Residential Steel Buildings

Whether your company needs a small storage shed or a large manufacturing facility, steel buildings are often the easiest and most inexpensive solution. Among the benefits of these buildings are the numerous options and features available to change and customize your building's design.

The options you choose will vary based on the desired function of your building.

Basic structure and shape

While almost all varieties have a concrete slab foundation, the general structure and frame can vary. Although there are many to choose from, there are usually two general options: rigid frame and arch.

As the name suggests, rigid frame buildings are steel buildings with a rigid frame. These structures look more like traditional framed buildings than their arched counterparts, featuring vertical or near-vertical walls and sloped roofs. Rigid frame buildings are usually either clear span (completely open inside) or modular.

Arched models, on the other hand, utilize the arch for structural stability. While some are simply a rounded arch or half cylinder, others take on a more traditional exterior, featuring near-vertical walls and sloped roofs. Unlike buildings with rigid frames, however, arch models are less customizable and popular for vehicle storage.

Roof

Although many steel structures come with prefabricated roofs, some rigid frame structures may require a separate roof installation. One of the most popular roof varieties is the standing seam steel roof, which is easily identified by structural ribs visible on the surface. Standing seam roofs are not only easy to install, but they are also energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and can last for decades without maintenance.

Insulation

Steel structures and buildings requiring special heating and cooling needs are often better off with insulation. Insulation, however, is not only useful for heating and cooling purposes: It can also help reduce condensation and block outside noises, which makes it even more appealing - and necessary - for residential structures. Steel structure insulation usually comes in the form of fiberglass sheets of varying thicknesses, with thicker sheets being able to resist more extreme temperatures.

Fiberglass insulation, however, cannot protect against radiant heat, such as the sun's rays. As a result, steel structures and buildings utilizing fiberglass insulation often have a reflective sheet covering the insulation that reflects radiant and solar heat.

Other features

Steel structures and buildings can be equipped with several other features depending on their use. For example, most aircraft hangers are made from steel and often require large sliding or lifting doors to allow aircraft to enter and exit the facility.

Whether your company needs a small storage shed or a large manufacturing facility, steel buildings are often the easiest and most inexpensive solution.

Contrary to what you might think, these buildings offer numerous options and features to change and customize the design of your building.