And in these times of TIGHT BUDGETS, survival tactics and “doing what you gotta do” - what else can we really expect??

But PLEASE KNOW — there are very VALID reasons why PERKA’s prices are suppose to be “higher”!

It’s called uncompromising quality, value, service, design.

You have to have conviction in your belief of these!  And clients, you, really need to know the differences before you buy…

We have not stood the test of time on poor standards. Next year is going to be our 30th year as a family business!! You don’t do that with low expectations either.

KNOW YOUR STUFF.   WE SELL IT WITH CONVICTION!  We can only hope you will “buy” with the same!

If all else fails — you CAN know that “cheaper” is available.  In the name of “survival” - as a TEMPORARY measure - we may just have to offer you this as an option!  If it’s what you really really want!!  After all - it’s not wise to sink a ship on principles, right? Or is it?

HERE IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE:  At head office, whenever we are asked to supply sheeting, trims and fasteners, our first choice is CENTRAL STATES MFG.   We are proud to say we are partners with them as they are a class organization with exceptional service, knowledgable and most serving staff, QUALITY PRODUCTS and HIGH STANDARDS!!!!

And when we sell PERKA BUILDINGS - it is our duty and responsibility to make our clients AWARE of the differences.  Meeting these higher standards do cost more, the law of business balance prohibits getting something for nothing.  Besides, their value in the long run can be PRICELESS…

Now if you need to “compete” in these trying days - then make sure you inform your client, or be aware as a buyer, of these differences and compromises.  And then do what you gotta do!  In our case - we’ve just discovered you can get “cheaper” sheeting at 10 and even 20% less! That can amount to $1000-$2000 on a 40 x 100 building!! Now if we did something like that would we still hear: “YOUR PRICE IS HIGHER THAN”!!

Most probably not!!!

And you know what? — YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR???

So Caveat Emptor… BUYERS BEWARE!

Cheers.

Here are just a FEW great reasons why using a PERKA BUILDING SYSTEM just makes perfect sense!!

1. It’s Easy to assemble - the frames FIT together, “like a glove”. 

2. It’s also easy to insulate - especially with P2000 insulation. (www.p2000insulation.com).  

3. It’s easy to finish inside and out - and with ANY material you prefer!   You can really GO GREEN with that!!

4. Furthermore each building can be MADE TO ORDER. You are never forced into any cookie cutter sizes.

5. You deal with friendly, serving and knowledgeable “neighbors” - just like you!

6. The Perka Buidling System is GREAT for DO-IT-YOURSELFERS!

7.  When all is said and done — it won’t cost you any more than most ANY other well designed, well thought out building system. What you might pay more in up front materials, you will save in labor, save in concrete, save on maintenance, have lower energy costs and sleep well with PEACE OF MIND (to name a few)!!!

8. When it comes time to live, work or play in your building - THOSE aspects become PRICELESS!!!

2010 will mark the 30th year since my Dad brought to concept the PERKA BUILDING SYSTEM IDEA.  And 2011 will be the anniversary of the start of the business.   So, over the next several months, I thought I’d share some tidbits of information about “our story”… 

Back in the late 70’s my dad was really getting frustrated with the complexity of how buildings went together.  He’d been an entrepreneur all his life and was an avid DO-IT-YOURSELFER as well.  He was in a BUILDING phase back then, and was in the process of building his own office complex, cottage and warehouse.  Looking for easy to use materials to be able put together a solid, well insulated structure, on his own, was a virtual nightmare. 

So he decided to design his own building frame system using a wood and steel combination. This way he got strength and durability where it served best AND this would be much easier to work with than using all steel!!   At first (1981) he started by having his frame designs manufactured by others.   He could not actually get exactly what he wanted - so he had to compromise.   Until I graduated in 1983.   The business was getting realy busy and he needed some help!  I decided to temporarily help him out…  After a year of frustrations dealing with the existing suppliers who just could not keep up or meet our high demands on design, quality and accuracy…  we decided to fabricate our frames on our own.  We made our first prototypes in late 1984 and by March 1985 we were in our production facility.

And SO our very own PERKA BUILDING FRAMES SYSTEM was born!

