Condensation Control

The condensation process occurs when warmer moist air comes in contact with cold surfaces such as framing members, windows and other thermally conductive accessories, or the colder region within the insulation itself (if moisture has penetrated the vapor retarder). Warm air, having the ability to contain more moisture than cold air, loses that ability when it comes in contact with cooler surfaces or regions. When this happens, excessive moisture in the air is released in the form of condensation. If this moisture collects in the insulation, the insulating value is decreased.

In dealing with condensation, air may be considered to be a mixture of two gases-dry air and water vapor. One thousand cubic feet of air at 75°F can hold up to 1.4 pints of water. At 45°F, it can hold only 0.5 pints.

Relative Humidity is a percentage measurement of the amount of water vapor present in the air in relation to the amount it is capable of holding at that temperature. Therefore, 50% Relative Humidity would mean that the air is carrying only one-half of the total amount of moisture that it could be holding at that particular temperature. Cold outside air is usually much drier than warm inside air. Therefore, you can lower the Relative Humidity by bringing in outside air to mix with and dilute the moist inside air. At 100% Relative Humidity, the air is "saturated."

The temperature at which the air is saturated and can no longer hold additional moisture is called the dew point temperature. Whenever air temperature drops below its dew point, excess moisture will be released in the form of condensation. Condensation problems are most likely to occur in climates where temperatures frequently dip to 35°F or colder over an extended period of time.

Wall Installation

Labels on wall insulation rolls indicate the length as well as the number of pieces that need to be cut from each roll. We recommend that all rolls be cut from a clean location to avoid staining the insulation facing.

1) Cut the dimensions of the insulation from the base angle to eave strut or rake plus 6"-12" extra.

2) Attach one end of the insulation to the base angle using double-faced tape.

3) Pull from the other end to stretch the insulation tightly outside the girts to the eave or rake, and attach with double-faced tape.

4) Make sure the facing is toward the interior of the building and attach the panel to the structure.

5) Install the next roll in the same manner, with edges butted snugly. Then fasten the tabs using one of the methods described.

Steel Frame

Metal buildings are strong. It is the nature of their design. Because they are built to survive the harshest conditions, you can rest assured that you investment will last for years to come. The basic design provides great structural stability, even in an earthquake or windstorm. The rigid steel frame reinforces the secondary structural framing system. Any building is only as good as its foundation. A steel frame is the ultimate starting point for your building.

The last thing you need to worry about is the structural integrity of your office, shop or storage buildings. An advantage with pre-engineered buildings is there are no roof shingles for you to worry about replacing later. A smart investment is one that requires the least amount of cost now and in the future. Steel frame buildings are just such an investment.

If you have questions about steel frame buildings, just turn to an expert. There are many qualified steel building manufacturers to answer any question that you may have.

Steel Buildings

Why should I build with steel instead of wood? - The number one reason is strength. Steel buildings can withstand high load conditions. Steel buildings are fastened together with high-strength bolts and screws. The connections remain secure because there is little to no movement in the structural members and panels. However, wood connections in conventional construction become loose due to expansion and contraction and the result is warping of the wooden frame. Steel does not warp, shrink, or change with time so the connections remain secure. Wooden buildings can suffer damage do to insects such as termites, and this deterioration will reduce the quality of wooden buildings. Furthermore, metal building material is not a flammable substance so your insurance costs will be reduced.

How does the price of a steel building compare with others? - Conventional construction materials are affected by demand and availability; conversely, steel has remained relatively constant for many years. When it comes to pre-fabricated steel buildings it would be difficult to find a like structure to compare with the low cost of a steel building.

Is everything I need to construct my building included? - Everything you need to construct your new metal building will be included with the exception of the anchor bolts, which should be supplied by your foundation contractor.

What is Bay Spacing? - It is the space between 2 frames. For example, the end wall of the building is the End-Frame, and the distance between the End-Frame and the next column/rafter section is the Bay Space, or the distance between two column/rafter sections.

How do I assemble my steel building? - Steel building assembly couldn't be easier. We provide you with the necessary information to erect your steel building quickly and efficiently. Many of our clients erect their steel buildings on their own, although a professional contractor can also used at an affordable price.

Are the steel buildings painted? - Yes, the walls and trim are painted with a long-lasting factory-applied paint manufactured by a leading manufacturer of heavy duty, high performance protective coatings for steel building components. There is a wide selection of colors for you to choose from. You can select the wall panel, trim, and roof colors on the color chart section of our website.

Erectors

Do I need a professional erector to put up my metal building? - A majority of our clients choose to erect the metal buildings themselves. Your package includes detailed erection drawings and an erection manual with every metal building shipped. We design every metal building to be erected easily. If you do not feel comfortable erecting your own metal building, a local contractor can do the job for you at a relatively low cost.

What if I have questions during the erection of my metal building? - We're here to help. We have professional metal building erectors on-staff and they will always be available for your questions.

Do you recommend erectors? - No. Recommending metal building erectors is difficult because we cannot guarantee the quality of their work as we do our own. Check around and you should be able to find a qualified metal building erector in your local area.

How long does it take to erect a metal building? - The time it takes to erect your metal building will depend on the size of the metal building, the size of your crew, and the skill of the workers in your crew. It can take as little as a few days.