Q:
What
materials are used to make the structures?
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| A:
The majority of components utilized in our
frames are made of 2 inch by 3 inch in-line
galvanized steel tubing. All bent
components are made with 14 gauge tubing,
while the straight components use
high-strength 15 gauge tubing.
Components that utilize 2 inch square
material are made with 15 gauge tubing.
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|
Q:
What are the most significant features of
our structures?
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| A:
The most prominent feature of our structures
is the patented swaged connection system,
which allows for easy assembly. This
also allows for the system to be designed
with components that are manageable in size
for easy handling and compact packaging.
Another key feature is the mandrel bent side
posts and peaks are able to maintain most of
the original strength of the tube and give
the product a better appearance.
Conversely, the crush bending employed in
other square or rectangular tube systems
oftentimes significantly weakens the steel
tube and detracts from the look of the
structure. Many of the other features
of the structures we sale relate to the
accessory items that have been developed to
improve the overall product.
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|
Q:
What sizes are available through our
company?
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| A:
Garage and carport frames are available in a
range of widths (10', 12', 14', 16', 18',
20', 24', and 30'). The standard
length is 20' and can be extended to any
length in 4' or 5' increments, depending on
the On-Center spacing. The standard
eave height is 8' for garage packages, with
10' and 12' heights available. Carport
packages have a standard height of 7.5'.
Standard height extensions are available for
carports in 1' increments to a maximum 12.5'
total eave height. The 10'x18' and
12'x18' frames are made with 2" square
tubing have a standard eave height of 7'.
1' and 2' height extension are available for
this unit.
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|
Q:
Are the carport kits available complete with
steel roofing?
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| A:
Yes. Complete
building packages can only be purchased.
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|
Q:
What is the on center spacing of the frames?
|
| A:
The framing used for garages and carports
are generally 4' or 5' on center.
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|
Q:
How does the cost of our garages compare to
those of post frame or other pre-engineered
metal buildings (i.e. red iron)?
|
| A:
In general, the cost of finished structure
framed with our building system is very
competitive with costs for a liked-sized
post frame package. While the material
costs are similar for the framing and
material, the savings from installation
labor provide for significant savings.
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|
Q:
Will we continue to develop new additional
products?
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| A:
Yes. Discount
Carports Direct prides itself on being a
product development company. Most of
the features you see as part of the building
system were created in the past years, and
continued improvement of existing products
is an ongoing process. Products are
under development, such as the wide span
building that is designed to expand our
widths up to 50' clear span. The
company is always open to new ideas from
it's customers for new products or improving
existing products.
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|
Q:
Is the tubing used for the framing rust
resistant?
|
| A:
The premium in-line galvanized steel tubing
used in our structures achieves a salt spray
test of 840 hours by virtue of a final
lacquer or polymer coating applied over the
protective zinc. By comparison, normal
G-90 galvanized steel has a salt spray of
approximately 400 hours. This equates
to significant rust protection on the
framing of the structure.
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|
Q:
Are our buildings and structures warranted?
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| A:
All garages and carports we offer are
warranted for 20 years. We take great
pride and responsibility for the products we
sale, and stand by them 100%.
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|
Q:
How are the frames anchored to the ground?
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| A:
There are two basic anchoring types.
If the structure were to be mounted to a
concrete pad or footing, then traditional
concrete anchors would be used (can be
purchased at your local hardware store).
We offer a 30 inch rebar anchor that is
intended for use when a structure is mounted
directly to dirt or gravel surface. It
is recommended that concrete be poured in a
posthole when the rebar anchors are used.
There are several other types of anchoring
that you can use, so long as they are
sufficient to meet the wind load
requirements for the area.
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|
Q:
What are the engineering loads for our
structures?
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| A:
Most of the structures are designed for a
minimum of 20 psf snow loads and 70 mph wind
loads. However, many of the standard
products achieve greater minimum load levels
beginning at 40 psf and 90 mph.
Additional loading can be achieved through
various means such as closer on-center
spacing, thicker gauge sheet metal, or
additional anchoring support (increases wind
loads only). General engineering
information is available for permitting
requirements when necessary. If a wet
stamp is needed, we have access to purchase
that directly from the manufacturer.
The cost of a wet stamp varies depending on
the specifics of the building being stamped.
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|
Q:
What are the payment terms?
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| A:
Total payment for purchases must be received
and processed before product(s) are shipped.
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|
Q:
What is swaging?
|
| A:
Using our patented machines, we are able to
shape both rectangular and square,
heavy-gauge steel tubing in such a way as to
significantly reduce cost and assembly time.
But swaging is more than just a molding,
bending or shaping process; it's our way of
putting hours worth of energy into that
steel tube so that you don't have to. We
take the inherent potential of every
component and give it the power to work. By
the time you lift a hammer, you'll discover
that half the job is already done. At that
point, a seemingly random component becomes
an equestrian building, an RV or boat cover,
and a fully enclosed building. The steel
tube is now a utility shed, a garage and a
greenhouse. All as strong and as durable as
the single component itself. That's swaging.
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|
Q:
What do you mean by "Slip-Fit"
Assembly? How easy is assembly, really?
|
| A:
The unique "Slip-Fit" design
simplifies the construction process
dramatically. It goes back to
"swaging", see the previous FAQ.
Our patented swaged assembly technique gives
you ease of assembly with the strength of
steel. In other words, carports can be put
together in hours. Garages can be assembled
in a weekend.
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|
Q:
Is it strong and durable?
|
| A:
The proof is in the frame. Most steel frames
require components to be bent-to-fit,
compromising strength. Through our swaging
process, we bend and shape heavy-gauge,
rectangular steel tubing without sacrificing
an ounce of strength or performance.
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|
Q:
What is the difference between the VersaTube®
Building System and the carports
manufactured with steel tubing by other
companies?
|
| A:
The primary difference is that VersaTube is
a Building System, not a carport. The basic
frame for most VersaTube structures starts
as carport frame. However, it evolves into a
building system as you add the additional
components to that frame. Once you add
height extensions, length extensions,
purlins/girts, soffit or corner brackets,
and end enclosure frames, you have a
complete building frame. If you take the
initial carport frame and add height
extensions as well as a lean-to section to
each side, you have the raised center aisle
horse barn. Thus, what VersaTube has created
is not any one particular structure, but a
true building system.
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|
Q:
Whom do I contact regarding stamped plans
for permit purposes?
|
| A:
Please contact a product specialist at our
office (sales@carports.com).
You may go ahead and download the Engineering
Order Form and fax it to our
office at 866-855-8597.
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|
Q:
Whom do I contact with engineering
questions?
|
| A:
Please contact a product specialist at our
office (sales@carports.com)
or by calling toll free at 888-8-CARPORTS
(888-822-7767)
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|
Q:
When do structures require truss braces?
|
| A:
Generally structures greater than 20 feet
wide require truss bracing. In certain cases
20-feet-wide structures may require truss
braces or collar brackets. Truss braces need
to be installed only on the inside trusses,
not on the first or last truss.
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|
Q:
What is the fire rating on your buildings?
|
| A:
Sheet metal alone does not have a fire
rating. You can add 24-gauge sheet metal in
combination with 5/8" sheet rock to
provide a fire rating that meets uniform
building codes.
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|
Q:
Are their any height restrictions in your
buildings?
|
| A:
On 24' and 30' wide structures we recommend
not exceeding a side wall height of 12'
(check with your local code officials).
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