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Provided on this website are the answers to many of the questions asked by potential steel building buyers. This should greatly simplify the process of shopping for a steel building.
Topics
- What is a pre-engineered metal buildings system?
- How can you choose the right supplier?
- How can you get the best deal for the money?
- What does the building quote include?
- What are the features of a quality steel building?
- How to decide what type of building to buy?
- The differences between a custom building and a kit
- What about building codes and permits?
- What about insulating the building?
- Who is responsible for unloading the building when delivered?
- Will the building need a foundation?
- Is a steel building a good choice in a hurricane prone area?
- Is a steel building a good choice in an earthquake prone area?
- What are the benefits of a steel building vs. a wood building?
- Why do the prices vary so much for what seems like the same size building?
- Is steel an appropriate choice for sustainable, or “green” construction?
- Can a steel building look like a “conventional” building?
What is a pre-engineered metal buildings system?
The term, “pre-engineered or prefabricated metal buildings system” refers to the current design, engineering and manufacturing process of today’s metal buildings. The process of designing and engineering a metal building has been greatly improved over the years, due to the implementation of sophisticated computer aided design and drafting (CADD) of the building. A pre-engineered building purchased today is highly technologically advanced.
The use of the word “system” refers to the fact that all the differing components of the building are engineered to the required specifications and load codes, and shipped together to the job site. Nothing needs to be out sourced from other vendors. Windows, doors, roofing, trim- all are custom fit to each building. This pre-designed system is therefore extremely efficient, and easy to assemble, as each part is a perfect fit to each other part.
For all these reasons, metal building systems have significant cost advantages over many other more traditional types of construction.
How can you choose the right supplier?
Steel building suppliers and manufacturers abound! By taking your time and doing a bit of checking, you are sure to find one who meets all your needs including: price, service, speed, building features and design or whatever other individual requirements you have for your steel building.
The best way to know if they are a reputable company is to get references, go see some examples of their buildings in your area, or contact the Better Business Bureau to check for any complaints. A manufacturer should be AISC certified, this assures that every facet of their production has been audited and is the highest degree of technological efficiency and quality.
Watch out for any sales rep who seems more interested in giving you a hard sell and closing the deal quickly, than addressing your questions and concerns. If you feel uncomfortable, that is a good sign that you are being pressured to purchase, and should raise an immediate red flag!
Some metal building industry salespeople have been trained to use techniques to force you to buy a metal building immediately, using statements like “there’s only one building left on the lot” or “someone just cancelled an order and you can have it at a huge discount but only if you buy right now”. Don’t fall for these techniques – wait to make a decision until you’re ready and have exactly the building that you want.
How can you get the best deal for the money?
To find the right building supplier for your needs, do your homework! Know exactly what you need and exactly what you are getting when you compare prices from one supplier to another. As with any industry, while most firms are honest, there are some who will be happy to leave out important information or use inferior components to trick the uneducated shopper.
If price is a main consideration, some metal building manufacturers can offer excellent discounts on prefab buildings that were ordered and manufactured but for some reason not delivered to the client. Obviously, they would like to sell these buildings so the potential for a great deal is quite high, sometimes as much as 25% off the original price. These particular metal buildings cannot be changed from the original specs though, so be sure these specifications are suitable to your needs before making a purchase of this type.
Many factors impact the price of a steel building, including time spent by engineers and estimators, sales staff, as well as the differing costs of the building materials themselves. There are some steel buildings that seem substantially cheaper, but if they are made out of 29 gauge steel- they are no bargain! This is a flimsy choice which will not hold up in the long term. A high quality steel structure should be 26 gauge.
When price shopping, make sure you’re comparing buildings with the exact same specifications. Some suppliers might give a cheaper estimate, but they might not be offering all the same features and quality materials. Take detailed notes while doing your price comparisons.
What does the building quote include?
Know that steel building quotes only include the building itself. All accessories including doors, windows, gutters, vents, insulation, will be priced separately. Also to be considered are the costs of laying the foundation and hiring an erection crew.
What are the features of a quality steel building?
- Structural warranty- 50 years indicates a manufacturer who stands behind their product.
- Paint warranty- a finish that lasts 20 years.
- Solid I- beam construction for the columns for the sidewalls and roof rafters.
- 26 gauge, 80,000 psi. sheeting, highly resistant to dings and dents.
- Pre-welded clips for ease of erection- most metal building manufacturers only supply the clips.
