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Steel Building Kit

Steel Building Styles

Metal building kits come in a variety of styles and can be customized to fit your needs.

Quonset Huts

Quonset Arch Steel Buildings offer extreme versatility and ease of assembly. Suitable for a variety of purposes from farming to commercial, this building style has become popular as a DIY garage or workshop building.

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Steel Frame Buildings

Steel Frame Buildings are a traditional style of building with straight walls and a peaked or sloped roof. It's an economical option for both large commercial buildings like warehouses, and smaller residential construction.

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Why Choose a Steel Building Kit?

The decision to make a building is not an easy one. Even harder, is determining what type of building and the best supplier for your needs. Below are a few of the main reasons steel building kits have become so popular over the years and why they may be the right option for you. Be sure to do your research and if there are any questions, request a quote with your building requirements and speak with a specialist who can answer your specific needs.

Lower Building Costs

Buildings are an expensive proposition, but you can help minimize costs by choosing a custom metal building kit. These buildings are able to reduce construction costs first by taking advantage of mass-production in a factory. Second, they have lower assembly costs than traditional buildings since everything is pre-cut and requires less labor for erection. Finally, unlike with traditional construction where a good portion of the material is cut and left unused, there's virtually no waste with steel building kits because any excess metal can be melted and recycled into future buildings.

Easier Construction

People often overlook this part of the building process, but it's a big one. You wouldn't be looking for a building unless there's an immediate need. With traditional-style buildings such as wood-framed or brick, construction can take months, or even years depending on the size and complexity of your building. Steel building kits simplify the construction process by cutting pieces at the factory. In many cases, such as with Quonset hut kits, building kit walls can be bolted together without any special equipment or experience. This will not always be the case when you get into larger buildings such as commercial warehouses, but your representative will be able to assist with estimated build times for your specific building needs.

Fewer Headaches

No matter how stress-free you may be, the process of buying and constructing a building can be a stressful one. Issues often come from contractors being late, building plans not matching the constructed building, inspectors having issues with the way things are approached, etc. You can also run into issues getting building plans approved. With a prefab steel buildings kit, you know what you're getting into, the building should arrive as designed and be sure to speak with your rep about engineer-stamped building plans which will help make the municipal building approvals as streamlined as possible.

Engineered for Your Needs

If you're looking to create a traditional style custom building from scratch, then the cost of an architect and engineer can be prohibitive. If you're thinking of skipping them, think again since many local building departments will require them. One of the benefits of steel building kits is that they can be easily engineered and have the steel gauged for your local building codes. Most factories have multiple engineers on site for this very purpose. Engineering is not always included so be sure to speak with your building rep about having a factory engineer review and stamp your building drawings.

Steel Building Questions & Answers

What are Steel Buildings?

We have been using metal to build structures for a long time. Modern skyscrapers are possible because of iron beams. It wasn't until around the end of the twentieth century that we began to make modern metal buildings. These come in a variety of forms but most commonly you’ll see arch-style or Quonset buildings, I-Beam straight wall buildings (aka, red iron buildings), or light weight frame buildings like c-channel buildings.

Common Uses

The first metal buildings were airplane hangars, garages, warehouses, and barns. These days you'll find a variety of additional uses however.

Today we use modern building materials, finishing options, and insulation to construct these structures. Steel buildings can be a better choice for retail stores, churches, Sports Arenas, manufacturing plants, and offices. They have some advantages when we compare them to traditional construction methods. They are faster to build and they are cheaper to produce. Much of the work is done in a factory where the components for the building are fabricated.

Steel buildings can be a great choice whether you need a 150' x 300' manufacturing facility or a 10' x 20' shed. You do have some decisions to make with your construction project so you can avoid some of the pitfalls that occur when you use steel buildings.

Are Red Iron and Steel Buildings the Same Thing?

Red Iron metal buildings are a type of steel building kit. They feature heavy-gauge columns which often oxidize, or are painted with a Red Oxide coating.

