehicles and outdoor equipment from all the harsh elements she can throw your way. We previously posted on the benefits and importance of an engineered carport, shelter or metal building — especially how the steel frame design contributes to successfully meeting local snow/wind loads and code requirements for permits.

We thought we would share just a few photos and comments contributed by satisfied VersaTube owners who have experienced first-hand how their carport or shelter performed against the weather odds:

“People need to know how great this carport stood up to a bad storm here in Bloomington. Thank you so much for making a very strong carport. Our cars were saved from this fallen tree.”

Rita & Todd Over Bloomington, IN

“Enjoyed talking with you…and decided to get the pictures to you today. Now seeing them and having the tree down, I realize how lucky we are that the motor home wasn't damaged. Thanks for the call — beat those cheap knockoffs!”

Adam Haybach Marshall, MI

A VersaTube carport still standing and holding up a massive 70-ft. fir tree.

Pete Nielsen Milwaukie, OR

The following account came to us in the aftermath of the busy Florida hurricane season of 2004. Unfortunately, it was submitted without product photos and has never been previously posted online, but we wanted to share one of our best testimonials — and proudest moments — for the engineered VersaTube carport:

"Let your customers know that the carport purchased from your company through Lowe's withstood the winds of Hurricanes Frances, Ivan (the tail end) and Jeanne. Yes, the bolts and screws did loosen up or "wallowed out" the holes, but the old girl stayed together! Her size is 25 ft. long, 20 ft. wide and 12 ft. high with open sides. My insurance adjusters are amazed that she withstood 130 MPH winds, but that is what your people designed it to do!"

Herb Beach Fort Pierce, FL

Greg and Regina Walter of Port-A-Cover & More, an authorized VersaTube dealer in Spokane, WA, shared this impressive photo of an engineered VersaTube carport just doing it's job — providing protection in harsh winter conditions. What a great shot, but now it's time to knock some snow off the roof!

At VersaTube Building Systems, engineering is integral to every steel building or carport we sell. We won’t design, manufacture or offer a structure that does not pass engineering and local load requirements. It’s that simple. Choose to work with a manufacturer that recognizes the importance of an engineered product – and don’t settle for anything less.

Metal Buildings, Carports, and The Importance of Engineering: Know Before You Build

admin — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 19:29:01 +0000

So you’re considering a carport, garage or building for that much needed cover, shade, storage space, or workshop. You’ve done your research and decided on a steel building or shelter for its proven strength, durability, longevity and value. Comparisons can be made on quality, ease of assembly, price. One important factor should never be overlooked – Engineering.

Doing a little homework in advance will keep you from possible surprises and additional costs later. Before you build, ask two key questions:

1) Does my city or county require a permit for my new metal building or carport?

Check with your local building or zoning authority to see what permitting and certification, if any, is required. If a permit is needed, determine your local zoning restrictions, such as required set backs, distances from other structures, fireproofing, etc. Equally important is identifying the required ground/roof snow loads, wind loads, seismic activity, and flood area factors that could affect both the configuration of your steel building or carport as well as its permit approval.

Drawings and calculations stamped by a licensed engineer must be submitted with your permit application and other required documentation to your local authority. Be prepared to pay some fees for both the certified stamped engineering package as well as the permit application. It’s a small price to pay on the front end to insure your structure passes code requirements then to ultimately face possible fines and penalties for erecting an unapproved building or shelter without a permit.

2) What is the manufacturer’s approach to incorporating engineering in the design of their metal buildings or carports?

Unfortunately, many non-engineered steel buildings and carports are sold every day to unsuspecting customers. They are designed to sell at a bargain basement price – with minimal components and dimensions that won’t even meet the most basic code requirements.

Whether or not you need a permit to build, it is to your advantage to work with a manufacturer that starts by pre-engineering and pre-fabricating a standard building system that will achieve the more common snow/wind load requirements in most areas. Then, make sure the manufacturer can adapt your structure’s design and configuration to meet or exceed your local building codes and permit approval processes. It is important to make any necessary adjustments with the manufacturer prior to ordering your new metal building or carport to avoid any potential code violations and additional expenses to make corrections at a later date.

Well Pump Covers, Metering Facility Shelters for the Oil and Gas Industry

admin — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:20:49 +0000

VersaTube announces the development of sun shields, shade canopies, well pump covers & metering facility shelters.

