Gutters & Downspouts

These are generally not required on steel buildings. However, use of these components often enhances the appearance of a building, control drip, splash and drainage.

Gutters and downspouts are an optional accessory that serves as trim. Gutters dramatically improve the appearance of buildings, and we recommend them for most building applications. Downspouts control the water falling from the roof, preventing the water from splashing up on the sides of the building.

On every Metal Building Depot building, die-formed ridge caps are used to cover the peak opening in the center ridge of the building. Some sellers provide a ridge roll cover that must be sealed with closures. Installing ridge roll trim is not an easy task. Over time the exposed foam closures deteriorate and there can be potential leak problems. Our die-formed ridge caps match the panel profile perfectly and are formed to fit the pitch of the roof. Die-formed ridge caps create an almost seamless transition across the roof.

On The Farm

I don't know of any farm operation that could get buy without barns for equipment storage, feed storage or any other general warehousing needs. Many older farms are now removing old wooden structures and replacing their old buildings with new steel structures. While the old antique tractor may look good in front of the old barn, many are weary of storing precious items in an old rotten structure. Steel is stronger, straighter and will last eons longer than wood. In a home, wood is fine. Houses are designed so that the wooden structural components do not have direct exposure to the elements, but on the farm it is often hard to prevent the outside from coming into the barn.

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.

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.

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.