To this day we continue to innovate by making the building system easier and easier to work with, assemble, finish and insulate. While you might find cheaper materials to buy elsewhere, at the end of the day you will have saved alot of ibuprofen by avoiding all kinds of headaches.  AND you will have a much more efficient, more durable building that will serve you for years and years to come.

Our next and third generation leaders are now in College with about one year or so to go till graduation!  In the grand scheme of things we’ve only just begun our story… so stay tuned …  it’s turning out to be a pretty good one!

Cheers

A building is a building is a building?  Right?  Or is it??

Many folks often ask us: “How come there is such a disparity in pricing on buildings?” 

The obvious answers are quality, service, dependability, branding, etc.  and everyone should do some homework about these at the very least.  Just comparing prices “online” can really lead you down a path you may not want to be on a few years down the road!

The FACT is: Not ALL buildings are alike!  Just because one guy says he can supply you with a X building for Y dollars…  does not mean that his X is the same as everyone elses!!

Sure he may be giving you an extended ”warranty”…  but check out how long they’ve been around?  Anyone can offer big warranties and not be there to honor them in 10 years let alone 40 or 50!!  Finding out a bit about WHO you are buying from could be a wise move!   Talk to the representative.   Ask questions.  Know the differences that cause one product to be higher than another.  And then you can decide if you can live with the downsides or not?

Here is just an example of one of the issues that can make a BIG difference in the cost!  (Excerpt taken from article you can find at: http://www.ruralbuilder.com/article/Wheeling_TerryFrench/ - talking about the differences in the STEEL SHEETING you might be getting!!)

Here’s a ‘but’ in the issue
In the late ‘90s, some segments of the market said, “We don’t need 40-year paint on the shed over the hill.” If the panel lasts 15 years, they reasoned, that is longer than the structure will last.

A portion of the industry heard the request and, unfortunately, brought back the “straight polyester” paint — the one that faded badly. Warranties on this product are reduced, although some offer 30 years on cracking, chipping and peeling. However, that may not be the paint manufacturer’s warranty, but the rollformer’s warranty. Still, the paint could be gone in 30 years by the chalk/fade process. But if it didn’t crack, chip or peel, there is no warranty applicable.

The real problem is that lower quality paint made for the “shed over the hill’ may end up on the “house on main street.” There, where faded metal roof panels are highly visible, the industry’s reputation is hurt and future growth is compromised.

What is the real problem? Consumers do not always know what they are getting with the warranties.

“Second-tier” rollformers and smaller companies serving local geographic areas sell direct to consumers and contractors. From one perspective, having more product immediately available in the market has made this product more “contractor friendly.” It speeds up delivery of job packs and completion of projects.

This new level of service has expanded metal roofing’s share of the market, especially the residential roofing market. Having product so available has been good for the industry.

The problem is that, in comes cases, the level of knowledge about the product and its warranty is diluted. If a customer calls a small rollformer and asks for a price, he may be told, “Our Number 1 warranted product is X/Ft.” The “Number 1” is the misleading part of the statement if the small operator only stocks polyester. True, it’s his Number 1 product.

Yes, it has a warranty; in many cases that’s the watered-down “crack, chip and peel” warranty, or perhaps a 5-year warranty on chalking/fading. Some contractors understand very well what is going on, but they may sell the product as it was sold to them, and it becomes “a roof on Main Street.”

This is basically a simple market when it comes to paint. The market is probably 95 percent or better covered by two paint systems: straight polyester or siliconized polyester. If the product does not have a 30-year chalk and fade warranty it is probably straight polyester, no matter how many years the warranty states.

Conclusion

As long as there is an inferior grade available to the market, it will be misrepresented by a few. Misrepresentation has serious long-term ramifications for the industry.
 
With hundreds of tier 1 and tier 2 rollformers in the market and no clear industry standards, the prospects of solving this issue through the roll formers has no chance of success. There are no governing bodies to establish standards.

So what should we do? You cannot misrepresent what is not available. As an industry, paint suppliers and coaters have the ability to stop this blight on the industry.

Straight polyester should not be manufactured for the metal roofing and siding market; and coaters should not paint polyester for this industry.

