Helpful Ideas for Designing Steel Buildings

Steel buildings are made to meet each individual customer's needs, so when you order one, you’ll be able to make it your own by customizing it.  That sounds nice, but it can also be unnerving if you haven't designed a personal space like that before. Dealers and makers of steel buildings typically work with engineers and sometimes have a difficult time working with someone who isn’t used to the industry.  Here are some tips that may help in designing your steel building to be it's exactly what you want.

Know How You Plan to Use the Building

Think about how the building will be used – will you be storing something specific in it? What might you be doing inside the building? What types of entrances will you need?  With a clear concept of what you want your building to be, it will be easier to explain your ideas to the steel building architect. Say you know that you want to use the building as a garage for your two cars—that makes it easy because the steel building manufacturer already knows the minimum space required for garages built for multiple cars. Maybe you want to use the building as a workshop too. You'll need to consider other factors such as adding space for work benches and other equipment, plus allowing for power sources such as generators or outlets and possibly even plumbing.

Similarly, most steel building manufacturers know the minimum size specifications for barns for the various types of animals you may want to house, along with the best type of design layout for this type of space.  When it comes to barns and other types of animal housing, make sure to set aside space for food storage and any other necessary equipment. And remember, the more thought out your idea is, the easier it will be for you to design your steel building.

Consider the Size of Your Building Site

Take measurements of your building site, but remember, those measurements may not give you an exact idea of the size that your steel building should be. There are many places that have strict requirements when it comes to the sizes of steel buildings.  You may have to account for all sorts of factors like distance from the street or from other buildings. You may also have to consider other factors like the location of power lines or underground pipes.  These types of obstacles can limit the area that you’re able to build your metal building in.

Get the Building and Code Requirements from Your Local Building Permission Office

Major considerations for engineers and design departments are the building codes and requirements for steel buildings in the different areas of the country.  You can get this information from your local zoning and code compliance office.

These are just some of the basic things to consider when deciding to erect steel buildings.  As you start to consider your options more clearly, the shape of your new metal building will come into focus and soon you’ll have just the steel building you need.