Finishing Components of 21st Century Steel Buildings

When you’re purchasing a steel building, there are a number of options that you’ll have to order separately, usually at an additional cost. They’re not really “optional” in the sense of being unneeded. They generally include doors, windows and insulation, which are among the necessities for a finished building. Other components for steel buildings offer choices in type or style, such as screw-down or standing seam roof systems. A basic rundown of some of the options available for steel buildings can help you prepare to make decisions about the structure you’re ordering.

Doors

If you’re planning to use your metal building for equipment storage or for garaging a vehicle, you’ll probably want to include a full-size door at the front or back wall of your structure. You can usually choose from sectional doors, roll-up overhead doors and sliding doors in addition to standard hinged doors. Sliding doors are available in sizes from about 10 feet to 30 feet in width. Most manufacturers and suppliers of steel buildings offer a variety of door styles in a range of colors to match or contrast with the color you choose for your walls and roof.

In addition to a full size door, many people choose a pedestrian door, or walk door, so that people can enter and exit the building without opening the entire front of it. Those doors come in many standard sizes and styles, including Dutch doors and screen doors. You should choose the door you want to use before ordering your building so that your steel building will have the appropriate size cutout and framing to hang your door.

If you’re using the steel building as an aircraft hangar or for boat storage, you might choose hangar doors instead of other traditional doors. They’re available in a number of styles, including stacking, sliding and bi-fold hangar door styles.

The trim kit that usually comes with your purchase provides gutters and corner caps for your steel building. If you want a more attractive, finished look, consider purchasing eave canopies, roof overhangs that run the entire length of your building along the sidewalls. The overhang ranges from one to eight feet, and are available with and without soffits.

Windows are another important customization option for steel buildings. You can choose from wall lights or from skylights if your roof can accommodate them. Skylights are especially popular options because they can increase the energy efficiency of your building and improve the atmosphere with natural sunlight from above.

Finally, most suppliers of steel buildings will supply liner panels to finish the interior of your building professionally. For more finishing options, check with the manufacturer or supplier of your metal building.

Floor Plan Options Are Wide Open in Steel Buildings

If you drive around any city or town, you’ll see that the trend in construction is toward steel buildings. While there are many reasons for the popularity of metal building construction, a major part of the appeal is versatility, both inside and out. One very big selling point of steel buildings is that the most common methods of construction provide a wide-open floor plan and a much more economical use of interior space.

There are two major types of steel building construction – pole building and arch construction. Both provide a clear interior space because all of the building weight is held by the exterior walls or metal poles. That means you don’t have to compromise your floor plan for the sake of load-bearing walls, columns or beams.

The result is a great deal of versatility in planning the interior of steel buildings that’s especially evident in residential storage buildings and garages. You’ll have wide open, barn-like interior spaces that you can leave as is or divide up in any way you like. You can even choose to use modular walls and screens so that you can easily rearrange your interior space when you want to add offices or reshuffle rooms.

In barns, garages and warehouse buildings, the open space makes it much easier to move around the interior. You can easily maneuver machinery around the interior without worrying about walls and columns getting in the way. It also means that you can easily reconfigure your storage and equipment space to suit your current needs.

If your reconfiguration includes adding more space, you’ll find that adding on to steel buildings is considerably easier than building an addition onto conventional construction. In many cases, adding more space to your steel building is a simple matter of removing one of the end walls and extending the roof and sides, then recapping the end with the original wall.

 The flexible interior, along with the far lower cost, contribute greatly to the rising popularity of steel buildings for residential purposes. A mid-size building provides plenty of interior space to fit several rooms – or leave the interior completely open to take enjoy the spaciousness. You can choose to bolt interior walls in place permanently, or take advantage of one of the many modular interior packages available for use with steel buildings.

The versatility of steel buildings continues to provide advantages over the years. Because there are no load-bearing walls that must be considered, the ability to rearrange the floor plan can be a major selling point when you’re looking for tenants or planning to sell your metal building.

Dos and Don’ts When Buying Steel Buildings

Steel buildings are so versatile and affordable that they’re the perfect solution to many building needs, from garages to home offices to small retail spaces. When you work with a reliable and reputable supplier, you can order a steel building that’s custom-designed to your specifications, but there are some important things you should know before you plunk down your deposit and sign on the dotted line to accept your new purchase. These dos and don’ts of steel buildings can help you avoid disaster – or at least ensure that you’re satisfied with your new garage, storage building or home workshop.

Check With Your Local Code Office Before You Buy

Local codes and requirements vary widely and your steel building must meet all local codes. Your supplier can’t engineer your structure to meet a standard he hasn’t read. It’s your responsibility to do that part of the legwork. Even worse, there are many areas that don’t allow the construction of steel buildings at all. You don’t want to be stuck with a building on order that you can’t use.

Never Assume Anything is Include

If it’s not clearly stated in writing, don’t assume that it’s included. Often, steel buildings only include the basic shell of the structure. Always ask if something you want is included in the price or if it’s an optional inclusion.