For larger industrial and commercial applications, they're the most common solution. Flat steel panels are used for the walls and the roof and they have a steel skeleton frame. In any of the walls, you can place a window, or a door and these structures are expandable. We often use this design for retail spaces, mini storage, airplane hangars, churches, or office warehouses.

This design is easier to build than a traditional building, but you need more equipment and expertise when compared to the arch style.

How Large can the Building Be?

Steel building kits can be customized for your size requirements. Quonset arch steel buildings manage widths of 10 to 100+ feet wide and unlimited lengths. Straight-wall style buildings can come in larger widths by adding additional bays. They can range from a small straight wall steel buildings kit of 10 feet wide, to a massive 100k square foot warehouse and hundreds of feet wide and long.

Many steel buildings are single-story, but you can have two or three floors if this is required.

Clear Span Space for Maximum Usability

You must decide if you want to have interior columns. If you have a clearspan building this doesn’t have interior columns and it can be around 150' wide. As a structure gets wider, the frame must support more weight, and this adds to the expense. Modular commercial steel buildings can be over 1000' but inside there are metal columns. A modular building can also be a different construction type which is smaller and more finished. This building is factory produced and then shipped to its destination.

You have size options no matter what type of structure you decide upon. There are upgrades and add-ons that can turn your simple building into something else such as a multi-functional shop.

What Ceiling Heights are Available?

The interior clearance and the overall height which is measured from the outside are the two main aspects you need to know about height. Zoning laws may impact the building height and the clearance height will play a role in what design you use.

Common Building Heights

For many applications, 10' will be fine on the low end and if you need to accommodate, heavy construction vehicles, warehouse shelving systems, tractor-trailer or even an airplane. Height of up to 30' can be used but there is added cost for that much clearance.

Types of Roof Construction

There are several types of roofs that come with steel buildings. A single slope construction has one wall side which is higher than the other. The roof slants from the high wall to the lower wall. A gable or peaked roof has a traditional peak with the roof running down the sides of the structure.

You might be able to choose the pitch for the roof. We usually use a ratio of 1:12 for a roof that is flat, and the roof rises 1” for each 12” of width. The steepest for steel building is usually 4:12. With more pitch, you get better clearance inside and the building has more ability to shed snow or rain. The building can also look better but the costs go up.

When you have an arch style building there is no distinction between the walls and sides as they act as both together. You may have an arch building with a point at the top while others have a uniform curve. You have fewer options in most cases when compared to a rigid frame building when using the arch style.

Are Steel Buildings Environmentally Friendly?

Can Steel Buildings be Customized to Meet Specific Needs?

What do Steel Building Kits Cost?

It can be a little difficult to estimate steel building prices as there are many variables for projects. Local building codes and impact prices to a large extent. A building in Denver, for example, needs to handle heavy snow and will cost more, while a building in New Mexico doesn’t need this. The extras you add in like interior panels and insulation can also add to the price.

The economy fluctuates so price quotes can change over short periods like six months. Raw material prices will also go up and down frequently which can impact prices.

A basic rigid-frame steel building runs around $12-$20 per square foot. This will include construction, materials, foundation, and delivery. A building that is more finished is around $20-$30 per square foot. If you have customized buildings with unusual shapes, brick facades, or construction that is complex, this will run you around $40 per square foot or higher. Materials may be around $5-$15 per square foot and will vary depending upon the building size as smaller buildings can cost more. A 20' x 20' garage could cost 6,000, or $15/sq. ft while a 250' x 120' church could be $240,000 or $8/sq. ft.

The cost for the foundation is usually a standard amount at around $4-$7 per square foot for the poured concrete. Your GC may add this to the proposal, but a manufacturer or broker won’t.

The labor costs will depend upon the size of the project and this typically runs $2-$6 per square foot. The costs are charged by the hour so if the building is more complex, the costs will rise. As there is increased competition in the marketplace, labor costs may be lower.

A large metal building with insulation will add thousands to the total but this is a wise investment. The building will have solid soundproofing and resale value. You will meet new energy codes and save on energy bills.

What Add-Ons are Available?