- Pre-punch components
- Girts and purlins which overlap for additional structural integrity- an important detail, especially if you live in an area with high wind, heavy snow or seismic activity.
- Framed openings with C-section jambs and headers for easy installation of over-head doors
- Fully trimmed at gable, corners and eaves for a finished look and protection from dust and wind seepage
- Cable bracing and/or /portal frame and/or rack brace- adds strength and rigidity.
How to decide what type of building to buy…
While there are many different designs, sizes and uses for steel buildings, the basic components of the metal building system are the same: primary rigid frames, secondary members (wall girts and roof purlins), cladding and bracing. You will need to know several things to get the purchasing process in motion:
The structural dimensions- length, width, height.
How many framed openings.
How many and what kind of doors and windows.
Roof pitch
Depending on the size and purpose of the building you are purchasing, there are several basic types of construction. The main two are clear-span and multi-span. For the building’s end purpose, do you need column-free interior space? If so, this is called “clear span” construction. This type of construction can be expensive if your building requires a huge interior width, such as an ice arena.
If you don’t mind the inclusion of interior support columns, then you can opt for a construction called multi-span, or beam and column, which tends to be a less expensive construction style.
There is also the lean-to, which attaches to the wall of another building, and is a quick and economical way to expand to a building. More space can be added to the building without interrupting the internal operations. A lean-to system is ideal for additional storage space.
The differences between a custom building and a kit…
Pre- engineered or prefabricated building kits are designed for quick and easy assembly. They are cheaper than custom designed steel buildings because they are sold to the customer directly without commissioned salesman or new design/engineering costs, passing the savings along to you.
These types of pre-engineered kits are a major money saver for homeowners and small businesses because they can be erected in a few days, even by those with little construction experience. The ease in assembling these buildings yourself provides a huge savings on the cost of hiring a contractor to construct your steel building.
Custom designed buildings can be much more complex, much larger, and of course, cost more. They can have amazing flexibility in design. They usually require a professional erector. You will not find a kit for a recreation center or a school.
What are building codes and building permits?
Most areas have building codes, mandated by law, governing new construction. These building codes provide the minimum requirements for safety, structural integrity, etc.
Steel building suppliers frequently keep databases of the building codes for different parts of the country, but the responsibility is still yours to make sure your building is in compliance with local codes.
Before signing the contract for your metal building, contact your local building department to verify that these codes meet or exceed your local standards (it is better to choose a design above your code requirements than below). Have your building supplier provide certified, stamped and engineered blueprints so that you can be sure your steel building is in compliance with code.
Reputable manufacturers will not ship you a metal building that doesn’t meet codes for your area!
Most areas in the U.S. also will require you to apply for a building permit. Inquire about this at the same time as you inquire about building codes. Some states require the contractor or erector to be licensed as well.
Click here for more info about building codes.
What about insulating the building?
The decision whether or not to insulate the steel building will largely depend on its use. Steel buildings get quite hot in the summer and cold in the winter, and condensation can be an ongoing problem. The proper insulation solves these problems quite well, and will save you significant amounts of money on heating and cooling costs.
Radiant barrier insulation is a reflective insulation system that offers a permanent way to reduce energy costs by keeping the building cool and dry in the summer and warmer in winter. Radiant barrier systems reflect radiant heat energy instead of trying to absorb it.
This type of insulation is unaffected by humidity and will continue to perform at a consistent level no matter how humid it may be. It is easy to install and doesn’t promote nesting of rodents or birds.
Click here for more info about insulating a steel building.
Who is responsible for unloading the building when delivered?
The purchaser is responsible, not the truck driver or the building manufacturer. If you have hired an erector, it is best to let them do it. Depending on the size of the building, a crane or other hoisting equipment might be required.
Will the building need foundation?
Almost all metal buildings are erected on a concrete foundation. Most steel building manufacturers recommend that the foundation be designed by an experienced foundation engineer. The foundation must be level, square, smooth, and meet local design/load conditions.
Foundation errors and improper location of anchor bolts are the most frequent and troublesome errors made in metal building construction. These errors can cost you a lot of money. Hire an experienced pro!
Click here for more info about erecting a steel building.
Is a steel building a good choice in a hurricane prone area?
In a word, “Yes!” Metal roofs have been proven over time to remain intact during even the most extreme weather. Steel buildings are designed to meet local building code requirements for specific areas- if you live in an area that is visited by hurricanes, the building you purchase should be designed to have the strength to survive most hurricanes fully intact.
Is a steel building a good choice in an earthquake prone area?
