New
Introducing VersaFinish: Steel Framing for Any Finish
Learn More
New
Introducing VersaFinish: Steel Framing for Any Finish
Learn More

Made in the USA Made in the USA

First name is required!
Last name is required!
First name is not valid!
Last name is not valid!
This is not an email address!
Email address is required!
This email is already registered!
This email is not registered!
Password is required!
Enter a valid password!
Please enter 6 or more characters!
Please enter 16 or less characters!
Passwords are not same!
Terms and Conditions are required!
Email or Password is wrong!

Beginning the Framing of your VersaTube Garage

Once the foundation is complete, you should be ready to begin putting the components of your VersaTube building together. Gathering all the necessary tools and ensuring that the base rails are situated properly can get your project off to a good start.

Remember how you felt as a child when Christmas Eve finally arrived? I could hardly wait to go to sleep in anticipation of the big day. That’s very similar to the way I felt when the concrete was finally poured and I knew my VersaTube garage would start going together the following morning. However, before getting into the actual construction process, here are a few tools you should have for your project:

  • Level – I recommend that it be at least a four footer.

  • Tape measure – length can vary depending on the size of your building, but a 25 foot tape measure should be fine for most applications. A wide blade model with a blade lock usually works best.

  • Adjustable wrench – a mid-sized model is all you need – a socket set can also be used. Chalk box and line – these are available at most home improvement and hardware stores and are usually fairly inexpensive. Powdered chalk may already be in the box or you might have to purchase it separately.

  • Tin snips – these are also sold at home improvement and hardware stores

  • Drill – I know that cordless drills are the “in” thing among DIYers and believe me, I have my share (more than my share if you ask my wife), but you might want to use a corded drill for this project. Drilling through heavy gauge metal all day is tough on a cordless drill – especially if you only have one or two batteries.

  • Hammer – a small sledge hammer that can be used with one hand should be perfect.

  • Step ladder – the size depends on the height of your building. You should be able to reach the peak of the structure while standing on the third step from the top or the last step on the ladder that’s marked as safe to stand on. Make sure the ladder is sturdy and structurally sound.

  • Safety glasses – one stray metal particle that happens to end up in your eye can ruin your whole day and possibly change your entire life – always wear safety glasses specifically designed for the purpose when working with metal components. That goes for your helpers, too.

My garage was being installed on a concrete slab so I decided to invest in a hammer drill that made it easier to drill into the hard material. If you have the same situation, the tool can also be found at many rental depots and should only be needed for the first few hours of your project.

Your VersaTube kit should include a complete list of the tools needed to erect the building, but my suggestions may give you a little head start on your project. Setting the Base Rails in Place

I have a confession to make: I’m the type of person who puts things together and then reads the assembly instructions to find out where the left over parts should have been installed. This is a bad habit picked up from a lifetime of trying read difficult to follow manufacturer directions for everything from bicycles to lawn mowers that never seemed to make sense. You won’t have that problem with the instructions provided with your VersaTube kit as they’re written with the DIYer in mind – having an engineering degree or being able to read a foreign language are not requirements to comprehend the directions. While my narrative is meant to be helpful, always refer to your official VersaTube assembly instructions if you have any questions or aren’t sure about a particular step.

The base rails for your building are the first components to be installed and there should be a set for both side walls. Each set will consist of a starter base rail and then a series of extension base rails to reach the total dimension of the wall. Where you locate them on your concrete slab depends on a few issues:

  1. Slab construction – if the concrete slab was poured based on your VersaTube kit instructions, you may have provided a sheeting ledge around the perimeter. Keep this in mind when locating the base rails. If you’re using an existing slab or decided not to install a sheeting ledge, use your tape measure and chalk line to mark the exterior wall locations on the slab based on the dimensions provided with your building. It’s a good idea to pull diagonal measurements as well to ensure that your chalked lines are square.

  2. Roof and wall construction – depending on your building usage and size, your wall and roof framing will either be square metal tubing or hat channel (metal that’s been shaped to resemble the letter “U”). If your building uses tubing, the base rails can be situated even with the inside edge of the sheeting ledge (if applicable) as the tubing will parallel the base rails as it’s installed. However, if the building is set up for hat channel and you have sheeting ledges, the base rails for the sides of the building must be set back 1 ½ inches from the edge to allow room for the channel to be installed. Your VersaTube drawings should be marked “uses hat channel on roof and sides” if your building is configured for that type of framing.

Once you’ve established the location of the starter base rail on each side, slide the base rail extensions into the starter rails using the easy to work with slip-fit technology. The number of extensions will be shown on your building drawings.

The short tube metal protrusions on each base rail are called pins and are set up on four or five foot centers based on your building size and type. Determine the center measurements of the pins on the starter base rails and adjust the measurement to match between the last pin on the starter base rail and the first pin on the extension rail. You’re now ready to begin installing some fasteners and doing some actual framing.

  Loading...