Overall Heat Transmission Coefficient (U-Value)

A unit used to express heat passage through a complete building section, including air films. U-Values serve as a basis for determining transmitted heat loss. The lower the U-Value, the higher the insulation value.

Engineered Buildings

Don't be reluctant to purchase an engineered building because you think that it will limit your options. There are unlimited building styles and configurations to choose from. A person needing a metal church building will most likely want a different construction style than someone looking to erect a steel building horse barn. For this reason, engineered buildings are as diverse as the purposes they are used. If you require assistance in addressing your particular needs and specifications many steel building manufacturers offer design services to walk you through the process, some even offer online design programs.

Most pre engineered metal building manufacturers will have a common design that suits your needs, but never hesitate to ask for custom designed plans. A qualified manufacturer should make no hesitation in designing the exact building you desire.

Condensation Control

The condensation process occurs when warmer moist air comes in contact with cold surfaces such as framing members, windows and other thermally conductive accessories, or the colder region within the insulation itself (if moisture has penetrated the vapor retarder). Warm air, having the ability to contain more moisture than cold air, loses that ability when it comes in contact with cooler surfaces or regions. When this happens, excessive moisture in the air is released in the form of condensation. If this moisture collects in the insulation, the insulating value is decreased.

In dealing with condensation, air may be considered to be a mixture of two gases-dry air and water vapor. One thousand cubic feet of air at 75°F can hold up to 1.4 pints of water. At 45°F, it can hold only 0.5 pints.

Relative Humidity is a percentage measurement of the amount of water vapor present in the air in relation to the amount it is capable of holding at that temperature. Therefore, 50% Relative Humidity would mean that the air is carrying only one-half of the total amount of moisture that it could be holding at that particular temperature. Cold outside air is usually much drier than warm inside air. Therefore, you can lower the Relative Humidity by bringing in outside air to mix with and dilute the moist inside air. At 100% Relative Humidity, the air is "saturated."

The temperature at which the air is saturated and can no longer hold additional moisture is called the dew point temperature. Whenever air temperature drops below its dew point, excess moisture will be released in the form of condensation. Condensation problems are most likely to occur in climates where temperatures frequently dip to 35°F or colder over an extended period of time.

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.

Benifits of Steel Buildings

There are many benefits to building with steel over conventional construction methods. A steel building is probably one of the most economical building choices you can make. Steel buildings have many features not available with many other forms of construction. Steel buildings are typically more economical than conventional methods and can be completed in approximately two-thirds the time required for conventional construction. The appearance of steel buildings can easily be enhanced with many forms of exterior finishes. A suitably insulated metal building can drastically decrease heating and cooling expenses. Insulated roof and wall systems preserve and reassure thermal efficiencies. Extended life materials reduce maintenance, and eliminate troubles such as structural deterioration, rotting and insect damage.