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STEEL BUILDING CONSTRUCTION is expanding rapidly in the United States, with good reason. Up until about sixty years ago, steel buildings were only thought of in reference to garages, sheds, or barns. Metal was simply not considered suitable for other types of building needs. However, advances in steel manufacturing, versatility in design and appearance of steel buildings, and relatively low cost compared to other more traditional buildings such as wood or masonry- these are just some of these reasons why people are now considering steel construction in a new light.
In addition, a pre-engineered steel building can be highly energy efficient, both in terms of its manufacturing process as well as lower heating and cooling costs. These days, metal buildings are actually the preferred option for many other types of buildings, including:
Prefab Churches
Commercial buildings
Retail steel buildings
Metal Warehouses
Prefab School buildings
Manufacturing buildings
Steel Aircraft hangars
Steel indoor riding arena
Metal Recreation centers
Barns (tractor, horse, storage)
Steel storage buildings
Steel mini-shops
Steel sports arenas
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Metal Building System
1. Lower Cost- It’s possible to save as much as 50% of what you might pay for conventional types of construction.
2. Speed in erection- You will have the use of your new facility much sooner.
3. Long lifespan and long warranties- Steel structures are frequently guaranteed for 50 years, and require very little maintenance, especially as compared with wood buildings.
4. Lower Insurance Costs- Up to 40% less.
5. High resistance to seismic activity and high wind/hurricane
6. Pre-cut steel components are more efficient to manufacture than conventional materials
7. Plentiful options for an attractive outside that fits into the community. Choices can include many colors; brick, slate or stucco finishes can be attached as well. Your steel building does not have to look like a steel building at all!
8. No problems with termites, rotting, splitting, insect infestation in walls, etc.
9. Ease and flexibility in expanding the size of the building if it becomes necessary at some future time.
10. Last, but not least are the environmental benefits of a steel building purchase….
Steel- A “Green” Choice for New Construction
Steel has earned the nickname, “the EnviroMetal.” Did you know that steel is the most recycled material on the planet? It is a terrific choice for sustainable and green construction, a benefit that is becoming more and more important to people as the natural resources of our planet are increasingly depleted.
Take a look at these impressive facts:
Steel is 100% recyclable
All new North American steel currently being forged contains recycled steel.
2 out of 3 pounds of new steel today are made out of old steel.
Almost 76 million tons of steel were recycled in the US in 2006.
Every ton of steel that is recycled saves approx. 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal and 120 pounds of limestone.
New steel made with recycled steel is vastly more energy efficient, needing only ¼- 1/3 (approx) of the energy required to make steel from raw materials!
Greenhouse gas emissions per ton of steel shipped have been reduced by nearly 45% since 1975.
Both air and water emissions from steel production are a whopping 90% lower today than just 10 years ago.
More than 95 percent of the water used for steelmaking is recycled
Almost all the hazardous waste once generated by the steel industry is now being recycled for beneficial use.
This highly efficient use of materials results in a lower “carbon footprint.” Just as steel itself is environmentally friendly, there are also many benefits to the environment and to the purchaser from building with steel.
Metal buildings have a long lifecycle, they don’t need to be frequently repaired or replaced like wood. Some manufacturers guarantee their buildings structurally for 50 years.
Steel building materials do not release pollutants, although you must check with your manufacturer about the paints and coatings used on the steel if this is a concern for you.
Steel buildings are energy efficient to operate and maintain.
Research on “cool metal roofing” proves that the reflective properties of steel roofs provide significant savings in energy consumption. (“Cool metal roofing” uses heat-deflecting coatings that significantly decrease heat build up inside a building.)
Heat and cooling loss, especially around doors, windows, foundation, and roofing, are significantly lower than other types of construction.
The insulation used in steel structures also makes a huge difference to the energy efficiency of the building. Reflective insulation such as “Prodex Total Insulation” is both ICC-ES recognized and Energy Star Qualified.
(ICC-ES is a nonprofit corporation that does technical evaluations of building components, methods, and materials.)
Click here for detailed information about insulating a metal building.
Steel is the perfect choice for sustainability. The World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987 (U.N. Brundtland Report), explains the concept of sustainability in this way: “Meeting the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” When you choose a steel building system, you can feel confident that you have made an environmentally responsible choice, and are building for a sustainable tomorrow.
Did you know…
“A typical 2000-square-foot home requires about 40 to 50 trees, about an acre’s worth.
With steel, only the equivalent of about six scrapped automobiles is needed.”
-The Steel Recycling Institute
How to Purchase a Metal Building System
If you know that a steel building system is the right choice for you, here are some important things to know to insure that everything from the purchase to the erection of the building is simple, easy and trouble free.
Steel buildings can be purchased in one of three ways:
1.A pre-engineered kit. Pre- engineered, pre-designed, prefab or prefabricated building kits (these terms are used interchangeably) are designed for quick, simple and easy assembly. They are cheaper than custom designed steel buildings because they can be sold directly without commissioned salesman or new engineering costs, passing the savings along to you.
