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.

Roof Pitch

The angle of a steel building's roof is determined by roof pitch. Roof pitch indicates the rise vertically for every 12 inches of travel horizontally. Our online system allows you to choose up to a 6:12 pitch. There are many considerations with both higher and lower roof pitches. Higher pitched roofs may add to the cost of the building, but can add performance to a building in a heavy snow region. Additionally, you can take advantage of extra space above. High-pitched roofs are less likely to leak and can add style to your building.

Low-pitched roofs require less material and therefore cost less. Also it is easier to heat and cool a building with a low-pitched roof. One major advantage of a low-pitched roof is expandability. If you ever add-on to your building you will be able to add more space while keeping the loss of headroom to a minimum.

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.

Insulating Against Radiant Heat

Traditional forms of mass insulation, like fiberglass, are effective in preventing heat transfer by conduction and convection, but they less effect on radiant heat. Between 80 and 90% of the radiant heat striking fiberglass will pass through or be "emitted". Radiant transfer typically has as much impact on the temperature in a building as conduction and convection. For more information on radiant barrier facings click here.

RESIDENTIAL

Your decision to build is an important one. You have pictured yourself owning your own building, built just the way you want. You have imagined every detail, inside and out. It is a treasured vision, a promise you have made to yourself. And because your business operation is different from any other, your ideas about what you and your company want in a facility are unique. Your dealer, who is backed by a team of professional engineers, can help you turn your dream into a reality. Dealers have worked with a multitude of owners and developers to design efficient, economical structures that reflect the appropriate image for their operations. Architects and engineers will work with your dealer to design a building to meet your individual requirements. We can also work personally with you, your architect's plans, through your dealer to engineer a building system which uses practical, sensible, quality materials to achieve and complete your objective.

Using only the highest quality materials available, factory trained craftsmen use sophisticated Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) equipment to fabricate your building materials. Our commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and high quality workmanship assures you ease of construction, saving you money in time and labor. You have worked and planned to build a building that you can be proud of, and will serve your needs through the years to come; a place which is uniquely yours, a facility that is just as you imagined it. An establishment that brings your special ideas to life. It is an approach that lets you save money, yet build exactly the type of establishment you have always dreamed would be yours someday. This type of approach has pleased thousands of owners just like you. It is a concept that lets you use the pioneer spirit of people working together - you, your dealer, and Metal Building Depot, Inc. - to fulfill your own special vision of the American Dream . . . to build the building of your dreams today. Our steel frame load bearing wall systems with steel partitions provide attractive secure units. The use of fluted block, brick, wood, stucco, or steel can enhance the overall appearance to help attract even more customers.