Metal Garage Building, Affordable Buildings.com
Metal buildings are a widely accepted multi-use style of construction. With its durability, ease of construction, low price per square foot for erection and materials, and versatility they are very sought after. From industrial parks to garages steel buildings can be found. Some areas of use I would like to explore include are: barns, metal storage buildings, churches, garages, residential homes, airplane hangers, civic centers, agricultural storage, gymnasiums, to name a few.
When considering building a new structure a natural first step is to evaluate your options. For a large building the three main choices are wood, metal, a hybrid, or a poly structure. Some of the oldest large buildings in the country are timber framed barns. So wood is a the oldest form of the three. As more metal working and stell mills developed, then metal buildings became available. A hybrid metal building is a wooden superstructure with metal siding and a metal roof. And the poly buildings are the most recent arrivals.
Between wood and steel some companies estimate steel buildings to cost 50% less than wood. Metal buildings are not effected by rot, mildew, termites, or other insects. Rust is the main enemy of steel. Steel buildings also do well at withstanding weather damage and heat.
Let’s explore the topic of rust more thoroughly with metal buildings. The main part affected by rust is the exterior shell, i.e. siding, roofing, and any metal doors. One major defense to rust is purchasing a building with a twenty year or more paint warranty. Some companies use a better process of applying the paint and a higher grade of paint product. In one case we built a horse riding arena for some customers. The building came with a twenty year warranty on the paint on the metal roof and sides. For another customer we built a 30×50 shop. The second customer purchased metal siding that were seconds or slightly imperfect. After three years the the tan siding on the shop had a lot of rust showing on the siding and roof. On the other hand the horse riding arena with the twenty year warranty looked like new. When a high quality paint is chosen it makes the building very maintenance free.
Wood buildings with wood siding must be repainted or stained more often. Even if a high quality exterior wood sealant is sued the maximum life is about five to seven years before it must be reapplied. Wood is at risk of more quickly being damaged by weather. Carpenter bees, carpenter ants, and termites must be checked for. And any rotten wood must be replaced.
Any time a new project is being planned for the risk of fire is a possible threat which must be evaluated. Steel has a very high melting point. Some fires do not get hot enough to harm the steel. The contents of the building may burn, but the steel super structure and siding is not consumed. Steel buildings have come into prevalence for factories and industries because of their heat resistance. For explosions and high temperature manufacturing they are considered safer.
Steel Buildings Structurally
Now let’s look at the design specifications and capabilities of metal buildings. Steel buildings are available in very wide clear spans with low roof lines. If you refer back to the list of uses at the beginning of this article, most of them require wide clear spans. Garage, steel homes, and mini storage units are about the only one wihd do not need a wide area. Gyms, stadiums, and churches are indicative of large gatherings of people. Indoor riding arenas and airplane hangers are sport related buildings. A minimum width for a riding arena is sixty feet, but seventy to one hundred is highly preferred. Industrial buildings and manufacturers benifit from having large sections of their manufacturing under one roof.
With a steel building the ceiling is open and vaulted up to the peak. A wood truss building has flat truss bottoms across the entire building interior. The vaulted ceiling gives a more open feeling. Also it offers more clearance for machinery to operate or higher pallets of material on the inside. On the exterior of the steel building the overall roof pitch is much less than a wooden truss building over the same width. Wood trusses are susceptible to wind damage during construction. When all of the trusses are set on top of the walls before the sheeting begins they are very vulnerable. When a metal building is built the entire superstructure is bolted together before the roof and sides are installed making all of the pieces connect together. But with any building the siding and roofing should be completed quickly.
Metal buildings experience something called “uplift”. Uplift means that when a steel building is opened the air pours into a building and pushes outward. On a high wind day this is especially a concern. The result can be door and windows pushing outward and siding and roofing to be forced off of the building. To help guard against this happening specially designed screws must be used for the siding and roofing. These self tapping screws come with a rubber gasket around the screw next to the screw head. To totally calculate for potential uplift the total number of door and window openings are calculated into the equation. Uplift not only affects the skin of the building but also the foundation and superstructure. Larger footings, cement piers, rebar, are some of the ways uplift is combated.