Prompted by a request from a national contractor, VersaTube® designed and produced a custom shelter for use at metering facilities placed at interconnect locations along a natural gas pipeline. Sun shields provide the necessary shade at each location to allow accurate gas readings where the pipeline is above ground and exposed to the weather.

The configuration flexibility of the VersaTube® framing system easily addresses the variety of shelter sizes required. The sun shield units ranged in size from 12-foot wide by 32-foot long up to the largest at 25-foot wide by 140-foot long – all with 7.5-foot rafter heights. Some were also enclosed on each side with additional sheet metal panels. All units were configured to exceed coastal wind load requirements and were shipped with stamped engineering plans. Each cover was customized to include mounting plates for lighting fixtures and designed to allow rapid disassembly in the event of a facility emergency or the required replacement of exposed pipeline components.

VersaTube® Building Systems, with plants at corporate headquarters in Collierville, Tenn., and in Guadalupe, Ariz., near Tempe, offers complete engineering and design services on shelter products ranging from sun shields and pump covers to compressor sheds and fully-enclosed meter houses to custom applications for the oil, gas and liquid pipeline industry. Worldwide shipping available.

VersaTube® designs, manufactures, distributes and markets pre-engineered steel framing components and systems for residential, agricultural, commercial, and light industrial building and shelter applications. The heart of the VersaTube® Building System is a patented “Slip-Fit” connection that simplifies assembly of structural steel frames, thereby reducing construction time. This also allows for the system to be designed with frame components that are manageable in size for easy handling and compact packaging.

Additional company and product information is available from the VersaTube® Building Systems’ website at http://www.VersaTube.com. Dealer inquiries welcome. For more information, contact Gregg Rezabek, VersaTube® Building Systems, (800) 900-7222, extension 314 or grezabek@versatube.com

VersaTube Commercial Now On YouTube

admin — Sun, 29 May 2011 14:34:17 +0000

Watch the new VersaTube commercial published on You Tube.

VersaTube Building Survives Major California Fire

admin — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:31:01 +0000

Another Great Reason to Build with Steel… Fire Resistance.

VersaTube offers new carports designed for more coverage with the Suburban Series

admin — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:26:55 +0000

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. — VersaTube® Building Systems recently introduced their new Suburban Series line of carports and shelters. Primary features of the Suburban Series offer two distinct advantages over more common carport structures – a boxed eave A-frame design presents an alternative to the typical rounded roof look and width dimensions are an extra foot wider to provide greater coverage and additional room. The new shelter series features VersaTube’s® patented “Slip-Fit” frame connections that speed frame assembly and reduce installation time. Available dimensions include standard widths of 13-feet, 19-feet and 25-feet and heights of six, nine and 12-feet. These complete carport packages are backed by a limited 20-year warranty on frame components and roof panels. Length extensions and enclosure options add flexibility to address individual shelter needs. The Suburban Series 13-feet wide by 20-feet long by six-feet high single-wide model has also been added as a stock carport product by Lowe’s Companies, Inc. and is currently available in some 56 select Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse locations in Southern California. The popular 19-foot wide two-vehicle, double-wide carport and other Suburban Series sizes and options can be ordered in-store through Lowe’s Special Order Sales. With fiscal year 2007 sales of $48.3 billion, Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a FORTUNE® 50 company that serves approximately 14 million customers a week at more than 1,550 home improvement stores in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world. For more information, visit www.Lowes.com. VersaTube® Building Systems, with plants at corporate headquarters in Collierville, Tenn., and in Guadalupe, Ariz., near Tempe, designs, manufactures, distributes and markets pre-engineered steel framing components and systems for residential, agricultural, commercial, and light industrial building and shelter applications. Applications for VersaTube’s framing systems include DIY storage buildings for the homeowner, structures for RV and boat storage, horse barns and animal shelters, buildings for indoor athletic uses, and structures for start-up and expanding businesses. Additional company and product information is available from the VersaTube® Building Systems’ website at www.VersaTube.com.

