Now the Fun Part
Posted 08/26/09
Your Powerbilt steel home is shipped from the factory with an easy to follow assembly manual. When your steel home kit arrives, it would be helpful to unload and lay out the different components in their order of assembly, and be sure to check all parts against the shipping invoice to confirm that you have received everything that you need for assembly of your steel home.Step 1. As you will be constructing your steel home from the bottom up, the place to start is with the concrete foundation. Powerbilt recommends that you pour a simple floating concrete perimeter with trough for the steel arches. Base connectors are available for existing foundations.
Step 2. Assemble the arches of your steel home on the ground. They will bolt together easily using only one size of bolt and fastener. The polyethylene washers create a weather tight seal for your steel home.
Step 3. Next, slide the assembled steel arches into the foundation trough and raise to an upright position. If you are assembling and erecting half arches, basic supports or scaffolding will hold them in place and speed up the erection process.
Step 4. Continue progressively raising and joining the arches together to form your steel home. Precision engineering ensures that the arches will fit snugly together. If you are working with half arches, you can lap and bolt them together to create a full arch.
Step 5. Next, seal the arches at their base with concrete if you are working with a trough or bolt them to their base connectors if you are working with an existing foundation.
Step 6. You are now ready to add finishing touches to your steel home, such as endwalls, doors, insulation, windows, ventilators, and skylights.
As with any project, learning from the experiences of a fellow do it yourselfer can give you a leg up with your steel home assembly project. Here are a few hints that may help you.
Foundation
Be sure to lay your steel home foundation on a level, smoothly graded surface free of tree roots.
Assembly
It is a good idea to leave a little give on the bolts until you have completed assembled your home. Then you can make sure that all the arches are aligned properly before twisting the bolts firmly into place.
Personal Safety
Always keep in mind that you are working with metal and some edges may be sharp. Be sure to wear protective gloves and clothing when assembling your steel home.
Materials Storage
Do not leave your kit components exposed to the elements. Metal parts should be covered with a weatherproof tarp and stored on a slant to prevent moisture accumulation during periods of rain.