It is never a bad idea to take the extra step and get engineered drawings for a building. Though engineered drawings are not required in all areas, having an independent engineer review all of the blue prints and a subsequent engineered stamp is a great peace of mind. First the metal building company draws up the preliminary drawings. Then the customer reviews them and makes all desired changes. The next step is the construction drawings are drawn up. Once completed then they are submitted to an engineer for review. The engineer makes notes on any changes he would like to see incorporated into the drawings. The designers make the needed adjustments. And finally the engineer signs off on the drawings and applies his stamp.
For companies that are attaching anything to the superstructure of the building, this too must be accounted for in the blue print stage. Pulleys are sometimes attached to lift car engines. Some times plants use hoists mounted on tracking to move things from one end of the plant to another. For some industries cranes are needed. But any time the integrity of a building is modified by something like this it must be engineered for before the modification is done. In the planning stage of a building all of this sort of circumstances and uses must be presented to not only the company your are buying the building from, but also relayed to the engineer.
Metal Building Kits
One advantage of purchasing a metal building is they come in kits. Everything needed to build the building is on hand when the shipment arrives. All of the pieces pre drilled and pre-welded ready for assembly. Also the detailed blue prints are there to help with assembly. For large buildings it is best to hire an experienced contractor to build them. Some general contractors specialize in metal, steel, and pole buildings. These are usually the best to contract with. Obtaining a minimum of three detailed bids is very important. Be sure to ready every line of the contract and review exactly what is included, payment schedules, completion projections, and time frames. Though most contractors have more than one project going on at the same time, you do not want the contractor to take several months to complete a job which could be done in half the time. At other times one contractor may have included a different level of completion that someone else. If cement work is not included then that will great affect the price. If another contractor included some finish work on the interior that also will change the price. So be sure to know what each contractor is bidding and the level of completion for each.
Another warning flag is if a builder gives a very low bid. Sometimes they are not experienced enough to handle the project, or they do not carry good insurance, or their workers are not properly paid or insured. There have been cases where an uninsured contractor had an accident and sued the ranch owner. So be sure to do your homework and get contractors to provide proof of licensing and insurance.
For smaller buildings such as a garage, shop, or barn some homeowners choose to build them themselves. With everything cut to length and once again detailed drawings assembly is not overly difficult. Some homeowners choose to build an enclosed breezeway from the house to the garage. Then a metal building looks nice attached to the home and the cost is less than matching the style of the home’s construction.
When shopping for a metal building there are many out there. Local representatives may have a model building for you to tour. Looking online at companies and product specifics can also be very useful. Other friends who have built buildings are also more than happy to show you theirs and tell you about their experience with it. The first step is to find the layout that you like. Once this is sketched out then you can present it to various companies. Some companies are more competitive than others. Quality of metal, building limitations such as width, lead for orders, and shipping destinations are all considerations which affect the price. It is wise to select a company that has been in business at least ten years. At times the local representative for a company will also be a builder. This can be a good combination.
Metal buildings are well accepted in both commercial and residential construction sectors. From garages to metal storage buildings, churches to factories, they can be found in almost every type of construction. These are high quality steel buildings with long life spans. They are an investment in the future of a company instead of a make-do solution.
Due to the wide clear span capability of metal buildings, many airport, both commercial and private, utilize them for airplane hangers. A steel structure is able to have a wider clear span than a wood truss building. Also metal superstructure provides extra head room due to the open gable construction. Wood truss buildings are only as high as the bottom of the trusses. Metal buildings are open all the way to the peak. Also an overall lower roof line on the outside provides less wind resistance. A metal building many times has an exterior roof pitch of 2×12 or 3×12 while a wood truss is many times 6×12 or more in order to gain enough structural strength in the trusses to cover the same wide span. Many metal buildings are 60 feet wide. Others can go 100′ wide with out any interior supports.
