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Archive for February, 2011

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Metal Roofs for Metal Buildings

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Metal building prices are competitive with their counterparts. If you have decided to purchase a metal building package, you may order it from a dealer or directly to a steel building supplier who has an online presence. Usually, they provide for a utility of pricing metal buildings for free, so you can have a better idea about the prevailing metal building prices.

Whether your metal building is for residential or commercial purposes, your choice of roofing is chosen based, not only on performance, but also on looks. If you choose the right system, your metal roofing will last for at least 50 years. Because of this, metal roofs are a bit pricey when compared to asphalt shingles.

Metal roofing systems for metal buildings have numerous advantages. First of all, new technologies and methodologies have been adopted to simplify their installation. They are totally fireproof and made with environmentally friendly recyclable materials such as steel, tin, aluminum, and copper. They are energy efficient too since light colored metal roofs reflect some of the sun’s rays, thus lowering cooling costs.

Painted metal roofs are also a great choice especially those treated with fluoropolymer resin. The coating stops ultraviolet degradation and fading of colored paints. They have been proven to retain 85% of their original color even after 20 years of sun exposure.

Installing metal roofs for metal buildings must be done with care. It is a wise idea to purchase the metal roof and all the assembly parts from the same manufacturer. If possible, hire a professional to do the job.

For metal buildings located in areas with high wind, ensure that the bottom and top edges of the roof are installed properly because they receive the highest loads especially during sustained wind storms. A good roofer understands the importance of using special metal clips and fastening techniques to allow the roof to expand and contract, yet remain watertight.

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Metal Storage Buildings, The Best Option for Your Storage Needs

Friday, February 25th, 2011

Storage is a problem for large organizations, small companies, hobbyists, and homeowners, as well. Companies can reduce overhead expenses allotted to office space by storing their goods, back-up files and other office equipment in a more secure and less expensive location. Hobbyists and homeowners need space to store their precious investments in more controlled environments or just because there is not enough room in their homes.

So far, metal storage buildings have proven to be the most dependable storage solutions. Metal storage buildings are made of high-grade steel which is largely the reason why they remain straight and true in spite of unfavorable weather conditions such as high winds, heavy snow, and hurricanes. Steel is more resistant to fire. If a fire should occur, it would move slowly and can be more easily contained because steel is a non-combustible material.

Metal storage buildings offer the best protection because of their nature. These structures are pre-engineered at the factories using the latest and advanced technologies, ensuring tight connections and straight walls. With metal storage buildings, goods and other precious investments are well protected from damage brought about by water, mold, and vermin.

For those who want to invest in a storage building, steel is the best choice. Metal storage buildings are highly customizable and flexible. Modern metal buildings can be built for just about any purpose. The high strength-to-weight ratio of steel allow metal storage buildings to be built with clear-span and column-free interiors, with 100% usable space of up to 300 feet.

With metal storage buildings, future expansion is not a problem. The bays of these structures are adjustable and the end walls are removable to form larger units. What can be more flexible than that? Metal storage buildings allow you to meet the changing demands of your customers in a hassle-free and more economical way.

What’s more, metal storage buildings offer a lot of savings due to their easy and fast construction, minimal maintenance, and energy-efficiency.

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Commercial and Residential Metal Buildings

Thursday, February 24th, 2011

Metal buildings are not confined to a single type of consumer in the construction industry. Applications of metal buildings in the commercial sector include corporate offices, sports complexes, strip malls, supermarkets, freight terminals, distribution facilities, car dealerships, and aircraft hangars.

The residential sector is not far behind. The demand for residential applications is steadily rising because homeowners have realized the many benefits that metal buildings provide such as fast and easy erection, reduced construction cost, and exceptional durability – characteristics that are unmatched by traditional modes of construction.

Because they are pre-engineered and pre-fabricated, metal buildings can be designed for any configuration and size. Building components are manufactured at the factories and arrive at the site pre-drilled, pre-punched, and pre-welded.

Metal building systems come with erection drawings and easy-to-read instructions so some owners do the erection by themselves. Others opt to hire professional building erectors who are mostly recommended by the building suppliers.

