Temperature Control

Your geographic area will, to a great extent, influence the type of insulation that will provide the best performance. If you live in a mild climate and your building is used for farm equipment storage, insulation may not be necessary. If you are planning to have employees working in a building, you should probably install insulation, particularly in areas where temperatures are extreme. Energy savings will quickly pay for insulation if the building will be climate controlled.

Thermal Conductance (C-Value)

A measure of the amount of heat that passes through materials of any thickness.

Misleading Information - Deceptive Practices

The standards and values of our industry are regularly masked by the deceptive practices of the unprincipled few. These companies deliberately mislead people hoping to increase their chances of a sale. At Metal Building Depot we know that the more you understand about the product you are buying, the more confidant you will be at purchase time.

Arm yourself with information - No manufacturer keeps an inventory of buildings "ready to ship." Without exception, steel buildings are made specifically to order. A building should be designed to meet your needs and more importantly - your building code. Some companies create "general" price lists for common sizes, but the selection is very limited to a geographic area with limited variance in design.

Beware of companies implying they keep an existing inventory of buildings. To find out whether a "clearance" or "cancelled order" really exists inquire on the earliest ship date. You should be able to take immediate delivery on a building "ready to ship."

There is no such thing as making simple structural changes on a pre-designed building. Moving or adding a door opening on an existing or "ready to ship" building - could require the use of a wind column or portal frame. This could change the rigid frame design and render the existing design useless. Additionally, changing the wind or snow load could require the girt and purlin spacing to change and the location of connection plates along columns and rafters may not be located properly. The bottom line is that a structural change most likely requires a new building design. The moral of this story is: If a seller claims to have a building "ready to ship" make sure it will meet or exceed you local building codes and loads and more importantly - your needs.

Proposal or Propose "ALL" - We want to help you eliminate the "gray areas" in a typical building quote. The items listed on your contract should be made clear as to exactly what is being promised. Our itemized contracts are detailed and specific and you'll never see "included" in one price (without a description). All your accessories and options are listed as separate line items. With our online quote you will always know exactly what you're paying for.

Metal Building Kit

Purchasing your new metal building kit. You should be cautious when buying a metal building kit. Not every manufacturer uses high quality materials or fabricates to the latest industry standards. You don't want to purchase a building from a manufacturer (or broker) whose building parts were produced in a factory without the benefit of a skilled eye to oversee the process.

A pre-engineered metal building should come with a complete and comprehensive set of blueprints. When a qualified steel building manufacturer puts its seal of approval on your building design you can rest assured of its structural integrity. You can expect detailed documentation about the building's fabrication and its specific code requirements as well.

Before you purchase a metal building kit you should attempt to create a basic plan for its end use and design. Working with a professional steel building company should ensure that all facets of your building are taken into consideration. They can explain the building options and codes in detail so you have the accurate building specifications.

Panel Profiles

Roof Panel Profiles - Our standard roof sheeting is the "PBR" panel, which is available in bare Galvalume Plus® as well as a variety of colors. Wall sheeting is available in "R" and "PBR" panel. Depending on the color and your geographic location - PBR panels may not be available for certain colors.

Liner Panels - For liner panels we offer a low-rib 29-gauge panel. Liner panels are an interior covering for the walls of a steel building. Like exterior walls, liner panel consists of 3-foot wide panels that are attached to the framing in the same manner as exterior sheeting. Full-height liners run from floor to roof. Partial-height liners typically attach to the girt at 7'4" and extend a few inches above it. Buildings with liner panels must have a base connection for the bottom of the panel (see base conditions).

Advantages - Liner Panels enhance appearance, providing a finished look for the interior. The biggest advantage is that liners protect the insulation and the outside walls. Because un-reinforced insulation facings tear easily, and even the best-reinforced materials can be damaged, liner panels are the intelligent solution to protect your investment. Although 26-gauge exterior walls can withstand a lot of punishment, a steel liner will protect your building's interior and performs at a lower cost than other wall coverings, which will require their own framing.