Insulation

Unless you plan to have the building unoccupied, insulation is required. The building codes for energy are now more stringent and you’ll need extra insulation. We use the same rating for commercial buildings and residential construction which is -7 is equivalent to 2” of insulation, and R-19 is 6”.

The minimum amount of insulation for the roof is R-19 which is 6 inches. The walls need R-13 or 4 inches. The maximum for the roof is R-38 or 12 inches and the walls are R-19 or 6 inches. Insulation is initially going to be more expensive, but you’ll have savings on your energy bill within one year. A vapor barrier can also protect the walls and roof more condensation so you might also want to install that.

Doors & Windows

A walk door for pedestrians is also other extra that you may need. You might need skylights for natural lights, windows, vehicle doors, and gutters for runoff. To help with insulation, get insulated doors and double-pane windows.

If you plan on loading and unloading materials or trucks, you will want to include a larger truck-sized door.

Solar Panels

Quite a few people on the West Coast use solar panels on the building roof. You need more steel to support the weight of them, but they reduce energy costs and are environmentally friendly.

Colors

Cosmetic add-ons are going to be next. You need to decide on the exterior building color. If you are concerned with appearance then look to fancier exterior options like stucco, brick, or wood facades. These might be important to you depending upon your needs. Partitions or interior walls for offices are done by a construction contractor and not the manufacturer of the steel building

Where can I Purchase a Steel Building?

There are many ways to purchase your steel building kit and the best solution will depend on your level of construction knowledge and amount of time you want to dedicate to the building's completion.

Below are the most popular ways to purchase a building. Steel Buildings Kit can connect you to providers like this in your area, based on your specific needs.

GC or general contractor – These individuals construct the building. They will get an idea on the type of building that you need. They then speak to manufacturers or a broker and give you several options. They may use a preferred manufacturer to make the building. Working with a GC can be the easiest way to get your building done.
Building Broker – A broker will work with several factories. They consult with you to determine what you need. They give you a proposal and indicate which manufacturer can best serve you. Once pieces are shipped your involvement with them ends. The building needs to be set up by you or you must hire a GC.
Steel Building Manufacturer – A steel building factory that makes building components may work directly with a customer. You pick existing specifications and they build it and ship it to you. In some cases, a customized building can be constructed. You are required to put the structure together to your GC.

If you don't have experience with managing or planning a construction project get a GC if you don't already have one that you already work with.

A broker has a lot of experience with steel buildings and has connections with different manufacturers. This can help you save money as they can work with you to find a good deal. If you don’t have a qualified contractor, they can locate one for you in your area.

If you already have experience with building projects, then you might want to go directly to the manufacturer as you know what you want. By cutting out the middle-man, you’ll eliminate finger pointing if things go wrong. If you have a small-scale project such as an arch style structure buying direct can be the best option.

It’s 50/10 whether you go with a supplier or a contractor. As a buyer, you probably only want to work with one company, so the project is simplified.

Evaluating Steel Building Providers

The selection of your steel building seller is an important step. You will find sellers that have stained the marketplace with deceptive contract language, aggressive sales techniques, and quotes that don't meet the building codes for your area.

When shopping for your building, be sure to request multiple quotes for your steel building kit. You may hear a story which sounds too good to be true, but receive a lower quote from another provider.

The best way to verify a provider is to speak with a reference from the company. Ask your rep and they should be able to provide some. You can ask them:

How long have you been a customer of this supplier? How many of their prefab steel buildings have you bought from them?
Would you buy from the seller again?
Were the deliveries on time and complete?
Did the building you receive work for your application?

The easiest way to receive multiple quotes is by submitting our easy steel building price form for a free no-obligation quote.

What are the Advantages of Using Steel in Construction?

Steel is a highly durable and strong material that can withstand a wide range of weather conditions and loads. It is also relatively easy to work with, making it a popular choice for construction projects. Additionally, steel buildings are often more cost-effective than buildings constructed using other materials, as steel is relatively inexpensive and requires less maintenance over time.

How does the Cost of Steel Buildings Compare to Alternatives?

Price a Steel Building for Your Needs

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