VersaTube Lends a Hand to NBC Today Show Charity

admin — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:25:20 +0000

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn., April 21, 2008 – VersaTube® Building Systems joined The Today Show last week as a contributor to Al Roker’s seventh annual “Lend A Hand Today” program that assists charities in need across the country. Based in Collierville, Tenn., VersaTube®, a leading manufacturer of pre-engineered galvanized steel tube framing components and building systems, donated a complete all-vertical steel storage garage measuring 20 x 20 x 10 to the Idaho Youth Ranch, one of the “Lend A Hand Today” charities located in Rupert, Idaho. VersaTube® Building Systems answered the call to get involved in the “Lend A Hand Today” program when The Today Show contacted Lowe’s, a nationally recognized home improvement retailer that sells VersaTube® garages, carports and loafing sheds. “The Idaho Youth Ranch was in need of a large storage facility to house various items and equipment,” said Tim Soder, President, VersaTube® Building Systems. “They also needed assistance in erecting and installing the building on site at the ranch.” The donation, including materials, freight and labor, retailed for $8,000. J. Rhode Building Systems, an authorized VersaTube® Building Systems dealer based in Caldwell, Idaho, donated the project supervision and labor involved in assembling and installing the steel building. “The shed will provide many years of good use,” said Dustin Larna, operations manager, Idaho Youth Ranch. “I am very impressed with VersaTube® as a company and a building system. Their customer service is second to none. The building looks great and is much more solid than I expected. I don’t know why anyone would build with wood instead of using the VersaTube® system." Larna continued, "The crew that installed the building was very fast and professional. I have been and will continue to recommend VersaTube’s® services and products to anyone in the market for a shop or garage. Thanks for a great building.” The building was presented and revealed live on The Today Show on the program’s debut day, April 14, 2008, by Soder of VersaTube® Building Systems, and Jesse Rhode of J. Rhode Building Systems. “The decision to answer the call was easy,” Soder said. “We have always looked for ways to support not only the community in which we are based, but also the communities that support us nationally. And when we learned of what the Idaho Youth Ranch provides for children in need, we didn’t even have to think about it. We immediately began determining how to make it happen.” The Idaho Youth Ranch (IYR) site near Rupert, Idaho, is a non-profit, non-denominational, residential treatment home with 24-hour supervision for at-risk youth typically affected by neglect or abuse at home, family conflict, mental health issues, substance abuse and/or juvenile crime. The unique ranch environment allows youth to participate in activities that support and impact emotional and social needs through counseling, education, 4-H, and horsemanship. The IYR operates five other residential homes in Idaho, and provides family counseling, adoption services, and foster care training. Revenue from 24 IYR Thrift Stores located throughout the state supports the homes, programs and services. VersaTube® Building Systems, with plants at corporate headquarters in Collierville, Tenn. and in Guadalupe, Ariz. near Tempe, designs, manufactures, distributes and markets pre-engineered steel framing components and systems for residential, agricultural, commercial, and light industrial building and shelter applications. The heart of the VersaTube® Building System is a patented “Slip-Fit” connection that simplifies assembly of structural steel frames, thereby reducing construction time. This also allows for the system to be designed with frame components that are manageable in size for easy handling and compact packaging. Applications for VersaTube’s® framing systems include DIY storage buildings for the homeowner, structures for RV and boat storage, horse barns and animal shelters, buildings for indoor athletic uses, and structures for start-up and expanding businesses. Additional company and product information is available from the VersaTube® Building Systems’ website at www.VersaTube.com. Dealer inquiries welcome.

VersaTube provides covered walkway for Ford Airport construction

admin — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:23:23 +0000

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn., July 31, 2008 — VersaTube® Building Systems, a leading manufacturer of pre-engineered steel framing components and systems, was recently chosen by The Christman Company, a construction services and management company based in Lansing, Mich., to provide a temporary covered walkway system for use during major construction and facility improvements currently underway at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Mich. The covered walkway system provides a necessary “safety zone” corridor for travelers and pedestrians entering and exiting the terminal building, offering protection from both construction debris and the outside elements. The system layout consists of a primary curbside 20-foot wide by 660-foot long walkway canopy and a series of connecting “tunnels” ranging from 160 feet to 300 feet in length. The VersaTube® design allows for quick disassembly and relocation of a connecting “tunnel” along the primary walkway to correspond with the area of the terminal building under construction at the time. The flexibility to move these corridors as needed, as well as the system’s future use at other construction locations on the airport property, adds considerable value and benefit that was immediately recognized and appreciated by on-site project managers. The Christman Company is a full-service construction services firm, offering construction management, general contracting, design/build, real estate development, and facilities planning/consulting. Founded in 1894 with headquarters in Lansing, Mich., The Christman Company has grown to become one of the Midwest’s leading construction firms, ranked 164th in the 2008 Engineering News-Record ENR 400 list of top contractors nationally. For more information, visit www.christmanco.com.

