Steel Building Kits

Below are a few of the main reasons steel building kits have become so popular over the years and why they may be the right option for you.

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.

Lower Building Costs

Construction is an expensive proposition, but you can help minimize costs. Taking advantage of factory efficiency is one step. Next, these structures have lower assembly costs than traditional construction since everything is pre-cut and requires less labor for erection. Finally, unlike with traditional construction where a good portion of the material is cut and left unused, there's virtually no waste with steel because any excess metal can be melted and recycled.

Fewer Headaches

No matter how stress-free you may be, the process of buying and constructing a building can be a stressful one. Issues often come from contractors being late, building plans not matching the constructed building, inspectors having issues with the way things are approached, etc. You can also run into issues getting building plans approved. With a prefab steel buildings kit, you know what you're getting into, the building should arrive as designed and be sure to speak with your rep about engineer-stamped building plans which will help make the municipal building approvals as streamlined as possible.

Easier Construction

People often overlook this part of the building process, but it's a big one. You wouldn't be looking for a building unless there's an immediate need. With traditional-style buildings such as wood-framed or brick, construction can take months, or even years depending on the size and complexity of your building. Steel building kits simplify the construction process by cutting pieces at the factory. In many cases, such as with Quonset hut kits, building kit walls can be bolted together without any special equipment or experience. This will not always be the case when you get into larger buildings such as commercial warehouses, but your representative will be able to assist with estimated build times for your specific building needs.

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

I-Beam

This type of metal building kit is also sometimes called a red iron building. It has a classic look with straight walls and a peaked roof. You can also find them with single-slope roofs. Unlike quonsets, they have a rigid steel frame made of large beams in the shape of an "I".

Typically widths start at 25 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

This type 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-channels" because some use lighter gauged steel bent in a "C" shape for added structural rigidity.

Light steel frame 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.

Quonset/Arch Buildings

Quonset huts 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. For small-medium sized buildings, quonsets can be a great choice and their simple construction method requires no special skills or heavy equipment.

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

Sizes generally start at 25 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.

Many steel buildings are single-story, but you can have two or three floors if this is required.

Clear Span Space for Maximum Usability

You must decide if you want to have interior columns. Clear-span design without interior support columns can, incredibly, span up to 150 feet wide. Generally, you'll have much smaller spans, but still far fewer than is required with other construction methods.

The interior clearance and the overall height which is measured from the outside are the two main aspects you need to know about height. Zoning laws may impact the building height and the clearance height will play a role in what design you use.

Common Building Heights

For many applications, 10' will be fine on the low end and if you need to accommodate, heavy construction vehicles, warehouse shelving systems, tractor-trailer or even an airplane. Height of up to 30' can be used but there is added cost for that much clearance.

It can be a little difficult to estimate steel building prices as there are many variables for projects. Local building codes and impact prices to a large extent. A building in Denver, for example, needs to handle heavy snow and will cost more, while a building in New Mexico doesn’t need this. The extras you add in like interior panels and insulation can also add to the price.

The economy fluctuates so price quotes can change over short periods like six months. Raw material prices will also go up and down frequently which can impact prices.

A basic rigid-frame steel building runs around $12-$20 per square foot. This will include construction, materials, foundation, and delivery. A building that is more finished is around $20-$30 per square foot. If you have customized buildings with unusual shapes, brick facades, or construction that is complex, this will run you around $40 per square foot or higher. Materials may be around $5-$15 per square foot and will vary depending upon the building size as smaller buildings can cost more. A 20' x 20' garage could cost 6,000, or $15/sq. ft while a 250' x 120' church could be $240,000 or $8/sq. ft.

The cost for the foundation is usually a standard amount at around $4-$7 per square foot for the poured concrete. Your GC may add this to the proposal, but a manufacturer or broker won’t.

The labor costs will depend upon the size of the project and this typically runs $2-$6 per square foot. The costs are charged by the hour so if the building is more complex, the costs will rise. As there is increased competition in the marketplace, labor costs may be lower.

A large metal building with insulation will add thousands to the total but this is a wise investment. The building will have solid soundproofing and resale value. You will meet new energy codes and save on energy bills.

Yes, steel buildings are surprisingly environmentally friendly. Steel is a highly recyclable material, and many steel buildings are constructed using recycled steel. Additionally, steel buildings are energy-efficient and can be designed to meet the specific energy-saving needs of a project.

You can choose the colors of your walls, roof, trim, doors and more. Each factory will have a slightly different color availability. There are many colors of panels and trim available including, but not limited to what's shown below: