CHOOSING METAL BUILDINGS

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.

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.

Thanks for reading! Sue

Metal Buildings are very widely accepted today. One major area of use is commercial buildings. Commercial would include industrial buildings, civic centers, gymnasiums, indoor horse riding arenas, metal storage buildings, churches, and agricultural buildings, to name just a few.

Metal buildings are capable of very wide spans with vaulted ceilings. Clear span is vital to indoor horse arenas and some industrial buildings. Also the vaulted ceiling on the inside allows for higher clearance in factories and gymnasiums. Wood truss buildings have a higher roof line on the outside, but a flat ceiling on the inside. This does not allow for as much openness. In a church or horse arena a vaulted ceiling gives a much more open feel to the metal building.

During metal building construction, the super structure of the metal building is bolted together. The piers are erected, then the main trusses are bolted together, and then lifted with a crane, and bolted to the top of the piers. This construction is less susceptible to wind damage before it is covered in metal sheeting than a wood truss building. The wood trusses have a very high peak, especially when the building has a wide clear span. A strong wind can come up and push the trusses before they are protected with the sheeting. Several years ago a 100′x200′ indoor riding arena had all but two of the trusses set. Even though they were braced, a strong wind came up and made match sticks out of the building. In the end the construction insurance only covered approximately $6,000 of the total damage. Not to say that a steel building is invincible, but the strong superstructure that is bolted together with a lower roof line is something to really think about.

Wood buildings are a viable option for many sorts of construction, but they do cost more than the metal, require more maintenance, and also attract insects. Also during construction there is much more waste from a wood building. When purchasing a metal building, typically the only thing that has to be cut on site is the metal roof and side sheeting. The metal is recyclable, so the little waste that does accumulate is easily taken to the scrap yard.

A large building is similar to a balloon when the wind comes up. The force puts outward pressure on the whole structure. This tendency is called, “uplift”. This uplift affects everything from the footers, to the superstructure to the walls. Footers and piers may need extra strength added to them to counteract the uplift. Also metal siding and roofing must be installed with the appropriate self tapping screws with rubber or vinyl rings. This keeps the siding from popping of off the structure. This is one topic that should be looked into before a building is purchased. The structural engineer with the company supplying the building should address this in the plans.

Any time that hoists, cranes, conveyor belts, or rigging is going to be affixed to the superstructure it must be compensated for in the drawings before the building is erected. Buildings are designed for things like snow load in a particular area. Added strain on the framework could result in damaging or destroying the building. Be sure to consider exactly what a facility will require and then relay that to the structural engineer. The engineer must know exactly what the building will be expected to handle before it designed.