Pre Engineered Metal Buildings

Deciding to use a pre-engineered metal building is a wise choice. But, there is important information you will need to provide to the manufacturer in order to have your new steel building to be designed to precise specifications. Understanding your building needs and restrictions can help when you consult with a steel building manufacturer.

A few questions you need to ask yourself once you decide to buy a metal building system. What are my size limitations? What will the building be used for? What special building requirements are needed?

Why the answers to these questions are so critical is that they expose precisely what kind of pre-engineered building system will satisfy your needs. Metal church buildings have very different structural demands than those of mini storage buildings. If investing money into a pre engineered metal building system it only makes sense to research all options.

Perplexed about where to start? Contact a manufacturer; they will ask you the right questions to get what information they need to suitably determine your building needs. They can also help you review your requirements to equip your structure with the appropriate interior and exterior features.

Misleading Information - Deceptive Practices

The standards and values of our industry are regularly masked by the deceptive practices of the unprincipled few. These companies deliberately mislead people hoping to increase their chances of a sale. At Metal Building Depot we know that the more you understand about the product you are buying, the more confidant you will be at purchase time.

Arm yourself with information - No manufacturer keeps an inventory of buildings "ready to ship." Without exception, steel buildings are made specifically to order. A building should be designed to meet your needs and more importantly - your building code. Some companies create "general" price lists for common sizes, but the selection is very limited to a geographic area with limited variance in design.

Beware of companies implying they keep an existing inventory of buildings. To find out whether a "clearance" or "cancelled order" really exists inquire on the earliest ship date. You should be able to take immediate delivery on a building "ready to ship."

There is no such thing as making simple structural changes on a pre-designed building. Moving or adding a door opening on an existing or "ready to ship" building - could require the use of a wind column or portal frame. This could change the rigid frame design and render the existing design useless. Additionally, changing the wind or snow load could require the girt and purlin spacing to change and the location of connection plates along columns and rafters may not be located properly. The bottom line is that a structural change most likely requires a new building design. The moral of this story is: If a seller claims to have a building "ready to ship" make sure it will meet or exceed you local building codes and loads and more importantly - your needs.

Proposal or Propose "ALL" - We want to help you eliminate the "gray areas" in a typical building quote. The items listed on your contract should be made clear as to exactly what is being promised. Our itemized contracts are detailed and specific and you'll never see "included" in one price (without a description). All your accessories and options are listed as separate line items. With our online quote you will always know exactly what you're paying for.

Trim and Gutter

The trim on a steel building serves two essential functions, to close transitions and protect the building from the weather. Trim also adds to the appearance of a building. Our sculptured trim gives the building a refined, quality appearance. Trim covers corner and edge areas of a building. For instance, eave trim creates a transition from the roof to the sidewalls and roof to endwalls.

Most metal building companies often supply "box" or generic trim pieces. This trim routinely has to be modified to fit, as it is created as multi-purpose - and does not fit well on standard panels. We fabricate each profile to match the design of your steel building. We do a lot of work in the shop that will save you headaches in the field. We hem all exposed edges of our trim so it installs easily, fits neatly, and looks great for the life of your building. Our trim is easy to install and adds to the look and the integrity of the building.

Secondary Framing

Secondary framing is created from rolled steel coated with a red-oxide primer finish in gages from 12 to 16 to provide an extremely rigid, and corrosion resistant structure. The following elements are formed as secondary framing:

Girts (walls) & Purlins (roof): These members run the length of the building providing rigidity, and a sturdy skeleton to attach the sheeting. They are rolled from steel coils 12,14 or 16-gauge steel, or thicker if needed. All girts and purlins are pre-punched for ease of assembly.

Eave Struts: This is a rolled member formed into a "C" to match the pitch of the roof. The eave strut is also made of 12, 14, or 16-gauge steel.

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.