Frequently Asked Questions About Residential Steel Buildings

Steel buildings are more and more popular with homeowners who want to add storage space, garages, barns and other outbuildings to their property. If you’re considering a sturdy metal building to alleviate your storage needs, you may have some questions about the use, costs and other factors related to steel buildings. This list of frequently asked questions about steel buildings may have the answers you need.

How Much Does a Steel Building Cost?

The prices for steel buildings vary considerably, depending on size, style, finishing touches and other factors. In general, though, you can expect to pay anywhere from 50 to 75 percent the cost per square foot for metal buildings as you would for wood-frame or concrete construction.

Can I Really Put Up a Steel Building Myself?

Smaller steel buildings are ideal do-it-yourself projects for experienced home handymen, but they’re not great for everyone. If you have reasonable DIY skills and some handy friends with muscles, though, you can assemble a metal building kit without a contractor – or any heavy machinery. In fact, all you really need are basic power tools for tightening connectors.

What Kind of Foundation Do Metal Buildings Need?

In most cases, smaller metal buildings, including storage sheds and garages, only require a cement slab foundation. However, the foundation is vital to safe construction of your steel building so most experts recommend that you hire a professional contractor to do the actual digging and pouring of the slab even if you intend to do the rest of the construction yourself.

How Long Will a Steel Building Last?

Most well-made steel storage sheds and garages can be expected to stand for 25 years or longer. Many steel buildings that were erected as “temporary” storage buildings in the 1950s are still standing 60 years later.

Will a Metal Building Rust Away?

Modern steel buildings nearly all ship with powder-coating that is resistant to rust and corrosion, including corrosion from salt air and pollution. As long as the finish isn’t damaged or scratched through, it should protect the metal from rust, acid and other types of corrosion for decades.

What Kind of Maintenance Do Steel Buildings Need?

One of the beauties of steel buildings is that they require very little time and attention. Steel is impervious to rot and damage from insects and rodents. It doesn’t shrink and swell with moisture and doesn’t get waterlogged and frozen in winter. The only routine maintenance your steel building will require is regular washing and cleaning to remove debris and dirt.

Steel buildings are the ideal choice for small residential buildings, such as garages and storage sheds. You’ll find a wide variety of steel buildings for various purposes at brokers and manufacturers’ websites online.