Steel Buildings

While some manufacturers may claim to have a 'unique style', there are really only three primary types of steel buildings. Those are Arch or Quonset, I-Beam, and light framed buildings. We'll compare their features below:

Quonset/Arch Buildings

Quonset hut steel buildings have a characteristic arch-shape, although some are curved to look more like a traditional peaked roof. It's built from individual arches that are bolted together to form the walls and roof, which are self-supporting.

Widths start at around 16 feet and can go up to 150ft wide or more. Typically when you get into those larger sizes it's more cost-effective to go with an I-Beam building. For small-medium sized buildings, quonsets can be a great choice and their simple construction method requires no special skills or heavy equipment. Learn More

I-Beam Steel Buildings

This type of steel building has a classic look with straight walls and a peaked roof. You can also find them with single-slope roofs. Unlike quonsets, these building used a rigid steel frame made of large beams in the shape of an "I".

Typically widths start at 20 feet and can go up to as large as you need them (additional columns are added on the inside if the span becomes too great). This type of construction requires specialized equipment and a team that knows what they're doing, as the beams can weigh thousands of pounds and be dangerous if not handled correctly.

You'll see I-Beam construction used in many larger buildings like warehouses, arenas, and industrial factories.

Light Frame Steel Buildings

This type of building looks similar to an I-Beam, and uses an interior framing system clad with steel panels. Unlike I-Beam structures, the beams for these buildings are lighter making them cost-effective for smaller buildings and easier to handle. You may find them referred to as "c-channel" buildings at times because some use lighter gauged steel bent in a "C" shape for added structural rigidity.

Light steel frame buildings often come in more standardized sizes and can go as small as a 10x10 garden shed. They're generally not a suitable option for buildings wider than 40 feet due to the loads this type of framing can handle.

While there can be standardized sizes available, steel buildings are generally custom-made to order.

Sizes generally start at 20 feet wide. If you're interested in a building under 40 feet wide then quite often a c-channel or light-frame building will be appropriate. A rigid-frame (red-iron, I-beam) building will be more appropriate if it's larger than 40 wide, or in a high snow load area.

Their 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.

Faster Construction

Pre cut and drilled parts made of steel make installation and handling fast and easy. Construction of a metal building typically takes one-third of the time it takes to build structures made of other materials.

Cost Savings

Metal buildings are 30% less expensive to construct than conventional buildings are. It’s not just materials that you’ll save money on, though. Because metal buildings warrant minimum upkeep, maintenance costs are drastically reduced. You can price one yourself today using the Price Buildings building calculator.

Customize Your Building

Steel buildings come with unlimited personalization possibilities. The building of your dreams can be built with optimal working space. Unlike wooden structures, metal buildings are not dependent on support columns.

Fire Resistance

Whether it's a lightning strike or 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 such as it's engineering and precision construction, but the largest factor is the durability of steel itself. The thought out design process of an engineered structure. The minimal maintenance needed for a simple structure like a steel building versus something with multiple components like wood framing and cladding.

Pest/Termite Proof Buildings

Termites are capable of destroying or degrading wood. One survey claims that termites damage as many as 600,000 properties every year. American citizens tend to spend approximately $1 billion USD annually on termite repairs and control. Metal buildings leave no invitation for termites.

DIY Possibility

While DIY may not be viable for very large buildings, you can easily construct a 30+ foot wide building with a couple of helpers. These buildings are shipped as a package with components that are pre-drilled and cut for ease of assembly.