Steel Building Advisor

When considering the purchase of a steel building there are a number of factors that need to be included in your decision. The fundamental question is how you will use the building once it is completed. The determination of the steel building’s use can best be answered by answering some basic questions for yourself.

The first determination is to decide what the building will do for you. This question is best answered by how you see the building being beneficial to your lifestyle five, ten, even twenty years down the road. The size of the building is also an important consideration. When deciding on a size think in terms of at least 20% more space than you think you will need. A lot of people make the mistake of buying too small a building and then having to expand at more expense in a short period of time. Entrances to the structure need to be addressed. You need to determine if regular walk doors are sufficient, or if overhead doors are needed. If overhead doors are required, the type (roll-up or sectional) and number need to be ascertained. This also can help in figuring out the size of the building that you will have to purchase in order to satisfy all entry requirements. Decide on whether these entryways will be in end and/or sidewalls.

One of the next considerations is the height of the structure. Remember, that on most gabled steel buildings, the maximum door clearance is at least two feet below the eave of the building. For instance, if you need a twelve foot clearance through a door you need to plan for a fourteen foot high eave, at a minimum. The best gauge is to figure out how much room will be required in the interior height of the building. Warehouses and some manufacturing facilities need to allow for taller storage areas and bigger heavy machinery clearances.

Careful consideration needs to be made for the need for insulation. Steel buildings can be extremely cold in the winter and unbearably hot in the summer if left un-insulated. Do not underestimate your insulation needs and be sure to figure this into your overall budget for your project.

If thought is given to the eventual expansion of the building, keep in mind some factors. Once the width is determined on an I-Beam building, that dimension is “set in stone”. Width expansion on steel buildings is expensive, if not impossible, on steel I-Beam structures because of the support characteristics of the members. Most I-Beam steel building structures are expandable lengthwise by removal of the end-walls. In most instances, the end-walls can be re-used. Check with the steel building manufacturer or supplier you are considering purchasing from to see if expansion if the building is feasible in the future.

Secondary considerations are also important and are addressed in the article ”Further Considerations on the Right Steel Building to Purchase.”

The heat build-up within a steel building is, in large part, determined by the building’s roof reflectance under the sun. “Cool roof” technology initiatives have been applied in the 21^st century to help improve any steel building’s resistance to heat.

Roofs that have non-reflective pigments of the same color will not dissipate and reflect heat as roofs employing infrared reflecting elements in their composition. Infrared reflecting elements on roofs keep steel building interiors cooler.

The reflecting of light and heat is only a partial answer for the need for dissipation of the light and heat away from the steel building. Heat that is not reflected by the roof is absorbed into the structure. Steel buildings will react in one or a combination of three ways with exposure to light- it will absorb it, reflect it, or transmit the light. Any light introduced to a steel roof is either absorbed or reflected. Much of the sunlight introduced to the roof can be reflected away successfully with the use of certain pigments in the paint of the roof. Remember, that light that is absorbed by the roof and the steel structure of the building is converted to heat within the building.

Radiation, convection, or conduction will dissipate the heat build up within a steel building. The emission of radiation of energy away from the roof is called radiation. The transfer of heat from the steel building into the air is called convection. The movement of heat through solid materials from a high temperature area to a lower temperature area is called conduction. In relation to a roof on a steel building conduction will travel from the roof’s surface, then go underneath, through the decking, rafters, joists, walls, and ultimately throughout the entire steel structure. The processes of conduction and convection make heat easy to draw into a steel building.

There will be a large amount of heat built up by an uncoated steel roof while exposed to the sun. A large portion of this heat can be radiated away from the roof and structure with the use of a coated steel roof. The amount of energy expenditure within the building to keep it cool will, in large part, be determined the roof’s reflectivity.

Absorption of any light introduced by the sun is essential to dissipation of this same heat by way of the radiation process. The use of highly reflective roofs then, in contrast, will not  be as effective in heat blockage because the proven heat reduction capacity of certain pigmented paints has not been applied.

The painted roof stipulations, in some states, have been written into their building codes. The code specifies that the roofing material needs to be coated with a durable paint finish.

The steel building purchaser should consider introducing reflective paint pigments onto the roof to maximize reflectance of the roof and, subsequently, the entire structure. No dulling of paint characteristics is necessary. “Cool roofing” will pay more and more a part in the future of steel building construction.

In the 21^st century most quality steel building manufacturers and suppliers have developed very diverse steel building systems. These technological advances allows today’s purchaser to select the proper steel building system to meet their design and strength requirements.

 

Steel hybrid building systems are a possibility for any purchaser to consider if building with steel. The integrity of the steel building system construction processes is integrated in the strength of the steel building components in a steel hybrid building system. Hybrid systems have a very effective design profile that allow them to meet or exceed any individual heavy loading requirements. A hybrid steel structure has marked design flexibility inherent in the system, by definition. Hybrid steel structure systems are generally provided by one supplier which precludes the need to shop from multiple vendors for all additional components, accessories, and options. Hybrid steel building structures feature rapid assembly and easily as compared with more conventionally constructed buildings. Hybrid buildings can be erected in a fraction of the time it would take for wood, brick, stucco, or other more traditional structures. No matter how small or large your particular building project is, the choice of a hybrid steel system allows you to choose from a vast array of engineering options in order to meet all of your design criteria. Large and complex projects can be done with substantial costs savings when a hybrid steel building is utilized.

Steel building construction affords the purchaser any number of configurations to meet almost any design demand.

One of the first steel design configurations to consider is the lean-to. If you need additional square footage under roof attached to an existing structure, the lean-to may be the solution to your needs. Lean-to structures attach right at or just below the existing structure’s eave. Lean-to structures are very popular in providing additional space for commodity or equipment structure or even livestock boarding. Depending on the purchaser’s design requirements a lean-to can be either partially or fully covered.

The single slope design is another configuration to consider. A single slope steel building is simply a sloping roof in one plane. This steel structure has the slope on the roof from one sidewall to the opposite sidewall and does not come to a gable. This is a very popular choice among many retail strip mall storefronts.

A popular choice is the unsymmetrical steel building. This is also known as a double slope building where the ridge of the roof is specifically designed to be off-center. This particular building design is favored by a number of specialty shops and restaurants.

The final design configuration to consider is the symmetrical gable steel building. This is further defined as a ridged or double slope building on which the ridge of the roof is in the center of the building. This is the most popular style of steel building chosen because of the vast array of design configurations available.

In a previous article we addressed some of the fundamental considerations to purchasing the correct steel building for your needs. That article addressed such fundamentals right to bare legs as use of the structure, dimensions, doors, insulation, and future expansion. This article continues the discussion to ensure that you purchase the right steel building for your needs.

If you are considering a second floor for your steel building there are some factors to ponder on. First, an I-Beam framed steel building will, more than likely, need a twenty-two foot eave to comfortably accommodate a second floor. The mezzanine that is required to facilitate a second floor in a steel building can be expensive due to the necessary loading characteristics that would need to be engineered into the building design. If space allows, consider more square footage in a one story steel building to curb costs douglasville ga bankruptcy attorney.

The appearance of I-Beam framed steel buildings have greatly changed over the past few years. They do not have to be the unsightly plain metal boxes of the past. Shake weight A vast array of Siliconized Polyesther paint colors are available in both sidewall and trim applications. Steeper pitched gabled roofs can also be painted to be more aesthetically pleasing. Quality steel building manufacturers and suppliers also offer premium components that include simulated rock, brick, stone, and stucco facades. In many cases, with the proper use of exterior components a steel building can not be identified as anything other than a more conventional structure.

The dimensions of steel buildings, formerly limited to square or rectangular configurations, can now be fabricated to virtually any shape or size. Everything from circular municipal administration buildings to hexagonal sanctuaries are now able to be fabricated out of steel. Smoke Assist cigarette Mansards and parapets are also used to fully dress out many steel buildings that require sleekness of style and uniqueness of design.

Roof pitches on steel buildings extend from 1:12 to 6:12 slopes. The higher the pitch of the building, generally, the more expense, because more steel is used in the fabrication of the roof. Higher pitched roofs are also more efficient than low profile roofs in moisture drainage and resistant to ponding complications. Argan Oil Standing seam metal roofs are a more recent technological advance in the steel building industry and are recommended for higher precipitation areas. Max Burn This roof configuration is more expensive than the screw-down roof typically employed, however.

Most communities also require a building permit for your steel building. HGH It will, also, need to conform to local codes. The securing of a building permit  and costs are the buyer’s responsibilities.

Finally, unless you have extensive building experience and your building is a smaller garage or workshop, the hiring of a qualified erector is encouraged and important to consider in the overall cost of your project.

The debate over whether steel or concrete is the better building material from a cost and safety factor is still continuing. Before modern engineering and the technological  advances in concrete and steel construction the building systems favored were wood and brick. The materials that head the list of construction development today, however, are steel and concrete. Both materials provide numerous benefits.

Start with the factor of safety as accords concrete construction. The development of concrete for use in the new World Trade Center project in New York City makes a strong argument for the safety of concrete. There will be two foot thick concrete for protection of the inner core of the building against terrorist attack or fire. Reinforced concrete is very resistant to explosion and impact. Concrete can also endure high temperatures from fire for a long time without the loss of structural integrity. Concrete’s inherent mass and strength can also resist extreme hurricane force winds. The proper design and construction of concrete is also very resistant to seismic activity.

The addition of passive fire protection, such as spray-on fireproofing, can help buildings made of structural steel to sustain greater fire temperatures and provide additional safety to the building. Safety is taken into account with very effective designing and implementation of steel. Steel’s strength and ductility, combined with proper engineering and design and precise fabrication processes, make it a good choice for areas with seismic activity. Steel framing also performs very well under high wind conditions because of its propensity to bend but not to break.

The costs of these two superior building materials can also be compared. The price of concrete has become relatively stable. This is despite the spike seen in the costs of other building materials. Cast-in-place concrete can be pricier on the front end of a building project but the return on investment on the back end of the project can lessen the cost differential. Insurance costs can also be lower because insurance companies favor cast-in-place reinforced concrete which offers increased safety and structural integrity, thus reducing insurance premiums, in many cases. Some cast in place reinforced concrete structures can save over 20% annually on property insurance.

Structural steel has seen increases in prices over the last few years. But structural steel still only represents less than 20% of all the steel used in building construction. Looking at the overall impact on building project costs, the project costs have gone up by 10% as a result of increases in all types of construction materials-not just steel. The increase in cost of the steel structural framing system represents less than 2% of the 10% increase in project costs. Costs are almost a wash. The costs for a concrete framing system have gone up to equivalence to the costs of a steel framing system.

There are many advantages that steel roofs have over other roofing systems, especially when used in conjunction with steel buildings. Steel roofs are provided in an unpainted form or can be painted with any number of colors. Long-life Siliconized Polyester coatings do not support the growth of moss, mildew, or fungus. Steel panels on a roof are surprisingly lightweight, yet are strong enough to withstand whatever the elements may bring. Pitched steel roofs allow snow and moisture to drain easily. Steel roofing simply lasts longer than other roofing methods and materials. A quality steel roof conserves energy and requires very little maintenance.

For many buildings that currently have shingled roofs, re-roofing with a steel roof is generally acceptable. Steel panels actually weigh less than the shingles and can be placed over the existing roof without tearing off the original components. This eliminates the cost of tearing the old shingles off and disposing of them. This process usually involves the use of furring strips parallel to the eave and ridge of the roof. Tearing off shingles on the old roof is only required if local building codes stipulate this process.

Steel panels attached to roofs are usually done with either screws or nails. These can also be color matched to the color of your roof. Screw fasteners are the best option in this process as they afford superior pullout resistance and weather tightness. Nails have to go in the high rib of the panel, but screw fasteners are designed to go into the flat part of the panel for a more secure attachment.

The use of insulation under a steel roof is suggested. Fan-fold or foil-faced plastic bubble insulation are both commonly used. Utility costs can be greatly reduced by making your steel roof more energy efficient with the use of quality insulation.

The old noisy metal roofs of the past that made life uncomfortable when it rained are gone. State-of-the art 21^stcentury steel roofs reduce even the harshest of drumming rain to a soothing patter. Sound deadening insulation and drywall ceilings in the interior have helped to make building interiors much more comfortable in this regard.

A steel roof can last a long time. It could very well be the only roof you will ever need for your manufacturing facility, riding arena, shop, or retail strip mall. Some life expectancies on steel roofs can well exceed thirty years. There are many corrosive resistant substrates and long-life finishes applied to help provide years of performance, minimal maintenance, and overall cost savings over any other type of roof application.

Steel roofing is easily installed on a new or existing structure. Check with a quality steel building manufacturer or supplier for more information about the benefits of steel roofing.