Quonset Huts

Durability

Steel buildings are known for their durability. While some of that comes from the inherent strength of steel, much of it also comes from its engineering and prefabrication. When you choose a building that is factory manufactured, you get the benefit of both factory engineering as well as precision forming and cutting. All of this lends itself to a building that will be durable enough to last for generations.

Construction Time

When constructing a building from traditional building materials like cinderblocks or wood, you need to measure and cut pieces on-site as you're building. This slows down the building process and adds difficulty. Quonset construction on the other hand have their components pre-cut and drilled at the factory so assembly is primarily just a matter of bolting it all together.

Save Money

When choosing the right building for your needs, don't forget to look beyond the initial build costs. While steel buildings can be less expensive in the initial build phase, where they really save you money is in the long term. Reduced maintenance, a longer life, and lower insurance costs all add up to save you money.

Customizable

The shell of a steel building is essentially a blank slate. You can customize the outside structure in terms of dimensions, colors, doors, windows, vents, etc. Since the walls are all self-supporting, you’re left free to customize the interior however you want.

Fire Resistant

Whether it's a lightning strike or an electrical fire, fires do happen. It's virtually impossible for steel to burn in a normal setting, but a stick building on the other hand can be a bit of a tinderbox. Protect your valuables by choosing the right type of building.

Longevity

The longevity of a steel building comes down to a few factors but they include the durability of steel itself. The thought-out design process of an engineered structure. There's minimal maintenance needed for a simple structure like a steel building versus something with multiple components like wood framing and cladding.

Less Foundation Issues

Since steel doesn’t need as much framing as wood does, less weight is placed on the building foundation. Because it weighs less, there isn’t as much settling. As such, the odds of expensive foundation issues developing helps improve the lifespan of your building and the changes of an expensive future repair is drastically reduced.

Low Maintenance

Because of their longevity, a building provider will typically offer you a 2-decade-long warranty. You can expect your metal building to last for generations with proper upkeep.

If you choose a painted option, the paint on these buildings is baked on so the colors will not fade away. As such, metal buildings will have their aesthetics maintained for decades. Metal does not succumb to harsh elements like wooden sheds do. Therefore, the upkeep required on your end will be minimal.

It's Rot Free

Organic elements invite fungal and microbial growth. Because wood is an organic substance, it is vulnerable to organic infections like mold and rot. Steel, on the other hand, is not organic. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about pests being invited by bacterial growth.

Pest Resistance

Whether it's termites, carpenter ants or another form of vermin in your area, a steel quonset hut building is your best defense. Traditional wood buildings can be gnawed at creating holes and a perfect environment for harboring critters. Steel keeps your building sealed, blocking the pests out.

Energy Efficiency

When these buildings are properly insulated, it can reduce energy bills by as much as 50%. A steel building will use various appliances like an air conditioner or heater to retain the temperature based on the season. Skylights can also be added to use natural sunlight versus electrically powered lights.

Eco-Friendly

Metal buildings like quonset huts are eco-friendly, believe it or not. When steel is used to build something instead of wood, forests and trees are saved. We, as people, are dependent on trees to keep our ecosystem going. Ongoing deforestation results in devastating climate change consequences. Once the building is done with, it can be entirely recycled and the metal used to create other products.

There's also less waste with the manufacturing of a quonset hut building because the pieces are cut and drilled at a factory which can then recycle the cut metal scraps. When you're building a wood structure, quite a lot of end-cuts go completely to waste.

Retained Value

Steel quonsets that are constructed well will retain their beauty exceptionally, which, in turn, retains the building’s overall value.

Easily Expanded

Remodeling a quonset building to add more space is quick and easy if you decide to do so after construction. Enlarging the structure at one end-wall simply requires ordering extra frames and matching the initial structure. Adding extra space onto the sidewalls necessitates another steel building that adjoins the original one.

DIY Possible

If you're a handy person and are looking for a building to construct yourself, then look no further. Since these buildings are factory manufactured, they come with instruction manuals to make for a simple building project.

Since Quonset Hut Kits are each individually engineered and manufactured for your needs, there are no standard prices. This may seem odd, but it's with good reason.

In most states, any building over 100 sq. ft. will need to get approvals from your local building department. Quonsets make this easy by being pre-engineered and typically coming with stamped drawings (be sure to ask about this). In order to have a building approved it must meet local building codes and it's these codes that determine the amount of 'load' your building will have on it from wind, snow, etc.

The thickness of steel (gauge) required for those specific loads will vary based on the size, profile and even use of your building. There are some other factors that may come into play as well such as if the building will be smaller than another structure right beside it, they may need to account for additional snow load.

Because steel is not inexpensive, a supplier must know how to gauge the building for your specific size, location and use before being able to provide a quote. A 20x40 building in one location could cost far less than that same size of building 50 miles away which is at a higher elevation.