Here are some things to look for to insure you are getting the highest quality metal building kit:
Structural warranty- Minimum 50 years indicates a manufacturer who stands behind their product.
Paint warranty- The finish should last 20 years, with minimal maintenance.
Solid I- beam construction for the columns for the sidewalls and roof rafters- Material used should be minimum 50,000 and 36,000 psi.
80,000 psi. strength sheeting- highly resistant to dings and dents.
Pre-welded clips for ease of erection- most metal building manufacturers only supply the clips.
Girt and purlins overlap for additional structural integrity- A very important detail, especially if you live in an area with high wind, heavy snow or seismic activity.
Fully trimmed at gable, corners and eaves for a more finished look and additional protection from dust and wind seepage.
Cable bracing and/or /portal frame and/or rack brace which will add strength and rigidity.
Drawings and building plans stamped by an engineer certified for your state.
2. If price is a main consideration, some metal building manufacturers offer excellent discounts on prefab buildings that were ordered and manufactured but for some reason not delivered to the client. Obviously, they would like to sell these buildings so the potential for a great deal is quite high, sometimes as much as 25% off the original price. These particular metal buildings cannot be changed from the original specs though, so be sure these specifications are suitable to your needs before making a purchase of this type.
3. The third way is to have the steel building custom designed to your exact specifications and needs. The possibilities for these buildings are literally endless.
How to find the Right Steel Building Supplier for You…
Many factors impact the price of a steel building, including time spent by engineers and estimators, sales staff, as well as the differing costs of the building materials themselves. Additionally, the prices will change whenever the price of steel changes. Each building is designed to meet certain building code/load requirements; this will also have an effect on the price.
Here are some tips to get both great price and great service:
- Comparison shop prices for metal buildings with several different manufacturers.
- Choose a steel building manufacturer with an AISC-MB certification. This assures that the company has faced thorough engineering and production audits by independent inspectors.
- Check with the Better Business Bureau for any complaints against the manufacturer you choose.
- Ask for references.
- Inquire if any of the manufacturer’s buildings are already erected in your area, so that you can visit the finished product.
- When price shopping, make sure you’re comparing buildings with the exact same specifications. Some suppliers might give a cheaper estimate, but might not be offering all the same features and quality materials. Take detailed notes with each price comparison.
- Know that steel building quotes only include the building itself. All accessories including doors, windows, gutters, vents, insulation, will be priced separately.
- Know exactly what you need and exactly what you are getting when you compare prices from one supplier to another. As with any industry, while most firms are honest, there are some who will be happy to leave out important information or use inferior components to trick the uneducated shopper.
- Watch out for a sales rep who seems more interested in giving you a hard sell and closing the deal quickly, than addressing your questions and concerns. If you feel uncomfortable, that is a good sign that you are being pressured to purchase, and should raise an immediate red flag!
Steel building suppliers abound. By taking your time and doing a bit of checking, you are sure to find one who meets all your needs including: price, service, speed, building features and design or whatever other individual requirements you have for your steel building.
Some Key Points…
Know the structural dimensions of the proposed building- length, width, height, type of roof and roof pitch. An experienced building manufacturer can help you with all these design specifications.
Accessories- How many and what size framed openings, walk doors, windows, vents or skylights, as well as any added outside finishes such as brick or stucco.
Insulation - Metal buildings can get very warm and humid in the summer and cold in the winter. The proper insulation will solve this problem and save you significant amounts of money on heating and cooling costs. Not all steel structures require insulation, this depends on the purpose of the building itself.
Click here for more info about insulation.
Building Codes- before signing the contract, it is the purchaser’s responsibility to make sure the metal building is in compliance with local building codes!
Click here for more info about building codes.
Foundation- Most manufacturers recommend having the foundation professionally engineered, poured, and fully cured (dry) before your building is delivered to the site. Do not build on “green” concrete.
Building Erection- If you are hiring a professional contractor/erector, know that they are frequently booked months in advance during the busy seasons. Plan ahead! Your steel building supplier can recommend an erector in your area at the time you sign the contract for your building. It will take anywhere between 4-10 weeks for your building to be delivered.
In Summary…
Although there are many factors involved in getting the perfect steel building for your needs, a little education goes a long way to simplify things for even the most inexperienced buyer. The main ingredients are-
Knowing what you want and need
Taking the time to shop around for price and quality
Asking as many questions as you need to understand the terminology and exactly what you are getting from any particular supplier.
By taking these simple steps, you can have a smooth experience from start to finish, and be enjoying your new steel building in a very short time!
References
American Iron and Steel Institute, http://www.steel.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Fact_Sheets4&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=22071
ICC Evaluation Service, http://icc-es.org/Help/about.shtml
Metal Building Manufacturers Association, www.mbma.com
The Steel Recycling Institute, http://www.sustainable-steel.org/, http://www.recycle-steel.org/buyrecycled.html
The Metal Initiative, http://www.themetalinitiative.com/content/building_with_metal/benefits/sustainability/s_sustainability.cfm
Premier Steel Buildings, Inc, http://premiersteel.org/Insulations.html
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