Now is the time to get a handle on this problem. Painted import pressure is at an all time low, therefore timing couldn’t be better to start down the road of saving this industry by making metal roofing and siding the long-term value product it should be.

TEAM PERKA chooses to offer only the best quality products up front.   We’ve been around for almost 30 years now - and we plan on being around for several more generations.  We are a family business.  We enjoy working together.  We enjoy this industry.   We are passionate about our founder’s original dream of providing only quality products we’d be proud to own ourselves.  We plan on realizing it - EVERY DAY!

Cheers

An interesting thing about these unprecedented times we are in is that it does seem “slow” enough that it’s not too dramatic or overwhelming for the most part.   Sure there may be periods of what appears to be CHAOS, and even a bit shocking, but then, with some genuine human compassion, understanding, humility and grace, it all seems to subside and a certain calm returns - even if for a little while. 

As some of you know, my dad passed away 2 years ago this past October.   As I think back I can’t help but feel that he knew something was “coming” - if not even “going on”!

In fact - as I was cleaning out some old files - I found a letter he composed back in May of 2006 which seems to be a foreshadow of the process we are still in.

Here is what he wrote back then in a letter to his co-creators of P2000 Insulation Systems.

As I fly along between destinations of P2000 Insulation’s growing demand and accompanying commitments, I am reminded to take opportunity to be as transparent about our evolution as I can, and always be Thankful to everyone who is shouldering the responsibility of forging new ideals, in new lands of sorts, and with new opportunities.  If you are reading this letter - know that I am very grateful for you, for taking the leap, by joining Team PERKA/P-2000 in it’s still yet youthful “entrepreneurial business” life cycle. Also know that you are not only making a difference in my life, but you are also involved in the grand scheme of making our world a better place to be, and making a difference in all the lives around us. Not only do we enlighten our neighbors by using innovative products like P-2000 & Perka Buildings - but we also serve a bigger purpose by assisting each other in a process of letting go of “old beliefs” that just don’t serve anymore. This is literally a fast accelerating and changing time and we must all adapt and evolve with these times. The idea of Perka/P2000 Insulation is a very good and symbolic step in that direction … socially, economically and ecologically.

As with any pioneering type venture, such as the one we have collectively chosen to undertake, there will be obstacles to get around, go over or pass through. There will be challenges to face, certain “battles” to wage, and some we may even lose. But with conviction, perseverance and a belief in what we are integrally doing and striving for, I believe, we will prevail.  We will reach our goals, matter realize our dreams and attain our united objectives.  In over 50 years of business, and almost 70 years of life, I have learned many things - but one lesson that is an absolute CERTAINTY is this: if one ever QUITS, one will NEVER realize their dreams. As long as one persists, through thick and thin, easy and tough times, “for better or for worse”, then, and only then, can one say that they absolutely and unequivocally “succeeded” in the pursuit. For another cliche/lesson tells us that life, and success in it, IS NOT about any destination or goal – it is about the journey and the way with which we travel it. The true victors, with the most satisfying triumphs, persevere through everything presented to them. One will not FEEL as fulfilled winning a lopsided game.  The best ones are ALWAYS the tight, in close, back and forth matches…

So my friends, brothers and sisters of planet earth, this is our opportunity, we are the ones.  It’s not about price (money), the delivery challenges, packaging, the competition or the “system” that we are stirring about, it’s about our own RESOLVE, as individuated versions of a larger Source. It’s about attesting to our commitment in what we know and believe is good, serving and right. An ounce of doubt will grow into pounds of troubles. An ounce of faith will seed unlimited growth and abundance of all of life’s joys from happy family times to, Peace filled days, health and abundance! It is for us to pursue as our true selves.

I have come to a personal realization that whether I believe it or not, our planet, our world, our humanity, our race is right in the middle of virtually and totally re-inventing itself!  Look anywhere.  Look everywhere!  Just LOOK!  Almost everything is NOW all about getting into harmony with our homes, our businesses, our neighborhoods, our environment, each other - and mostly our planet!  All this talk of “Green and Sustainability” is really about getting in TUNE with what “works” for enhancing our well being as individuals, as a community, as a collective, as the HUMAN RACE!