In areas of seismic activity, metal buildings have many advantages over traditional types of construction and have proven themselves over time. The low mass, superior strength and ductility of metal buildings provides the necessary qualities to resist seismic activity.
Numerous studies of the performance of metal buildings during earthquakes prove steel buildings as the construction method of choice for low rise building in areas prone to seismic activity.
What are the benefits of a steel building vs. a wood building?
- Pre fabricated steel buildings are generally cheaper than the same building in a traditional wood construction.
- Because the parts are engineered, punched, drilled, and painted in factory, many of the potentially costly weather delays associated with traditional on-site construction are avoided.
- Pre-engineered metal buildings are erected much faster than traditional buildings.
- Steel buildings require much, much, much lower maintenance and repair than wood; in fact, a steel building is almost maintenance free. They are pre-painted in the factory and the paint finish is warranted for at least 20 years.
- Both property and fire insurance can be 30-40% lower for a steel building than a wood building.
- Steel buildings are engineered to meet or exceed any building codes in any zoning, including in earthquake prone locales.
- Steel buildings are a sustainable choice, they are fully recyclable, and all new steel is now made using recycled steel.
Why do the prices vary so much for what seems like the same size building?
There are many quality steel buildings sold at great prices by very reputable steel building manufactures and suppliers. These are different than the cheap “economy” steel buildings, which are of much lesser quality. They might look the same but a close examination of the materials they are constructed with, and the features they come with, quickly shows they are not the same.
The main factor that will help you differentiate overall quality is the gauge of the steel itself- premium quality steel buildings utilize heavy-duty 26 gauge steel. “Economy” buildings use a flimsy 29 gauge steel. This is simply not a quality gauge of steel for a long lasting or hard working building. The maintenance problems for these flimsier buildings are much higher in incidence than with 26 gauge steel buildings, and they will not come with long term warranties.
Consider buying the highest quality steel building company you can afford. Make sure they offer only premium grade materials.
Is steel an appropriate choice for sustainable, or “green” construction?
Steel is the perfect choice for sustainability. Did you know that steel is now the most recycled material on the planet? When you choose a steel building system, you can feel confident that you have made an environmentally responsible choice, and are building for a sustainable tomorrow.
Take a look at these significant facts:
- Steel is 100% recyclable, and all new North American steel currently being forged contains recycled steel.
- Every ton of steel that is recycled saves approx. 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal and 120 pounds of limestone.
- Both air and water emissions from steel production are a whopping 90% lower today than just 10 years ago.
- Almost all the hazardous waste once generated by the steel industry is now being recycled for beneficial use.
- The reflective properties of steel roofs provide significant savings in energy consumption.
- Heat and cooling loss, especially around doors, windows, foundation, and roofing, are significantly lower than other types of construction.
Can a steel building look like a “conventional” building?
It is entirely possible that you have been in many stylish and modern steel buildings without having any idea that they were not traditional types of construction. Steel buildings can be painted, trimmed with “wainscoting” or have a variety of architectural finishes applied. Steeper roof pitches are another design feature that makes a steel building look more like a conventional structure, as opposed to an unsightly square metal box.
One of the most popular outer finishes is synthetic stone, which looks just like real stonework, and is easily applied to the outside of the building. Another popular choice is pre-cut stucco panels, manufactured to the exact size of the building, making them also simple to attach. Both these surfaces are long lasting and for the most part, maintenance free. These types of finishes allow today’s advanced technology steel building to be quite attractive and blend in with the community.
Click here for more info about facades for steel buildings.
“A typical 2000-square-foot home requires about 40 to 50 trees, about an acre’s worth. With steel, only the equivalent of about six scrapped automobiles is needed.”
-The Steel Recycling Institute
References:
Metal Building Manufacturers Association, www.mbma.com
The Steel Recycling Institute, http://www.sustainable-steel.org/
The Metal Initiative, http://www.themetalinitiative.com/content/building_with_metal/benefits/sustainability/s_sustainability.cfm
Metal Building Manufacturers Association, “Seismic Design and Performance of Metal Buildings” by W. Lee Shoemaker, March 31, 2006 http://www.mbma.com/display.cfm?p=37&pp=3&i=87
“Metal Buildings and Zoning Issues”, by Charles Praeger
Rural Building Magazine; December, 2006 http://www.mbma.com/display.cfm?p=37&pp=3&i=120
All About Steel Buildings, http://www.aboutsteelbuildings.com/all-steel-buildings-are-not-equal/
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