Advantages of Metal Buildings

LOW COST - Our steel buildings are more economical than conventional methods due to the originating costs and reduced labor. Complete steel buildings are delivered to the jobsite and quickly erected. QUICK CONSTRUCTION - On average, a steel building system can be completed in approximately two-thirds the time required for conventional construction. BETTER APPEARANCE - The appearance of steel buildings can easily be enhanced with stucco, stone, brick or glass. Metal building systems can attain a remarkable exterior that will merge with the ambiance of the building's surroundings. LOW ENERGY CONSUMPTION - A suitably insulated metal building can drastically decrease heating and cooling expenses. Insulated roof and wall systems preserve and reassure thermal efficiencies. LOW MAINTENANCE - Extended life materials reduce maintenance, and eliminate troubles such as structural deterioration, rotting and insect damage. EXPANDIBILTY - It is easy to enlarge a building by removing the end walls, erecting new framework and adding matching wall and roof panels. In most situations, the original end wall panels can be reused.

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.

Walk Doors

Walk doors can be provided as pre-assembled or knock down (field assembled). Metal Building Depot provides solid doors for both options in the following sizes: 3070, 4070, and 6070. The walk doors are typically keyed alike per project. Because of unknown variables, Metal Building Depot does not offer fire rated doors or doors to fit in masonry.

Features of the pre-assembled doors are as follows:

Foam insulated specifically designed for metal building use. Pre-assembled and self-framing for ease of installation. No framed opening required if Metal Building Depot standard girt spacing is utilized. Doors are finished in a two-coat primer; color selection is white or bronze. Doors are shipped in wood crates for protection. All doors have Grade 2 lever locks as standard. Hinges are ball bearing and powder coated. Insulated jambs. 3070 and 6070 doors are made of 20-gage material, 18 gage is available.

Features of the knock down doors are as follows:

Foam insulated specifically designed for metal building use. The walk door is shipped knocked down for field assembly. Doors are textured 20 gage galvanized prime painted and pre-finished in either white or bronze. Weather stripping and standard entrance lock is included. The walk door package is shipped with polybag and full cardboard carton. All doors have Grade 2 lever locks as standard. Hinges are ball bearing and powder coated.

Building Permits/Codes

Do I need a building permit to build my metal building? - You will almost always need a building permit. On occasion you will not need a permit to build but you should ALWAYS check with your local building inspector before purchasing a metal building.

When I call my building inspector what should I tell them? - When you get in touch with your building inspector let him know what you're planning and you should be able to receive the information you'll need to get a building permit for your new metal building.

What do I do if I need permit drawings? - We supply the permit drawings to you after you have committed to buy a metal building from us. We will not begin fabrication or shipment until you have completed the approval process. See the Approval Process section of our website.

What about building codes and loads? - Every metal building that we ship is engineered to comply with regional building codes, wind load and snow load requirements (as stated on your plans). When you start designing your metal building, make sure to review your building code specifications very closely. Since there can be varying requirements within regions - you will need to confirm the codes by contacting your local building official. MetalBuildingDepot.Com is not responsible for confirming codes.

Pre Engineered Buildings

When you contract a builder or architect to plan your new building, you are paying a premium for the design. This is costly procedure considering the similarity of building needs. Why pay design fees for a building similar to hundreds already built?

Pre engineered buildings can be customized for your exact needs. Buildings are shipped to you pre cut into easily constructed pieces for easy erection. Pre-engineered buildings have become more popular in recent years due to the rising costs of traditional construction services.

What is surprising about pre engineered building systems is the structural stability. Buildings are designed to meet wind, snow and seismic loads. Pre-engineered steel buildings offer outstanding performance, quality and resiliency.