Where did you get the name K Building?
ANSWER: The last name of the owner of Elgin Service Center-K Building begins with a “K”. During the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, Dodge had a car model called the “K” Car. The combination of the two is where the name originated.
With so many buildings already available, why did you decide to start a new building company?
ANSWER: Although there were and are many brands of buildings available, nearly all were post-frame buildings with a limited longevity. The manufacturers of all-steel buildings weren’t manufacturing with the agricultural market in mind and we believed that we could provide a better building at a competitive price.
Where is the K Building manufactured?
ANSWER: In northwest Ohio, in the village of Elgin.
Does K Buildings use American made products?
ANSWER: Yes, our steel and lumber are from American mills.
What is the relationship between Elgin Service Center and K Buildings?
ANSWER: K Buildings is a division of Elgin Service Center, Inc., an Ohio corporation.
Is the K Building a pole building or a steel building?
ANSWER: Actually it is a hybrid or combination building. It combines the strength of steel with the economy of wood.
How flexible is the design of a K Building?
ANSWER: Very flexible. Locations for windows, walk doors, partition walls, concrete floors and drains can all be determined once the structure is built. Future changes to window and door locations can also be easily accommodated.
How does this building compare to post-frame?
ANSWER: The K Building is very competitive with post-frame and often cheaper than an all-steel building. The advantage the K Building has over post-frame is there are no critical framing decisions the builder needs to make since all the fasteners are predetermined and all the clips holding the lumber are welded in place. The space created by the K Building vaulted ceiling turns unusable dead air space of the pole barn into ideal space for lofts, bulk storage or open shop space. Another significant difference are the three concrete foundation options and the elimination of rotting wood posts. The K Building will be built as engineered, exactly how the engineers envisioned.
How does K Building pricing compare to pole barn or post frame construction?
ANSWER: K Building pricing compares favorably to name brand pole manufacturer pricing.
What is included in a basic building package?
ANSWER: Included are the steel main and endwall frames, wood purlins and girts, wind bracing, covering and trim, hardware, fasteners, and anchor bolts.
How long does it take to manufacture a K Building?
ANSWER: Lead times vary within the calendar year. Orders placed in the height of the building season may have a 10-12 week lead time while orders placed in off peak times of the year can expect shorter lead times, often in the 5-7 week range.
How much does the K Building cost?
ANSWER: K Building material-only packages, which include the red iron, lumber, covering and trims, range from $9.00 to $12.00 per square foot.
Is there a warranty on the K Building?
ANSWER: The factory wants to know if there is ever break in the factory welds, regardless if it was an accident, mother nature or a factory issue. There is no time limit on this request. If it is a manufacturing issue, Elgin Service Center, Inc will send people to the job for the repair. If it is mother nature or an accident, Elgin Service Center, Inc will work with the owner to repair the issue. Every building has an ID tag riveted to the endwall with a unique ID number and contact information for the factory..
What can be done during the initial design process to make it easier to add onto the building in the future?
ANSWER: Mainframe end walls are a popular choice for those who expect to add length to their building in the future. The mainframe end wall allows the removal of the end wall verticals, lumber and covering while providing the structural strength and clear span. Future lean-to holes in the sidewall legs can be added in the factory so the building is ready to receive the lean-to at a later date.
What kind of foundation is required for the K Building?
ANSWER: A concrete foundation is required but it can be a concrete pier, monopour slab or foundation wall. Concrete piers or 8″ poured walls are the most common for the K Building.
Can the foundation be included with the structural stamped drawing?
ANSWER: Foundations can be included n the K Building stamped drawing. It is recommended that local professionals size the foundation using the reactions provided in the structural stamped drawing to achieve a more accurate sized foundation based on actual soil conditions. Engineers who are unfamiliar with local soil conditions refer to a book and often assume the worst case scenario and over-spec the foundation, which adds additional cost to the project.
What size piers are required?
ANSWER: Pier sizes can change due to soil consistency and the building design, but assuming we have 2500 pound soil on a standard K Building, the following pier sizes are typical:
24′ / 30′ / 40′ buildings require 18″ diameter piers poured down to the frost line
50′ / 60′ / 70′ buildings require 24″ diameter piers poured down to the frost line
80′ / 90′ / 100′ buildings require 36″ diameter piers poured down to the frost line
Can I use my existing foundation?
ANSWER: Existing flat concrete can often be reused in the K Building but it will depend on the specs and condition of the foundation. Structural foundation elements like piers or poured walls will need to be created specific to the K Building.
What is the snow load of the K Building?
ANSWER: The standard snow load is 20# ground snow load. By replacing the standard 2×6 roof purlin to a 2×8 roof purlin, a 30# ground snow load is achieved. Ground snow loads of 40# and 50# are realized by shrinking the 15′ bay spacing to 12′.
