1. What is a Timbercraft Building and what can they be used for?
A Timbercraft Building is a quality constructed “post-frame” or “timber-frame” building, either of which is considered a modernized term for the outdated "pole building” or “pole barn." Although typically clad with metal roof panels and metal wall panels, Timbercraft Buildings are also constructed utilizing numerous other types of building materials as well. Timbercraft Building’s reliability and flexibility meet or exceed the requirements of other frame structure applications planned for use as garages, carports, storage barns, pole barns, warehouses, airplane hangars, boat and RV storage buildings, horse stables and equestrian structures, urban and suburban buildings, homes, cabins, guesthouses, churches, restaurants, farm buildings, commercial buildings, ranch buildings, nursery buildings, grove buildings, art studios, craft and hobby shops, pole buildings, pavilions, shade structures, picnic shelters, vehicle ports, dog kennels, eagle mews and other animal confinement structures and more.
2. Where are Timbercraft Buildings constructed and who constructs them?
Timbercraft Building job sites are most densely located throughout Central Florida due to their Orlando area location but have also been completed in numerous other Florida locations as well and as far away as North Carolina. Timbercraft Buildings have been constructed by both employees and subcontractors.
3. What types of structural components are used to construct a Timbercraft Building and how does a Timbercraft Building compare to other common building types?
Timbercraft Building’s superior structural integrity is achieved utilizing #1 and #2 grade pressure-treated and non-treated southern yellow pine framing materials, 26 gauge metal roofing and siding panels as well as other premium grade building components. The primary structural framing method typically utilized for a Timbercraft Building consists of (2) clear span roof framing members supported by and fastened to (2) continuous length, solid sawn pressure-treated columns in a manner that “sandwiches” the column between the (2) roof framing members. This method which also includes an interlocking system of roof purlins, roof sheathing, wall girts, wall sheathing and concrete foundation is what makes a Timbercraft Building superior to other common building types. Other framing options are also available for custom applications. In comparison to other common building types that are typically constructed using partly treated and partly untreated structural columns that are nailed together with single trusses, 2 x 4 roof purlins, 2 x 4 “flat” wall girts and thinner 29 gauge metal roofing and siding, Timbercraft Buildings are typically constructed using fully treated solid sawn columns, doubled roof framing members, 2 x 6 roof purlins, 2 x 6 “shelved” wall girts and heavier 26 gauge metal roofing and siding. Please visit our Quality Section for additional information.
4. What is the typical roof pitch of a Timbercraft Building?
The typical roof pitch for a double-sloped Timbercraft Building is 4 in 12 with numerous other roof pitches also available.
5. What is the difference between wall, eave, and clearance height?
The pre-engineered metal and the post-frame or timber-frame building industry use outside eave height as the industry standard for measuring building wall height. This dimension will vary according to various construction methods and should not be confused with clear height. This also means that a 12’ eave height building will not provide 12’ of clear height. In most cases and as an aid for planning clear height, a 12’ high building will be required to provide enough clearance for most 10’ height overhead type exterior vehicle or equipment door installations. Please make sure that your Timbercraft Building is tall enough by letting us know the minimum exterior door height or interior clear height that is required for your application as well as any other pertinent information.
6. What are some of the other components that will be used to construct my Timbercraft Building and is it possible to use custom or special order materials in my Timbercraft Building?
Timbercraft Buildings are not constructed with the cheapest materials or methods available. Some of the typical but not necessarily the only type of components currently being used in Timbercraft Buildings are exterior fiberglass type entry doors with PVC jambs, aluminum or vinyl frame type insulated glass windows, polycarbonate type translucent light panels, etc. All Timbercraft Building exterior components and their respective installations that are used for Florida construction such as roof and wall coverings, soffits, doors, windows, louvers, etc. must be certified as “product approved”. Custom or special order materials can also be installed in a Timbercraft Building as long as they are “product approved”. Please visit the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation for additional information.
7. Can a Timbercraft Building accommodate my own design ideas and if so, how can I best determine the proper size and layout of my Timbercraft Building?
Yes, in most cases a Timbercraft Building can accommodate your design as long as our typical structural design allows for the same or can be reasonably modified to allow for the same. Contacting us first and then measuring second is usually the most productive manner of accomplishing this end result.
8. What is a “code building” and why do some companies charge more for this?
Other building companies apparently offer buildings that do not meet building codes and then charge more for “code buildings” or buildings that do meet building codes. Timbercraft Buildings are not constructed utilizing this all too common cheapest material and method approach but are instead designed, priced, and built to meet or exceed the requirements of the Florida Building Code, among the toughest and most extensive anywhere.
9. Will I need a building permit for my Timbercraft Building and if so, who provides this?
With rare exceptions, you will need a building permit for your Timbercraft Building if you are building in Florida. Please contact your jurisdictional building department with your specific site location to verify this information for yourself or contact us and we can usually verify this information for you promptly. We have been in business since 1984, are properly licensed Florida State Certified Building Contractors #CBC028988 and Florida State Certified Roofing Contractors #CCC1327008 and in most cases obtain the building permit under our license for our projects. We are also properly licensed to provide work under an owner-builder permit scenario.
10. Who prepares the building permit drawings for my Timbercraft Building?
We prepare the building permit drawings for your Timbercraft Building.
11. Who prepares the site plan for my Timbercraft Building?
As long as a simple site plan showing the proposed building location only is acceptable to the permitting agency, just provide us with a current and proper survey and we will prepare the site plan for your Timbercraft Building.
12. Who determines the proper site location for my Timbercraft Building?
Although we are willing to help, it is the customer who makes the final determination for the location of their Timbercraft Building. Please contact your jurisdictional building department with your specific site location to verify this information for yourself or contact us and we can usually verify this information for you promptly.
13. Will I need a concrete foundation for my Timbercraft Building and if so, who provides this?
Most customers want a monolithic concrete floor-type foundation with their Timbercraft Building and in most cases, we install this item for them. If a concrete floor is not to be installed or is to possibly be installed at some future date, we install a below-grade concrete footing foundation at each structural post for wind load protection. This method does allow for a concrete floor to be easily installed at a future date.
14. If I need plumbing, electricity, air conditioning, heating, interior build-out items, or “turn-key” construction for my Timbercraft Building, who provides this?
We can and have provided these types of services but in most cases, Timbercraft Building customers have these items completed at a later date under a separate permit or complete them under an owner-builder type permit scenario.
15. Do I need to have water, electricity, and a restroom on site prior to the construction of my Timbercraft Building?
Unless agreed to otherwise, the customer is required to supply suitable water and electric service on the building site for our use and we will supply a suitable job site toilet for our use during the construction of your Timbercraft Building.
16. Will I need a level building pad for my Timbercraft Building and if so, who provides this?
In most cases, it is advisable and necessary to have a properly prepared and level building pad particularly if your plans involve an enclosed building or a building with a concrete floor. If your plans involve a roof system with no concrete slab and open sides that are to remain open then this is still advisable but not always necessary. In many cases, we provide this work for our Timbercraft Building customers.
17. Who removes the construction debris from my site after the completion of my Timbercraft Building?
Unless agreed to otherwise, the customer is responsible for removing the Timbercraft Building construction debris from their site or we can provide a receptacle at our cost for your reimbursement to us. We can also provide a cost to include debris removal with our scope of work if we are also providing the initial site work and level building pad for your Timbercraft Building project.