Alpine Custom Builders

MicroFoil is a clean, non-toxic, easy to install, self-taping reflective foil insulation and vapor barrier that provides increased comfort, energy efficiency, and lower heating and cooling costs. It dramatically reduces heat gain and heat loss in your structure by reflecting the radiant energy!

Reflects Heat – MicroFoil effectively reflects a heat source as opposed to absorbing and dissipating it as fiberglass insulations do. This reflectivity works both ways: radiating summer heat outward and retaining winter heat inside.

Easy to Use – Because MicroFoil is made with plies of Microfoam (an extremely low-density, flexible polypropylene foam), it is much lighter weight and easier to handle than other reflective or fiberglass insulation products.

Smooth Finished Surfaces – MicroFoil will provide equal or better insulation properties when compared to much thicker 2″-3″ fiberglass insulation, but will not produce an “oilcan” effect like thicker insulation can. MicroFoil is made with high quality reinforced aluminum foil film or a finished white reinforced polypropylene aluminum foil film. Choose the white-foil finish when a clean washable interior finish is needed and to give your structure a brighter look.

Condensation Control – When installed correctly, MicroFoil provides an excellent thermal and vapor barrier, greatly reducing condensation build-up.

Simple, Safe Installation – In addition, MicroFoil does not contain hazardous chemicals or materials that can cause itching or allergic reactions and all that is needed to install is a utility knife and staple gun. It does not require masks or long clothing for installation. To make installation fast and easy, every roll of MicroFoil has a patented self-taping flange running along one edge eliminating the need and the extra cost of seaming tape.

How Do I Get A Free Quote?

It’s easy to get a free quote from Alpine Custom Builders.  Here at Alpine Builders, we specialize in creating quality, custom post and stud frame buildings. Whether you need custom shops, garages, or storage and equestrian buildings: Alpine Builders can build it. We are experienced builders and we will be there to guide you every step of the way as we help you create the custom building of your dreams.

To request a quote for your post or stud frame building, there are two ways to easily get started. 1.    Call our office at 406-777-7101 to be connected with a salesman. He will ask you what specifications and details you want on your potential building or project and estimate a price based on current building and labor rates. 2.    Fill out a contact form through our website, or email [email protected], with as much specifications and details you can think of. You will receive an email in reply with an estimated price. (The salesman may need more detail to provide an accurate estimate, this form of contact may need additional information via email or phone conversation.)

Questions you may be asked…. What size building do you need? Do you have a budget? How many windows, doors, or garage doors? Do you want an overhang or wainscot siding?

It may be helpful to have a picture or drawing of a building that is similar to what you are looking for. If not, that’s ok. We are happy to help you get started making your post frame or stud frame building a reality!

This year has been one interesting year… filled with some ups, many downs and a whole lot of personal growth.At Alpine Custom Builders, we have experienced our greatest growth year yet. At the beginning of the year, we didn’t know what the economy was going to look like, but fortunately, the building industry has kept going strong, and in our case, great leaps and bounds.Mid-year, we expanded our office space, hired a production manager and incorporated new software systems which makes our office staff’s job easier but more effective.We built our first shouse (shop house) for a satisfied customer. We look forward to doing more of these in the future! We are looking forward to many highlights in 2021 and sharing them with you! www.alpinebuilders.com

Amish craftsmanship has been said to be some of the finest in the country. If a business produces something that is Amish made, it is most likely built with quality and care.

As the founder and owners of Alpine Custom Builders, Mike Petersheim and Anthony Yoder remember their Amish heritage. Though they no longer identify with the religion and lifestyle, they still value the work ethic and morals that they were taught from a young age.

The Amish are also notorious for their barn-raising skills. If a member of their community is in need of a barn, they plan a frolic where as many as 10-50 men (depending on the size of the community) raise a whole barn by the end of that day. In very plain circles, these barns are sometimes built with no electric tools, just hand tools and manpower. This is just their way of life and they are very skilled in it.

