Quonset Hut Kits

While metal buildings have been around for a long time, Quonsets are a more modern invention. That's not to say they are a 'new' invention, however.

During World War II, the Quonset hut was invented by the George A. Fuller Company for use by the US Navy. It was manufactured at "Quonset Point" in Rhode Island, which is where it got its name.

Since then the design has been modified in many ways such as larger arch overlaps to stop leaks and deeper grooves for stability. Another major development is the invention of a variety of profiles aside from the traditional semi-circular design.

Initially, quonsets hut kits were exclusively for military use. After the end of WWII they became a popular building style in the agricultural market due to their affordability and durability on the farm. Buildings were used for Barns, Grain Storage, Hay Storage, Livestock Shelters and more.

As time went on others recognized the incredible features these arch style steel buildings offer and began using them for residential purposes as well. Now common uses include:

• Single and Double Car Garages
• RV Garages
• Workshops
• Storage Buildings
• Commercial Buildings
• Industrial Factories
• Warehouses
• Housing
• and many other uses

There are many ways to insulate a Quonset Hut. One thing to note is that you'll need to have a vapor barrier. Without one, condensation will occur on the inside of the walls and will wet the insulation, and potentially lead to additional issues. The main options to insulate are:

Insulation Kits

These factory-provided insulation kits are designed specifically for quonsets and make insulation easy. It's generally fiberglass insulation with a plastic vapor barrier film on the inside and comes in long rolls. The factory will provide pins that screw onto the existing wall bolts. The pins pierce the insulation and a screw-on cap holds the insulation in place at the perfect distance. This allows the insulation to be unbroken and more efficient than when you have batts in between studs as the wood doesn't insulate as well.

Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam is another great way to insulate. Sprayed directly onto the interior of the walls, the foam acts as both insulation and vapor barrier in one. The foam hardens to give an interior finish where things can be butted up against it.

Insulation Batts or Panels and Framing

Another option, which we wouldn't necessarily recommend is to add wood framing to the inside. Once that's in place, you can add essentially any insulation as you would with a traditional wood-framed structure; fiberglass insulation, natural fiber insulation, foam panels, etc.

The main benefit of using Quonset huts for your building project is that you will have a building that is made out of one of the most durable metals on the planet, steel. The prefabricated components that are used to build a metal structure have several advantages.

Cost

You reduce your labor and you can save around 30% or more when you compare it to traditional construction methods. You also know what costs you're dealing with upfront since the building is purchased in one go. This is different from a traditional building which you're usually buying in parts (framing, siding, roofing, interior walls, etc.).

Speed

You can begin operation in around 60 to 90 days. Many other structures take around 6 months or longer before operations can begin.

Engineered

The structures are engineered buildings, meaning they are designed based on local codes for wind, snow, etc. The steel can be gauged thicker as need be. Drawings are generally included, but if you need them engineer stamped please check with your provider to ensure that's included.

Simpler Building Permits

For some buildings, you may require building permits from the local building department. Often this is for building over 100 square feet in more urban areas. Quonset huts make this process simpler since you can receive engineered drawings from the factory prior to receiving the building. These plans make the permitting process much simpler.

Dependable

Your structure doesn't require a lot of maintenance or repainting. When you construct a steel building they will last around 30 to 50 years depending upon the manufacturer that you used.

Made for Your Needs

Buildings are custom-sized to fit your needs. They generally range from 20 to 100 feet wide and can be any length in 2-foot increments. You're not stuck working with a predefined size so you get a building that fits your space perfectly.

Tons of Customizations

You can make the building your own by choosing from tons of different accessories. You can add doors, windows, skylights, vents, and more. There are also many custom colors available.

Fewer Headaches

If you're framing in a building yourself, or even having a contractor do so, there are often tons of issues that arise, and a daily trip to the hardware store to pick up that necessary part. These buildings have essentially everything you need, shipped right from the factory to your job site. This saves you time and is incredibly convenient.

Environmentally Friendly

Steel buildings are considered to be environmentally friendly. It doesn't take a lot of energy to create them and recycling them is easy. The most recycled material on earth is steel because it's expensive to manufacture it.

Insurance is reduced

When you construct a steel structure you often have lower insurance rates when you compare this to a brick or wood construction. This is due to its durability, ability to withstand many natural disasters and it's resistance to things like fire and pests.

Durable

Steel buildings don't suffer from leaks, shrinkage, or swells that climate change causes and they are non-combustible. that impact the structure or having pests such as termites eat through the material. These buildings are made of 100% steel and get added strength from their arch design. It's incredibly difficult to dent a panel. If you do, however, you can easily hammer it back out, or get a replacement panel to repair the spot.

Versatility

These buildings are known for their versatility. You receive the arches which make up the walls and roof, but the interior is a wide-open space left for, however, you want to customize it.

Wide Open Space

Wood or masonry construction is quite limited in how wide the open space can be without needing a support column. You'll have no such problem with a Quonset hut building. These structures provide clear-span space that requires no interior columns. This leaves wide open unobstructed space for whatever your purposes may be.

Expandable

It's surprisingly simple to expand your building should you require more space. The factory will likely have your dimensions on file and you can simply ask them to manufacture additional arches. These arches can be added on to your existing building to give you as much extra space as you need.