If you'd like to see some sample prices, you can do so lower on the page where we've posted prices and reviews from some past quonset purchasers.

Good question. The answer is, they're both.

We also call arch buildings, Quonset huts which gained popularity during World War II. Metal ribs which interlock are used to form the sides and the roof of the structure. We use arch buildings for garages, storage buildings, sheds, and garages. Since the construction methods are simple, they are often used for a do-it-yourself type of project. Per square foot, they are less expensive when compared with other buildings. The drawback is that the structure is not customizable or adaptable. They can only have doors and windows in the end walls and not on the sides. As you move from the center of the building, the overhead clearance goes down.

You have two main factors which will influence the Construction and design of a Quonset building. The first one will be practical or the actual use of the structure and the second one is going to be legal.

When looking at the practical side you have to understand exactly how the building is going to be used. You might need a warehouse, for example, this would have to have doors that are high enough so forklifts can drive through them. A steel structure also requires a foundation and this is usually made with flat concrete slabs.

You need to look at the legal considerations because there can be different building codes in each state which will apply to your structure. These codes include things such as wind load, snow load, and how much of each your structure can withstand. They are always changing so you need just speak to your council planning department or your city. If you're building an emergency vehicle garage for example or a church then it there might be certain conditions on that building that might push your code requirements to a higher level.

You also have to look at things such as drainage requirements, local zoning laws, and energy codes. There can be strict energy codes that will require you to use more insulation so that energy is saved and that the building is” green” and its carbon footprint is reduced. when you use proper insulation then the building is more efficient and within the first year, it will pay for itself as you will have reduced cooling and heating costs.

When you are thinking about your design you will have both legal and practical considerations. For example, if you have a retail building then you will need handicap access and appropriate parking and this will fall under both of these categories.

Many arch steel building suppliers can help you research the codes necessary that you need. Most of them aren't going to ship you a building that won't meet the codes in your area. you have the responsibility to meet these codes yourself.

Building codes don't change that often. lawmakers are discussing whether they should base codes on a 10-year. Rather than the hundred-year weather cycle which is often used. This is because the weather patterns have been changing in recent years. building codes provide the safe use of a building when conditions are normal.  Today we have to deal with wind speed, snow load, exposure, collateral load, and earthquakes in a changing environment. How we Define what is normal for a structure is changing rapidly and the codes aren't keeping up.

A broker or manufacturer doesn't want to sell you a structure that’s substandard. They maintain databases of the building codes throughout the country but usually don’t depend upon the information.

You should have the broker, or the manufacturer list the codes that your building meets and then go to local officials and verify them before any contract is signed. Never sign a contract with a supplier that wants you to sign before things are verified. It’s up to you to ensure the codes are right.

You will want to ensure that their engineers are certified for your state and that they'll be stamping the drawings. This last step may not be 100% necessary, but it could save you a lot of time at the local inspector's office.

The name 'Kwanzaa Hut' is actually a very common misspelling of 'Quonset Hut'. These are semi-circular buildings made out of arches that are bolted together. This type of structure is very versatile and used for many purposes.

People often get the spelling mixed up, but Kwanzaa is the name of a celebration that honors African culture and heritage. It starts on December 26th, the day after Christmas, and lasts for seven days. Kwanzaa is rooted in principles of community building through unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics and righteous political organization. All with an emphasis on social justice.

A Little more about Kwanzaa if You're Interested...

Kwanzaa is a celebration that honors African culture and heritage. It starts on December 26th, the day after Christmas, and lasts for seven days. Kwanzaa is rooted in principles of community building through unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics and righteous political organization. All with an emphasis on social justice.

Kwanzaa is a celebration of family and community. Quilts are often given as gifts to signify love and the warmth shared by people in these relationships. The Kwanzaa celebrant will also prepare food for their guests who are traditionally invited into their home on December 26th. This meal should include at least three courses: a sweet dish, soup and corn bread.

The first three days of Kwanzaa celebrates African heritage in the following ways. On December 26th, participants open presents (which is to signify that their ancestors had nothing). On December 27th they make quilts for family members. Finally on December 28th they share joyous songs and poems.

The next three days of Kwanzaa (December 29th-31st) celebrate African American culture with a focus on family values and tradition. The quilts from the first day are then opened and distributed as gifts to other members of their extended family, while they also prepare food for guests who are invited into their home on December 29th.

The final days of Kwanzaa, December 31st-January 01, celebrate African American culture with a focus on community values and responsibility. Quilts are opened for guests who come into the home on Dec 31; then they prepare food for friends or relatives arriving at their house to give them gifts on Jan 01.