What is the standard wind load of the K Building?
ANSWER: The standard wind load of the K Building with a 41 1/2″ girt spacing is 80 MPH. By specifying a 24″ OC girt spacing, the wind load increases to 115 MPH. Wind loads as high as 140 MPH are achieved by 24″ girt spacing along with 12′ bay spacing.
Can I build a K Building to live in?
ANSWER: Yes, you will need to check carefully with your local zoning authority to be certain of the requirements in your area.
Can the K Building be used for commercial applications?
ANSWER: Yes, the K Building can be used for virtually any application.
Can I build a K Building on my own?
ANSWER: Absolutely! In fact, people often do build their own K Building.. There is a 40-page Installation Guideline available to those wanting to build their own building. Information in the guideline includes the kind of equipment needed along with the tools required. It also provides a step by step assembly process. Technical help is also available through our dealer network.
Can I buy the building and have my own contractor build it?
ANSWER: Yes, if your contractor has experience with either post frame or steel construction they can easily erect a K Building.
Can I buy just the frame?
ANSWER: Frame-only packages are not available but frame and lumber packages are available. The reason for this is the #1 SYP (Southern Yellow Pine) used in the K Building is as much a part of the design as the red iron itself. Using alternative lumber products will impact the snow and wind rating of the K Building.
What are the best priced frame sizes?
ANSWER: The 60′ and 70′ frame sizes are typically considered the best bang for the buck since they are the largest span of the two-part 24″ rafter. The 80′, 90′ and 100′ rafter dimensions change to 36″ and also introduce the keystone as a three-part truss assembly and the price point changes accordingly.
Can I buy just the rafter?
ANSWER: The K Building frame is a full frame, which includes a steel tapered leg or in some cases a straight I-beam leg. The K rafter is not sold by itself.
What are the rafter sizes?
ANSWER: The rater sizes are as follows:
24′ / 30′ / 40′ rafters are 14″ deep
50′ / 60′ / 70′ rafters are 24″ deep
80′ / 90′ / 100′ rafters are 36″ deep
Do you make a rafter that fits onto wood posts?
ANSWER: No. The K Building has a full steel mainframe. Let’s be honest, wood posts connected to steel rafters was never intended to strengthen the building. The structure is only as good as the weakest link.
Can I supply my own lumber?
ANSWER: Lumber will be included as part of the package to avoid alternative lumber like native hardwoods or SPF being used. The engineering of the K Building frame is based on the structural value of #1 SYP (Southern Yellow Pine).
How does the sidewall lumber attach?
ANSWER: Sidewall clips are welded into place at 41 1/2″ spacing. This spacing is very efficient. The first girt is the height for window installation and the second girt is the top of walk doors. This spacing can be changed when ordering to accommodate a higher wind load or for ease in the installation of standard batt insulation.
What kind of door openings are available?
ANSWER: Depending upon the building size, 30′ and 45′ sidewall headers are available on the K Building. Large endwall door openings can also be accommodated and often done at a lesser cost to the sidewall opening.
Can I supply my own windows, walk doors and covering?
ANSWER: Yes!
What are K Building roof pitch options?
ANSWER: A 3/12 pitch is standard on all K Building frames. Alternative pitches are limited to specific size frames, but would include 2/12, 4/12, 5/12 and 6/12 options.
Can I put asphalt shingles the roof of a K Building?
ANSWER: Yes! The K Building frame allows for plywood sheeting, asphalt shingles, solar panels, HVAC runs and liner panel. Beyond the dead load of the building, an additional 5# per square foot can be added to the roof load.
Does the factory offer colors other than red?
ANSWER: No. The Elgin red latex prime coat is the only color available from the factory. Customers often do have their frames painted a custom color on their own.
Is there a loft option for the K Building?
ANSWER: Lofts are a very popular option on the K Building and make great use of the space created by the vaulted ceiling.
How far can a loft beam span between columns?
ANSWER: Factory lofts are often designed to span the width of the building. The loft headers attach on the end wall and at each mainframe. The loft beam itself is designed for columns at a spacing no greater than 20′.
What exactly is eave height?
ANSWER: Eave height is the distance from the top of the foundation to the top of the roof at the eave. Sometimes it is referred to as the height at the square or sidewall height.
Can I remove the wind bracing?
ANSWER: Yes. Wind bracing in the sidewall can be removed so long as certain conditions are met. The roof wind bracing cannot be removed. Always inquire before arbitrarily removing the wind bracing.
Can I remove all the sidewall lumber and covering?
ANSWER: Yes. Sidewall lumber and covering can be removed but the wind bracing, unless approved by the manufacturer, must stay in place.