Why Montana Post Frame?

Product Comparison

A Solid Foundation
Montana Post Frame uses precast concrete foundation “cookies” at the bottom of our posts or we do “earth poured footings”. We never dump dry sack concrete and rely on ground moisture to set the concrete. This is too risky and does not ensure proper thickness and strength. We also never pour concrete around a treated post as this will cause the post to rot faster due to chemical properties in the concrete. The moisture in the concrete becomes trapped around the post, expediting rot.

All columns are set at least 4’ deep to ensure strength and prevent frost heave on the building.

When our Perma-Column post system is used, we will often pour a concrete collar footing around the post to prevent uplift and add strength to the building.

Montana Post Frame uses uplift blocks on the bottoms of our columns to prevent uplift.

When a continuous footing, foundation wall, or monolithic slab is used we then anchor the columns to the concrete by using Sturdi-Wall brackets to properly attach the post to the concrete.

Columns
Montana Post Frame offers 2 types of columns or posts:

Treated Laminated Columns:
Montana Post Frame uses laminated columns that are stronger and straighter than conventional 6x6 or 8x8 posts. Laminated columns are stronger and less expensive than full dimensional posts. The treatment against ground rot is done on individual 2x6’s or 2x8’s versus an entire 6x6. The treatment has to only penetrate 1-1/2” of wood compared to 5-1/2” of wood, so the entire column of a laminated post is treated. All treated material will dry and then warp to some degree. When laminating the columns, the process removes the warps and straightens the column out. On a 6x6 column, once the post is treated, it will then dry and likely warp, there’s no way to correct it.

Perma-Columns:
These are concrete extensions of the wood columns so that only concrete comes in contact with the soil. This eliminates any chance of rot. Your concrete floor will be in contact only with concrete portion of the post. Rot on the wood begins where it meets concrete or soil. www.permacolumn.com

Walls
Montana Post Frame uses 2 types of wall systems:

Conventional Girts:
Montana Post Frame’s conventional girt system uses 2x6 No. 1 Grade lumber or Machine Stress Rated lumber on the outside of the posts. They are installed upright, flat against the posts and spaced 2’ apart. Anything greater in spacing becomes a nuisance down the road when you want to work on the interior. Also the wind loads will do more damage to the steel cladding when there isn’t as much support.

Bookshelf Girts:
Montana Post Frame uses a unique bookshelf girt system that is much stronger and better quality than standard practices. We use a two board system that uses 2x4 on the outside of the posts just like our conventional girt system along with a 2x6 or 2x8 flat between the posts. This will prevent the 2x6 or 2x8 bookshelf girt from sagging which makes it more difficult to finish the interior. The 2x4 outside girt still allows for predrilling the steel cladding and making nice straight rows along with giving that extra support to the bookshelf girt.

Roof System
Montana Post Frame utilizes 3 types of roof systems to better suit your specific project:

Montana Post Frame System:
The Montana Post Frame System installs 2 wood trusses per post. These trusses are set on each outside ply of the laminated column. The trusses are then bolted to the middle ply of the column. Purlins are 2x6 or 2x8 spaced 2’ apart and are fastened upright on edge on top the trusses and staggered to give more strength to the building. This is much stronger than a single truss system with 2x4 roof purlins.

Traditional Roof System:
Our tradition system is used when customers would like to finish the ceiling of the building or the span is too large to use or Montana Post Frame System. This uses truss carriers on top of the posts and use wood trusses 2’ or 4’ apart. We then use 2x4 purlins spaced 2’ apart installed flat on top of the trusses. This system tends to cost a little more than our Montana Post Frame System.

Legacy Steel Truss:
Our Legacy Steel truss is what truly sets us apart. These trusses are steel constructed that utilizes a unique design far different than steel framed buildings. These trusses create only vertical loads on the columns, therefore, wood posts and typical post frame construction can still be used. These trusses allow us to clear span up to 170’ without middle supports. These trusses also offer a 3/12 interior vault ceiling pitch giving your 33% more space and head room inside your building.

Steel
Montana Post Frame uses Fabral steel cladding. There are 21 different colors to choose from. We also offer galvanized and galvalume panels. The steel has 10 layer of protective coating to ensure longevity. It uses a high performance Enduracote paint system and an anti-siphon side lap design for excellent weather tightness. It is Class 4 under UL 2218 for hail impact resistance. It is Class A under UL 790 for fire resistance. Fabral offers a Lifetime Warranty on the film and a 30 Year Warranty against fade and chalk. Choose your colors online using Fabral’s online Color Visualizer www.fabral.com/colorvisualizer/.

Many Options and Accessories
When it comes to accessorizing your building or features, there’s no limit with what Montana Post Frame can offer. We have hundreds of products varying from wainscoting and skylights to Dutch Doors and Bale Doors. You can find out more about the many features and options under products.