After choosing your preferred accessories, decide on the type of roofing, interior and exterior walls. While your metal building is being manufactured at the factory, prepare the site. Metal buildings need foundations where columns are anchored. Most of these structures have concrete foundations.

The two previous posts talked about the initial stages of a metal building project, which showed you guidelines on how to arrive at the final design and cost of the structure. Just like any venture, no matter how hard you prepare, some problems may sometimes crop up.

One of these is the issue that your metal building may not be able to withstand additional load. Any future enhancements or extensions for your metal building must be incorporated in the original design for lesser expense and hassle on your part.

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Posted in commercial steel buildings, Residential Steel Buildings, Steel Buildings | 1 Comment »

Metal Building Prices

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

Yesterday’s post talked about some guidelines that you should follow in order to ensure that your metal building project succeeds. Now, let’s talk about metal building prices.

After answering the questions stated in the guidelines contained in yesterday’s post, the next thing to consider is your budget. How much are you willing to spend on your metal building? The good news is that metal buildings are known for their affordability and practicality when compared to traditional methods of construction.

Basically, the amount of your investment depends largely on the following:

· Steel grade

The durability of metal buildings is mainly a result of the use of high quality steel. Steel grade is a classification of various steels by their composition and physical properties. This classification has been developed through the years by a number of international standard associations such as ASTM, SAE, British Standards, and ISO. A major portion of metal building prices is taken up by the grade of steel used.

· Design

Another major component of a metal building’s price is its design. Metal building prices vary depending on the amount of material used, which, in turn, depends on the design of the structures. This is dependent on the metal building’s location. For instance, for metal buildings located in areas where heavy snow is experienced or in hurricane prone areas, then safety measures must be incorporated in their design. Metal buildings are designed based on the customers’ specifications with local and national building codes factored in, as well.

· Transportation

Aside from the price of the metal building, your budget must also include shipping expenses. Talk it over with your supplier before making the purchase.

· Accessories

Metal building accessories such as doors, windows, insulation and ventilation systems, gutters, downspouts, etc. are not included in the standard package. Be careful when you order these items because they will greatly affect your budget for your metal building project.

Metal building prices are competitive with their counterparts. Just think of the potential savings they would provide in the form of reduced labor costs due to their fast and easy construction, lesser electricity bills, and minimal maintenance.

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Metal Building Systems

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

Due to modern technological advancements and improvements over the past years, metal building systems have become one of the top choices for various building configurations. In other words, metal is now considered to be a more flexible construction component than ever before.

Metal, most especially steel, is preferred by most architects and construction engineers because it is highly customizable and portable. In fact, steel building systems can be built to span large distances due to steel’s high strength-to-weight ratio. As a result, metal buildings systems are now regarded as a viable submarket within the construction industry.

Metal building systems are easy to erect and take lesser time to build. These structures are constructed “on-site” by assembling together sections of the building components, which are manufactured in factories. Metal building systems offer sustainable solutions for most construction needs because they do not contribute to non-biodegradable wastes. Why? Because they are energy efficient and highly recyclable, making them cost-effective and practical choices, as well.

Metal building systems offer other benefits including easy expandability and they also require minimal maintenance. These structures are not prone to mold, warp, rot, or rust. Applications of metal building systems include schools, airplane hangars, garages, agricultural structures, storage sheds, barns, institutional buildings, factories, and warehouses.

If you are seriously thinking of venturing into a metal building project, here are some guidelines to help you with your decisions and lessen your headaches. Ask yourself the following questions:

· What is the purpose of your metal building?
· Would you be able to acquire a building permit for your project?
· Would your metal building need insulation?
· Do you foresee any future expansion plans for your metal building?
· Will you build it yourself or do you need a builder?
· How many floors will your metal building have?
· What are your preferences for the building’s interior and exterior finishes?
· Do you need a clear-span frame? What do you think is the ideal width of your metal building?

Answering these questions will help you acquire the metal building that meets your particular needs and specifications and at the same time ensure that you will get the most out of your metal building.

