Floor Skid Fabrication
While other manufacturers use two 2 x 6's nailed together for the all important base structure or floor skids of their buildings, we at Lark use only solid 4 x 6's that are precision trimmed, tapered, and dadoed for our floor skids. When we require skids that are longer than our available timbers, we mortise the splice and make the connection using six 4" galvanized lag bolts. This assures the uncompromising strength and durability of our buildings.

Floor Frame Assembly
All of our floor joists are connected to the skids by being nailed and lag bolted at each dado to assure that the base of our buildings have superior wind uplift protection. On the skid ends, we not only double lag bolt our headers at a 45 degree angle to the skids, we also hurricane clip them for additional holding power.

Plywood Installation
One of the most unique features of a Lark floor is the way we prepare our floor structure for the installation of square edge plywood. While most manufacturers use T&G plywood, we use only square edge. The reason we use square edge plywood is because it provides maximum strength and outstanding appearance. Instead of relying on a thin tongue of wood to carry the floor load at the seams, we precision dattoe all of our floor joists, placing a treated 1 x 4 equally between each sheet of plywood at the seams, preventing uneven fit, sag, or distortions. Not only is the floor system more aesthetically pleasing, it is more durable. Why do we do it the hard way? Because it is the best way.

The wall structure on all of our wood frame buildings is constructed using # 1 Southern Yellow Pine lumber. The reason we use Southern Yellow Pine is that it is much stronger and has a higher stress rating than spruce or most other species of lumber. All walls are assembled with 2 x 4's placed 24" on centers with 2 x 4 top and bottom plates connected diagonally with heavy gauge steel T wall bracing for superior shear wall protection. Each 2 x 4 is connected to the top and bottom plate with heavy gauge hurricane clips, four clips on each 2 x 4 on the sidewalls and 2 clips each on the end walls.

The walls are connected to the floor structure with 4" lag bolts placed every 16 inches. This system of bolts give the structure superior up lift protection not provided by nails or straps that are nailed. From the hurricane clip connections on our roof rafters to the hurricane clip connection on all of our 2 x 4's, you have a continuous uninterrupted positive connection from the roof to the floor. There are no weak points in this system to compromise strength.

Another unique feature of our end gable wood frame buildings is the use of steel hat channel lathing to hold the fasteners used to secure the roof. While wood lathing is good, it is not as stable as steel, creating the possibility of fasteners backing out over a period of years causing leaks or damage. This is far less likely to occur with fastener connections made into steel. When we do put roofing fasteners into wood, we use only stainless steel fasteners, especially designed and engineered for use in wood.

Sheer Wall Bracing with 60" End Door

Roof Joist with Collar-Tied Truss Plate Connections

Vaulted Wall and Roof System

Side Wall with T-Wall Bracing and Top Plate Hurricane Connections