If we could SIMPLIFY the whole process of this re-inventing process I would like to submit that it boils down to a fundamental notion about “getting into the mind set” of BEING HUMAN IN HARMONY WITH EARTH! 

If we treat her right - she will in turn treat us right with the abundance that she has en masse, and without any doubt!!

So many of us are going through all kinds of varying challenges be it financial, health, relationships…  and in most of the cases I would venture to say that it all starts with something that has gone “out of sync”, “out of harmony”!!    Be it something in our bodies leading to dis-ease, to something related to our “egos” leading to dis-agreement(s), or our Global Economy now suffering from the dis-connect of the ever spinning wheel of “consumption”… leading to economic dis-cord.

If we can find a way to bring these back into harmony, into “rite mind” so to speak…  I submit we could make a huge difference, and quite quickly!

In the meantime - as we “re-member” much of which were in truth already the “ways” of many ancient civilizations…  here is a link that may help us grasp some of the goings on and pick up on some “GREEN SPEAK” at the same time!!!

http://www.metalconstruction.org/design/index.cfm?pg=greendefinitions.cfm

Let’s take some time to reflect and find ways to harmonize, with our selves, with each other, with Earth Mind…  and watch the way our world changes! 

Feel free to voice your comments!

Cheers,

Martial

“If we change the way we look at things, what we look at changes!”

What is the Story of Stuff?

From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It’ll teach you something, it’ll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.

You can click on this link to watch the YOU TUBE video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLBE5QAYXp8&feature=player_embedded

Or you can go direct to their website at http://www.storyofstuff.com/index.html.

IT IS WELL WORTH THE WATCH!

Ever since 1981,  TEAM PERKA has produced steel frames that were always intended to LAST!  We give it a 40 year warranty - but it will probably last even longer!  It’s made of STEEL!!!   Furthermore they are designed to be “stand alone”.   Which means they don’t rely on the purlins, girts and sheeting (the envelope) to give it the full CAPACITY that is needed.   The frames alone are designed to take it - then adding the envelope can actually ADD MORE strength and more durability!   And when you’re done with them - probably in a 3rd or 4th generation from now… you can RECYCLE it!  It’s STEEL!

We believe in the closed loop designing of our frames…  and doing whatever we can to help all our buildings be made as sustainable as they possibly can.

 While there are some debatable comments in her presentation - this video still explains this concept of a closed loop system quite well!  Whether you believe in the extreme situation of where we are as a society or not - there is still ALLOT of merit to being more responsible about consumption and being better stewards of what we DO have.   These are trying times for most of us - and this ideal can go a long way to help us all both in the short term and the long run!!

We believe it’s about getting our facts straight about where we are as a race, where we’re going, where we REALLY want to go, and then collectively choosing to get there TOGETHER! 

Like ANNIE says –   it wasn’t always this way –   WE CAN CHANGE!

Embarking on this living responsibly through sustainability journey which is actually a returning to ancient ways of respect and appreciation for our lands and its fruit, brings one to a realization that LIVING life fully is ART.   We are born with a blank canvas labelled by “our name or identity” and we thus create, re-create and co-create what it looks like and what image (legacy) we will and wish to leave behind…  When you think of things in that LIGHT - it can sure make this process of “doing the right thing” for our planet and our people - an honor, a privilege, a JOY!

Not too long ago I decided to begin a process of re-inventing myself.  Without dad as my mentor, partner and friend - “doing business” just wasn’t the same.   Much changed.  So now I look for fulfilment by the essence he left behind mixing with one that is now redefining not only me, but our world, humanity and our existence.  

It’s “back to the Ancient Future” …  time to rediscover the roots that makes this planet what it truly can be, in all it’s majesty, it’s beauty, it’s wonder –   A WORK OF ART.