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Posted in Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings, Prefabricated Steel Buildings, Steel Building benefits, Steel Buildings | 1 Comment »

Best Roof Pitch for Your Steel Framed Building

Monday, February 21st, 2011

Whatever type of frame your steel building has, whether clear-span or modular frame, there are various roof pitches to choose from. Roof pitch is the angle of the steel frame building’s roof expressed as a ratio indicating the roof’s vertical rise in inches for every 12 inches of travel horizontally.

For example, a 6:12 roof pitch means the roof rises 6 inches vertically for every 12 inches it runs horizontally.  Your choice of roof pitch is important because it affects the appearance, size, performance and overall cost of your steel framed building.

There are numerous considerations in deciding which roof pitch is best for your building. Actually, higher and lower roof pitches both offer advantages and disadvantages, so you have to weigh the pros and cons wisely.

Money-wise, higher pitched roofs for steel framed buildings cost more but they offer more total cubic footage and maximum inside clearance for a little more investment. Besides, the additional space above the eaves could be used for extra storage or for whatever purpose it may serve. In addition, the extra volume lessens heat buildup in non-air-conditioned steel framed buildings.

Furthermore, higher pitched roofs of steel framed buildings are more efficient at shedding snow and rain and are less likely to leak. And as far as appearance is concerned, a higher pitched roof adds style to your steel building. It is also more visible and attractive especially when colored or painted.

However, in some situations, low-pitched roofs for steel framed buildings also offer some advantages. First of all, they cost less because they require less material. In addition, since a low-pitched roof is not visible, you have no need to spend extra money for colored roof panels.

Furthermore, since the steel building with a low-pitched roof has less total cubic footage, it takes less energy to cool or heat the structure. Besides, it is easier to expand a steel framed building with a low-pitched roof. In which case, you will lose less headroom if ever you decide to expand your steel framed building with a low-pitched roof.

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Posted in Steel Buildings, Steel Frame Buildings | 8 Comments »

Types of Framing for Prefabricated Steel Buildings

Friday, February 18th, 2011

Nowadays, prefabricated steel buildings are in great demand because consumers are more aware of their high quality that delivers long-term peace of mind and cost savings. Steel has consistent strength and steel framed buildings comply with strict standards and tight tolerances.

There are actually two types of frames used in prefabricated steel framed buildings. The most popular type is the clear-span steel frame. The clear-span rigid frame system for steel buildings are known for its enduring strength, durability, flexibility, and economy.

Clear-span framing does not require interior columns or supports, allowing for a clear unobstructed, 100% usable working space. This gives owners, greater freedom and flexibility in designing the interiors of steel buildings.

As expected, this design is ideal for commercial, industrial, and other applications of prefabricated steel buildings that require wide open spaces like sports arenas, churches, gymnasiums, skating rinks, riding arenas, heavy equipment garages, airplane hangars, etc.

Another type of framing for prefabricated steel buildings is the modular frame. The difference between modular framing and clear-span framing for steel buildings is the use of interior support columns. These columns absorb and evenly distribute some of the load that results in reduced costs for both the frame and the foundation of wide buildings.

A modular frame is an attractive and economical option for steel buildings with width of about 100 feet or wider such as large factories, warehouses, and other large facilities that do not really require clear-span interiors. However, the disadvantage with this type of framing for prefabricated steel buildings, is that the building interiors must be designed around the columns.

Another kind of frame that is not commonly used for steel buildings is the single slope frame. Single slope steel buildings are characterized by having different eave heights in each sidewall, typically sloping up from front to back. These are commonly used for strip-malls, offices, and self-storage steel framed buildings.

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Design Considerations of Steel Framed Buildings in Cold Climates

Thursday, February 17th, 2011

Steel framed buildings can be designed for unfavorable temperature conditions that would naturally have adverse effects on the structures’ environment and intended use. For example, for steel framed buildings that require heat control such as those mostly occupied by humans or livestock, there are a number of issues that need to be addressed during the design phase.

Yesterday’s post talked about issues for designing steel framed buildings located in hot climates. What about metal structures in cold climates?

Similarly, well thought of designs of steel framed buildings in cold climates can help reduce heating costs resulting in lower energy consumption. However, instead of protecting the metal structures from the heat of the sun, the objective now is to find ways to capture the natural heating from the sun and make the interiors comfortably warm.

