If the words “steel buildings” bring to mind rows of unattractive, galvanized steel hoop buildings, it’s time to update your perceptions. Times have changed, technology has improved everything and steel buildings are no exception. In today’s world, steel is a flexible building material that offers multiple options for colors, size, framing, style, roofing and accessories. Developers and contractors discovered the advantages of building with steel decades ago. Today, homeowners are discovering those same advantages when it comes to building storage buildings, home offices, garages and other outbuildings on their property.
Cost Advantages of Steel Buildings
Many of the advantages of steel buildings relate directly or indirectly to their cost. Building with steel is more affordable than it’s ever been, thanks to the ease of working with prefabricated steel building parts. When you choose steel for your buildings, your material costs start out lower than the materials costs for stick-built construction, but that’s just the start of the savings.
Save on Foundation
One of the bigger expenses when you build with wood is the need for a dug foundation. Many steel buildings need only a minimal foundation or none at all, which saves you a considerable amount of your cash up front. When your steel building does require a foundation, you can often build safely on a cement slab foundation, or on pier footings, both of which are considerably less expensive than a full basement foundation.
Shorter Construction Time
Because your steel building kit comes ready to put together, “construction” is more like assembly. If you’ve chosen to have your building constructed by a contractor, this means you’ll be paying for far less of the construction crew’s time – as little as a day or two for small storage buildings. If you’re putting up a commercial building, you’ll be ready to open and get up and running in much less time than if you had chosen a traditional wood frame construction. Based on industry figures, you’ll save up to 60 percent on your construction and materials costs.
Easy to Expand
Adding onto a steel building is far easier than expanding any other type of construction. In most cases, you can simply add another unit to the back end without interrupting your business or services at all. Your cost savings on expansion are comparable to your savings for the original construction.
Virtually Maintenance-Free
Steel is an ideal building material, renowned for its strength and flexibility. Unlike wood, steel won’t crack, rot or mildew. It won’t become infested with mold, termites or other pests. Most dealers of steel buildings offer multiple finish options, including powder-coated steel in many colors and stucco or brick finishes. No matter what the finish, maintenance is generally a matter of washing down the building a couple of times a year to remove surface dirt.
If you’re considering building a storage building, garage or a hobby room for your home, consider the many advantages of steel buildings when making your choice of construction. You’ll find you get far more for your money when you choose steel.
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