Gutters & Downspouts

These are generally not required on steel buildings. However, use of these components often enhances the appearance of a building, control drip, splash and drainage.

Gutters and downspouts are an optional accessory that serves as trim. Gutters dramatically improve the appearance of buildings, and we recommend them for most building applications. Downspouts control the water falling from the roof, preventing the water from splashing up on the sides of the building.

On every Metal Building Depot building, die-formed ridge caps are used to cover the peak opening in the center ridge of the building. Some sellers provide a ridge roll cover that must be sealed with closures. Installing ridge roll trim is not an easy task. Over time the exposed foam closures deteriorate and there can be potential leak problems. Our die-formed ridge caps match the panel profile perfectly and are formed to fit the pitch of the roof. Die-formed ridge caps create an almost seamless transition across the roof.

Heat Transfer

Effectively controlling temperature in a steel building requires insulation to be present along exterior walls and roof. When a temperature differential is present in an enclosed steel building, heat will work from warmer areas to colder areas until the temperature in the building has stabilized. At the point of thermal stabilization, the cooler (and heavier) air will be present at lower elevations and warmer air will be present at the roofline. The function of insulation is to help stabilize air temperature at more desirable levels. When it is hot outside, preventing heat from transferring into the building is the goal, and of course in the winter we want heat to remain inside.

Heat transfer occurs in three ways:

Conduction : Occurs in a solid or liquid when heat from one object is transferred by touch to another object. An example of this occurs when a pot on a stove will heat up by conductive heat transfer from an electric coil.

Convection : Occurs with the physical movement of air. There are two types of convectional heat movement. The first is natural, where hot air rises displacing the cold air and moving it down. The second type is forced or mechanical convection. This occurs when an object, like a fan, physically moves or "forces" the air to move.

Radiation : Occurs when an object is warmer or hotter than the air around it. For example, the sun, which is hotter than everything around it, radiates heat waves that travel through the air and is either absorbed by or reflected by the surface it comes in contact with.

Before you Buy

Do you know the company you're doing business with? Is the supplier a member of the Better Business Bureau? Do they have a record of dealing honestly? Can they refer you to satisfied customers? Is the physical address to the company available? Can you visit them at their offices? Are they a real company with a history of quality manufacturing? Are they Active Members of the AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction) Do they post any affiliation with any steel building association? Do you know what you are paying for? Does the steel building contract give line-item prices? Will you receive comprehensive set of erection plans? Are you getting written 30-year paint and 25-year Galvalume Plus® warranties? Does the contract specify 26 gauge panels? Does their roof panels include a "purlin bearing" leg? Does the roof system have an Underwriters Laboratories Class 90 rating? Are you being supplied with premium fasteners with a lifetime red-rust warranty? Will your steel building have a sculptured trim package? Are all the clips welded to primary structural components? Are the framed openings factory located? Does the supplier have the ability to engineer a custom design? Will you receive an 80+ page fully illustrated erection manual? Does the supplier have an in-house customer service department? Does the supplier actually manufacture what they sell? Do they process and produce all their drawings in-house? Do they ask you to sign a contract and pay a deposit before you know the total cost?

COMMERCIAL OFFICES

Your place of business should and can be more than just a place to work. It should reflect your company's image and be no less comfortable, functional or attractive than your living environment. Entry-ways and lighting, interior wall placement, and location of restrooms are as important in your office building as they are in your own home. Properly planned, your facility will serve your needs for many years to come, and you will avoid future changes or costly remodeling.

Modern ceiling and interior wall systems are very easily adapted to our manufactured building components using standard methods. For instance, perimeter sheet rock walls may be installed by simply attaching metal furring strips (hat channel) to the secondary wall framing members (girts). Similarly, acoustic panel or dry-wall ceilings may be installed by simply wrapping the ceiling suspension wires around the secondary roof framing members (purlins). Additionally, port-a-wall systems may be installed as needed throughout the structure.

Additional loads from heating and air conditioning systems, dropped ceilings, electrical conduit and lighting fixtures, or large mechanical sprinkler systems can be accommodated easily at your request with minimal cost, assuring a full roof-load certification.

The building components may represent a small percentage of the total cost of your office budget. Therefore, we are careful to ensure that the main structural components we provide will be reliable, helping to protect your investment against any water seepage, leaks or storm damage that can deteriorate your office complex.

When selecting the manufacturer of your building components, careful consideration must be given to both function and price. Your dealer will encourage you to have an architect review all aspects of your building plan, including lighting requirements, window heights, storage space, carpet wear ability, entrances, landscaping, parking and signage, to ensure you of a facility that will maintain its value and be a source of pride for years to come.

Thermal Conductance (C-Value)

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