Foundation Requirements for Steel Buildings

Steel buildings are a popular option for people thinking of building garages and house additions, farmers adding new barns and commercial property owners of all types. They’re especially popular with congregations who want to build a new church and with municipalities who need temporary classroom space in steel buildings. One of the big draws for people who plan to erect steel buildings is the fact that most metal buildings don’t need full, dug foundations like other types of construction do. That doesn’t mean that you don’t need any kind of a foundation for a steel building, however. In fact, the durability and safety of any metal building is directly tied to the quality of the foundation you provide for it.

At the very least, your building will require concrete footings to anchor your structure securely in place. This will create a solid foundation are and keep your building from shifting after it is erected. If you don’t mount and anchor the building properly, the safety engineering cannot be guaranteed. These are some of the things you should consider when deciding on a foundation for your steel building.

Local Ordinances

Your main guideline should always be your local building codes and standards. They’re developed with safety in mind and will be specifically tailored to the environmental and climate extremes your building is likely to face. There may be special conditions, such as sandy or marshy substrate, ground freezing, flooding or high winds, that you’ll have to take into account when placing and creating the foundation for steel buildings in your area.

Building Size

The size of your metal building can help you decide whether to choose footings or a poured slab foundation for your project. Smaller steel buildings are often fine with pier footings in the appropriate places. Larger buildings may need a more solid foundation, while others will just need more anchors around the perimeter of the building.

Building Use

The use of your new building can also help determine whether concrete anchors will be enough or your building or you need a concrete slab foundation. If you’re planning to occupy your building as an office or workshop, for example, you’ll probably want a solid slab as a floor. If it’s meant to be an animal shelter or carport, on the other hand, concrete anchor footings may be all you need to keep your building comfortable and secure.

Before you make your final decision, talk with an expert adviser on steel buildings to help you figure out what kind of foundation you’ll need for your use.