Steel Buildings Offer Vital Versatility

Steel buildings offer many important benefits over conventional structures and conventional construction. They’re generally more durable than wood and more affordable than masonry. More importantly to many people who choose a metal building, they offer unmatched versatility in both style and utility. The popularity of steel buildings continues to rise as more and more people recognize their utility as more than just garages and barns.

The Basics About Steel Buildings

Steel buildings get many of their best qualities from the way they are made. Unlike most conventional construction methods, which call for building the entire frame and walls on site, steel buildings are pre-engineered and pre-fabricated with the components delivered to the building site ready to assemble. The construction crew doesn’t have to cut and measure anything, drill holes in anything or fabricate anything on site. It’s all done before the pieces are delivered. The only work required on site is bolting the steel frame pieces to the foundation, assembling the walls, and bolting them into place through pre-drilled holes. Most of the complicated fitting and welding is done in advance, so you only have to put the pre-assembled pieces into place. That reduces the amount of skilled labor required to actually erect a steel building which also reduces the costs associated with construction.

Metal Buildings Through the Years

Steel buildings first became popular in the post-war years, when the Quonset buildings that had been used overseas became the models for aircraft hangars, equipment storage buildings and grain storage buildings across the Midwest and Northwest. At the same time, metal building manufacturers began developing clear span construction and other methods of constructing steel buildings that were used to erect factories, warehouses and, yes, skyscrapers. These days, the same methods used to construct Quonset buildings are used for a wide variety of building styles, providing the benefits that made them the choice of the military – quick construction, portability and versatility – combined with more attractive styling and structures that are better suited to the environmental challenges of different areas.

Of all the benefits offered by steel buildings, however, few are prized as much as their versatility. The construction configuration for most metal buildings provides a completely open interior space that can be configured to meet any needs you may have. The open floor space makes metal buildings the ideal choice for home workshops, garages, barns, home offices, retail stores, churches, auditoriums, temporary classrooms and more. If you’re in need of more space on your residential or commercial property, a steel building could be the perfect, affordable solution.