Get It In Writing

Along the same lines, make sure you get any changes you ask for in writing. Never accept a verbal promise for anything. The manufacturer must abide by the contract. If it says “red walls”, that’s what he must supply, even if the salesman promised you a blue building verbally.

Don’t Sign a Contract Until You’re Comfortable

If a salesman pushes you or pressures you to sign a contract or make an agreement, consider carefully whether you want to buy your steel building from someone who doesn’t respect your concerns. There are plenty of suppliers out there who will make sure that you’re ready before pushing you for a commitment.

Changes Cost Money

Once you’ve received your final quote and agreed to it, any changes that you request will cost you money. There’s no such thing as a “small, structural change” when it comes to steel buildings. Once the process has started, even a small, seemingly insignificant change can force many other changes. If you want changes, you’ll pay a price for them. Bottom line, make your changes before you buy.

Steel buildings are affordable, easy to erect and offer many benefits and advantages over other types of construction. Keep these important factors in mind when you’re shopping for a steel building and you’ll end up with a much more satisfying experience.

Things to Consider When Erecting Steel Buildings

When you choose steel buildings, there are a few issues you should keep in mind and consider to make sure that you get the best structure for your purposes and make all the right, important choices. Some of these are basics that must be considered with any building. In many cases, choosing a steel building kit or choosing among the prefabricated or custom-engineered steel buildings available will solve problems you might encounter in your planning and building.

Budget

Your budget is obviously a major consideration when choosing among the many options available for steel buildings. Because metal buildings are inherently more affordable than other types of construction, though, you’ll find that your budget goes further when building with steel. Be sure to factor in the cost of pouring a foundation, if necessary, and the cost of shipping your metal building components from the factory to your worksite. Finally, be certain that you consider the cost of any trim or finishing materials that aren’t included in the cost of your steel building package.

Trim Packages

Most manufacturers of steel buildings also provide optional trim packages, or include basic trim in the cost of the metal building package. The most basic trim includes gutters and trim to fit over the seams where the corners of the building meet, including the roof ridgeline. Always check to find out if your package price includes the trim or if you need to pay for it separately.

Doors and Windows

Most steel buildings include openings for doors and windows, but not the actual doors and windows to fill those openings. Generally, though, you’ll have to choose the doors, windows and skylights for your metal building project when placing your order so that the openings can be cut to the right size for proper fit.

Site Preparation

You’ll need a level site prepared for the construction before your building arrives. If you can’t do the site preparation yourself, you’ll need to budget for it and make the proper arrangements to have your site leveled and foundation poured in time for your building to be erected.

Permitting and Inspections

Before ordering a steel building, check for any requirements with your local code and zoning office. Most cities have specific standards that your structure must meet, and some don’t allow some types of steel buildings – or any steel buildings at all – in some zones. You may have to file architect drawing with the zoning office, or arrange to have the site inspected before, during or after your building is erected. Any manufacturer of steel buildings will work with you to make sure that the building you order meets the required standards, but you have to know what they are!

Careful planning and attention to detail will ensure that you make the right choices when you’re shopping for a metal building. No matter what your requirements are, you’ll find that there are many steel buildings on the market that meet your needs.

Great Features of Steel Buildings

If you’re considering purchasing a steel building for the first time, you should get familiar with the features, benefits and uses of steel buildings in today’s world. Metal buildings are rapidly becoming the most popular choice for small residential additions, including garages, home workshops, storage sheds and other types of structures built on residential property. Steel buildings are also very popular in rural areas as animal shelters and barns, as well as to store farm equipment and farm produce. These are just a few of the many reasons that steel buildings may be the best solution for your storage and other building needs.

Save Money

From less expensive materials to lower maintenance costs over time, steel buildings offer considerable cost savings over conventional building construction. Steel is one of the more affordable building materials, and choosing a prefabricated metal building can be one of the most economical choices you can make for small building construction. Over time, steel buildings use less energy to heat and cool than traditional buildings, and need far less maintenance than buildings made of wood or concrete. Overall, you can save as much as 50 percent on the overall costs over the lifetime of your steel building.

Easy to Construct

Pre engineered steel buildings come complete with everything you need to assemble and erect the finished structure. The easy to understand and follow construction drawings simplify the building process, and the pre-punched, pre-drilled and pre-cut building components make it easy for even novices to put up their own metal buildings. Small metal buildings don’t require any specialized tools, making them a popular do-it-yourself project with many homeowners.

Meet Local Codes

When you order a steel building, you’ll work with the manufacturer to ensure that your new structure meets all local building codes. Every steel building is customized to meet the building codes and standards for your area, and should come with stamped engineer drawings that you can submit to your local building authority if required.

Shorter Time to Occupancy

Because your building is delivered ready to assemble, the construction time is greatly lessened. If you’re doing the work yourself, you and a few friends can often put a metal building up in a weekend. If you choose to have your building erected by a local contractor with experience in assembling steel buildings, they can often have it up and ready for you to move in within a day or two. The shorter construction time is yet another money saver.