Now let’s look at all of this in conjuction with airplanes and airports. Airplanes need a very wide door to pass through. If a metal building is used with a width of 100′, then about 95′ feet or more can be open at one time. The entire end of the building can be left open or roll to the side doors can be designed for them. Also when inside the hanger, ladders and other things are needed for working on the different parts of the plane. The higher interior roof allows for such work to be performed.
Airplane Hanger Metal Building by Prime Steel Buildings
On the outside, airports are notorious for the wind. A lower roof line to the entire building allows for the air to pass over it more easily than the wood truss. Also the lower roof line is an asset if a plane or ultra light is in the air. If there is less height to an obstacle, an plane in trouble may be able to avoid it.
Open construction buildings with very strong construction are ideal for industrial use and also private planes. There are many people who like to own a plane and use it for a hobby. At our local airport there is a whole line up of small private planes. There in one in particular that always catches our eye when it flies over. It is an orange bi-plane. Even our neighbor boy is getting in on the act with a small remote control plane. He hopes to join the air force someday and train to be a pilot. How many kids have gained an inspiration for something by being introduced to it, even by just living near a private airport with neat metal buildings in a row for airplane hangers. Some day you might even be looking for aircraft sales.
Metal building construction can be done by a Do-It-Yourself-er, or by a general contractor. There are many things to consider before selecting your metal building. The first step is to decide exactly what function the building is going to serve. If mixing a shop with a horse barn, or a garage attached to an existing building, be sure to contact your insurance first. There may be less permits and less expense if the metal building is free standing. Metal buildings are known for fire resistance, but if attached to a wood building or a garage may chance the way the insurance company looks at it. Also mixing a horse barn and a metal garage building with a shop can be a problem at times. The hay and shavings for horses can be looked at as an elevated liability, so consulting your agent before you begin is wise.
Once the exact purpose of the metal building is determined, a simple pencil sketch in a great next step. By thinking through exactly how you want the building laid out, doors and windows included and what size vehicles or machinery that will be passing through the door openings, you can begin your design process. 
After an approximate size is determined and a pencil sketch is laid out, the next step is to begin looking for a supplier. There are several ways to do this. A simple Internet search can show companies with lots of photos, years of experience, and also some sites have pricing. Looking online gives a non-intrusive means to compare companies. If there are free dvds or brochures, go ahead and send away for them. The more informed you are, the more pleased you will be with the finished building. (Note: you may want to not include your phone number, an address and email address can keep them from cold calling you later).Many companies ship nationwide, so don’t be discouraged if the company that impresses you the most is 2,500 miles away. Also look on their website for a local representative.
Another great way to locate a reputable company is personal referral. If any neighbors or local businesses have erected a building in the last few years, stopping to talk with them about their experience is a great way to gain insight. People love to talk about their buildings, so don’t hesitate to stop in and ask a few questions. I know as log builders, I will gladly tell you companies that have been wonderful to deal with, and ones that are less than adequate.
A third way is to investigate your local phone book. A local representative will often be on site when the load arrives and inventory the con tense. Also they are available for Q and A during construction.
Once a company is selected, a metal building contractor might need to be found. This can be done by asking the metal building company for a list of contractors, or by contacting local builders directly. When choosing someone to entrust your project to, be sure to interview other people who have used them. Also be sure that the contractor has several years of experience in metal building construction, not just general construction. Visiting other building the builder has erected is also very important. Someone can sound competent, and know very little about the hands on construction. 
All in all, do your research, be sure your contractor has the proper insurance and experience to handle your project, and visit building from your supplier of choice and from your builder. A nightmare can turn into reality when you see your building in shambles because your research was not good enough. As a child, my parents built a clear span 100′x200′ indoor horse riding arena from wood. Many years later they still have not quite recovered from seeing their dreams turned to match sticks by a “freak wind”. They thought they had a reputable contractor, but he had not built any buildings as large as this one. Do yourself a favor and be sure to view other by a contractor before you hire them. Metal buildings can be the best investment you ever make. Durable, sturdy, insect resistant, and easy construction make it a great choice.