For any of you following along the green r-evolution of our world these days, here is another bit of information that can maybe add a few more pieces to the wondrous puzzle of co-creating a better LIFE on this EARTH…  Please feel free to comment on this or any other blog.   The Internet has helped our world become a lot smaller, allot more universal, where we can actually co-create with fellow beings on the opposite side of the world!!   These blogs gives us full access to experiences, ideas, creations, “100th monkey changes” that would have taken generations to discover.  Now we have access to it all virtually instantly - or as fast as we can read, interact and absorb.  It is more accurate, purer and fundamentally inter-connected.   So let’s use it for the greater good it can offer…  and let’s share and collaborate (world wide) to more effectively truly make our planet, our homes, our lives healthier, more peaceful and the loving place to LIVE that they were always meant to be…

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Renewable energy sources are energy sources that are continually replenished.  These include energy from water, wind, the sun, geothermal sources, and biomass sources such as energy crops. In contrast, fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas are non-renewable.  Once a deposit of these fuels is depleted it cannot be replenished – a replacement deposit must be found instead.  Both renewable and non-renewable energy sources are used to generate electricity, power vehicles, and provide heating, cooling, and light.

Renewable sources of energy vary widely in their cost-effectiveness and in their availability across the United States. Although water, wind, and other renewables may appear free, their cost comes in collecting, harnessing, and transporting the energy so that it can do useful work.  For example, to utilize energy from water, a dam must be built along with electric generators and transmission lines.

Renewables themselves are non-polluting, while the structures built to harness them can have positive or negative environmental impacts.  For example, dams may affect fish migration but may also create wildlife habitat.

SOLAR ENERGY:

Solar technologies use the sun’s energy to provide heat, light, hot water, electricity, and even cooling, for homes, businesses, and industry. Despite sunlight’s significant potential for supplying energy, solar power provides less than 1% of U.S. energy needs. This percentage is expected to increase with the development of new and more efficient solar technologies.

Different types of solar collectors are used to meet different energy needs. Passive solar building designs capture the sun’s heat to provide space heating and light. Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight directly to electricity. Concentrating solar power systems focus sunlight with mirrors to create a high-intensity heat source, which then produces steam or mechanical power to run a generator that creates electricity. Flat-plate collectors absorb the sun’s heat directly into water or other fluids to provide hot water or space heating. And solar process heating and cooling systems use specialized solar collectors and chemical processes to meet large-scale hot water and heating and cooling needs.

Solar technologies produce few negative environmental impacts during collector operation. However, there are environmental concerns associated with the production of collectors and storage devices. In addition, cost is a great drawback to solar power. Although sunlight is free, solar cells and the equipment needed to convert their direct-current output to alternating current for use in a house is expensive. Electricity generated by solar cells is still more than twice as expensive as electricity from fossil fuels. Part of the problem with cost is that solar cells can
The parabolic troughs that make up this concentrating solar power system generate power from the sun on a large scale in California.only operate during daylight hours. In contrast, a coal or natural gas plant can run around the clock, which means the cost for building the plant can be spread over many more hours of use.

Around the United States, available sunlight varies considerably as a result of differences in cloud cover and latitude, and also varies with the seasons. In the summer, longer daylight hours and a higher sun angle provide more solar power, compared to the winter when the sun is up for fewer hours and at a lower position in the sky. These variations must be taken into consideration when planning solar collection facilities.
read on: http://www.nationalatlas.gov/articles/people/a_energy.html

There are many initiatives going on ALL OVER THE WORLD.  From governments to grass roots.  The great thing is we’re all pointing to pretty much the same end result: a NEW BEGINNING!   Taking better care of our planet.   Taking better care of each other.   As long as we can make it into a global awareness, a “new” race consciousness - how can we go wrong?

I was speaking with a colleague recently and in our conversation we were kind of like trying to find “new” words for GREEN - or Sustainability - because we were both getting the feeling that we were almost starting to over use them.   We were turning the word “green” into a verb.   While there was nothing really wrong with that - we both felt we just wouldn’t want to turn all this recent “hype” into something that people just end up glazing their eyes over and taking for granted.   All aspects of “GREENING” is very important right now…  Let’s NOT take it for granted!   In fact it was also brought to my attention that if you look around, in almost any U.S. rural town - you will find VERY LITTLE if ANY indication that anyone is “DOING GREEN”!!!  There is allot of “talk” and “writing” and maybe even thinking - which is a great start - but, still, LITTLE is being DONE!

