Steel Buildings – The Questions You Need to Answer

Thanks to advances in design engineering and metal fabrication, steel buildings are easier and more affordable to build than ever. That’s made them very popular for construction projects of all sizes and types, from factory buildings and warehouses, to barns and residential garages. Before you decide on the best metal building design for your needs, though, it’s important that you answer a few questions for yourself. The better you understand your own needs, the more likely it is that the design engineers can create the perfect steel building design for you. Consider these questions carefully before contacting a steel buildings supplier so you’ll have the answers ready when the salesman asks.

What Will You Use Your New Steel Building For?

A garage is a garage – but will you be putting two cars in it? Three? Do you also use your garage for storage? Do you want a roll-up overhead door or will the frame have to support a motor for an automatic door opener? Will you want to expand your metal building in the future? A little extra planning and expense now can save you a lot of cash in the future.

How Big Should Your Steel Building Be?

Steel buildings can be built in nearly any size. Obviously, the size you choose will be constrained by the amount of space you have to build on, but it’s not the be-all and end-all determinant. Research shows that most people underestimate the amount of space they actually need. That’s why most experts recommend figuring out how much space you think you need and then adding 20% to the measurement. And again, if you think you may need more space in the future, it makes sense to add the extra square footage now. Expanding your steel building in the future will involve removing the end cap, disrupting your use of the building and adding wall panels that will probably always look like an afterthought. In short, expanding steel buildings in the future is considerably more expensive than planning ahead and paying a little extra now for your future needs.

Which Type of Metal Building Is Right for You?

There are many different basic styles of steel buildings, and each of them offers specific benefits for different uses. Take the time to research the various styles and types of metal building to figure out which of them meets your needs best.

What Kind of Accessories Will You Want?

Keep in mind that steel buildings generally don’t come with the accessories you need to complete anything but the frame, walls and roof. When you specify “doors,” what you’ll get is a wall that’s got a door opening at the place where you want to place your door. It’s important that you let the design team know what accessories you’ll be adding to your building – windows, skylights, sliding doors, mezzanines, cranes or hoists – because they’ll have to make allowances for those things when they work up the design.

Knowing what you need before you start talking with a steel buildings supplier will make it easier for you to get exactly the building you need for your use. Don’t shop without knowing what you want. The more you know, the better your purchase will fit your needs.