Good question. The answer is, they're both.

We also call arch buildings, Quonset huts which gained popularity during World War II. Metal ribs which interlock are used to form the sides and the roof of the structure. We use arch buildings for garages, storage buildings, sheds, and garages. Since the construction methods are simple, they are often used for a do-it-yourself type of project. Per square foot, they are less expensive when compared with other buildings. The drawback is that the structure is not customizable or adaptable. They can only have doors and windows in the end walls and not on the sides. As you move from the center of the building, the overhead clearance goes down.

In the industry, you may come across a high-pressure sales pitch. When you speak to manufacturers and brokers you may get lines like “a customer just canceled an order of a similar building you want.” You might get lines such as “It’s the last one we have,” or “we can sell the components cheap if you buy today.” These pitches are designed to get you to buy now, even if you’re not ready.

Some of the opportunities they speak in these pitches may not be true. Recently a major prefab company got into trouble for sales practices which were misleading. You don't want to fall for these. You can find good deals, so watch for them. You don't necessarily have to buy today.

You may also get what is called the “leftover” sales pitch. This is where a salesperson says they have a steel building that is left over in a design which is similar to the style and size that you want. Since each building is designed for a job and has a specific design for that job you want to avoid this sort of pitch.

This isn't a small purchase. You'll want to ensure that you're working with a company that has your best interest at heart, and a reputation to match. Here are some questions to ask a supplier who provides you with a quote:

• How many years have you been in operation?
• Can you supply blueprints that are engineer certified?
• Do you offer guarantees on your prefab steel buildings?
• How long will it take to make and deliver my structure? (If it’s on the lot, you’ll get it in a few days. (It also helps you avoid a salesperson that pushes a “closeout special”)
• How will you ensure that the building meets codes in my area?
• Do you have an area of expertise? (Such as large structures. Others may have more focus on garages or hangers and not commercial or retail buildings)

Check with the BBB (Better Business Bureau) in the area where the supplier is located. See if any complaints have been filed against the company. Try to ask for references from the company. If they give local references, ask if you can go and see the building.

There will be a lot of considerations for you when purchasing this building. We've put together a list of some of them below to help you get started but be sure to do your own due diligence when purchasing.

• No penny pinching – You’re going to be spending thousands of dollars so five hundred there and won’t be a problem. You will have a building that will last 30 years or more. You want a building that you’re going to be happy with.
• Look closely at the good deals – When you have two sells that present offers to you for a similar structure that are several thousand apart, you need to investigate these deals. One might not be including all you need.
• Buy at the right time – Steel buildings tend to have a seasonal trend. When sales are down, this is a good time to buy and you’ll get a better price. In the winter and summer sales are slower. A salesperson will take less markup to make a sale.
• Building code verification – Make sure you contact the local building officials and verify codes as this is very important once you have your specifications. Costs will rise if you don’t meet codes and must make changes which also might include late surcharges. Verify that your contract meets the specifications correctly.
• Get it in writing – A manufacturer may ask you verbally for a go-ahead to “lock in the price,” or have the factory begin the build,” but this is not a good idea. Make sure you have the details in writing, so you know what you’re going to be getting.
• Use an accredited manufacturer if you can – Look for companies that have the (International Accreditation Service or I.A.S certification. By purchasing from a manufacturer that is accredited the building will be built to high standards according to the industry.

Each one is custom-built specifically for a client's needs. You can do widths of anything from 10 feet wide to 100 feet plus, and lengths of anything in 2 foot increments. We'll look into the details more below.

Width

While widths may be possible at 10 feet, you'll be unlikely to find a factory that's willing to produce it. In general, widths will start at 20 feet and go to 150+ feet. Some have been made over 150 feet in width, but at that point, you'll require internal framing and it's less expensive to go with a steel framed type of building.

Length

The length is always in 2 foot increments since that is the standard width of a quonset arch. Theoretically, there's no limit to length as you can continuously add additional arches to make it longer.

Height

The height is dependent in part on the width and profile you select. A general rule of thumb for heights would be:

• 20 foot wide - 12 feet tall
• 30 foot wide - 15 feet tall
• 40 foot wide - 17 feet tall
• 50 foot wide - 19 feet tall

There's an almost infinite number of ways to customize your quonset. Accessories are available from the manufacturer but will vary from one to the next so be sure to speak with your provider to see what options are available. Common accessories include:

Doors

Standard man doors, overhead doors and roll up doors of a variety of sizes and configurations.

Windows

Add light to your building with windows. Specialized steel frames bolt right into the arches and allow you to use virtually any standard window.

Vents

Venting can be important for uninsulted quonsets to avoid condensation buildup when humidity is high. There are a variety of vents available from power vents to passive ones so be sure to speak with your building rep about them.

Skylights

Custom-made skylight panels can bolt right into place. They're a great way to add natural light to your building and save on your electricity bill.

Insulation

You'll be shocked by how easy it is to insulate. Insulation is a highly requested add-on for buildings in cold northern climates or hot southern ones. While there are a variety of insulation options for a Quonset hut, the type that is offered by most factories will be a fiberglass batt type that has a mylar or plastic film on one side. This type is held to the walls by pins that screw onto the end of the existing wall-panel bolts.