THIS IS A TIME FOR ACTION!  And we must realize that EVERY action, be it turning the tap off between rinses when brushing our teeth, to installing SOLAR PANELS on our roof, WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.  There is so much “waste” already going on - we can make a HUGE difference FAST!

If you haven’t already - you can start simple - change your light bulbs, shorten your shower time, control your thermostat, seal up your homes, insulate…  AND, if you are in a position to build NEW, take a little bit of extra time and PLAN. 

Below find a GREAT article presented by the US department of Energy - encouraging us to build with awareness.  http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/commercial_initiative/whole_building.html

THE TIME FOR ACTION IS NOW.

We at TEAM PERKA are committed to be part of the solution.

Cheers

Whole Building Design for Commercial Buildings

Whole building commercial design considers all components and subsystems during the initial design phase and is the most important step in achieving net-zero energy buildings. On this page you’ll learn more about whole building commercial design and find related information.

Integrated Design Is Critical

Whole building design takes into consideration site, energy, materials, indoor air quality, acoustics, and natural resources. The design team must be fully integrated early in the process to address how these elements work together. The team should include architects, engineers, building occupants and owners, and specialists in areas such as indoor air quality, materials, and energy use.

Integrated building design changes the way architects, engineers, and project teams design buildings and leads to much higher energy performance. To be successful, project teams must:

• Set specific and measurable energy goals
• Develop strategies to meet the goals by planning from the top down and evaluating from the bottom up
• Create a structure that encourages communication among team members
• Make each team member accountable for successfully implementing the strategies
• Evaluate progress toward the goal frequently.

Benefits

Compared to conventional buildings, whole building design reduces the amount of energy required to operate a building by incorporating energy-saving technologies. Benefits include:

• Reduced energy use by 50% or more
• Decreased maintenance and capital costs
• Less environmental impact
• Increased occupant comfort and health
• Improved employee productivity.

Invest Design Savings into Energy Efficiency

Architects, engineers, and project teams can make design decisions that reduce the financial impact of energy-saving technologies. For example, siting a building to maximize daylighting reduces the cost of lighting for the lifetime of the building. In addition, optimizing building envelope design will reduce heating and cooling costs. Savings from these design strategies can then be invested in higher quality windows or controls, which will also reduce energy use.

The High Performance Buildings Database provides business cases for projects across the United States and around the world. The energy, economic, and environmental performance of high-performance buildings is substantially better than standard practice.

Maybe it was because he hated having to pay utility bills when he knew there ought to be a way to tap into all the FREE energy Mother Nature provided.    He was always ahead of his time on allot of these beliefs - so he kept looking for “other ways” …   Among other outside the box ideas, he came up with the Perka Steel Web Truss designed frame back in the early 80’s, this after looking at many other fabricator’s feeble attempts at putting a practical building truss frame together.   He wanted one that didn’t need rubber gloves, an engineering degree, a welder, a set of torches and the patience of Job just to handle!   And he certainly didn’t want one that leaked like a sieve or wouldn’t stand up to winds and snow!  

So he said - “let’s make a frame that is high in quality, that was easy to put up, that was going to FIT when our client’s get it , was designed to help make the overall building be as energy efficient as could be and was clearly worth every penny in value.

PERKA BUILDINGS was born, and from a few napkin sketch concepts dad drew up, we then put a battery of Engineers and detailers together and made sure there would be no cutting of any corners for building code loadings or strength in the structural design.   Note that this was back in the early to mid 80’s - when most drawings and calculations were still done by hand.   We invested tens of thousands of man hours in those designs.   Then we actually questioned any and all do it yourselfer minded family, friends, neighbors, shop workers, staff, managers, distributors and sales reps and took the time to think, ask and discuss what would a DO-IT-YOURSELFER want to see in a set of building frames?  Frames that would go together and up easy and not cause them to become flustered by just too many details.   We took thousands of notes on that.   And then he basically said - “everybody KEEP LISTENING, forever, tools will change, people will change, the times will change.   So if you hear anything from any client, neighbor, relative or friend that gives you an idea of something to do to the frame that can make it even better without compromising integrity or efficiencies - then DO IT!”   And we did.   And we still are.   In our 25+ years we have never really mass produced our assembly guide.   In fact 0ver the last 25 years we’ve maybe added several dozen more features to our many various designs to make things easier and to also adapt to the changing times.   And we’re still listening. 

