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.

Ridge Vent

Ridge vents come completely assembled for ease of installation. Ridge vents supplied by Metal Building Depot are of a low profile design to provide gravity type ventilation. Because gravity ridge vents are designed to allow free airflow, some penetration of water during blowing rains is to be expected. Standard available finishes for the ridge vents are polar white and galvalume. Other colors may be available at an additional cost. Nominal ridge vent length is 10'-0". Ridge vents are available with 9" and 12" throats. Bird screens are provided as a standard. The ridge vents can be ordered as continuous or single units. Exterior parts are 26 gage painted or galvalume. Interior parts are all made of G90 galvanized steel. The substructure consists of 10 gage saddle straps with interior baffles of 24 gage steel. Lifter arms and damper slides are made of 18 gage steel. Manual operation is through activation of a pull bar which is attached internally to bell cranked type lifter arms connected to the damper with Teflon coated pins through the damper slides. Dampers are spring loaded to remain in the open position until the pull bar is operated and locked in the closed position. Dampers operate in a vertical manner. Each vent is opened by a pull chain that extends approximately 12" below the roof unless noted otherwise on the order documents. Other opening mechanisms are available at an additional cost upon special request. Ridge vents should not be placed closer than 5’-0" to the endwall steel line to allow room to properly flash the building. For example, a 90’-0" long building with ridge vents required the entire length should have no more than (8) units. The ridge vents are available with the following accessories:

Pre Engineered Steel Buildings

Growth is good for every business. It can also be overwhelming when facilities, staff and production seem to be bursting at capacity. By adding needed space, it is possible to alleviate pressure by providing the appropriate workspace to achieve the greatest efficiency. Something that makes pre engineered steel buildings and steel storage buildings attractive to buyers is the flexibility of the external and internal floor plan. Every site has constraints that a conventional builder may be reluctant to work around, but metal buildings can be built to suit any site requirements.

There should be no reason not to consider a pre-engineered steel building for your construction solution. Steel buildings provide comfort and amenities equal or greater than conventional construction methods. If you are renting office space, and considering building your own complex, you can instantly realize the benefits of owning a steel building.

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.

Facings as Vapor Barriers

The main function of facings is to act as a vapor barrier. While a vapor barrier may not necessarily be able to stop the flow of water vapor, it does an excellent job of minimizing the rate and volume of the flow. This prevents moisture from accumulating within the insulation blanket and the structure, which translates into consistent thermal values and lower heating and cooling costs.

Facings intended to serve as vapor barriers should be installed on the inner, heated surface of the insulation, where vapor pressure is the highest. This helps in preventing vapor from reaching the cooler air and condensing.

VAPOR BARRIERS PREVENT VAPOR FROM REACHING COOLER AIR AND CONDENSING.