Learn the difference between batt, blow-in & spray foam insulation. Depending on how you want to use your future building, you may want to consider insulating. No matter the climate in which your building is located, insulation will make it more comfortable in the warmer or cooler climates. A structure with properly insulated exterior walls and roof, has fewer drafts, holds its temperature better, and costs less to keep comfortable. Generally, there are three different kinds of insulation; batt & blow-in & foam. Batt insulation generally comes rolled up in layers with varying thickness that you can cut to size and install with staple guns. Because it is usually made out of fiberglass fibers, it often punishes installers with itching and scratching. The R-value and cost of batt insulation varies based on the thickness and type of density. The U.S. Department of Energy says a 3.5-inch fiberglass batt provides an R-value of 11 at a cost varying between 12 cents and 16 cents per square foot. That same batt in high-density form such as blown or foam delivers an R-value of 15 and costs between 34 cents and 40 cents per square foot. That is a lot of additional cost for a relatively small gain in insulation value. This is why batt insulation is cheaper in cost.

At the high-end of the R-value and cost spectrum is the 12-inch fiberglass batt. Is carries an R-value of 38 and costs between 35 cents and 60 cents per square foot. The thicker batt works great for insulating external walls and the rooftop.

Batt insulation has been around for many years and has insulating qualities that ensure it’s use for years to come. Blown insulation is a more recent invention that simplifies that installation process. It is usually used in buildings or houses after the interior walls or ceiling is already finished. You simply cut a hole in an existing wall or ceiling and blow in the insulation. It is usually made with a combination of fiberglass and treated cellulose, similar to batt insulation but is much easier to install. The blended insulation provides an R-value of around 32-38 per square foot. Loosely blown fiberglass alone carries an R-value of about 22-27 per square foot. The depth and thickness of the blown insulation affects the R-value as well as the blended amounts of fiberglass and cellulose. Similar to blown insulation, spray foam is a new development in the industry. One of the unique abilities of spray foam is getting into small cracks and crevices, unlike batt insulation which can leave a crack for air to get through. Once the foam is applied directly into the cracks, it expands and dries quickly while blocking air and water. Depending on where you live, foam insulation can lower your heating and cooling bills. Even though the initial investment is bigger than other types of insulation, it actually saves you money on your bills in the long-term It’s also a good option for those of us who value privacy. The open-cell spray foam insulation blocks noise better than any other type of insulation. When properly applied, there is no reason each of these three types of insulation cannot last the lifetime of your home. Whichever you choose, all manufacturers say they will last a lifetime. For practical purposes, that means 100 years. Insulation only decomposes or loses its insulating quality if other factors impact it. Exposed walls, flooding, and similar issues are about all that could cause problems for your insulated home. So long as you maintain your structure properly, your insulation should last a lifetime. The best way to ensure the longest life from either batt or blown-in insulation is to have them installed professionally. Although it often looks simple to most homeowners, it is easy to improperly install insulation and get reduced life and efficiency from the job. Careful preparation and using skilled and experienced labor can make the job last much longer.

“How long will my project take to build?” is something we hear often at Alpine Builders. The answer, unfortunately, isn’t an easy one to answer without digging into some details first. If you have a desired completion date in mind, you’ll be able to work backward in developing a timeline, however, there are many factors to consider.

Complexity and size are the most important factors in estimating a build time. A simple residential garage or agricultural project can be built in just a few days, whereas a large, complex project like a complex horse barn or a post frame house can take longer, several weeks or even several months.

Additionally, there are many things to consider apart from the actual physical build time that can impact the overall time it takes to complete a project:

Build Location & Site Location

Is the site level? Is there a dirt or gravel pad prepared that the building will sit on? Is the location you have selected attached to any building covenants? How well does the site drain? Are there overhead obstacles like power lines and trees? Is there an existing safe working area around the site? Just getting the site ready for construction will take time. We recommend hiring a professional excavator to prepare your site pre-build.

Crew Availability

Your potential contractor or building company will have an existing schedule of current and upcoming projects they’re busy working to build and will have to fit your new project into that schedule. If subcontractors are needed for items like concrete, electrical, plumbing and HVAC, your project schedule will have to incorporate them as well.