And then dad researched and consulted with many experts on what makes a building more energy efficient.    The biggest thing that stood out was doing whatever it takes to the frame design to help minimize if not STOP the heat loss from conduction, convection and radiation.   So we did that too.   We made our frames easier to accept super insulators like P2000 Insulation, that can address all these “heat losers” all in one swoop.    We also designed our frames first and foremost to use wood purlins and girts to create the much needed thermoBREAK otherwise created by steel to steel contact found in most other steel frame buildings.  It also added a layer of protection or forgiveness if one did not use one of these super insulators.    Then we also spaced these purlins and girts closer (2′ on center typically) to create a tighter seal to help stop the convection heat loss.   If the air/wind can’t blow THROUGH, neither will the heat!!!   Then marrying the Perka frames up with high reflective materials like light colored metal sheeting or mylar (plastic) covered radiant insulation blockers as opposed to a metal like aluminum, we more fully address the radiation heat loss as well.  By answering to all three of these heat loss transfers - we have essentially co-created one of the best super insulated structures available on the market!

That said…  we can still easily go even beyond energy efficiency from insulation, and truly LIVE the BUILDING GREEN mandate.   To live his point, though ironically just before he passed away, dad built his own 2006 version of his “GREEN” dream home and got to live in it for at least 6 months.  

He used a Perka hybrid steel wood structure custom designed frame system, specially conceived for the high capacity loads of Canada’s colder and more snowy climate.  It was also modeled to allow the structure’s shape to flow naturally with the slope of the land he was on - to keep some of the sacred flow he felt there.   (Rumor was that the land used to be some very ancient native sacred burial ground - though we never found anything during excavations). 

This very unique home was then super-insulated using the P2000 Insulation system with it’s plastic/Mylar reflective covered expanded polystyrene core.  (The Mylar is not a metal like aluminum which can conduct heat - but the highly reflective material gives it as much radiant blocking abilities as it’s counterparts!)   To added extra assurance he also used a high reflector, and yet aesthetically appealing, copper colored standing seam steel roof panel.   The roof was also structurally designed to be capable to eventually receive solar panelling  (which would have been in his future plans, had he not so suddenly passed away).  

Then to minimize waste, and maximum sustainability and the GREEN aspects of his process, Dad also calculated the use of his material drops to finish trims and small wall areas, he used locally bought cedar shakes and region wood planks for wall coverings on 3 exterior sides as well as for most of the interior walls.   He used slices of trees cut from his land for wall covering on back exterior wall, field rock from cleaning his own 3 acres for barrier and retaining walls, used mostly locally purchased secondary materials from either town yards, ”new and used” suppliers or local mills, recycled 95% of the wood material drops for burning or re-use, recycled all the surplus steel to local scrap yards or back to the factory suppliers and even had future plans for rain water capture off his steel roof, plus plans for the addition of a green house and organic garden.  He was the epitomy of DO IT YOURSELF!  He even did most of the daily cleaning and sweeping to keep the work area organized and safe for his locally selected tradesmen.

The point being here that Building Green for dad meant not only energy preservation from the home’s day to day use, but also in optimized material consumption and in harmonizing with what was already available WHERE HE WAS.   The thing he transported up the furthest from his area were the custom designed steel frames which he got from (me) and our factory in Missouri - his son!  And that’s about as ORGANICALLY GREEN as that can get!!  LOL!

The moral of this may be that the next time we sit down to plan a new building, be it as supplier, builder, tradesmen, owner or friend - it might be worth the extra time and effort, in the name of sustainability for our Mother Earth, to look around at all the places we can be more aware of the many things we can do as it regards to what it really means to build GREEN.  Like for my Dad, this process produced not only a beautiful and most comfortable home, a legacy to his family, but it also produced a PRICE LESS gift to our world by reducing his carbon footprint as much as he consciously could at the time.

The bar of our awareness is being raised - let’s build consciously!!!

Cheers!

Martial

P.S. - If we look at things from the BIG PICTURE - it can sure change the way things really are!  And some things truly are just PRICELESS…