While every construction project has its issues, the prefabricated nature of quonsets means that there are fewer variables involved. When you're building a traditional structure from wood, brick or concrete, you'll find more can go wrong than with steel panels that are pre-cut, drilled and delivered right to you.

Every job is different, but below is a typical building process for you to reference:

1. Design - Before you can proceed with work you need to outline the size in the shape of the structure. You need to know what interior walls you're going to use and the type of the roof that will be placed on it. You need to know the location of doors, and the number of each that you want. you need to take into account any cosmetic enhancement or extras that you're going to place on the facade.
2. Engineering - Once you have paid a deposit and you have a basic design completed then you need Blueprints and specifications drawn up by an engineer for your structure. blueprints specify the loads the building has to withstand to meet codes, and, the materials that should be used in construction.
3. Fabrication and delivery - Once you've signed off under the blueprints then the production is going to begin. At a factory, the roof panels, sides, girders, post, beans and fasteners that are going to hold your building together will be produced. Once everything has been made, your quonset hut kit will be shipped to your construction site. Parts will be pre-cut to the dimensions that you need, they will be pre-drilled and ready to be put together. This step will take around three to six weeks.
4. Site Work -While your components are going through construction preparation at the building site can begin. A steel building will require a foundation and this is usually done with poured concrete.
5. Construction - Once the foundation is ready and the components have arrived then the construction process will begin. With a quonset steel building this process is likely easier than you would think.
   1. Each arch portion will come in a variety of pieces. First you will need to create the individual arches and lay them down on the ground.
   2. Next, you will need scaffolding or some ropes and ladders to raise the arches upright and bolt them together. Repeat this process until all your arches are upright.
   3. Finally, you can finish off the end walls with the material provided from the factory. If you chose not to get end-walls and instead make them yourself, a common practice, then it's an easier process than with a standard building because the end walls on a Quonset are not load-bearing.
6. Finish Work - Interior walls (if required), insulation, doors, exterior finishes, windows, Plumbing, and other finishing work is done to finalize your structure and make it something beautiful.
7. Walkthrough - Once the structure is completed then a building inspector has to walk through it. This is done on any construction project.

Hopefully, that helps answer some questions about the process you'll go through. If there are any other questions, we recommend you submit the free no-obligation quote request above and ask a building specialist.

Here's a great timelapse video showing the entire process from pouring a foundation, to raising and bolting together the arches.

This isn't a small purchase. You'll want to ensure that you're working with a company that has your best interest at heart, and a reputation to match. Here are some questions to ask a supplier who provides you with a quote:

• How many years have you been in operation?
• Can you supply blueprints that are engineer certified?
• Do you offer guarantees on your prefab steel buildings?
• How long will it take to make and deliver my structure? (If it’s on the lot, you’ll get it in a few days. (It also helps you avoid a salesperson that pushes a “closeout special”)
• How will you ensure that the building meets codes in my area?
• Do you have an area of expertise? (Such as large structures. Others may have more focus on garages or hangers and not commercial or retail buildings)

Check with the BBB (Better Business Bureau) in the area where the supplier is located. See if any complaints have been filed against the company. Try to ask for references from the company. If they give local references, ask if you can go and see the building.

Yes, all quonsets are clear-span style buildings. This means that there are no interior columns or supports required.

A clear-span building has obvious benefits over non clear-span buildings since there's no obstruction of the interior space. This means you have more square footage for your needs and there's no risk of machinery or people running into a pole in the middle of the floor. Columns in general area also an eyesore so for aesethetic reasons, it's preferable not to have them.

There will be a lot of considerations for you when purchasing this building. We've put together a list of some of them below to help you get started but be sure to do your own due diligence when purchasing.

• No penny pinching – You’re going to be spending thousands of dollars so five hundred there and won’t be a problem. You will have a building that will last 30 years or more. You want a building that you’re going to be happy with.
• Look closely at the good deals – When you have two sells that present offers to you for a similar structure that are several thousand apart, you need to investigate these deals. One might not be including all you need.
• Buy at the right time – Steel buildings tend to have a seasonal trend. When sales are down, this is a good time to buy and you’ll get a better price. In the winter and summer sales are slower. A salesperson will take less markup to make a sale.
• Building code verification – Make sure you contact the local building officials and verify codes as this is very important once you have your specifications. Costs will rise if you don’t meet codes and must make changes which also might include late surcharges. Verify that your contract meets the specifications correctly.
• Get it in writing – A manufacturer may ask you verbally for a go-ahead to “lock in the price,” or have the factory begin the build,” but this is not a good idea. Make sure you have the details in writing, so you know what you’re going to be getting.
• Use an accredited manufacturer if you can – Look for companies that have the (International Accreditation Service or I.A.S certification. By purchasing from a manufacturer that is accredited the building will be built to high standards according to the industry.