Steel Buildings vs. Conventional Construction

A great advantage of pre-engineered buildings is that they can be relocated if required. Since your building is shipped to you with a complete set of instructions, detailed engineering drawings and a shipping list, you can erect you steel building without consulting a construction company. This also means that should you someday decide to relocate, you can take down your building and erect it elsewhere.

Adding partition walls in a steel building allows one building to be a meeting room, or office and storage facility and another to be a restaurant. Building with steel gives you the ultimate in design flexibility. You can either own one outright or purchase a steel building to rent to others. Your one time cost is regained sooner rather than later when you rent it as mini storage or public meeting space. Steel buildings can be designed with a almost unlimited amount of options.

If you have a need for a new building, don't make a decision until you have explored your options with a qualified steel building manufacturer. The Steel Building Network has reviewed a wide range of manufacturers, suppliers and building industry professionals, and we know that no matter what your intended use, there is steel building system to suit your needs. Getting I contact with the right company to get your questions answered is the first step in having your building needs met.

Components/Accessories

Which base trim option should I choose? - The base trim that you choose for your steel building will depend on your building's needs and the type of foundation you use. Although we strongly recommend a notched base, we do offer several additional base trim options to suit your specific needs. Please see base conditions for more helpful information and illustrations.

What type of windows do you offer? - We offer a selection of windows for your building. To learn more about what's available please visit the accessories section of our website.

What comes with the doors and windows? - All of our doors and windows come with the required hardware to install them into your steel building. We provide the framing, trim, and flashing for a proper installation.

How do I know where to place my windows and doors? - Windows and walk doors are generally "field located." You, as the customer, will pick the location, cut the corresponding panel to size and proceed to mount the doors and windows. If you choose to include a large number of windows or doors we may ask you to give us your proposed location to ensure proper building bracing.

How do I attach my doors and windows? - All of our walk doors are self-framing, so they include the necessary items to mount them on your building. Our windows are secured by screwing the window trim directly into the building. This is also known as self-flashing. If you live in a high wind area, please talk to one of our design consultants about additional door and window mounting options.

What is the R-Value of your insulation? - The r-value of our insulation depends on the thickness you choose. It will vary between R-10 and R-19. Please see the r-value section of our website for more helpful information.

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.

Frame Types

Unlike any of our competitors, we allow you to price all building frame types. Select from Clear-span or Modular rigid-frame buildings. We allow you the full flexibility to choose Gable, Single Sloped or Offset Peak building shape. By far, we offer the widest selection of building and frame types. For options not available through the online system, you will need to request a special quote.

Clear-span Frames - A clear-span rigid frame offers strength and economy. Since no interior supports are necessary, this design is best when you require large areas of clear and uninterrupted space. Factories, warehouses and agricultural buildings are just a few building types that may utilize a clear-span frame building. A clear-span design does have size limitations. As the desired width increases, the frames will become larger and heavier to carry greater loads across the length of the frame. At some point the cost will outweigh the benefit. Even so, clear-span buildings are still effective for buildings as wide as 150' feet and wider in some cases.

Modular Frames - Modular frames use interior columns to evenly distribute the load; reducing the cost of both the frame and foundation of extra wide buildings. The economical advantages become obvious when a building width is about 100' wide or wider. As a result, almost all buildings 100' wide or wider have interior support columns. Modular designs are often used for large factories and warehouses.

Single Slope Frames - Single slope frames have high and low eave heights creating a roof that "slopes" from side to side. To select a single slope design, you specify one eave height and define the roof pitch. Single slope designs are frequently used for strip shopping centers, offices, and RV/Boat storage facilities.

Just about every steel building has at least one framed opening. It is not unusual for buildings to have several openings. Most openings are created for an overhead door, but can be used for the installation of glass fronts or other entries. Most other online sellers offer "field located" framed openings, which require cutting and fabricating on the job site. Metal Building Depot always provides factory-located openings unless your project requires something otherwise.

General Guidelines

When you decide to buy a Building - Confirm the accuracy of your building codes. It is imperative that your building conforms to the state, local and federal design requirements.

The items described on your contract are what you are buying. Please be sure to carefully review all contract documents before you sign off. If a contract does not describe an item in specific terms, you should not expect the item to be the best product available. And just as important - is what a contract does not say. Specifically if your contract does not indicate that you are getting framed openings and garage doors - then you are NOT going to get framed openings and garage doors.

Do not sign a contract or agree to purchase a building before you have confirmed that your building will satisfy the requirements of your local building official and YOURSELF. Do not allow a salesman to pressure you into a "panic buy." A "panic buy" is when a customer is pressured into making a purchase to "lock-in" a "so-called" special price. Brokers are notorious for telling customers they could lose an opportunity to get the "deal of a lifetime" if they don't commit to the order right away. Beware of people who urge you to sign a contract before you have made your mind up on exactly what you want.

Understand that making changes after the sale will cost you money. Once the design is completed it will cost money to make changes. If an order is in fabrication - and requires modifications due to customer demands - the entire process has to be stopped, pulled off-line and inventoried. Once the inventory of completed items is confirmed, it's back to the drawing board. You will be responsible for extra time required to re-design the project and all other associated expenses.

Install your building components as specified by the drawings. Seldom do manufacturers use the same design practices and therefore your erection drawings and installation documents are the correct description of the building. Please read and follow the drawing descriptions carefully. An erection manual offers important general guidelines and the proper procedures for erecting a steel building safely. You, your erector and all jobsite crew need to understand and utilize OSHA and all other safety guidelines.