Weather

Of course, you will have to take weather into consideration. Ice, snow, rain and mud can all add to the overall timeline of your project, as construction crews cannot always safely or effectively work in these conditions. If you’re curious as to what ideal building weather is – most crews like to work in 60 to 70 degrees on a partially sunny day with a minimal breeze, but our amazing building crews will build in any condition they safely can.

Material Delivery Schedules

Most likely, if you hire a contractor, they will set up a schedule for material to be delivered a couple weeks or days, before the building is about to begin. This doesn’t mean that a delay can’t happen, but because a contractor is experienced in the art of scheduling and works closely with trusted suppliers, delays rarely happen.

Design Services

Working with your builder to make all the decisions necessary to start a project will take some time. Developing the initial design, choosing your colors and finishes, and completing a final architectural layout can take a few days or even weeks. Making any changes to the design by adding features like doors, windows, porches or changing major details will require a Change Order and will also add to the overall timeline.

Architectural and Engineering Approvals

If your project is a home or commercial space, you’ll need to get stamped plans. This process can take several weeks to get completed. You also want to be aware of any covenants or county/city requirements that can affect the design of your building.

Permitting & Inspections

The type and number of permits and inspections required for your project will obviously depend on your local codes and building authorities. You’ll want to get started early to understand the rules governing your location and avoid construction delays. If you live in city limits, contact the city building and zoning department. If you plan to build in a rural area, contact the county building and zoning department.

Financing

If you need to finance your project with a loan, it can take a few weeks to several months selecting and working with a bank to secure the funds. Most banks will want to see a building plan or estimate. Your contractor or engineer can help provide you with those building plans.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

A post frame building consists of engineered columns (also called “posts”) that are buried in the ground, 8-10 feet apart. Post-frame construction uses columns that transfer the roof load into the ground and engineered trusses to give you clear span options on your building design. Stud frame buildings (sometimes called “stick frame” or “traditional construction”), are generally built over a basement or concrete slab with the framing studs and trusses every 16 or 24 inches apart. The stud wall construction transfers the load of the building to the concrete foundation.

From the Ground Up

To compare total costs between stud frame building vs. post-frame construction, let’s start at the beginning with site preparation and foundation considerations.

For a post frame structure, the only site preparation needed is a level surface, such as a professionally excavated rock base and gravel pad. Since the structure is supported of treated wood columns buried 3-4 feet into the ground, flooring is not essential to the overall integrity of the building. This makes an inexpensive option if additional flooring is not required or will be added later.

Stud frame structures are built on a pre-poured concrete foundation. This requires more site-work to be completed before building starts.

Cost

Post frame structures are built with Engineered support columns buried in the ground, 8-10 feet apart vs. a stud frame structure, 2x studs are every set 16-24 inches on a foundation, making post frame more cost-efficient when it comes to buying materials.

Stud frame is ideal for finishing the interior but requires more material.

Design and Expandability

With the support posts set 8-10 feet apart, post frame allows for wide, clear spaces that work well for a variety of applications. Some of those applications are office space, warehousing, retail stores, vehicle storage, fire departments, auto retailers, and more. If expansion is needed, creating larger entryways and windows is simple when connecting the old and new spaces.

Traditional construction is better when it comes to interior load-bearing walls. This is ideal for complex home designs.

Energy Savings

Insulating a post frame structure vs. stud frame, the cost is mostly what differs. In stud frame, insulation in 24-inch wood stud spacing, on a medium-sized building will have hundreds of insulation “breaks”. Therefore, allowing energy to escape through the vertical wood studs. With blown insulation rising to popularity, this is becoming less of an issue, because the insulating mixture thickly coats any “breaks”.

With post frame buildings, you can apply the insulation in continuous segments that span the eight-foot spacing. Due to the thickness of the support beams, the wall cavity is deeper, providing more insulation capability, if needed.

Which Option Is Right for You?

Modern post frame structures are highly engineered, and economical options for virtually any building. In recent times, many schools, churches, civic buildings, fire and police stations, and many beautiful private residences have post frame designs. It’s practicality, energy efficiency, durability, sustainability, short completion time and lower cost have won over many decision-makers.

However, traditional stud frame construction is still well-used and preferred by many, and maybe a better option depending on your project design.