Consider the following in designing steel framed buildings located in cold climates:

· Ensure that windows are positioned toward direct sunlight. Steel framed buildings in cold climates are designed not to keep thermal mass away from the hottest areas of the structures. This way, heat is radiated back into the buildings at night.

· Instead of wide eaves, make us of narrow ones to get the windows and thermal mass warmed by the sun during the day.

· Use reasonable amount of insulation to prevent heat loss. Insulated metal panels or steel sandwich panels have been proven to do the job of preventing draughts and convection currents. In addition to using insulation to create airtight steel framed buildings, the design should also remove thermal bridges. A thermal bridge is created when materials that are poor thermal insulators come into contact.

· Use dark colors because they absorb heat more than light colors. Dark colored roofs and external walls of steel framed buildings contribute to the thermal mass of the structures.

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Design Considerations of Steel Framed Buildings in Hot Climates

Wednesday, February 16th, 2011

If steel framed buildings located in hot climates are designed carefully, numerous benefits including reduced cooling costs and lower energy costs can be achieved. However, even before the design phase commences, finding the right location for these structures is equally important. For instance, find a site whose natural characteristics would reap benefits for the structure. Some of the initial steps to take are the following: consider shade areas, study the typical wind directions of the site, and the structure’s position relative to the movement of the sun in order to protect the building from adverse heating effects.

The following are some issues in the design of steel framed buildings located in hot climates:

· Make sure that windows are positioned away from direct sunlight. This is one way of effectively utilizing thermal mass, which is the ability of the building fabric to absorb heat.The building fabric consists of the roof, external walls, including windows and doors. Keep thermal mass away from the hottest areas of the building such as the roof and walls, because once these get hot during the day, they radiate heat back into the steel framed building at night.

· Prevent the harsh rays of the sun from gaining access to the steel framed buildings by using wide eaves, placing external blinds, steel louvers or shutters on windows, or even planting natural shade trees near windows where direct sunlight originates.

· Position the windows to capture prevailing wind currents that would naturally cool the steel framed building. Another way of promoting natural convection is to use thermal chimneys to create hot spots where air could flow naturally.

· Make use of light colors or natural metallic finishes in most components of steel framed buildings. While black components tend to absorb heat and energy from the sun, light colored ones reflect heat from the building, leaving less to be absorbed.

· Make use of modern construction materials and practices to prevent heat transfer into steel framed buildings such as insulation and double glazed glass windows and doors.

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Metal Claddings, Reliable Elements of a Steel Building’s Envelope

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

The building envelope is what physically separates the interior and exterior environments of steel buildings. Making up the shell of the building, its primary functions are to help maintain the indoor environment, facilitate climate control, adding structural support, and controlling moisture and air pressure.

Metal cladding systems provide efficient, attractive, and reliable solutions to building envelopes of steel buildings. Through the years, they have evolved in form, function, and appearance, making them popular cladding systems used in industrial, retail, and leisure applications of steel buildings.

To give us a better appreciation of how metal claddings perform their functions, let us review the principal building components of steel buildings, using a typical modern 1-story industrial type steel building. Basically, there are three layers to the structure:

1. The primary steel frame, which consists of columns, rafters, and bracing.

2. The secondary steelwork, consisting of side rails for the walls and purlins for the roof. These members aim to:
· Support the cladding
· Transfer load from the cladding to the steel frame
· Curtail the movement of the primary steel frame members

3. The roof and wall cladding, which serve some or all of the following purposes:
· Separate the interior and the exterior environments
· Transfer load to the secondary steelwork
· Provide thermal and/or acoustic insulation
· Prevent the spread of fire
· Provide an airtight envelope
· Provide ventilation

All steel buildings, no matter what they are built for, must provide a controlled internal environment, protected from the changing external climate. This internal environment depends largely on the intended use of a steel building and this naturally determines the requirements of the structure’s building envelope.

Besides, as can be seen from the above list, metal claddings for the roof and walls also play an important role in the structural performance of steel buildings, by restricting the movements of the secondary steelwork against lateral-torsional instability.

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