How to Choose Quonset Steel Buildings

Quonset buildings are among the most popular styles of steel buildings on the market today. They’re based on the design of Quonset huts that were used by the British and adopted by the U.S. military during World War I. After the war, many of the leftover Quonset buildings went on the surplus market and were bought up by farmers and ranchers throughout the West and Midwest who recognized the many benefits they provide for storage, animal housing and garaging heavy equipment.

Today, you’ll find three basic styles of Quonset buildings offered by manufacturers of steel buildings. Understanding the benefits of the three styles of Quonset steel buildings can help you decide which one is the right one for your needs.

Q Model Steel Buildings

The most familiar of all steel buildings, Q models are the least expensive style and provide a number of benefits for storage and agricultural uses. The standard hoop shape construction provides the most cubic footage of interior space, making them especially popular for grain storage and heavy equipment storage. The sloping sides mean that the center point is higher than the area along the sides, though, so if you’ll need clearance along the sides of your building, Q model may not be the metal building for you.

S Model Steel Buildings

S model Quonset buildings look more like barns than like a Quonset hut. They have a domed roof and straight walls, which gives full clearance along both long sides of the building. That makes S model Quonsets a better choice for use as garages and barns. They’re not as structurally sound as Q model metal buildings, but they’ll still stand up to heavy winds and snow loads, making them a good choice for the Northwest and Midwest agricultural belt.

P Model Steel Buildings

If you like a more traditional look to your outbuildings, then the P model Quonset building is the choice for you. These metal buildings have pitched roofs and straight walls, so they fit into nearly any setting. They’re very popular for use as garages, workshops, barns and storage buildings in areas where appearances are important. On the other hand, the pitched roof is the least able to withstand the strong winds common in the flat lands of the Midwest and the heavy snows common in the northern agricultural areas.

No matter which style you choose, though, steel buildings are attractive, durable and require very little maintenance, as well as being among the most cost-effective types of construction for agricultural and other uses. Choosing the best model of steel buildings for your needs will ensure that you get the best value for your money.