Great Looks

Customize the many styles of steel buildings to fit right into your landscape. You can choose from a variety of colors and siding options, and add windows, doors and trim that make your building completely unique.

Compare prices on steel buildings from several different manufacturers and suppliers. You’re sure to find a metal building that is perfect for your needs.

Accessories for Steel Buildings

Steel buildings offer many advantages. They’re economical, environmentally friendly, low maintenance and durable. They can be used as garages, boat houses, workshops, retail spaces, home offices, storage sheds – in fact, if you can imagine a use, a steel building is probably one of your best options. The difference between a steel shell and a finished steel building that’s perfect for your use is usually the accessories you choose to finish your construction. If you’re considering one of the many steel buildings as an alternative solution to your storage or building needs, it’s important to understand the additional accessories your building may need to make it habitable and usable.

Foundations for Steel Buildings

While some steel buildings require almost nothing in the way of a foundation, others will require a strong, sturdy foundation to meet local building codes. There are two basic types of foundations for metal buildings. The type you choose for your building will depend upon your building’s purpose.

Portable Foundations

Portable foundations are made of heavy-duty 14-gauge steel and bolted to a concrete perimeter with anchor bolts. Portable foundations offer a few important advantages: they provide mobility, require less time and are easier to construct and require a smaller concrete footer.

Permanent Foundation

Most steel buildings for residential properties use a concrete slab foundation. While you can pour the foundation yourself, many metal building manufacturers strongly suggest hiring a professional contractor to lay the concrete. Even if you’re planning on assembling the building yourself, you should consider hiring a professional to be sure that the concrete foundation is perfectly flat.

Doors

The base price for steel buildings usually does not include the cost of the doors, in part because there are so many choices for door types. If you’re planning on driving equipment in and out of your building, you should install either an overhead garage door or sliding doors to allow access. Pedestrian doors are also popular accessories for metal buildings because they allow easy access in and out of the building without having to open the entire front or back.

Windows and Skylights

Skylights and windows provide natural lights, and, depending on their location and the way the building is situated, may also help with heating the building. Your windows and skylight locations should be part of the planning for the building because they can change the stress points in the structure and affect the engineering. Skylights are particularly popular in steel buildings because they reduce energy costs and provide attractive, natural light.

In addition to these standard accessories, you should also consider the best types of insulation for your metal building. Steel buildings, because of their tightly fitting construction, can have a problem with condensation. Insulation limits the condensation issue and keeps your building snugger and dryer.

Ideas for Steel Buildings

If you’re considering a garden shed or storage building for your home, a steel building may be your best option. Unlike wooden structures, steel buildings require little maintenance and are easy enough to assemble that many homeowners put them up as do-it-yourself projects. A metal building can provide space for the storage overflow in garages, attics, closets and spare rooms, providing more space for you to use in other ways. Choosing the right style and type of steel building ensures that you have the best solution for your needs. These tips can help you make the right choice for your steel building.

Choosing the Right Size Steel Building

Metal buildings come in a wide variety of sizes, so there’s bound to be one that’s just right for your needs. You can choose the right size by planning out how you’ll use the structure and figuring out what needs to fit inside it. There are standard sizes for garages, but what about storage sheds or hobby shops? These steps will help you plan for the right size steel building.

Measure the height, width and depth of the equipment you plan to store in the building, as well as any shelves, worktables and supplies that you plan to keep there.

Using those measurements, draw out a floor plan on graph paper and start placing your items (with measurements, of course) in place on the graph grid. This will give you a visual idea of how much room you’ll need to store the belongings you want to store.

Once you have a base size in mind for your steel building, add 20%. That’s about how much more space you’ll actually need than you think you’ll need according to most industry experts.

Check Local Requirements for Steel Buildings

If you’re only building a small storage shed, you may not require any special building permits, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Every city, town and county has a code and building office. Before you make specific plans – and especially before you order a steel building – check with your local building code office to find out what specific standards your building will have to meet. This is especially important because some towns don’t allow steel buildings at all, while others have very specific requirements for where they may be located on your property.

Where to Put Steel Buildings

Choosing the placement for your storage building can make all the difference in how useful it actually is to you. When making a decision on location, consider how you intend to use your new building. Will it be used to store seasonal items and not much else? You can put your new structure somewhere out of the way since it doesn’t need to be accessibly regularly. Do you plan to use it for regular garden storage of items you’ll use frequently? You’ll want a location that’s easily accessible from your garden.

Apart from considerations of accessibility, you’ll also need to consider the amount of space you’ll need to assemble the steel building, and you’ll need to choose a location that’s accessible from the road so that the materials for your building can be unloaded.

Steel buildings are useful in so many ways. Taking the time to consider exactly what your needs are and how a steel building can fill them will help you choose the right building package.