Carl,
I am considering building a home using Post Frame construction on a basement, similar to what Morton Buildings uses. The vertical posts are attached to the top of the foundation wall using metal anchor brackets. What are the drawbacks, if any, to this type of construction?
Thank you,
Ahrens
Hi Ahrens,
For those unfamiliar with the term Post Frame Construction, Post Frame, or Timber framed, construction involves using large posts and beams to form the structure of the home. The frame of these homes is usually self-supporting and doesn't need load bearing interior walls thus allowing large open spaces within the structure.
A few of the advantages of PFC (Post Frame Construction) are large open spaces & striking design.
Courtesy of Vermont Timber Works
The few disadvantages are:
1. The building’s design must be an “engineered design”. Your building inspection department will require this to be so…as should you.
(Before any reader writes and says that’s BS, that farmers have been building barns using PFC for centuries without an engineer involved, let me say this; barns have been know to collapse and most barns are built without getting a building inspection department involved.)
2. It takes a more experienced (with PFC) carpentry crew to build a PFC home, just like it takes a more experienced crew to build a log home, steel framed home, etc...This translates into more money.
3. Electricians also need to have more experience, PFC or Log home experience would help, because the wiring in the exterior walls will not be conventional.
4. Insulation will be more expensive (thicker), BUT more energy efficient. You can even use Structured Insulated Panels (SIPs).
"The vertical posts are attached to the top of the foundation wall using metal anchor brackets."
Courtesy of Morton Buildings, Inc.
Good luck,
Carl