VersaTube® Building Systems, with plants at corporate headquarters in Collierville, Tenn., and in Guadalupe, Ariz., near Tempe, offers complete engineering and design services to construction management companies, general contractors, and architects for 50-foot wide and under clear span structures ranging from simple canopy shelters to enclosed building solutions. Custom configurations and applications are available.

Additional company and product information is available from the VersaTube® Building Systems’ website at www.VersaTube.com. For more information, contact Gregg Rezabek, VersaTube® Building Systems, (800) 900-7222, extension 314 or grezabek@versatube.com.

VersaTube is Writing a New Cover Story in RV & Boat Mini Storage

admin — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:18:13 +0000

With the downturn in the economy and the high gasoline prices of last spring and summer, many recreational vehicle owners reluctantly faced the tough decision to store their motor homes and boats for an extended period of time. As a result, a greater number of RV and boat owners are now seeking dependable storage units for their vehicles – and they’re just not settling for open air storage anymore. In the storage business, a completely uncovered, unprotected lot could mean a 75% to 125% difference in profitability. Want to increase your profits and ROI in a declining economy? Want an edge on your competition while addressing your customers’ increasing requests for covered motor home and boat storage units? Look no further than premium steel RV and boat storage shelters from VersaTube® Building Systems. A Case Study for Covered RV & Boat Storage Like any mini-storage business owner, Derrel Ridenour’s success is driven by the needs of his clientèle. With so many of the customers at his Fresno, CA-based Derrel’s Mini Storage (www.derrels.com) looking for custom-sized RV and boat protection, it just wouldn’t be sensible for Derrel to fill every lot with permanent standardized shelters. He wants to be flexible to address the specific coverage needs of his customers. That’s why one of America’s largest mini-storage operators uses VersaTube’s durable, easy-to-assemble steel RV and boat covers. The shelter package is assembled and finished on site, and can just as easily be reconfigured, should one of Derrel’s customers decide to bring home that “bigger” boat or RV they’ve had their eye on. Plus, the VersaTube® RV and boat cover is classified as a “portable building,” so its cost is depreciated after just seven years. Compare that to the thirty years required for most commercial structures. All this, plus the unparalleled strength, versatility, and patented construction design that only VersaTube® can offer. Looking for an easy way to boost the value and profitability of your mini storage spaces? With VersaTube® Building Systems, we’ve got you covered. Call 1-800-900-7222 for more information or visit our website at www.VersaTube.com. Dealer inquiries welcome.

Custom metal building from VersaTube® is solution to Vancouver, B.C. salt storage shelter need

admin — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:13:42 +0000

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn., June 30, 2009 — To VersaTube® Building Systems, a leading manufacturer of pre-engineered metal building components and framing systems, it doesn’t come as a surprise. When Easy Build Structures, an authorized VersaTube® dealer based in Surrey, B.C., reported the sale and construction of a customized building to the city of Vancouver for use as a salt storage cover, it represented yet another new market application for the company’s flexible metal building designs. Recently, VersaTube’s metal shelters and canopies found increasing acceptance with the oil and gas pipeline industry as sun shields and pump covers.

In these challenging economic times, cities and municipalities are seeking cost effective shelter and storage options for their various public works needs. For the city of Vancouver, the often harsh Canadian winter season called for a salt containment facility that would provide a dry sheltered environment with immediate scoop-and-load access to the large salt supply reserves used to combat ice and snow. Featuring the patented VersaTube® Slip-Fit metal frame system, the three-man Easy Build Structures crew installed a three-sided 40-foot wide by 60-foot long by 16-foot high metal shelter on top of a 9-foot high concrete stem wall using standard tools, a 25-foot boom crane for lifting and placing the trusses, and a platform lift for attaching the roofing and siding panels. The resulting 25-foot high metal building was wired for electricity to accommodate halogen bay lights used for 24-hour salt loading when weather conditions dictate. Response from Vancouver city officials was positive, stating that “the job was completed to our high expectations and we love it!” Easy Build Structures reports that those same city officials are now considering additional metal buildings as shelters for water tanks and other public works uses.

VersaTube® offers complete engineering and design services to municipal public works departments, construction management companies, general contractors, and architects for 52-foot wide and under clear span structures – from metal canopy shelters to enclosed metal buildings. Custom metal framing configurations and building applications are available. Call 1-800-900-7222 for more information or visit our website at www.VersaTube.com. Dealer inquiries welcome.