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.

Why are steel buildings so popular?

That's easy. Price. All around price. They are less per square foot than any other known form of construction, and can be erected quickly, offering its owners faster access to their new building. We are seeing more buildings sold for residential use. People are putting up shops and garages faster than you can count. As rural America gets divided into smaller ranches, we see the increase for barns, arenas, horse stalls... etc.

Steel Frame Construction

You can feel confident about building with steel. It is not vulnerable to the elements to the same degree that other building materials are. There are a few reasons why steel frame construction stands out more than other building materials. Wood has always been a standby, but its susceptibility to weather and aging make it less than ideal.

Steel frame construction is very sound should there be a detrimental natural occurrence such as an earthquake or severe storm. You steel building should be manufactured to meet all local and applicable codes. Steel frame construction is a serious way to address the risk posed to you and your belongings should a weather emergency arise. Reputable steel building manufacturers only ship pre-engineered steel building systems when standards and codes are met.

It is hard to look past the options and design flexibility that you get with metal and steel buildings. It is not just quality materials that are impressive, but the many accents that can turn a metal building into a beautiful landmark. If you are suffering from lack of space or simply looking for any kind of expansion, check out the range of high quality steel buildings that just might solve your dilemma.

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.

Storage Building Plans

No architect or engineer is required to read steel building plans. Although they are technical, they are created so anyone can easily comprehend them. When your steel building package arrives, you will find a wealth of useful information and instructions on building installation. Storage building plans for steel storage buildings show common construction details. The floor plan is displayed so you know what, and in which order to do each task. If you have any difficulties, your steel building manufacturer can easily explain the process.

Another important thing you should remember is, since you are an integral part of the building design phase, you should be very familiar with the basic floor plan. But, if you need assistance with building plans, your supplier should explain the layout in a manner more complimentary to your way of thinking.